2023 - Large Tortoiseshell
- Pete Eeles
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2023 - Large Tortoiseshell
Time to start this year's thread! We often get asked by 'the great and the good' to let them know what's been posted on UKB before the formal records are collated at the end of the year, and there's also a lot going on in the broader ecosystem (Twitter, Facebook etc.) that also warrant a mention. I intend to keep this list up to date so, if you have any additional sightings, do let me know (or post a reply to this thread). Thanks!
Cheers,
- Pete
Mar 25th
Houghton Forest, West Sussex
Source: https://twitter.com/Aliceparfitt/status ... 5151025152
Apr 2nd
3 adults seen at Peacehaven, East Sussex
Source: http://www.sussex-butterflies.org.uk/sightings/
Apr 3rd
North-west Kent
Source: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1135722 ... 777639719/
Apr 3rd
Newtown, Isle of Wight
Source: comment in: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1135722 ... 777639719/
Apr 4th
Herne Bay, Kent
Source: https://www.facebook.com/groups/6671878 ... 695518388/
Apr 4th
Orlestone Forest, Ashford, Kent
Source: https://twitter.com/Chequertree1/status ... EVN8g&s=08
Apr 4th
Perry Hill, Arun, Sussex
Source: http://www.sussex-butterflies.org.uk/sightings/
Apr 4th
Newchurch, Isle of Wight
Source: This thread
Apr 6th
Horseshoe Plantation (Beachy Head), Eastbourne, Sussex
Source: http://www.sussex-butterflies.org.uk/sightings/
Apr 7th
A different individual also seen at Horseshoe Plantation (Beachy Head), Eastbourne, Sussex
Source: This thread
Apr 7th
Cranmore, Isle of Wight
Source: This thread
Apr 7th
Ringmer, Sussex
Source: http://www.sussex-butterflies.org.uk/sightings/
Apr 7th
Male at Abbotts Wood (Hailsham), Sussex
Source: This thread
Apr 7th
Woodingdean, East Sussex
Source: This thread
Apr 9th
Blackheath, Wenhaston, Suffolk
Source: https://twitter.com/bc_suffolk/status/1 ... J3bgwpPxLQ
Apr 9th
St Francis Fields, Northiam, Sussex
Source: https://irecord.org.uk/record-details/l ... d=29869890
Apr 10th
Carisbrooke, Isle of Wight
Source: This thread
Apr 19th
Cowes, Isle of Wight
Source: This thread
Apr 25th
Golden Hill Fort, Freshwater, Isle of Wight
Source: This thread
Apr 29th
Hollingbury (Brighton), Sussex. Female LT released, after becoming trapped in (or after waking within) greenhouse.
Source: Source: http://www.sussex-butterflies.org.uk/sightings/
May 7th
Dunwich, Suffolk
Source: https://twitter.com/gbchownster/status/ ... 63809?s=12
Jun 15th
Several larval webs, Sussex
Source: http://www.sussex-butterflies.org.uk/sightings/
Jun 16th
Middleton Common, Sussex
Source: http://www.sussex-butterflies.org.uk/sightings/
June 19th
6 individuals of a possible release. Elmley NR, Kent
Source: https://www.facebook.com/groups/6671878 ... 875636036/
June 22nd
Long Pits, Dungeness, Kent
Source: This thread
June 28th
Croyde, North Devon
Source: This thread
July 2nd
NT Trencrom Hill, West Cornwall
Source: This thread
July 2nd
Kestle Barton, Nr Helford, Cornwall
Source: This thread
July 11th
One photographed by Celia Curtis in her Felpham (near Bognor, Sussex) garden.
