At the recent Winter Social Pete asked me 'so how was your butterfly year?'
This caught me rather unawares as I had only just arrived and I probably gave a very uncomprehensive answer to his question
![Confused :?](./images/smilies/icon_confused.gif)
. Perhaps this is a convenient point for me to start looking back at 2016 and post a few items that were missed out during the year. Despite the consensus of doom and gloom portrayed by most I still have good memories from 2016 albeit in my own little inexperienced butterfly world.
To start off with a look at what was going on in the garden during 2016. My garden has not been overrun with butterflies this year which perhaps echoes the season generally. Here are just a few which although not the best photos I have taken this year, they were all notable for one reason or another.
Brimstone 7.8.2016 - Whilst playing football in the garden with my youngest son one sunny afternoon, a fresh Brimstone appeared in the Garden. On any other day my Crocosmia clump is completely uninteresting to any butterfly species. Unusually today this Brimstone found it irresistible and returned several times to feed. This gave me plenty of time to fetch my camera.
Red Admiral 24.9.2016 - Red Admirals have been regular visitors this year particularly later in the year. I have even had them laying eggs in the garden for the first time. This Red Admiral was the only butterfly I saw in the garden on this particular day, but I unusually had the opportunity to keep my eye on it. This easily identifiable individual made at least 8 separate visits during the day between 9.50 and 1.50. During this time it nectared on my Hebe and basked in various parts of the garden.
Small White 9.9.2016 - During a day of sun and cloud this Small White stayed quite well camouflaged on this Hydrangea flower head during a period of cloud.
Small White 18.9.2016 - During a day of mainly sunshine a sudden change to cool and cloudy conditions late in the afternoon left another Small White stranded for the whole night. It was still there in the morning allowing me to photograph her before she became active.
Gatekeeper 29.8.2016 - Gatekeepers are regulars in the garden. This female was actually the very last one of the year for me.
Comma 9.9.2016 - Commas had a very good year in the garden for me this year. It was the first time I have had Comma larvae on my Nettles and there were lots of them (more of those later) there were also Comma larvae on a potted Wych Elm in the garden. One of my garden Comma had emerged and flown the previous day. This fresh looking individual briefly settled on the Wych Elm that had supported larvae a few weeks earlier. I would like to think this was my day old emergee.
Speckled Wood 29.9.2016 - Over the last few years Speckled Wood have become resident in the garden. But this year they were more notable by their absence, having not found any evidence of early stages. This female looks to be fully laden with eggs, I hope she left some.