April 2024
Re: April 2024
Friday 5th, Cwm Ivy, Gower:
Brimstone 2
Peacock 2
Holly Blue 1
Brimstone 2
Peacock 2
Holly Blue 1
Re: April 2024
Cooler and still windy today (7th), but less sunshine (though what there was was stronger than yesterday). Not as many butterflies on my local patch, though I encountered the same nine species overall. Highlights included a beautifully marked fresh male GVW...
Dave
...an equally new male Common Blue that patiently waited for the sun before opening up... ...and a perfect, unblemished and fresh-looking hibernated Comma.
Once again, a full account of proceedings in my PD shortly.Dave
- David Lazarus
- Posts: 132
- Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2023 5:06 pm
- Location: Chelmsford, Essex
Re: April 2024
As forecast, warmest day of the year ruined by 20 mph winds with 40 mph gusts on Saturday with the same Sunday but with lower temperatures. Not as much direct sunlight as expected, so the butterflies struggled. However, they were there low down in the grasses, nectaring on dandelions or chasing each other in more sheltered spots. I saw my first pair of Peacocks getting it on.
The highlight was a pair of freshly emerged Speckled Woods showing deep buff yellow spotting:
Total for the weekend:
Brimstone 4
Small White 4
Green-veined White 2
Comma 5
Peacock 21
Speckled Wood 4
Peacocks in good numbers, so hopefully a better showing later in the summer than 2023:
The highlight was a pair of freshly emerged Speckled Woods showing deep buff yellow spotting:
Total for the weekend:
Brimstone 4
Small White 4
Green-veined White 2
Comma 5
Peacock 21
Speckled Wood 4
Peacocks in good numbers, so hopefully a better showing later in the summer than 2023:
David Lazarus
Chelmsford, Essex
Chelmsford, Essex
Re: April 2024
Fantastic photos Dave, he writes with a mild hint of jealousy, which I disguise well.millerd wrote: ↑Sun Apr 07, 2024 4:51 pm Cooler and still windy today (7th), but less sunshine (though what there was was stronger than yesterday). Not as many butterflies on my local patch, though I encountered the same nine species overall. Highlights included a beautifully marked fresh male GVW...GVW1 070424.JPG...an equally new male Common Blue that patiently waited for the sun before opening up...HB1 070424.JPG...and a perfect, unblemished and fresh-looking hibernated Comma.Comma1 070424.JPG
Once again, a full account of proceedings in my PD shortly.
Dave
Re: April 2024
dlaz44 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 08, 2024 9:00 am As forecast, warmest day of the year ruined by 20 mph winds with 40 mph gusts on Saturday with the same Sunday but with lower temperatures. Not as much direct sunlight as expected, so the butterflies struggled. However, they were there low down in the grasses, nectaring on dandelions or chasing each other in more sheltered spots. I saw my first pair of Peacocks getting it on.
The highlight was a pair of freshly emerged Speckled Woods showing deep buff yellow spotting:
2024.04.07 Speckled Wood Meadgate Fields.jpg
Total for the weekend:
Brimstone 4
Small White 4
Green-veined White 2
Comma 5
Peacock 21
Speckled Wood 4
Peacocks in good numbers, so hopefully a better showing later in the summer than 2023:
2024.04.07 Peacock Meadgate Fields.jpg
Great numbers and nice photos David.
Re: April 2024
Your numbers seem down on what you normally get at your sites David. Obviously the weather is a factor but I am sure that you normally get higher numbers when the sun does appear.
Re: April 2024
On Saturday I assumed that Kathleen would prevent any butterfly walks for me but it was warm and quite sunny at lunchtime.
- Brimstone 8
- Peacock 7
- Comma 1
- Small Tortoiseshell 4
- Small White 1
About half of the Brimstone were female, the first ladies of the species I have seen this year. The guys will be happy to see them too.
- Brimstone 8
- Peacock 7
- Comma 1
- Small Tortoiseshell 4
- Small White 1
About half of the Brimstone were female, the first ladies of the species I have seen this year. The guys will be happy to see them too.