Source: http://www.sussex-butterflies.org.uk/sightings/
Cheers,
- Pete
Mar 25th
Houghton Forest, West Sussex
Source: https://twitter.com/Aliceparfitt/status ... 5151025152
Apr 2nd
3 adults seen at Peacehaven, East Sussex
Source: http://www.sussex-butterflies.org.uk/sightings/
Apr 3rd
North-west Kent
Source: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1135722 ... 777639719/
Apr 3rd
Newtown, Isle of Wight
Source: comment in: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1135722 ... 777639719/
Apr 4th
Herne Bay, Kent
Source: https://www.facebook.com/groups/6671878 ... 695518388/
Apr 4th
Orlestone Forest, Ashford, Kent
Source: https://twitter.com/Chequertree1/status ... EVN8g&s=08
Apr 4th
Perry Hill, Arun, Sussex
Source: http://www.sussex-butterflies.org.uk/sightings/
Apr 4th
Newchurch, Isle of Wight
Source: This thread
Apr 6th
Horseshoe Plantation (Beachy Head), Eastbourne, Sussex
Source: http://www.sussex-butterflies.org.uk/sightings/
Apr 7th
A different individual also seen at Horseshoe Plantation (Beachy Head), Eastbourne, Sussex
Source: This thread
Apr 7th
Cranmore, Isle of Wight
Source: This thread
Apr 7th
Ringmer, Sussex
Source: http://www.sussex-butterflies.org.uk/sightings/
Apr 7th
Male at Abbotts Wood (Hailsham), Sussex
Source: This thread
Apr 7th
Woodingdean, East Sussex
Source: This thread
Apr 9th
Blackheath, Wenhaston, Suffolk
Source: https://twitter.com/bc_suffolk/status/1 ... J3bgwpPxLQ
Apr 9th
St Francis Fields, Northiam, Sussex
Source: https://irecord.org.uk/record-details/l ... d=29869890
Apr 10th
Carisbrooke, Isle of Wight
Source: This thread
Apr 19th
Cowes, Isle of Wight
Source: This thread
Apr 25th
Golden Hill Fort, Freshwater, Isle of Wight
Source: This thread
Apr 29th
Hollingbury (Brighton), Sussex. Female LT released, after becoming trapped in (or after waking within) greenhouse.
Source: Source: http://www.sussex-butterflies.org.uk/sightings/
May 7th
Dunwich, Suffolk
Source: https://twitter.com/gbchownster/status/ ... 63809?s=12
Jun 15th
Several larval webs, Sussex
Source: http://www.sussex-butterflies.org.uk/sightings/
Jun 16th
Middleton Common, Sussex
Source: http://www.sussex-butterflies.org.uk/sightings/
June 19th
6 individuals of a possible release. Elmley NR, Kent
Source: https://www.facebook.com/groups/6671878 ... 875636036/
June 22nd
Long Pits, Dungeness, Kent
Source: This thread
June 28th
Croyde, North Devon
Source: This thread
July 2nd
NT Trencrom Hill, West Cornwall
Source: This thread
July 2nd
Kestle Barton, Nr Helford, Cornwall
Source: This thread
July 11th
One photographed by Celia Curtis in her Felpham (near Bognor, Sussex) garden.
Source: http://www.sussex-butterflies.org.uk/sightings/
Life Cycles of British & Irish Butterflies: http://www.butterflylifecycles.com
British & Irish Butterflies Rarities: http://www.butterflyrarities.com
British & Irish Butterflies Rarities: http://www.butterflyrarities.com
Re: 2023 - Large Tortoiseshell
Hi Pete
Not sure if Guernsey comes under your remit but one seen today if it does.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10 ... 1878884937
Not sure if Guernsey comes under your remit but one seen today if it does.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10 ... 1878884937
- Pete Eeles
- Administrator & Stock Contributor
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Re: 2023 - Large Tortoiseshell
Thanks Stevie - given that the Channel Islands is a very different biogeographic area, I think we should stick with Britain & Ireland, rather than the British Isles!
Cheers,
- Pete
Cheers,
- Pete
Life Cycles of British & Irish Butterflies: http://www.butterflylifecycles.com
British & Irish Butterflies Rarities: http://www.butterflyrarities.com
British & Irish Butterflies Rarities: http://www.butterflyrarities.com
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Re: 2023 - Large Tortoiseshell
Hi Pete,
interesting to note a certain Helen Chaffe reported also seeing one in her Gloucestershire garden today in response to the Guernsey sighting report on Facebook .Wonder if anyone has followed up on that report.
Things are getting exciting,
Dave.
interesting to note a certain Helen Chaffe reported also seeing one in her Gloucestershire garden today in response to the Guernsey sighting report on Facebook .Wonder if anyone has followed up on that report.
Things are getting exciting,
Dave.
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Re: 2023 - Large Tortoiseshell
well, sorry to be a wet blanket, but I was given a fairly convincing little lecture last year on the unreliability of many Large Tortoiseshell sightings, so now I only get excited when I see a photo... especially as i am ready to travel a good distance to see my first LT. In fact my own personal rule for my own 'ticks' is 'no photo no tick' - although it was a bit crazy that meant I ticked white admiral, brown hairstreak and heath fritillary before orange tip - which I had unmistakeably seen often since about the age of 8!
