March 2021

[PhilBJohnson]

It was also apparent how much larger the female was than the male.


[/quote
"Apart from the behaviour, if one drew a line (or imaginary line) at 90º on the image, between the two light yellow patches on the hind wings, perpendicular to the body, the abdomen there was significantly wider (with eggs), compared with the male, when a similar line was drawn. The body was camouflaged with wing colour and hair, so possibly evolved, to not to be a target for a beak)"

I have seen as many butterflies in the last two days of February, as I have done in March, but soon.

[Deborah]

Not the best picture as I was overly excited! But I’m hoping for confirmation that I’m correct in saying that this is a Large Tortoiseshell? I posted that I saw one on 17th March last year... so, given the weather that we’ve had here in Brittany, it’s about the right timing!

[David M]

Yes, Deborah, definitely a Tortoiseshell of the large variety.

Probably the best time of year to see this species as they are particularly active in early to mid spring. The new brood in summer tends to disappear very swiftly.

[David M]

Sunday 21st - a brief, hour long break in the clouds saw me able to get out and find my first Peacocks of the year in Southgate on the Gower.

[Stevieb]

7 Peacocks, 5 Commas, 1 Small Tortoiseshell and 1 Brimstone this afternoon. Bewley Common, Wiltshire

24th March

24th March

24th March

24th March

24th March

24th March

24th March

[David M]

I've seen Brimstones nectaring from primroses, but never Commas and Peacocks, Stevie.

14 butterflies in a single day is good going so far this spring.

[David M]

Wednesday 24th - a sunny day at last, although it remains cool round my way at around 10/11c.

7 Commas seen at Cwm Ivy on the north Gower coast:

There were two other butterflies as well, a solitary male Brimstone (bit of a disappointment as this site is normally teeming with them) and a surprise male Small White, who will doubtless now be regretting emerging so early with cold winds and cloud back.

[Stevieb]

Just the one Peacock this morning before the cloud rolled in. Bewley Common, Wiltshire

27th March

27th March

[Matsukaze]

Here in the east Mendips today, 4(?) male Brimstones, 2 Peacocks, 1 Small Tortoiseshell. Two of the male Brimstones met; they flew around each other for about a second, then went their separate ways along the hedgerows. They don't seem to bother with territorial behaviour, unlike the Peacocks which did indulge in a bit of high-altitude chasing (nothing too dramatic for the time of year though). I've already seen Red Admiral this year, but not yet Comma.

[bugboy]

A lovely day to have a half day at work. At Tottenham Marshes this afternoon I found 6 Brimstone, 19 Peacock, 10 Comma, at least 3 Small White and 14 Small Tortoiseshell. Not many places in south east England where you can hit double figures of Small Tortoiseshell these days

[Stevieb]

Nice to be able to get back to the hill. 10 Peacocks, 9 Small Torts and a Brimstone. Beacon Hill, Wiltshire

29th March

29th March

[Jack Harrison]

I knew her as an egg

Escape artist as a caterpillar amongst my dozen or so in captivity last autumn. 

Seen in the house today 29th March.  Released into warm spring sun with T = 16C.

Two Small Torts had been kept in the fridge (as is my usual successful practice).  Today seemed to be THE DAY.  One woke up quickly and flew away strongly.  The other didn't make it

Jack

[Andy02]

Peacocks everywhere at Rainham today.

[millerd]

Six species seen today on my local patch near Heathrow:

Peacock 7
Brimstone 6 (4m, 2f)
Comma 3
Small Tortoiseshell 2
Small White 1
Green-veined White 1

After a long period recently when the weather didn't quite click and there were just one or two sightings, today was glorious - 20 degrees or so locally.
The GVW was a surprise as I think it's possibly my earliest sighting of the species here.

One of the Peacocks was a bit bizarre - I'd love to have seen it when it was new as despite the wear and tear of its long hibernation, I still think the markings are a little unusual.

A full report shortly in my PD.

Cheers,

Dave

[Maximus]

Peacock yesterday, Brimstone settled on ivy today, plus Red Admiral seen but not photographed and Hummingbird Hawk-moth visiting flowers.

[Deborah]

A lovely sunny day and a male Orange Tip, a Holly Blue, a courting pair of Brimstones, a white and a Small Tortoiseshell and 2 Speckled Woods....a good day!

[Medard]

My first butterfly photos of the year taken in my garden.
https://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com

[Charles Nicol]

near Huntingdon today the sunshine brought out several brimstones, peacocks, a tattered comma and a small white... no pics yet

[Stevieb]

12 Peacocks, 8 Brimstones and 5 Small Torts. Surprisingly no Commas today. Bewley Common, Wiltshire

30th March

30th March

30th March

30th March

30th March

30th March

[David M]

One of the better afternoons I've spent of late....

At 12.50pm, I had my AstraZeneca Covid jab and then popped over the road to Crymlyn Burrows for half an hour, followed by an hour's walk around the lower end of Kilvey Hill and Dan-y-Graig cemetery.

26 butterflies seen in total and 7 different species.

Brimstones were easily the most numerous with 17 seen. There were also 3 Small Whites, 2 Peacocks and solitary Comma, Small Tortoiseshell, Speckled Wood and Large White.

Lovely day here with temperatures around 18c.