millerd

[millerd]

Cheers, Wurzel! I may have a look for Grizzlies at Denbies later this week if there's some sun.

Back at home on Sunday 14th April, the sunshine continued into the afternoon, so I had a quick tour of the nearer parts of my local patch. There are so many butterflies around at the moment, it seemed a shame not to...

The only real surprise was finding another couple of Small Tortoiseshells, this time very close to home. A sunny Sunday in spring, the sound of mowers - I wonder if one or two sheds had been opened for the first time this year?

Everything else was as expected...

Dave

[David M]

...There are so many butterflies around at the moment..

Amazing to think that I'm on virtually the same line of latitude to you, Dave. Precious little around here (although in fairness if I were a Welsh butterfly I wouldn't be out in 11c temperatures and 22mph winds)

[millerd]

...in fairness if I were a Welsh butterfly I wouldn't be out in 11c temperatures and 22mph winds...

I imagine with a strong southwesterly blowing, the South Wales coast is pretty exposed, and with those sort of temperatures it must feel quite unpleasant, David. However, the forecast for the coming weekend and beyond looks as if it might well favour your part of the world...

Monday 15th April was a very different day to those preceding, with very strong winds and lower temperatures. However, before some heavy showers later in the day, there were spells of strong sunshine which brought out some of my local butterflies again. I have already posted a few of these in the April Sightings thread, but here are some of the rest.

Despite the less favourable conditions I still counted 35 butterflies from eight species today.

Dave

[millerd]

Tuesday 16th April. More strong winds, a fair amount of sunshine, but some big showers too. The local butterfly population took advantage of the best bits of the day again, with 56 individuals counted and 9 species.

One of those seen was probably the same Green Hairstreak from Saturday, but I couldn't coax it down to within camera range (I only speak Holly Blue, and there were none in the immediate vicinity to interpret... ). Nevertheless, there was plenty of other colour.

The totals today:

Holly Blue 14
Orange Tip 13
GVW 9
Speckled Wood 6
Peacock 5
Brimstone 3
Small White 3
Red Admiral 2
Green Hairstreak 1

The wind certainly seemed to keep the Peacock numbers down - I suspect there were quite a few lurking low down in the grass to keep out of it. However, other species adapt by keeping close to the hedgerows and flying low - hence the higher numbers for the top four on this list.

Dave

[trevor]

That last Holly Blue is a cracker, as is the image!

[Chris L]

There are so many butterflies around at the moment...

I think that there has been an unauthorised release of butterflies from my sites in to yours Dave.

I look at your thread with the classic line from Bullseye in my mind. 'Chris, let's have a look at what you could have won'

[millerd]

Thank you Trevor - that was a particularly fresh Holly Blue, and very willing to pose as well.

I'm not entirely sure why things have been so bountiful round this way, Chris. There has been at least an hour's sunshine every day since late March (except for a couple of days), and there are certain parts of my local patch that are very sheltered whatever the wind direction. For once, the spring-flowering plants have not been mown flat (yet...) so there are lots of nectar sources. Unfortunately, the current bounty won't last, as the hibernators start to wear themselves out, and the first broods of other species begin to disappear. Hopefully, other species will begin to replace them before long...

Tuesday 17th April was another windy day, and felt cold in that wind if the sun was in (a max. of only 12 degrees). The overall butterfly count was down unsurprisingly, though Holly Blues, Orange Tips and Speckled Woods held their own.

This one was right down at ground level, finding a sunlit hotspot well out of the wind.

I've noticed several nectaring on the willow flowers this year...

...and one shared a sprig with a Specklie.

Another of the species was also enjoying this source of energy.

I watched another Specklie investigate what he hoped would be a love interest, but unfortunately the object of his investigation was actually in the clutches of a crab spider out of sight under the leaf. I know they play dead, but sadly this one was not playing.

This well-marked female was the one from the shot with the Holly Blue.

Both sexes of Orange Tip were around. A female...

...and a male gradually responding to the sun coming out from behind a cloud. This is why this kind of weather is so good for getting shots of this species - they are so responsive to lights levels.

