Why are the painted ladies heading west and fast?

[steveh]

Sorry if this is the wrong forum to ask but can anyone explain why this Painted Lady influx is flying so fast and all seem to be heading west?
Been seeing loads in the last few days here and they all seem to be following the same pattern? For example was at a pals house today and everyone ( and there was loads) I saw flying by seemed to take the same route through the garden and over the left side of the roof,this being for over a period of 4 hours..groundhog day It seemed!
So I wonder where are they heading for so fast?.. why do they individually appear to take the same route in just one garden ( note there was no obvious breeze)..does this influx happen often as as far as I recall not many were seen last year?

Regards
Steve

[Pete Eeles]

One theory is that being alongside large numbers of other Painted Ladys causes them to keep going until things thin out!

As for direction - that could be a combination of terrain (some areas form natural "funnels") and the prevailing weather (i.e. winds).

Cheers,

- Pete