Re: 2023 - Large Tortoiseshell
A Large Tortoiseshell was seen at Houghton Forest in West Sussex on March 25th.
It was reported on the Sussex Butterfly Conservation Sightings web page:
http://www.sussex-butterflies.org.uk/sightings/
I've attached a screen shot of the report:
Cheers
John W
It was reported on the Sussex Butterfly Conservation Sightings web page:
http://www.sussex-butterflies.org.uk/sightings/
I've attached a screen shot of the report:
Cheers
John W
- Mark Tutton
- Posts: 461
- Joined: Sun Apr 25, 2010 7:21 am
- Location: Hampshire
Re: 2023 - Large Tortoiseshell
Three adults and a larval web reported from Peacehaven on Sussex BC
http://www.sussex-butterflies.org.uk/sightings/
Kind regards
Mark
http://www.sussex-butterflies.org.uk/sightings/
Kind regards
Mark
The wonder of the world, the beauty and the power, the shapes of things, their colours lights and shades, these I saw. Look ye also while life lasts.
- Pete Eeles
- Administrator & Stock Contributor
- Posts: 6809
- Joined: Tue Jan 17, 2006 6:10 pm
- Location: Thatcham, Berkshire
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Re: 2023 - Large Tortoiseshell
Thanks John - that sighting was the first to be posted (the first item in this thread).
Thanks Mark - added!
Cheers,
- Pete
Thanks Mark - added!
Cheers,
- Pete
Life Cycles of British & Irish Butterflies: http://www.butterflylifecycles.com
British & Irish Butterflies Rarities: http://www.butterflyrarities.com
British & Irish Butterflies Rarities: http://www.butterflyrarities.com
Re: 2023 - Large Tortoiseshell
Hi Pete,
A few more details about the Isle of Wight sighting on 3rd April. Keith Marston was the observer who photographed it at Walters Copse, Newtown so a reliable source. Interestingly, Large Tortoiseshell was thought to be breeding in Walters Copse years ago before it was considered that they were part of an illegal release. However, the gentleman suspected of the release passed away over a year ago and had not been mobile for a couple of years previously. We seem to get annual sightings at this time of year in the Isle of Wight, but in different locations, so it is interesting to speculate as to their origin.
A few more details about the Isle of Wight sighting on 3rd April. Keith Marston was the observer who photographed it at Walters Copse, Newtown so a reliable source. Interestingly, Large Tortoiseshell was thought to be breeding in Walters Copse years ago before it was considered that they were part of an illegal release. However, the gentleman suspected of the release passed away over a year ago and had not been mobile for a couple of years previously. We seem to get annual sightings at this time of year in the Isle of Wight, but in different locations, so it is interesting to speculate as to their origin.
- Pete Eeles
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Re: 2023 - Large Tortoiseshell
Thanks Jim!
Cheers,
- Pete
Cheers,
- Pete
Life Cycles of British & Irish Butterflies: http://www.butterflylifecycles.com
British & Irish Butterflies Rarities: http://www.butterflyrarities.com
British & Irish Butterflies Rarities: http://www.butterflyrarities.com
Re: 2023 - Large Tortoiseshell
Large Tort ,seen and photographed today in Herne Bay .Kent by Karen Hall ..............Kent butterflies twitter page .
Allan W.
Allan W.
- Neil Hulme
- Posts: 3598
- Joined: Fri Feb 08, 2008 8:27 pm
Re: 2023 - Large Tortoiseshell
And another in Kent https://twitter.com/Chequertree1
BWs, Neil
BWs, Neil
- Pete Eeles
- Administrator & Stock Contributor
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Re: 2023 - Large Tortoiseshell
Thanks Allan and Neil - both are on the list (the first item in this thread).
And keep 'em coming ... I've not known such a start to the year for this species!
Cheers,
- Pete
And keep 'em coming ... I've not known such a start to the year for this species!
Cheers,
- Pete
Life Cycles of British & Irish Butterflies: http://www.butterflylifecycles.com
British & Irish Butterflies Rarities: http://www.butterflyrarities.com
British & Irish Butterflies Rarities: http://www.butterflyrarities.com
Re: 2023 - Large Tortoiseshell
And another ! reported from my local patch ,Orlestone forest ,Kent (yesterday),don,t know all the details but seen by a very competant observer . Allan.W.
