Trevor

[Wurzel]

Hope you had a great Chrimble Trevor I went for a walk in a local wood and there were Snowdrops pushing up which is still a little early Not seen any Easter eggs in the shops yet though

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[trevor]

Cheers Wurzel, and all the best to you for 2025.

No Easter eggs yet, but plenty of Primroses in full bloom in my front garden,
and I noticed a rare narcissus in the garden, N. Cyclamineus, is well advanced today.

Alas no December butterfly sightings this year.

[David M]

...Alas no December butterfly sightings this year.

Me neither, Trevor, and unlike you I havent seen any flowering primroses (although I did see a daffodil a dew days ago).

Might be March before there are any butterflies this year, but so long as we don't have the same awful weather we've had this year I don't mind.

Good luck in 2025.

[trevor]

I managed to find my first 2025 butterfly today, a Peacock, at Halnaker, West Sussex.
I must admit that some planning was involved. Yesterday the weather forecaster said
we would have a sunny Saturday afternoon, so I took my camera with me. The Sun duly
appeared after lunch so I headed to a favourite south facing hedge, and it was almost
as though the Peacock had been waiting there for me.
This was my first butterfly since 25th Nov. last year.

[millerd]

Congratulations on the Peacock, Trevor! More sun in the forecast for the week ahead, but not so warm. Still, they have woken up now...

Cheers,

Dave

[trevor]

Cheers Dave. There's always something special about the first sighting of the new season.
Even if it will be, predictably, one of five species, or if you are really lucky six !

I'm sure there will be more cameras clicking away soon.

[Wurzel]

Congrats on breaking the year open Trevor There was something in the air on Saturday...I managed to find my first as well

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Neil Freeman]

Just seen your Peacock Trevor, Congratulations on getting your first for the new season

Cheers,

Neil.

[trevor]

Cheers Wurzel & Neil. After the Peacock, nothing until this afternoon.

An early afternoon visit to the Cuckoo Trail in Hailsham produced two Red Admirals.
The one in my image brought up another one on one of it's brief flights, but that one was not seen again.
If the air warms up a bit more next week could produce some more sightings.

[Wurzel]

Good to see things are starting to emerge Trevor We just need them to build a little momentum now then

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

...There's always something special about the first sighting of the new season.
Even if it will be, predictably, one of five species, or if you are really lucky six !

Sure is, Trevor, even though, as you say, it's almost certain to be one of the adult overwinterers.

I cheated this year, with African Migrant being my first butterfly of 2025 in the Canaries, but it was still the same sense of delight.

[trevor]

Thanks Wurzel & David. It's frustrating that every sunny day recently has to be preceded with a sharp frost.

Two more Red Admirals this afternoon in the same spot as those on Sunday,
but different specimens to those of Sunday, and in much better condition.

[millerd]

That first Red Admiral is a particularly fresh-looking one, Trevor. Judging by the numbers being seen so far, they seem to have had a very successful winter. Some years hardly any seem to make it through to spring.

Cheers,

Dave

[trevor]

Cheers Dave. Both Red Admirals were masters of flight, and lead me a merry dance
before eventually settling somewhere sensible. As you say they were in good condition.

Several promising days coming up weather wise.

[trevor]

Despite a 3 hour visit to Rowland Wood today, the only butterfly found was a distant Brimstone.
Although the weather was near perfect I think the stiff overnight frosts of recent days have
kept some hibernators from showing, and it is still early March.
To salvage something of the day I headed for the Red Admiral ' hotspot ' on the Cuckoo Trail,
where one flighty individual was found. Hopefully something more exciting tomorrow!

[Wurzel]

I'm getting a little envious of all these Red Admirals Trevor - I've only seen one so far and that was in the middle of the 'city' Mind you I did find 4 or 5 Small Torts yesterday
I'm intrigued about the 'hopefully something more interesting' - I'm guessing it's something Large and Tortoiseshell like?

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[trevor]

Cheers Wurzel. You mention three things in your post above and all three are relevant
to todays activities.

1. If you are envious of my Red Admirals, then your envy meter might explode when
you see what I saw today.
2. I did find something more interesting today.
3. Good guess, a Large Tortoiseshell!

Thanks to a posting on facebook yesterday about Large Tortoiseshells at Orlestone Forest,
in Kent, I drove over to there this morning ( My thanks to Gary Linney for the directions ).
Not long after arrival a Large Tortoiseshell was spotted down on the ground, and the same
butterfly was photographed again in late afternoon.
A good humoured crowd of about 12 enthusiasts enjoyed the LT's, and it is thought that
at least 5 LT's were seen in various parts of the Forest. I certainly saw 3 throughout the day.

A fantastic day to remember!

[millerd]

Splendid to see, Trevor! I'm guessing that with the forecast for the next few days the way it is, that bit of woodland might get pretty busy!

Cheers,

Dave

[essexbutterflyer]

I read that there were both males and females seen Trevor… did you see both? Sounds exciting!

Nice photos too

[trevor]

Cheers Dave. Of the dozen or so visitors today many dispersed to search other areas,
so there were not crowds around each landing, it was quite civilised and friendly.
One small group came back having seen 3 LT's together in one area explored.
Their reputation for being elusive was undeserved today.