www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

My 2nd butterfly of the year at Moors Valley Country park today. no close view of what it was but nice to see neverthless. 4 bumbles too over the weekend.
Chris

Hopefully, as time passes, this will be the thread were things truly become 'alive'.

I saw my first ever Hairy-footed Bees today...how alive can you get!!!!

No Butterflies about yesterday but several bumblebees and smaller bee species as well as quite a few common lizards. Can't be long now till the butterflies come out in force!

there is unbroken sunshine in Huntingdonshire today... more predicted for tomorrow... am keeping fingers crossed that the butterflies may be tempted out

Charles

Beautiful out in Swansea today too. I've seen a few flies but no bees or butterflies.

Glorious weather today, so had a day out at Wakehurst Place, Sussex. The Heather beds were heaving with bees of all sizes plus a few hoverflies. Two Red Admirals were also seen, one flying and the other basking and taking nectar from Daphne. Temperature was around 9C in the sheltered spots.
Tomorrow is forcast to be better.

Vince

not my sighting unfortunately but 2 brimstones chasing through the garden today in my abscence.
Chris

It is good to read that the red ads are flying at Wakehurst, Vince. I'm due to go tomorrow so hope I shall be as lucky

My first sighting of the year, a small tortoiseshell at Upton St Leonards in Gloucestershire this morning enjoying the spring sunshine. Plenty of honey and bumble bees around too

To contradict what I posted earlier: I saw my 2nd Small Tortoiseshell of the year today (although given that it was fluttering in the garden 2 doors down to the east, it could easily have been the same individual I saw 2 gardens to the west on 2nd March).

There were at least 4 Small Torts in Hollicombe Gardens near Paighton yesterday afternoon. Also a Buff-tailed Bumble Bee.

Also took this shot of a Great Tit singing the odds nearby.

Charles Nicol wrote:there is unbroken sunshine in Huntingdonshire today... more predicted for tomorrow... am keeping fingers crossed that the butterflies may be tempted out
Charles

Hope so - but overnight frost and that nagging cool breeze kept them hiding yesterday on the Fleam Dyke & Roman Road....
...saw some Yellowhammers tho.... N

My turn to go to Wakehurst Place today. One and possibly two red admirals seen.

Following a very reliable report of two ,maybe three Large Tortoiseshell at Woodhouse Copse,Whippingham,on the Isle of Wight ,we today enjoyed a few hours on a sunny Springlike day at the location.Alas, no luck this time,except for sightings of a Peacock and Comma.

marmari wrote: a very reliable report of two ,maybe three Large Tortoiseshell at Woodhouse Copse,Whippingham,on the Isle of Wight

Is this the same location as the IoW sightings a couple of years (more?) ago?

Dave

Saw a Wood Pigeon building a nest this morning - spring must surely be here.

Re the isle of Wight Large Tortoiseshells
Yes,I believe so.
Hopefully,someone more in the know will be able to supply detailed information on the sightings at this location

marmari wrote:Re the isle of Wight Large Tortoiseshells
Yes,I believe so.
Hopefully,someone more in the know will be able to supply detailed information on the sightings at this location

This is an interesting development that hopefully someone will be able to provide further information on.

I was on full-scale Brimstone Alert today. I could sense them around every corner...but no actual sightings. However the first large(ish) insect of the year, a bee-mimic hoverfly, probably Eristalis tenax.

Is anyone else noticing a shortage of lesser celandine in flower?