I,d be very surprised if Dungeness fails to throw up a few records .................watch this space !
I,d be very surprised if Dungeness fails to throw up a few records .................watch this space !
Re: 2023 - Large Tortoiseshell
Pete ,been doing a bit of digging and can confirm that my last entrance ,ie individual in Orlestone is the same individual as posted by Neil ie; "Chequertree" .So if you want to be a bit more precise with location (although it is near Ashford ) the record is for Orlestone forest.
Didn,t realise that the "competant observer " i mentioned was "Chequertree" .
Allan.W.
Didn,t realise that the "competant observer " i mentioned was "Chequertree" .
Allan.W.
- Neil Freeman
- Posts: 4465
- Joined: Fri Jul 23, 2010 6:25 pm
- Location: Solihull, West Midlands
Re: 2023 - Large Tortoiseshell
Given the discussions around the provenance of some sightings over the last few years, this does not help
https://www.wwb.co.uk/spring-and-summer ... ros-larvae
Amongst others, Marsh and Glanville Fritillaries are also available, two more species that have been appearing all over the place recently.
I know from some of the things I have seen posted online that quite a few people get livestock from this place, Deaths Head and Oleander Hawk Moths for example are often available and have been increasingly 'seen' in recent years, but the way this is worded, encouraging release of this species into the wild, really concerns me.
Cheers,
Neil.
https://www.wwb.co.uk/spring-and-summer ... ros-larvae
Amongst others, Marsh and Glanville Fritillaries are also available, two more species that have been appearing all over the place recently.
I know from some of the things I have seen posted online that quite a few people get livestock from this place, Deaths Head and Oleander Hawk Moths for example are often available and have been increasingly 'seen' in recent years, but the way this is worded, encouraging release of this species into the wild, really concerns me.
Cheers,
Neil.
Re: 2023 - Large Tortoiseshell
I was quite amazed by the sentence at the end which they have highlighted in bold red:
Could you help establish this extinct British species in your area?
What next? American Painted Ladies?
Could you help establish this extinct British species in your area?
What next? American Painted Ladies?
- Pete Eeles
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Re: 2023 - Large Tortoiseshell
Thanks Allan - updated!Allan.W. wrote: ↑Wed Apr 05, 2023 3:42 pm Pete ,been doing a bit of digging and can confirm that my last entrance ,ie individual in Orlestone is the same individual as posted by Neil ie; "Chequertree" .So if you want to be a bit more precise with location (although it is near Ashford ) the record is for Orlestone forest.
Didn,t realise that the "competant observer " i mentioned was "Chequertree" .
Allan.W.
Cheers,
- Pete
Life Cycles of British & Irish Butterflies: http://www.butterflylifecycles.com
British & Irish Butterflies Rarities: http://www.butterflyrarities.com
British & Irish Butterflies Rarities: http://www.butterflyrarities.com
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Re: 2023 - Large Tortoiseshell
With regards to the livestock seller mentioned above, and many similar ones, this makes understanding population distributions and trends extremely difficult to interpret, especially for species such as Large Tortoisehell, Marsh Fritillary (a European protected species), Black-veined White and Duke of Burgundy. Some of these will then end up on SSSIs, NNRs and SACs, from where they may have ultimately originated!
An interesting topic
Best wishes
Dave
An interesting topic
Best wishes
Dave
- Pete Eeles
- Administrator & Stock Contributor
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Re: 2023 - Large Tortoiseshell
Thanks Dave. Yes, it is a very sorry state of affairs. For every rare sighting these days, there seems to be an equal number in the "it's a release" brigade (given the availability of livestock) as those in the "it's a natural occurrence" camp. And both parties state their opinion based on no evidence whatsoever, usually! I must admit, I tend to treat every rarity outside of their known distribution as a release unless circumstances dictate otherwise - what's happening in the bigger picture, weather patterns, known releases, availability of livestock, etc.
I like your Freudian slip of Large Tortoise-hell
Cheers,
- Pete
I like your Freudian slip of Large Tortoise-hell
![Wink :wink:](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
Cheers,
- Pete
Life Cycles of British & Irish Butterflies: http://www.butterflylifecycles.com
British & Irish Butterflies Rarities: http://www.butterflyrarities.com
British & Irish Butterflies Rarities: http://www.butterflyrarities.com