Trevor

[John W]

Nice fresh looking Red Admiral, Trevor!

[trevor]

Thanks John. Yes a nice specimen, and it was in no hurry to leave for a change.
Not too long before the season starts properly. Will see you around no doubt.

[Wurzel]

Great peripheral vision there Trevor to catch that Red Admiral hiding away I saw my first the other day but when I should be stalking round Salisbury looming for Small Torts I'm in West Wales - oh well

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[trevor]

Cheers Wurzel. If the weather where you are is as good as around here you might get lucky!

Red Admiral day 3.

Still hanging around this morning. This time making the most of the brilliant sunshine.

[Wurzel]

Great set of shots Trevor No such luck for me the weather followed me back from Wet Wales

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

I'm sure it will stick around with that nectar supply on tap, Trevor.

Just needs to avoid hungry birds!

[trevor]

Cheers Wurzel & David. Another Red Admiral today.

Today it was my highly scented Daphne that attracted the latest visitor.

[Wurzel]

You're starting to rack them up Trevor I just hope that the forthcoming weather blip won't forestall them too much

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

Nice to see continued activity chez toi, Trevor. Tomorrow is two months after the winter solstice, which is when the hardcore adult hibernators are ready to wake up.

I reckon there'll be a bit of variety before much longer.

[trevor]

Thanks Wurzel & David. Several recent trips out to look for butterflies have failed,
including today, but whilst gardening this afternoon not only did the Robin and his wife
appear so did a Hummingbird Hawkmoth, the earliest I've ever seen one, though some
were reported on the Sussex BC site in February.

[Wurzel]

Crickey that does seem early Trevor At least you've had some reward for your travels/work - I can't seem to get the timing right over this way - nice on days when I can't get out and wet at the weekends fingers crossed it'll stop raining soon

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

...Several recent trips out to look for butterflies have failed, including today, but whilst gardening this afternoon not only did the Robin and his wife appear so did a Hummingbird Hawkmoth, the earliest I've ever seen one, though some were reported on the Sussex BC site in February.

Exact same thing happened to me a few weeks ago, Trevor. Saw no butterflies on a sunny day but had an HBHM flying round the blooms planted in the sheltered part of Limeslade Bay.

The speed at which these things fly I guess it'd only take 30 minutes to cross the Channel!!

[trevor]

Thanks David & Wurzel. The HBHM was a nice, early, surprise.

Today was a day when I could go out with some confidence of seeing some butterflies.
Two visits ( am & pm ) to the local ' Cuckoo Trail ' produced 3 non-stop male Brimstones.
4 Peacocks, 4 Commas, a single Red Admiral and a surprise, male, Speckled Wood, the
earliest I've ever seen one.

That's more like it!

[millerd]

Great to see such an early Specklie, Trevor - I must start looking for them round here. That Red Admiral looks pretty fresh too: most of those I've seen have been quite worn and faded. I wonder if there has been some immigration on the latest round of southerly winds?

Cheers,

Dave

[David M]

That's cheered me up no end, Trevor.

Great to see the Speckled Wood so early.

[Wurzel]

Brilliant Trevor- that sounds like a brilliant trip out An early Specklie is always a welcome sight - we just need the reasonable weather to turn up and hold on now

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[trevor]

Thanks Dave. The Red Admiral could be a migrant, but then again some hibernators
emerge virtually unscathed after a long winter.

Thanks Wurzel & David. That was a most unexpected Speckle!

The Primrose is my all time favourite flower, and I have welcomed them into my garden.
This Spring they have flourished, and it is great to have them so close to the house.

[trevor]

Yesterday ( 20th ) the weather was perfect, so I had high expectations for a good butterfly hunt.
I went firstly to Rowland Wood, then on to the Cuckoo Trail. At both sites things were
unexpectedly quiet. At Rowland Wood I eventually found several male Brimstones and a female
which did pause for a photo' A Comma and a Peacock, this was all in about 2 hours.
As i was leaving Rowland Wood I met Bob Eade. Good to have a natter Bob!

The Cuckoo Trail was a little better and produced a very fresh Small White, 3 male Brimstones,
and three females, plus a Comma and a Red Admiral. All very disappointing considering the weather.

Just after lunch the car thermometer read 18c.

[Wurzel]

You did well with the Brismtone Trevor - normally at this time of year they're a fleeting yellow blob I'm a bit 'jel' (as the kids say) of the Small White I was hoping for one today but the nearest I got was some blossom blowing in the breeze

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[trevor]

Cheers Wurzel. The Brimstone was a female, and they do pause sometimes!
The Small White was quickly identified, then just as quickly it was off and over the trees!