January 2010 Sightings
- Neil Hulme
- Posts: 3595
- Joined: Fri Feb 08, 2008 8:27 pm
January 2010 Sightings
Hi all,
I risked life and limb yesterday (the MR2 Roadster is notoriously incapable of handling any snow or ice), to travel down to some woods in Wiltshire. The only other explorer reckless enough to venture out in the still-deep snow was 'Captain Oats', i.e. Matthew (the spelling is correct; he's so-named after Seth Cohen's plastic horse in the TV series 'The O.C.', starring the hugely talented Mischa Barton ). After transferring to his more 'capable' vehicle we promptly got stuck in the woods a few times, eventually retiring to work along the main road verges. Matthew is doing some interesting research on the Purple Emperor's 'early stages' here, and we soon found some previously marked caterpillars, deep in hibernation. Amazingly under these conditions, we actually found previously 'unknown' larvae. They are typically over-wintering in either forks, in fissures in sallow branches, or against buds. Their camouflage is superb, with colours varying to suit their individual hibernation sites. Amazing little critters!
Neil
I risked life and limb yesterday (the MR2 Roadster is notoriously incapable of handling any snow or ice), to travel down to some woods in Wiltshire. The only other explorer reckless enough to venture out in the still-deep snow was 'Captain Oats', i.e. Matthew (the spelling is correct; he's so-named after Seth Cohen's plastic horse in the TV series 'The O.C.', starring the hugely talented Mischa Barton ). After transferring to his more 'capable' vehicle we promptly got stuck in the woods a few times, eventually retiring to work along the main road verges. Matthew is doing some interesting research on the Purple Emperor's 'early stages' here, and we soon found some previously marked caterpillars, deep in hibernation. Amazingly under these conditions, we actually found previously 'unknown' larvae. They are typically over-wintering in either forks, in fissures in sallow branches, or against buds. Their camouflage is superb, with colours varying to suit their individual hibernation sites. Amazing little critters!
Neil
- Pete Eeles
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Re: January 2010 Sightings
Excellent shots (and story) Neil - thanks for sharing!
Cheers,
- Pete
Cheers,
- Pete
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- Neil Hulme
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- Joined: Fri Feb 08, 2008 8:27 pm
Re: January 2010 Sightings
Thanks Pete. The second shot makes me smile every time I look at it - completely bonkers!
Neil
Neil
- Gruditch
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Re: January 2010 Sightings
Some great pictures Neil, not sure about the hat.
Regards Gruditch
Regards Gruditch
Re: January 2010 Sightings
A very interesting report and photos, thanks for sharing it with us.
Surely on the British would venture out into the woods in their cars to do such things in the snow? Its good to be British sometimes!
Matt
Surely on the British would venture out into the woods in their cars to do such things in the snow? Its good to be British sometimes!
Matt
Re: January 2010 Sightings
Incredible images, admirable dedication to lepidoptera studies, shameful fashion sense!
Thanks for sharing... on all counts! lol
Thanks for sharing... on all counts! lol
Re: January 2010 Sightings
Fab shots Neil.
Your dedication to this species is admirable, and your photo's are inspiring. (not too sure about the hat )
Denise
Your dedication to this species is admirable, and your photo's are inspiring. (not too sure about the hat )
Denise
- Neil Hulme
- Posts: 3595
- Joined: Fri Feb 08, 2008 8:27 pm
Re: January 2010 Sightings
Thanks Denise, John, Gary, Matt,
However, I feel that my headwear is unappreciated - and you will all be sorry when it appears on the catwalks of Milan On another tack.... I've just seen some 'rushes' from some filming done (ongoing) last summer for the Beeb - a butterfly epic in the making. Can't say what it includes, but we have a great treat in store late 2010/early 2011
Neil
However, I feel that my headwear is unappreciated - and you will all be sorry when it appears on the catwalks of Milan On another tack.... I've just seen some 'rushes' from some filming done (ongoing) last summer for the Beeb - a butterfly epic in the making. Can't say what it includes, but we have a great treat in store late 2010/early 2011
Neil
Re: January 2010 Sightings
Not sure about then catwalks of milan, but they would make super cat beds
Re: January 2010 Sightings
Fascinating.... Oh, did you say second shot or fifth shot??
Re: January 2010 Sightings
Out for a walk this morning in pleasantly mild sunshine, my thoughts turned to the possibility of a Red Admiral. Almost at once I spotted one sunning itself on the wall of a house. This has cheered me up no end. This afternoon I'll be looking out for basking Wall Lizards.
Misha
Misha
- Pete Eeles
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Re: January 2010 Sightings
First I've heard of this year Misha! Whereabout was this (which location) - I'll add this sighting to the next newsletter.
Cheers,
- Pete
Cheers,
- Pete
Life Cycles of British & Irish Butterflies: http://www.butterflylifecycles.com
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- Padfield
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Re: January 2010 Sightings
Very interesting sighting. It supports my hunch that it's not the cold but the length of time red admirals have to survive over winter that kills them up north. They are one of the last species to hibernate, regularly being seen in November, sucking up sugars from the last fruits and cruising around in what look like territorial circles. In southern Europe they're on the wing again by February. I don't think they're very good at hibernating.
Guy
Guy
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- Vince Massimo
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Re: January 2010 Sightings
I have just got back from a walk around my local area in Chaldon, Surrey and was delighted to see a very fresh Peacock fluttering about in the sunshine at 12.45pm.
Vince
Vince
Re: January 2010 Sightings
Pete, the Red Ad. was in Walpole Road, Boscombe (SZ1191).
Misha
Misha
Re: January 2010 Sightings
first Butterfly of the year for me today. a peacock at Stephens Castle Verwood.
- Wildmoreway
- Posts: 112
- Joined: Mon Jan 18, 2010 3:29 pm
- Location: Torquay, Devon
Re: January 2010 Sightings
Hi
I saw a Red Admiral sunning itself in Hollicoombe Park between Torquay and Paighton in Devon around midday ysterday, it was quite a arlert and flew around a few times.
I saw a Red Admiral sunning itself in Hollicoombe Park between Torquay and Paighton in Devon around midday ysterday, it was quite a arlert and flew around a few times.
- Padfield
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Re: January 2010 Sightings
Welcome to UK Butterflies, Torbay Flyer!
Guy
Guy
Guy's Butterflies: https://www.guypadfield.com
The Butterflies of Villars-Gryon : https://www.guypadfield.com/villarsgryonbook.html
The Butterflies of Villars-Gryon : https://www.guypadfield.com/villarsgryonbook.html
Re: January 2010 Sightings
Spring is definitely on the way if you have any signs of spring please feel free to post pictures of your first signs of spring on my posts.
Thanks,
Felix
Thanks,
Felix
Re: January 2010 Sightings
I found a couple of purple hairstreak eggs in a wood near Bath I have searched often enough before without success, after taking note of Guy's advice on other threads and considering shelter as well as aspect when looking for suitable locations.