..Since writing this I've seen a photo of one taken yesterday in Weymouth basking in sunshine on the Butterflies and Moths UK FB page, so clearly a few survived the freeze. Amazing that a so called 'Mediterranean' species can survive sustained temperatures of -5c and lower! Indeed David. Saw a coup...

It's possible David there were 2 about. I was with a general wildlife group & I spotted this first individual near the lake (no buildings close here but lots of Evergreen Oaks). A little later somebody else said they saw a butterfly but seemed to disappear into the canopy of a tree so I didn't s...

A Red Admiral flew past our group in the sunshine by the main lake in Kew Gardens during the middle of the day.

Excellent images. Some of the butterflies familiar from Florida. Noticed Laughing Gull behind the Brown Pelicans.

Many thanks Pete. I've had various friends who have done trips to Costa Rica & hope one day I might get there!

Wonderful reviews.

I recognised a small number from a long ago trip to Florida.

Out of interest what field guide did you use for the butterflies?

The spider is a Xysticus sp.

I was in the cafe in Holland Park, London yesterday morning as our tree group assembled before going out for our Xmas meal. Just before we departed, about midday, somebody spotted a Red Admiral. Stepping out it looked pretty fresh & was basking on some Geranium macrorhizum foliage before flying ...

On this board there's an old discussion topic on Lantana, available via the search function on the site, which suggests it's probably not worth bothering with as a nectar source here, though it can be grown as an annual under British conditions. I haven't noticed it being used much in Spain, either...

I would agree with Allen.

Agree a Pearly Underwing-presumably a recent migrant arrival.

Yesterday went to Rainham Marshes RSPB, mainly for birds, but did expect some insects in the unseasonally warm sunshine. A Red Admiral & a Small White on the reserve & on the way back a Holly Blue on ivy flowers at nearby Purfleet Station-my latest ever.

2 Red Admirals feasting on open-type Chrysanthemum flowers at RHS Wisley.

I managed a Red Admiral (possibly 2 different individuals) & a Speckled Wood (possibly my latest ever?) in Osterley Park gardens yesterday.

Certainly a Crimson Speckled, Zig-zag. There is an unprecedented number turning up over recent days. The only UK sighting I've had was on Scilly some years back. Some amazing migrant moths turning up at the moment including a couple new to the UK. Also saw a report this morning of a Lang's Short-tai...

Yesterday a fairly fresh Painted Lady visiting Cosmos flowers in the gardens of Fulham Palace as well as a more expected Red Admiral.

Yesterday Red Admiral, at least 2 Small Whites & Hummingbird Hawkmoth at RHS Hyde Hall gardens, Essex.

From top

1 Female Copper Demoiselle
2 Male Copper Demoiselle
3 Male Broad Scarlet
4 Male Keeled Skimmer
5 Keeled Skimmer
6 Female Broad Scarlet.

Agree Small Red-eyed. Certainly around London, Willow Emerald is FAR more common than the now poorly named Common Emerald. Virtually disappeared from Middx, where Willow is widespread now.

That's a good number of Queens. Doesn't seem to be restricted to Field Pansy though as a larval food plant though, with some other Viola species mentioned in the literature including V. tricolor, V. hirta & V. odorata. One source also mentions Lucerne.