I saw three Red Admirals today - one was one I'd seen before, but the other two looked very fresh and so definitely were not overwinterers. Home grown or immigrants?

Finally, when the cloud spoiled events for the day...

...even Peacocks become docile.

Dave

[Wurzel]

Cracking collection of shots Dave, you're certainly putting the miles in and so getting the rewards The Holly Blue from a few posts back - flippin brilliant, what a beaut! I'll keep looking out for some Grizzlies on your Diary Dave, it can't be long now

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Neil Freeman]

...I'm not entirely sure why things have been so bountiful round this way, Chris...

I reckon it is something to do with all those jet engines on the planes at Heathrow sucking the butterflies in from everwhere else

Cheers,

Neil.

[millerd]

Who knows, Neil - there's certainly been no shortage of spring butterflies this year.

Cheers, Wurzel - there seems to be steady stream of new Holly Blues popping up every day despite the recent cooler weather. A bit of sunshine and they appear.

No Grizzlies yet, though... I had a look for them down at Denbies on Thursday 18th April, but all I found in quite a lengthy search were two Peacocks and a Specklie. I didn't see any Green Hairstreaks either.

Such a contrast to return home and step out onto my local patch and immediately see half a dozen species in the first couple of minutes, and nine again overall:

Peacock 15

a courting couple

Holly Blue 12

nectaring on the willows

classic pose

Speckled Wood 11

female

male

male

Orange Tip 8

the sun went in again

GVW 6

getting a little worn now

Small White 6

a fresher example

Brimstone 5

what would they do without dandelions?

Comma 5

more of an afternoon butterfly

Red Admiral 4

one of the older ones

A decent sunny afternoon and over 70 butterflies again.

Dave

[Chris L]

Lovely photos and an enjoyable narrative as ever to read Dave. I saw a quite pristine looking Red Admiral yesterday which suggested it was a new overseas arrival. Grim tale about the Crab spider snared Speckled Wood. That's nature I guess

[Wurzel]

"No Grizzlies yet, though... I had a look for them down at Denbies on Thursday 18th April, but all I found in quite a lengthy search were two Peacocks and a Specklie. I didn't see any Green Hairstreaks either." things seem to be trickling in this year Dave, and the forecast for the next week and weekend (if it's to be believed) doesn't look crash hot either
Still at least you PD will offer some voyeuristic pleasure while I slave away picking up scraps

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[millerd]

Thank you, Chris. To be honest, it's surprising how rarely you actually come across butterflies being predated. It probably happens far more often than we see.

Cheers, Wurzel - I do hope my local patch continues to deliver things worth seeing, as the opportunities to go further afield have been very limited by the weather recently.

On Friday 19th April, other commitments and rather less sunshine limited even my local activities. There were fewer butterflies and fewer opportunities to get many worthwhile shots. One or two were somewhat underexposed too: my camera struggles when dark clouds suddenly obscure a bright sun...

Dave

[millerd]

Saturday 20th April was forecast to be a sunny morning, with cloud quickly building from the northeast by lunchtime and then clearing again towards the evening. It was going to be another rather cool day despite the sunsh ine (and I see that despite 5 hours of sun, it didn't get above 11 degrees locally).

This demanded an early start, even though it was single figure temperatures when I went out. However, the sun was strong, and the local Holly Blues were already up and about. Over the couple of hours I was out, I counted at least 10 of them, mostly sitting on the brambles...

...and occasionally opening up a little when the sun was brightest.

Others were nectaring on the willow flowers again.

One even chose something from the Orange Tip playlist.

In fact, Orange Tips and the other pierids were notable for their near absence today - one Orange Tip was all I saw, and no Whites nor Brimstones.

Speckled Woods also seem undaunted by low temperatures, as presumably their matt brown colours absorb energy from the sun very readily. I saw around 10 of these as well in various spots along my walk.

I chose to extend my walk a bit today, and it was noticeable that there were now more Peacocks dispersed into the bigger open areas and fewer left in the brambly areas were presumably they had hibernated. That said, those I saw were often huddled down in the grass or sitting hopefully on paths waiting for a bit of sun to warm them up.

