www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Thanks Zayed. I only managed to photograph one specimen, but there were reports of both sexes present
Hopefully they will pair up. If you look up facebook UK butterflies page there are many shots by others from today.

Nicely done there Trevor. I did ponder whether to go myself today but a £45 return fair the wrong side of pay day meant that idea stayed just that! Anyway

Sent you a PM Paul.

Some of the happy bunch of individuals at the end of a busy day yesterday ( 6th March )

From Left to right,. Myself, Mike Bevan, Karl Giles ( 4am start from Devon ), Tim Bates,
Gary Linney, and Billy Rosenberg.

Thanks to Francis Kelly for the image.

After yesterdays excitement it was a more normal day today.
Firstly I had a garden visit from a Peacock, first seen nectaring on a Daphne.
And before the cloud built the Cuckoo Trail provided two Commas,
and a Red Admiral which shut up shop when the sun went in.

Congratulations on the Large Tortoiseshells

Thanks for the mrgreens Katrina, what a day!

Today at Halnaker the hoped for Small Tortoiseshells did not appear.
All I saw was an immaculate but flighty Peacock which escaped, but was
rewarded with my first opportunity to photograph a Brimstone this year, a male.

On another matter we were treated to a fine display of Red Kites, which at times
were swooping low over the farm buildings. Later on once they had found a thermal
there no fewer than seven circling overhead, calling all the time.

"You mention three things in your post above and all three are relevant to todays activities."...I must have been watching too many detective TV shows recently Trevor Absolutely blinding report and shots Trevor

Have a goodun

Wurzel

A nice collection of the early species, Trevor, with Large Tortoiseshell being the obvious highlight.

A few years ago, they seemed only to pop up on the Isle of Wight but now they are clearly establishing themselves in parts of southern England. It's so good to have them back.

Cheers Wurzel. I shall wear your mrgreens with pride.
Thanks David. Let's hope I see as many Small Tortoiseshells this year as I have Large!

A gathering of LT hopefuls. Orlestone Forest today. 9th March.

Yesterday I returned to Orlestone Forest hoping to photograph a Large Tortoiseshell basking on a tree trunk.
I arrived at 11.20 and it was gone 3.30 before I saw any LT action at all, then the fly pasts started.
They were flying much faster than on Thursday and one eventually landed briefly, but too far away
for me to get to it quickly enough for a shot.
At just gone 4pm I saw Billy Rosenberg in the far distance waving and pointing towards another ride.
I immediately made for the junction of the rides and could then see a small group in the distance pointing
there cameras upwards. I was at this stage so far away from them that I was sure to be unlucky, but no
an immaculate LT was still basking on a tree trunk when I arrived. It took flight several times, once
fetching up another LT, before settling perfectly for everyone's cameras. Ambition achieved !
It was now approaching 4.15 and noticeably cooler with the lower sun, and it was at a similar
time on Thursday when we obtained the best shots of an LT basking on the ground.

Many thanks Billy for the tip off!

Here are a few more Trevor to add to the collection! At this rate I might run out

Have a goodun

Wurzel

trevor wrote: ↑Mon Mar 10, 2025 3:48 pm..An immaculate LT on a smooth tree trunk. Who could ask for more!

Absolute beauty, Trevor.

Hard to think of anything topping that in the UK at this time of year.

Thanks Wurzel & David. I'm glad I made the most of Sunday now we are back in arctic air.

A few shots of the supporting cast at Olestone Forest.
Commas were plentiful, and many had come through the Winter unscathed
and were quite obliging. I was also fortunate to find two Orange Underwing
moths which were new to me.

There has certainly been a surfeit of Commas over the last weekend Trevor - mind you I hope they didn't stray too far from their beds as things have gone a bit too cool again - we seem to be having these 'start-stop' springs now?

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Great to hear Commas were so numerous, Trevor. That moth, I think, is the same one Serhiy Popoff posts each spring, and it's a lovely one, so well done for capturing it.

Some cracking Large Tortoiseshell photos Trevor and another for that Orange Underwing, a nice sighting as they are usually seen flying high up around the tops of birch trees (the larval foodplant).

Cheers,

Neil.

Thanks Wurzel & David. All the Commas I've seen have all been in remarkable condition.

Cheers Neil, The Orange Underwing was one of two seen. I am delighted with the Large Tortoiseshell
on the tree trunk shot. Well worth the slow 80 mile round trip.

Yesterday I returned to Orlestone Forest for a third time.
Of the Large Tortoiseshells one worn specimen was found on the ground, and I saw a further
two good quality fly pasts. Without blowing my own trumpet It would seem that my LT on the tree trunk
image has reached wide acclaim. It was mentioned several times yesterday and I had to admit that it was
me who obtained the shot. Information reached me that the ' big guns ' of the butterfly world had assembled
in Faggs Wood about a mile from my chosen spot. Indeed it was a pleasure to bump into Neil Hulme
back at the car park, apparently a good day was had by all.
There was plenty of action by other ex hibernators, including many Commas, several Peacocks.
and at least two patrolling male Brimstones plus three further Orange Underwing moths.

Indeed a good day was had, so much so I went back today for more! I'm on a diet of beans on toast for the rest of the month after the caning my bank account has taken from train fares though

bugboy wrote: ↑Thu Mar 20, 2025 5:06 pmIndeed a good day was had, so much so I went back today for more! I'm on a diet of beans on toast for the rest of the month after the caning my bank account has taken from train fares though

Worth every penny, Paul!