Today I.....................
- Gwenhwyfar
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Today I.....................
Saw not one, not two, but three Brimstones!!!
The other half saw two others as well when he was gardening.
The other half saw two others as well when he was gardening.
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- Gwenhwyfar
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I saw my second brimstone on March 6th. The first was 26th February, but that one appeared to be just a lap or two around its hibernation site to check out the weather then back into ivy for a spot more shuteye.
This one was more purposeful, trawling a patch of vegetation in search of females.
I also saw this comma on the same date.
Not a particularly good shot as I didn't have the close-up lens. Since then two more commas have appeared in the same spot, and one chased away what fleetingly looked like a peacock but I can't be certain.
This one was more purposeful, trawling a patch of vegetation in search of females.
I also saw this comma on the same date.
Not a particularly good shot as I didn't have the close-up lens. Since then two more commas have appeared in the same spot, and one chased away what fleetingly looked like a peacock but I can't be certain.
- Gwenhwyfar
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@Gwen, my first sighting in February was only a flutter round, not a full emergence from hibernation as it went back into hiding again. (I should add that I reported it in the 'general' forum). But in any case, you spotted three, so you still have a moral victory.
Pete or others will no doubt verify or refute this, but as I understand it, small coppers overwinter as larvae, so an adult now would be stretching thiings a bit as they still have to pupate. The species we're seeing now are those that hibernate as adults.
Further, maybe it was one of these?
http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/phpBB2/v ... .php?t=863
Pete or others will no doubt verify or refute this, but as I understand it, small coppers overwinter as larvae, so an adult now would be stretching thiings a bit as they still have to pupate. The species we're seeing now are those that hibernate as adults.
Further, maybe it was one of these?
http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/phpBB2/v ... .php?t=863
- Gwenhwyfar
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- Pete Eeles
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A Small Copper was first seen on 15th March in 2004. See:
http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/s ... s/2004.php
So I wouldn't say it's impossible - just unlikely!
Cheers,
- Pete
http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/s ... s/2004.php
So I wouldn't say it's impossible - just unlikely!
Cheers,
- Pete
- alex mclennan
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Some good spots on Sunday: Peacock, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell and Brimstone in the garden and the fields behind the house in west Bath.
Matsukaze: have you been down to the old quarry yet this year? At the far exit (away from the Uni) turn right and there is a clearing immediately at the top of the short climb that the path makes. There have been butterflies there every day I've been for the last two weeks: Peacock, Red Admiral and Brimstone. There were 6 Red Admirals this lunchtime, there or there abouts. [No white spots, by the way!].
Simon C
Matsukaze: have you been down to the old quarry yet this year? At the far exit (away from the Uni) turn right and there is a clearing immediately at the top of the short climb that the path makes. There have been butterflies there every day I've been for the last two weeks: Peacock, Red Admiral and Brimstone. There were 6 Red Admirals this lunchtime, there or there abouts. [No white spots, by the way!].
Simon C
Hi Simon,
I know where you mean. There were one or two Red Admirals resident in the same glade last spring for a couple of weeks. Yet to make it over to the quarry but will take a look in a few weeks, as it was a good spot for Holly Blues last spring.
1 Brimstone male, patrolling, 1 Small Tortoiseshell and 2 Commas along the lane down towards the American Museum today. First sightings of the year, except for the Brimstone. Commas were within 20 yards of where I saw my last Comma of 2006 - I wonder if one of them was the same individual?
I know where you mean. There were one or two Red Admirals resident in the same glade last spring for a couple of weeks. Yet to make it over to the quarry but will take a look in a few weeks, as it was a good spot for Holly Blues last spring.
1 Brimstone male, patrolling, 1 Small Tortoiseshell and 2 Commas along the lane down towards the American Museum today. First sightings of the year, except for the Brimstone. Commas were within 20 yards of where I saw my last Comma of 2006 - I wonder if one of them was the same individual?