- David Lazarus
- Posts: 132
- Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2023 5:06 pm
- Location: Chelmsford, Essex
Re: April 2024
A proper butterflying day today with 16 C temperatures, full sun, and a gentle breeze. A total of 9 species and 62 butterflies, which included 20 peacocks and 14 Small Tortoiseshell. To my surprise the first sighting of both a Painted Lady [1]:
and Large White [4 - all males]:
a male Green-veined White [5]
a couple of Brimstone but still no females [the buckthorn buds have just started to break here]:
4 Commas; 5 Small Whites; 7 Speckled Woods
what please me the most were the continued good numbers of Peacock this spring, and hopefully the start of a good year for Small Tortoiseshell after such a bad 2023:
and Large White [4 - all males]:
a male Green-veined White [5]
a couple of Brimstone but still no females [the buckthorn buds have just started to break here]:
4 Commas; 5 Small Whites; 7 Speckled Woods
what please me the most were the continued good numbers of Peacock this spring, and hopefully the start of a good year for Small Tortoiseshell after such a bad 2023:
David Lazarus
Chelmsford, Essex
Chelmsford, Essex
Re: April 2024
100% weather-related, Chris. Even when I've managed to get out, it's mainly cloudy or if it is predominantly sunny, then it's blowing a gale.
Just one day of 14c, sunshine and light winds will see numbers increase to normal levels.
Re: April 2024
That Painted Lady is a real stunner, David.
![Mr. Green :mrgreen:](./images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif)
16c temperatures as well....no wonder the butterflies responded.
Re: April 2024
Wow! A Painted Lady. Wow! 62 butterflies. Wow! 9 species. Lots to be jealous about. I saw 4 butterflies today across 3 species.dlaz44 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 08, 2024 5:50 pm A proper butterflying day today with 16 C temperatures, full sun, and a gentle breeze. A total of 9 species and 62 butterflies, which included 20 peacocks and 14 Small Tortoiseshell. To my surprise the first sighting of both a Painted Lady [1]:
2024.04.08 Painted Lady Baddow Hall Park.jpg
and Large White [4 - all males]:
2024.04.08 Large White Baddow Hall Park.jpg
a male Green-veined White [5]
2024.04.08 Green-veined White Baddow Hall Park.jpg
a couple of Brimstone but still no females [the buckthorn buds have just started to break here]:
2024.04.08 Brimstone Baddow Meads.jpg
4 Commas; 5 Small Whites; 7 Speckled Woods
what please me the most were the continued good numbers of Peacock this spring, and hopefully the start of a good year for Small Tortoiseshell after such a bad 2023:
2024.04.08 Small Tortoiseshell River Chelmer.jpg
-
- Posts: 498
- Joined: Thu Sep 26, 2013 8:21 pm
- Location: Kent
Re: April 2024
An extra long hibernation for me!!! mainly due to poor weather conditions...but overall, a very slow start for my 2024 butterfly season.
After many years of sighting Orange Tips generally fly through my garden, maybe land for a few seconds, but fly off before i get a chance to take any photos, my luck changed back on the 5/4/24! A fresh looking male did land in my garden, he also allowed some nice camera action too!
A Holly Blue was also seen, another White (possible female Orange Tip?) an a Peacock.
Several pics of that obliging male OT. Location - my Kent garden. 1st pic is cropped some, but the other 2 images are not cropped.
Cheers Paul.
Nectaring on a Dandelion flower.
After many years of sighting Orange Tips generally fly through my garden, maybe land for a few seconds, but fly off before i get a chance to take any photos, my luck changed back on the 5/4/24! A fresh looking male did land in my garden, he also allowed some nice camera action too!
A Holly Blue was also seen, another White (possible female Orange Tip?) an a Peacock.
Several pics of that obliging male OT. Location - my Kent garden. 1st pic is cropped some, but the other 2 images are not cropped.
Cheers Paul.
Nectaring on a Dandelion flower.
- Jack Harrison
- Posts: 4640
- Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2006 8:55 pm
- Location: Nairn, Highland
- Contact:
Re: April 2024
Still no butterflies up here yet. However, in anticipation, my box of Orange Tip chrysalises came out of the fridge (where they had spent the winter) on 6th April and are now warming up. They are still in the box - in a shady part of the garden. I say "warming up". At just 8C, I suspect that will be a slow process.
