November 2019

[David M]

Maybe one or two surprises in the early days before the frosts arrive...

[millerd]

Only a slight surprise, as I hadn't seen one in recent days amongst the Red Admirals: a single Comma on the ivy in bright sunshine this morning on my local patch before the clouds rolled in once again.

There were also a couple of Red Admirals, one too inaccessible to photograph, and the other a swift flyby.

Dave

[David M]

A very pleasant surprise is that, Dave. I'm hoping you'll see a few more Holly Blues before the first frosts set in.

[KeithS]

A couple of welcome visitors enjoying the last knockings of the Buddleia in my garden today...

[David M]

Was surprised to see two different Peacocks yesterday (5th Nov). Although it was mild (13c) and I half expected a Red Admiral or two, I wasn't anticipating Peacocks being around.

[Neil Hulme]

Despite the poor weather suffered throughout October, Long-tailed Blues are still being seen in Sussex. On Sunday 3 November, four freshly emerged adults (2m, 2f) were reported from a site in/near Newhaven, and a female was seen at Pagham Harbour. However, the lack of an Indian Summer has undoubtedly deprived us of some spectacular autumn action.

[millerd]

...I'm hoping you'll see a few more Holly Blues before the first frosts set in...

No luck on that score, David, but things aren't quite done yet here.

7th November: three Red Admirals and a Comma this morning on my local patch in bright sunshine but temperatures below 10 degrees.

Dave

[Vince Massimo]

A walk along the seafront at Lancing on the Sussex coast produced 3 Red Admirals. One was laying many eggs in a sheltered spot; one was on the beach and another was flying determinedly north (against the wind).

Red Admiral egg - Lancing, Sussex 8-Nov-2019

There was also a 4th instar Painted Lady larva in its tent on Common Mallow, which had moulted to 5th instar a few hours later.

Painted Lady larva 4th instar - Lancing, Sussex 8-Nov-2019

The temperature during these observations was 9C in sunny conditions and with a cool northerly wind.

Vince

[Wurzel]

Red Admiral at Holly Hatch Cottage near Fritham in the New Forest today during one of the few sunny intervals - no shots unfortunately as I was 'communing with nature' at the time and my camera doesn't have a hands-free option

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[millerd]

One Red Admiral on my local patch today (11th). It was a bit high up for more than a shakily hand-held greatly zoomed shot (but at least I did have my hands free... ).

Dave

[David M]

Two Red Admirals seen in Oystermouth Cemetery, Mumbles, Gower on Sunday 10th. Another seen later in the day at Port Eynon on the coast.

[Testudo Man]

Sighted a Red Admiral in my garden, on Wednesday 13/11/19.
It was basking on the fence...ran inside, grabbed my camera...battery dead!!!...back inside, got a charged battery, went back out into the garden.........butterfly was gone!!

[millerd]

After a very wet start to Wednesday 27th November, at around 0930 the sun came out and it became quite warm. I set off for a walk around my local patch near to Heathrow before the clouds inevitably gathered again. Almost immediately, I found a basking Red Admiral.

A few metres further on, something silvery fluttered across my vision and then down onto the grass - yes, it was a very late (even for the third brood and for my exacting standards) Holly Blue. I think it was a male, and certainly it was very restless and soon took off before opening up.

Dave

[Vince Massimo]

A walk along the seafront at Lancing today produced three Painted Lady larvae (all 5th instars). Two were basking on their Mallow foodplant and the other was on a wall. The first one is the same individual seen moulting to 5th instar on 8th November.

Painted Lady larva #1 (5th instar) - Lancing, Sussex 28-Nov-2019

Painted Lady larva #2 (5th instar) - Lancing, Sussex 28-Nov-2019

Painted Lady larva #1 on Mallow - Lancing, Sussex 28-Nov-2019

Habitat context - Lancing seafront 28-Nov-2019

Painted Lady larva #3 (5th instar) - Lancing, Sussex 28-Nov-2019

They have survived thus far because they are in very sheltered locations, but are unlikely to complete their development (particularly #2 which is clearly injured).

There was also a 5th instar Small White larva and a Ruby Tiger caterpillar (also both on walls). The White may reach pupation if it's lucky, while the Ruby Tiger will go into hibernation.

Small White larva 5th instar - Lancing, Sussex 28-Nov-2019

The temperature at the time was 11C in sunny conditions and all the larvae were taking the opportunity to get some warmth.

Vince

[David M]

...A few metres further on, something silvery fluttered across my vision and then down onto the grass - yes, it was a very late (even for the third brood and for my exacting standards) Holly Blue.

Even a Red Admiral is good going for late November, Dave...but a Holly Blue!!?!!

Fantastic sighting.

[Padfield]

No holly blues in my garden - and indeed no butterflies at all in November until today, when a female red admiral took advantage of the sun to hang around maturing her eggs (I presume). I took this GIF with my iPhone:



She then indicated her voting intentions by sitting on the fence:





She remained like that, with her wings closed. If the fine weather continues she will probably start laying eggs all over the place soon.

Guy

[David M]

...I took this GIF with my iPhone

Nice effort, Guy. I like the presentation.