www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

A sunny day with temperatures around 10c would still tempt the odd Red Admiral out.

Will anybody be in the right place at the right time?......

On a warm sunny day back at the end of October I was watching Red Admirals laying eggs along a hedge in the Amberley/Burpham Hills. Today I was back in the area so I thought I'd see if anything could be found. One 1st instar. (Given the number of eggs being laid there was likely more tucked away though).

No butterflies seen so far this month, but I did see a smart looking Feathered Thorn on Tuesday. Some moths really do have impressive large eyes - for seeing in the dark I guess.

Also the slowest hoverfly (melangyna species?) I've ever seen in flight (Wednesday). Extremely ponderous/considered, almost like watching ultra slo-mo. Lack of speed possibly related to the ambient temperature.

Hope those delicate insects find a good, sheltered roost for the next 24 hours, ZZW.

I think your hoverfly is Meliscaeva auricollis.

Thanks as always, aeshna5.

Here's one I took in a fairly close location on 25th April this year. I was more confident in calling this earlier one a Meliscaeva auricollis.

But on close inspection the latest one is extremely similar, so I reckon you're correct with this latest one too. Cheers.

(And I appreciate I'm now risking you telling me this earlier one isn't what I thought it was !)

Agree with that Zigzag.

Sunny morning today. Went to a local park i hadn't been to in months... was surprised when a dark butterfly flew above me, high in the tree tops. Judging by size, location and "vibe", i believe it was a Comma

Zayed

There are still Red Admiral sightings in North-east Essex according to the branch website. One was spotted along the coast at Clacton-on-Sea on the 19th, and one further inland to the west of Colchester on the 16th. I don't know how as temperatures have not gone above 6 degrees here in mid-Essex for some time now.

Was out yesterday in balmy 11c temperatures. A few bees (including 2 bumbles) and flies, but no Red Admirals, sadly.

I did see my first flowering daffodil though:

My last two butterflies of the year in Malaga today. Fewer species and individuals this December due to, I suspect, the much needed rain in the final quarter of the year. Spanish Festoon Zerynthia rumina is usually the most common species here in Dec/Jan. Not this year though. Didn’t see any today. Let’s hope for a weather friendly 2025

Forgot to name the above as Painted Lady Vanessa cardui and Langs Short Tailed Blue Leptotes pirithous. Both looking remarkably fresh. A Spanish Festoon caterpillar photobombed the blue

Andy02 wrote: ↑Tue Dec 31, 2024 4:11 pm...Let’s hope for a weather friendly 2025

Hear, hear, Andy.

All the best for 2025!