I did spot this female - they emerge later than the males and now they are around pairing will happen and numbers will then start to dwindle.

In amongst the Peacocks out on the grassland areas, I found another very welcome Small Tortoiseshell.

Finally, as I was approaching home, I spotted a Red Admiral egg-laying on the young nettle growth by the side of the road.

Unfortunately I expect the council to be along before long to mow these verges. On that subject, the area where I have seen a good proportion of butterflies this year is likely to be cut soon as well. The dandelions are going off and being replaced by buttercups, and the cow parsley is almost head high in places - this the point that the mower arrives...

Only six species seen today...

Dave

[millerd]

Sunday 21st April was a close repeat of Saturday, but most of the sunshine was early and late, and I was unable to get out as early as I would have liked. Butterfly numbers were markedly lower today, with only 15 seen:

Holly Blue 6
Speckled Wood 5
GVW 1
Red Admiral 1
Small White 1
Orange Tip 1

I saw the first Peacock this year on the 5th March, and since then there have been only two days I've been out when I haven't seen the species. It seemed rather strange!

The Green-veined White was doing its best today, showing up three times altogether - but the photos showed it was the same butterfly each time.

The Small White was a much fresher butterfly, but didn't stop long enough on a dandelion for a photo, and the Orange Tip sailed over the hedge just as the sun went in. At least I could rely on the one Red Admiral to bask on the ground to warm up.

That just left the reliable Specklies...

...and Holly Blues.

Monday 22nd was grey, damp and downright cold from the outset, and it really wasn't worth going out at all today. Surprisingly, it has been only the second day since 29th March that I haven't seen a butterfly (and the other day was because I was away).

Dave

[Wurzel]

"very limited by the weather recently."...and with Bugboy having some time off it ain't getting any better any time soon
Mind you with Holly Blues presenting themselves like to you why go further afield

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[bugboy]

"very limited by the weather recently."...and with Bugboy having some time off it ain't getting any better any time soon


Have a goodun

Wurzel

Oi, I heard that!

[millerd]

Cheers, Wurzel - the Hollies seem to keep going when all else fails. Especially when Bugboy has gone and jinxed the weather...

I optimistically went out on 23rd April under brightish cloudy skies, but low temperatures meant nothing was flying. I resorted to that usual bad weather staple at this time of year - Orange Tip eggs.

However, just as I was about to give up and go home, a fresh male Green-veined White appeared and decided to pose on a dandelion clock...

...then a bit of wind-blown grass...

...which it promptly fell off. I rescued it.

I expected much the same on Wednesday 24th April. However, the all-to-short sunny interval around ten o'clock did bring forth a couple of Holly Blues.

I also spotted a Specklie and a Red Admiral, but that was it for the day again.

Dave

[Wurzel]

Love the Green-veined White on the Dandelion Clock Dave, that definitely falls into the 'I wish I'd taken that' category We're almost into that time of year when so I'll soon start listening out for news from the Hill

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[millerd]

I thought you'd like the dandelion clock photo, Wurzel - in fact I thought of you as soon as the butterfly settled on it! I suppose we're only two or three weeks away from mid-May now, and the sudden rush of species emerging - it's a bad day on the Hill if you see fewer than 20... I shall be interested to hear any news from Bentley Wood as well.

Meanwhile, still on home turf, still in chilly April weather...

Thursday 25th April started with sunshine again, and though just as chilly as the day before, something about the quality of the light today encouraged a few more butterflies out. Only 21 individuals, but 7 species:

Peacock 6
GVW 5
Holly Blue 4
Orange Tip 3
Small White 1
Red Admiral 1
Speckled Wood 1

Despite the much larger numbers of Peacocks seen this year, I've actually seen at least one Red Admiral on more days. That's always true by the end of the year, but unusual at this stage. Here's today's Red Admiral...

...and one of the Peacocks, a female by the look of the bulging egg-laden abdomen.

The one Specklie today was a little worn...

...as was one of the GVW...

...and one of the female Orange Tips.

The others of these two species were in better nick...

that's a normal-sized buttercup - but a very small butterfly

...including two very different male GVW.

I'll leave the Holly Blues to a separate post.

Dave