2023 - Large Tortoiseshell

[Pete Eeles]

Fourth record in seven days for the Isle of Wight! A faded specimen photographed at Carisbrooke on 10/04/2023. 20230410_Large Tortoiseshell_Carisbrooke_Janice Templeton2.jpg20230410_Large Tortoiseshell_Carisbrooke_Janice Templeton1.jpg

Thanks again, Jim!

Cheers,

- Pete

[badgerbob]

Graham Hubbard had one visit his garden in Woodingdean, East Sussex, on Good Friday 7/4/2023. Quite a worn specimen. Details and photos on the Sussex sightings page.

[Will Malpas]

There was another seperate individual seen on the 12th at Northiam, can see by checking the recent comments at this link : https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_ ... 0496988492

Seems to be about 4 individuals spotted at this location so far.
Thanks, Will

[bugboy]

There was another seperate individual seen on the 12th at Northiam, can see by checking the recent comments at this link : https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_ ... 0496988492

Seems to be about 4 individuals spotted at this location so far.
Thanks, Will

That underside shot looks more like a Peacock to me.

[bugboy]

For all this year's reports so far, I haven't seen one that's spanned two days. Is that likely to be the lack of a return visit from the original finder, and no follow-up from anyone, or is this species notoriously "in and out?"

They are rather elusive and probably spend a fair portion of their life up in trees. The lack of good sunny days this spring wouldn't have helped. The density of them is still likely very low and finding one still requires as much luck as skill. The one I found at Perry Hill is a case in point, wasn't expecting to find it there and had I turned up 10 mins later I'd have likely missed it completely.

[Pete Eeles]

Graham Hubbard had one visit his garden in Woodingdean, East Sussex, on Good Friday 7/4/2023. Quite a worn specimen. Details and photos on the Sussex sightings page.

Thanks Bob - list updated.

Cheers,

- Pete

[JimB]

Two further sightings from the Isle of Wight. One was seen and photographed in a Cowes garden on 19th April (interestingly they have been recorded within a mile of that area for the last couple of years) and another at Golden Hill Fort, Freshwater on 25th April (by the same observer who recorded the one at Cranmore!). That makes a total of six sightings from VC10 for 2023 so far.

[Neil Hulme]

Female LT released, after becoming trapped in (or after waking within) greenhouse at Hollingbury (Brighton) on 29 April by 'JB' - BC Sussex website.
BWs, Neil

[Mark Tutton]

Another from Suffolk https://twitter.com/gbchownster/status ... 63809?s=12

[Pete Eeles]

Thanks Jim / Neil / Mark - list updated.

Cheers,

- Pete

[Mark Tutton]

Hi Pete
Couple of sightings currently on Sussex BC including larval webs
http://www.sussex-butterflies.org.uk/sightings/

[bugboy]

On the Kent butterflies fb group. 6 freshly emerged at Elmley car park, I presume this is the nature reserve but its all a bit vague. Already lots of pontificating about them being released based on very little facts but that's fb for you

[millerd]

On the Kent butterflies fb group. 6 freshly emerged at Elmley car park...

Looking at a map, Elmley appears to be a nature reserve on the south side of the Isle of Sheppey. The area looks very flat and wet, and doesn't seem to have much in the way of woodland - which means searching for the larval web from which these butterflies might have emerged would be less difficult than in a heavily wooded area. A focused search nearby could resolve the issue and save the speculation.

Dave

[Allan.W.]

Yes Dave as you suggest a good look through the trees on site,particularly those along the old road to the derelict schoolhouse
and in front of Kingshill farmhouse and the main car park, could turn something up ,a look on google maps shows a fair few very large trees .
A fair chance that theres an Elm or two. I,m surprised that none of the butterfly visitors has had a look around and reported on it.
Allan.W.

[Allan.W.]

A mint Large Tort: seen a nd photographed by the locals (not me unfortunately !) at the Long Pits ,Dungeness this afternoon.
Dungeness generally gets one or two sightings most years. On a plant hunt at Sandwich Bay this morning ,no sign of yesterdays Swallowtail.
Allan W.

[Devon Dave]

Noticed a reported sighting of a Large Tortoiseshell at Croyde North Devon on the Sightings page of the Deon Butterfly Conservation page today. Rather interesting for the records, have no idea of its verification status, but still worth noting on this thread.

[Devon Dave]

Sorry folks typo, meant Devon not Deon in above report.

[Goldie M]

Hi! Pete, I'd love to know where about in Hern Bay that Large Tortoiseshell was seen Goldie

[MrSp0ck]

On the Kent butterflies fb group. 6 freshly emerged at Elmley car park...

Looking at a map, Elmley appears to be a nature reserve on the south side of the Isle of Sheppey. The area looks very flat and wet, and doesn't seem to have much in the way of woodland - which means searching for the larval web from which these butterflies might have emerged would be less difficult than in a heavily wooded area. A focused search nearby could resolve the issue and save the speculation.

Dave

Elmley has had Large Tortoiseshells in the past 1990s and as its name suggests has Elms around, Blackthorn and Sallow are also foodplants.

[James M]

A report with photos of an individual at NT Trencrom Hill, West Cornwall, on UK BUTTERFLIES Facebook page. 01/07/23