The latest Red Admiral sighting

[Martin]

I've just seen one sunning itself on a wall here in West London. It'd be interesting to see how late they stay out for and if it's location related.

Martin.

[Trev Sawyer]

I saw a red admiral flitting around the centre of Cambridge on 28th December. The weather was actually very dull and it was only about 10am, so I was very surprised it was on the wing. Air temperature obviously wasn't as low as it should have been at this time of year, but there had been no sunshine earlier in the day.
Last year I saw a peacock butterfly between Christmas and New Year, but the sun was actually out then, so less surprising I suppose.

Trev

[Cotswold Cockney]

There was one sunning itself in my south facing garden on 20th December. family members saw it later too.

Until it was removed a few years ago, I had a large specimen of Arbutus unedo (Strawberry Tree) in my garden. Flowers profusely in early winter and one or two Red Admirals could be seen on it every November and into December most years.

In late November 1965, I saw a number feeding on fallen fruit in a Kent Orchard in dull weather conditions. On 1-1-1974 (easy date to remember ) I saw one flying strongly in the centre of Cheltenham in weak winter sunshine.

Although I have not done so for many years, I expect a search of nettle beds in late Autumn, early winter would turn up a few larvae most years provided there has not been any prolonged frosts.... can't remember the last really cold winter ... 1981/2 was it?

[Trev Sawyer]

... and guess what I just saw trying to get into Sainsbury's shop window at lunchtime today? Maybe for some fresh-cut flowers to nectar on.

[markatbath]

saw one yesterday flying around the centre of bath about 1pm