Jack
Jack
Re: April 2024
Good luck with those, Jack, as ever.Jack Harrison wrote: ↑Tue Apr 09, 2024 2:50 pmStill no butterflies up here yet. However, in anticipation, my box of Orange Tip chrysalises came out of the fridge (where they had spent the winter) on 6th April and are now warming up. They are still in the box - in a shady part of the garden. I say "warming up". At just 8C, I suspect that will be a slow process.
Re: April 2024
Despite cool conditions, in an all-too brief spell of early sunshine today (10th) another Holly Blue opened up for me.
A full report in my PD: https://ukbutterflies.co.uk/phpBB/viewt ... 20#p184354
Dave
Seven species altogether, the majority of which were Peacocks.A full report in my PD: https://ukbutterflies.co.uk/phpBB/viewt ... 20#p184354
Dave
Re: April 2024
Tuesday 9th, Park Wood, Gower:
Peacock 5
Green Veined White 1
Comma 1
Holly Blue 1
Peacock 5
Green Veined White 1
Comma 1
Holly Blue 1
- David Lazarus
- Posts: 132
- Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2023 5:06 pm
- Location: Chelmsford, Essex
Re: April 2024
Finally, the Orange-tip have begun to emerge here in Chelmsford with 3 males sighted near the Cuckoo Flower Cardamine pratensis on the flood plain - all far too busy searching to pose for a portrait. 19 C temperatures and a gentle breeze brought a response from the butterflies whose activity lasted past 4 o'clock.
Highlights, the smallest of Small Whites during a season of small Small Whites was the first of 7 seen this morning - so cute!
I watched a pair of Green-veined White courting briefly before being the first in cop photograph of 2024 hosted by a bulbous Buttercup Ranunculus bulbosus with the male left and the female right [3 in total]:
and an hour later they were getting comfortable:
Small Tortoiseshell - good numbers again - 11
Peacock continuing to flourish with another 20 sightings:
Comma 4
Brimstone 3 the flowering short turf with Lawn Daisy Bellis perennis and Dandelion Taraxcum officinale season providing plentiful nectar
And a Large White.
I also saw my second sighting of a Painted Lady [with a possible third]
A good butterflying day with 53 seen of 9 species missing a sighting of a Speckled Wood [which was strange] to make it all 10 of 2024. Still no Holly Blues here - but soon I feel.
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Highlights, the smallest of Small Whites during a season of small Small Whites was the first of 7 seen this morning - so cute!
I watched a pair of Green-veined White courting briefly before being the first in cop photograph of 2024 hosted by a bulbous Buttercup Ranunculus bulbosus with the male left and the female right [3 in total]:
and an hour later they were getting comfortable:
Small Tortoiseshell - good numbers again - 11
Peacock continuing to flourish with another 20 sightings:
Comma 4
Brimstone 3 the flowering short turf with Lawn Daisy Bellis perennis and Dandelion Taraxcum officinale season providing plentiful nectar
And a Large White.
I also saw my second sighting of a Painted Lady [with a possible third]
A good butterflying day with 53 seen of 9 species missing a sighting of a Speckled Wood [which was strange] to make it all 10 of 2024. Still no Holly Blues here - but soon I feel.
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
David Lazarus
Chelmsford, Essex
Chelmsford, Essex
Re: April 2024
Mild, calm & largely overcast here in west London suburbs yesterday & my first garden Holly Blue of the season after seeing one at Kew a couple of weeks back.
In a local park in the morning 2 Speckled Woods & a Peacock.
In a local park in the morning 2 Speckled Woods & a Peacock.
Re: April 2024
This morning at Dungeness (Kent ) in warm (15-16c) with a slight breeze ,we found our first Small Coppers of the year ,6 in all.
We also had our first Large White ( a fem) and single Red Ad and Small Tort . Later ,had another visit to a few sections of Orlestone . around 20-25 Peacock ,similar number of Brimstone ,4 Comma and around 8 O-tips ......including these three . Allan.W.
We also had our first Large White ( a fem) and single Red Ad and Small Tort . Later ,had another visit to a few sections of Orlestone . around 20-25 Peacock ,similar number of Brimstone ,4 Comma and around 8 O-tips ......including these three . Allan.W.
Re: April 2024
Great sightings, Allan. I'll be on the lookout for Small Copper when I next get out. They're usually quite early round here.