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Today I decided to go to Monkton NR, I'd been before a couple of weeks before and seen nothing, when i got there I was told the Comma, Peacock, and the Brimstone had all been seen there but not much else, I'd already seen the Peacock Butterfly so I set off for the woods there, once again I saw nothing so I decided to leave the wood and find a more sheltered area out of the cold wind has I walked along the path this White Butterfly appeared and made for the Small Violets in the field by the side of the path, I was surprised to find it was a Green Veined White it didn't stay too long and I thought that was it for the day so I decided on a coffee .

After my coffee I went back to the field and in the distance I saw a few more Peacock's flying, I'd not seen a Comma or a Brimstone, so I decided it was too cold a day for them, on my way back to the car I was astonished to see an Orange Tip which I disturbed on walking past I knew some of the flowers it was enjoying were in the car park so I hurried up ( has fast as you can with a walking stick) and there to my delight I found it again Spring had arrived Goldie

Lovely shots of the Orange-tip Goldie The first one at the start of the season is like a breath of fresh air

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Thanks Wurzel, things have been a bit slow here, we've had such cold winds , I've been busy as well but every time I went out looking for Butterflies I didn't find many I think I missed most, I even saw the Brimstone in my garden but like the others it didn't stop, I'm still hoping to see the Holly Blue in the garden ,since I moved into this house I've seen loads hope fully they'll arrive soon, I was so pleased to see the OT it made my day. Goldie

Nice to see you've notched up your first Orange Tip, Goldie.

Always a highlight of the year.

"I was so pleased to see the OT it made my day."...The first one each spring is definitely a heart lifter, I look forward to it every year and still can't believe what a great feeling it is. Mind you it's normally swiftly followed by slight frustration as the little bu££ers zoom about ceaselessly

Have a goodun

Wurzel

It seems ages since I last posted, my garden has only just recorded a few whites up to now, I've been limed in my adventures I'm afraid although when I've been to the Nature Reserves I've not seen much in the way of Butterflies, I'm hoping to get out a bit more when the weather gets warmer, I'm certain my arthritis will improve then

Up to now since I saw the Orange Tip I've just got shots of a Female Brimstone, a Small White( on my Blue Bells), and Green Veined whites , I saw the Brimstone once again at Monkton NR at the same time as the GVW .

The most surprising thing up to now is the fact that last year in April I saw my first Holly Blue in the Garden on April 10th and from then on throughout the year, unto now I've not seen one, we've had very cold winds here even when the Sun has been shining and warm, I just hope they arrive soon.

The Brimstone turned out to be a bit of an acrobat and the Green VW almost looked relieved Goldie

Lovely shot of the female Brimstone nectaring on Bluebell flowers, Goldie - a very special experience

Thanks David, it really is special when you see your first Brimstone, lets hope the coming warm weather will bring more nice surprises
Goldie

Today I stayed in the garden doing some jobs and I'm certainly glad I did because who should arrive at last but the Holly Blue

Last year they arrived on the 10th of April this year the 27th, I know for a fact it's their first time out because they usually settle on my or my Neighbours Bay tree, also I've looked for them every day and today two flew passed me onto the Bay tree That's made my Spring
One of them needed shelter the other one was too busy flying about . Goldie

Very special visitors, Goldie.

Always a privilege when they turn up

Very nice Holly Blue, Goldie! I think sometimes they are attracted to bay trees because the leaves are shiny like holly leaves.

Cheers,

Dave

Great set of White shots Goldie - especially the Brimstone bedecked Bluebell Great work with the Holly Blue - they're proving to be quite tricky for me this season so you did really well to find such an accommodating one

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Thanks for your posts, David , Dave, and Wurzel, I wish the Wall were more accommodating I went to Reculver today and found the Wall were every where but where you wanted them to be

I was so fed up at first I tried taking shots of them in flight I thought they'd never land these two in particular flew about constantly
Of course they must have been Male and Female Then finally one got a way and guess what, decided on the shade, I think it must have been the Female finally fed up of the chase

I tried my best after that but they didn't co-operate for really good shots, it was too dark or they were to far a way at least I got some thing and now I know where they are I'll go back, at least my £ 2-70 for the hour wasn't totally wasted Goldie

You did alright with those Walls Goldie I often find that once I've got a couple of (very blurred/dodgy) record shots of my 'target' they seem to come more easily - it's always those first few that are the most troublesome

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Hi! Wurzel, I was really glad to see the Wall and like you say their so active second time around maybe they'll be a little slower

I got some more shots of the Holly Blue today and I know now where they like to spend the night, in my Bay tree

It was turned 5-30pm when I saw one land in the tree , it was much slower than usual so I was careful to also be much slower in my movements ,at first it just sat there but when the Sun happened to catch it momentarily it opened it's wings, much to my surprise,
I must have disturb it getting the shots because it flew off down the garden, i came back into the house but when I looked back it flew back into the bush again, now I'm thinking it could be another one, but it was so quick and this time it went well into the bush, i've had a quick look and it's still there. Goldie

Cracking stuff Goldie You're doing much better than me for Holly Blues this year

Have a goodun

Wurzel

They seem to like the Bay tree Wurzel can't seem to get a shot of one on the Bluebells though which I'd like to do

I went to Blean Woods today I thought I might see a Comma or a Red Admiral I've not seen ether yet, we did see a Wood Pecker but by the time I'd got the Camera sorted it'd flown a way I caught sight of a Male Brimstone which was a distance a way in the Vegetation I took some shots but the Veg got in the way ( Blame the Veg )

We ended up having lunch at the Garden centre but still no Butterflies in fact I was surprised in the woods that we only saw a couple of Whites besides the Brimstone, we did see this Robin on the beam inside the Garden centre singing his little heart out, I couldn't resist a shot. Goldie

I love that 'tangled' Brimstone shot Goldie Those unfurling fronds look like talons grasping at the butterfly

Have a goodun

Wurzel

I thought so to Wurzel Weird things can happen

I'm finding it hard to find the Butterflies I want at present Wurzel but at least each day I'm finding at least one

I went to Tankerton today to the Castle Gardens, lovely flowers out but I only saw Whites and Holly Blues which didn't stop until I spotted a few Speckies, being has I'd yet to see one at least the journey was satisfying, when I got back the Hollies were flying none stop Goldie

Nice work with the Wall Browns, Goldie.

Hopefully a few of the more desirable species will turn up for you soon.