Small Tortoisehells

Dave R · Post by **Dave R** » Wed Aug 10, 2011 7:33 pm

Is this a really bad year for Small Torts? I ask because I have seen plenty of Peacock & Red Admiral in my garden but in the last two months I would say I haven't seen a single ST.
Been on a couple of outings to Chambers Wood in Lincolnshire and didn't see one there either so was wondering what the general experience was countrywide?

RobS · Post by **RobS** » Wed Aug 10, 2011 8:23 pm

have been doing quite a lot of butterflying this month and ive only seen one.At Alice Holt (Straits Inclosure)

cheers
rob

David M · Post by **David M** » Wed Aug 10, 2011 9:22 pm

I saw plenty early on in the year but I agree they've been scarce since May ended.

RobS · Post by **RobS** » Sun Aug 14, 2011 8:20 pm

Just for the record i did see a second one this weekend on the South Downs near Graffham

cheers rob

Essex Bertie · Post by **Essex Bertie** » Sun Aug 14, 2011 8:29 pm

In central Essex a few weeks ago, I saw up to 30 along a riverbank where previously I've only seen ones and twos. But this hotspot seemed very local; maybe they managed to get ahead of their parasite somehow. A couple of branch sightings this weekend suggest the next brood could be underway.

Rob S

Dave McCormick · Post by **Dave McCormick** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 12:42 am

About a month ago I saw lots (in one small area I saw at least 17) so they are having a good year around my haunts in Co Down, its peacocks that are having a really bad year, saw one all year!

Hugh Middleton · Post by **Hugh Middleton** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 6:48 pm

David,

They do seem to be scarce here abouts. On 31st July there was a BC walk around Chambers. Four hours and 50+ pairs of eyes saw no ST. Saw one in the Butterfly Garden there this week and it was a fresh specimen.

Hugh

David M · Post by **David M** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 8:35 pm

On the corresponding weekend last year, I visited West Williamston in Pembrokeshire and saw huge numbers of Small Tortoiseshells nectaring on the Sea Asters in the tidal zone. I intend to go back there this Sunday if the weather forecast is correct and if I see only a few (or even none) then I will readily conclude that this has been an atrocious year for them.

Dave McCormick · Post by **Dave McCormick** » Sat Aug 20, 2011 1:15 am

This probably isn't all the records but here are some reported ones for NI on Small Tort this year so far: http://www.bcni.org.uk/sightings.php?mo ... toiseshell

A_T · Post by **A_T** » Sat Aug 20, 2011 6:26 pm

I saw loads end of June/early July - but not so many recently.

essexbuzzard · Post by **essexbuzzard** » Sat Aug 20, 2011 9:13 pm

I saw reasonable numbers up until late June in Essex,but very few since. They are between broods now,hopefully they will re emerge in September. Saw one at Hayle,Cornwall, last Sunday.
Cheers,Mark

Essex Bertie · Post by **Essex Bertie** » Sun Aug 21, 2011 9:05 pm

Had 4 on transect today on the Blackwater estuary, Essex - double my previous best! Only a few, but all looked too pristine to be migrants and the next brood is definitely underway.

A_T · Post by **A_T** » Tue Aug 23, 2011 12:07 pm

Started seeing quite few around in the last couple of days. Here's one on my prize ragwort

Lee Hurrell · Post by **Lee Hurrell** » Tue Aug 23, 2011 12:26 pm

I saw 8 on a big patch of Wild Thyme at Aston Rowant on Sunday - the most I have seen in one place since I was a kid!

Cheers

Lee

Small Tortoisehells

Small Tortoisehells

Re: Small Tortoisehells

Re: Small Tortoisehells

Re: Small Tortoisehells

Re: Small Tortoisehells

Re: Small Tortoisehells

Re: Small Tortoisehells

Re: Small Tortoisehells

Re: Small Tortoisehells

Re: Small Tortoisehells

Re: Small Tortoisehells

Re: Small Tortoisehells

Re: Small Tortoisehells

Re: Small Tortoisehells