March 2022

[David M]

Friday 25th – Lower Kilvey Hill & Dan-y-Graig cemetery, Swansea

Brimstone 8
Small White 7
Peacock 4
Small Tortoiseshell 4
Speckled Wood 1
Holly Blue 1
Comma 1

[Chris L]

Nice photo David. There are not any Holly Blues in my part of the world so far.

I saw the grand total of 2 butterflies today, 1 Small Tortoiseshell and 1 Small White.

[David M]

I saw the grand total of 2 butterflies today, 1 Small Tortoiseshell and 1 Small White.

I presume your area was affected by that fog, Otep?

[Chris L]

I saw the grand total of 2 butterflies today, 1 Small Tortoiseshell and 1 Small White.

I presume your area was affected by that fog, Otep?

When I woke, I looked at the BBC weather forecast and it showed 'Mist' for that hour. I looked out of the window and there was nothing of the sort. In fact BBC forecast dull and overcast all day. I looked at Accuweather and they forecast patchy sunshine between 3pm and 6pm. At 2.45pm, the sun appeared and patchy sunshine ensued until 6pm. Why I ever look at the BBC forecast remains a mystery to me. I vowed today that Accuweather would be my forecast of choice from now on.

[OwenE]

Second holly blue of the day. Zigzag path penarth

[Vince Massimo]

A two mile circular walk from home to my local site in Crawley and back, produced 8 species today.
1 Brimstone, 2 Small White, 2 Orange-tip, 8 Comma (1 egg-laying), 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Peacock, 5 Speckled Wood and 1 Holly Blue.

Fresh Comma egg - Crawley, Sussex 27-Mar-2022

Vince

[David M]

Friday 25th – Crymlyn Burrows, Swansea:

Brimstone 9 (including a female)
Comma 4
Speckled Wood 3
Peacock 1
Small Tortoiseshell 1

[David M]

Saturday 26th – Cwm Ivy, NW Gower coast:

Brimstone 37
Holly Blue 18
Comma 3
Speckled Wood 2
Peacock 1
Red Admiral 1
Small White 1

[David M]

Sunday 27th – Lower Kilvey Hill & Dan-y-Graig cemetery, Swansea:

Small Tortoiseshell 4
Small White 4
Speckled Wood 3
Peacock 2
Brimstone 2
Small Copper 2
Comma 1
Holly Blue 1

[David M]

Sunday 27th – Cwm Ivy, NW Gower:

Holly Blue 30-40
Brimstone 25-30
Speckled Wood 4
Comma 4
Peacock 3
Red Admiral 1
Large White 1

[millerd]

I have to start with a for that March Small Copper, David (and another for the host of Holly Blues you saw the day before). You have a very mild climate along that bit of coast.

After the cool mostly grey day in the West London area on Sunday, Monday 28th reverted to warm sunshine. After the break, subtle changes were afoot - the first butterflies I encountered locally were a couple of female Green-veined Whites, and five Small Tortoiseshells.

Later on there were the usual Commas and Peacocks in good numbers, including this Comma posing toward the end of the afternoon.

Is anyone else seeing GVW? Plenty of Small Whites are being reported, but not many of their close relative.

Tuesday 29th saw the start of the decline to the forecast cold conditions due on Thursday. However, despite the noticeably lower temperature, it was brighter than forecast and largely dry. Very few butterflies were out, but there was one notable sighting. In a bit of shelter I found a brand new Red Admiral, swooping back and forth like it was midsummer. It was very active in what was very hazy sunshine at best, but I managed one reasonable shot. By its great condition this was not (I'd say) an overwintered specimen, but the question is: was it an immigrant on the recent winds from the continent, or was it locally hatched?

Cheers,

Dave

Edit: (On closer examination, that Red Admiral isn't quite as new as I thought, but it could still be an immigrant as all the other overwintered ones round here have been much more worn.)

[zigzag_wanderer]

Currently on a modest 6 butterfly species seen at work. Peacock, Comma, Small Tortoiseshell, Brimstone, Small and Large White.

Did spot a post-hibernation Herald in greenhouse #4 this morning though.

Plus a lot of flies enjoying the wood pile behind #5.

[David M]

I have to start with a for that March Small Copper, David (and another for the host of Holly Blues you saw the day before). You have a very mild climate along that bit of coast.

Thanks, Dave. Yes, the coastal strip rarely sees frost and the base of Kilvey Hill (where the cemetery is) must be one of the best spring microclimates in the region; south facing and less than 1km from the sea.

I'll give you a for that fabulous female Green Veined White, a butterfly I often struggle with.

[David M]

Monday 28th – Cwm Ivy again:

Holly Blue 37
Brimstone 9
Speckled Wood 6
Red Admiral 4
Comma 4
Peacock 2
Green Veined White 1

Holly Blue numbers have gone crazy within a mere handful of days since they first emerged here. There were a couple of females seen amongst the dozens of males:

My first Green Veined White of the year turned up in amongst this feast of blue. Unfortunately, the idiot holding the camera forgot to remove his macro attachment when taking a distance shot

[Deborah]

Not sure that it’s not because it’s the first of this year - but this Wall Brown seems particularly beautiful to me.

[bugboy]

Not sure that it’s not because it’s the first of this year - but this Wall Brown seems particularly beautiful to me.

Hi Deborah, your Wall is actually a particularly beautiful female Speckled Wood!

[David M]

Not sure that it’s not because it’s the first of this year - but this Wall Brown seems particularly beautiful to me.

Hi Deborah, your Wall is actually a particularly beautiful female Speckled Wood!

Perhaps the most stunning I've ever seen!

I can see how you thought it might be Wall Brown, Deborah. The ground colour (particularly on the hindwings) is almost a perfect match!

[millerd]

Reasonable weather persisted longer than expected near me today, and some sun this afternoon brought that Red Admiral out again. I was able to get closer today, and it certainly looks to be a well-fed specimen.

Unexpectedly sharing its sheltered nook was a new male GVW.

The former will no doubt shrug off the impending cold snap, but in comparison the GVW looked too frail...

Cheers,

Dave

[Chris L]

Not sure that it’s not because it’s the first of this year - but this Wall Brown seems particularly beautiful to me.

I thought that was a Wall too until I scrolled down.

[Chris L]

Holly Blue 30-40
Brimstone 25-30
Speckled Wood 4
Comma 4
Peacock 3
Red Admiral 1
Large White 1

- I really like the Brimstone but hardly see any locally.

- I am lucky if I see 20 Holly Blue locally in a whole year.

- It will be months before I see a Small Copper locally.

I feel a bit dejected now.