March 2011

Charles Nicol · Post by **Charles Nicol** » Sat Mar 19, 2011 11:08 am

Zonda wrote:Last week i found a large dead frog in my pond.

Quel horreur !!

Charles

David M · Post by **David M** » Sat Mar 19, 2011 2:51 pm

Staying in Abergavenny this weekend and have just been down to Castle Meadows where I've seen at least 2 dozen Tortoiseshells (plus one Peacock, which frustrated me by refusing to settle to have its photo taken). The Torts were buzzing about wildly, jousting in mid air and then taking a break by nectaring on the many celandines that are flowering amongst the new nettle growth.

I watched a courting pair on a log for about 10 minutes as I don't ever recall seeing Tortoiseshells actually mating. Sadly however, some bloke's dog decided to bound over and any hope was therefore lost.

Only 11C today but it didn't stop them.

Hugh Middleton · Post by **Hugh Middleton** » Sat Mar 19, 2011 3:58 pm

At long last - a Brimstone in Lincoln today

NickB · Post by **NickB** » Sat Mar 19, 2011 4:39 pm

On a bike-ride this morning - at least 8 Brimstone (all males) and a couple of Comma. (No pictures - my son has had previous experience of cycling with me and has banned cameras on our trips....

). However, once back home, saw 3 Comma in my local cemetery - no restrictions on cameras

. Once the gravestones warm-up, the Commas just love sitting warming-up...

N

NickB · Post by **NickB** » Sat Mar 19, 2011 4:46 pm

David M wrote:.... I've seen at least 2 dozen Tortoiseshells .....

Not seen one over here, nor any Peacocks, yet....
N

David M · Post by **David M** » Sat Mar 19, 2011 5:12 pm

NickB wrote:
David M wrote:.... I've seen at least 2 dozen Tortoiseshells .....
Not seen one over here, nor any Peacocks, yet....
N

That's amazing. I'm seeing them every day. In fact, today's total outstrips the tally for any trip last year except one. I've never seen so many butterflies in the first 3 weeks of March. Perhaps the extremely cold December followed by a benign Jan and Feb has done them a favour.

Post by **Vince Massimo** » Sat Mar 19, 2011 5:42 pm

David M wrote: I watched a courting pair on a log for about 10 minutes as I don't ever recall seeing Tortoiseshells actually mating.

I had a courting pair of Small Tortoiseshells today as well. After a while they disappeared deep into dense vegetation, presumably to mate, which is why this act is seldom observed.

: Courting Small Tortoiseshells

Overall today I saw 7 Comma, 5 Small Tortoiseshell and a male Brimstone.

: The best Comma of the day

Surprisingly, still no Peacocks.

Vince

NickB · Post by **NickB** » Sat Mar 19, 2011 5:43 pm

It is strange - we have had only 1 confirmed sighting of a Small Tortoiseshell at my local BC Branch - and that covers Cambs and Essex. To be fair, last year was a poor year generally for ST's over here.
N

Gibster · Post by **Gibster** » Sat Mar 19, 2011 5:59 pm

Had 4 Commas and a couple of Small Tortoiseshells with a flyby male Brimstone on Epsom Common today. 1st pics of the year. Also many bees and a few bee flies too.

Gibster.

marmari · Post by **marmari** » Sat Mar 19, 2011 6:59 pm

Yet another picture of the comma,this time one of many to be enjoyed while awaiting a glimpse of the Large Tortoiseshell on the Isle of Wight.I have yet to have a sighting of this elusive creature despite a glorious day here today.

millerd · Post by **millerd** » Sat Mar 19, 2011 7:58 pm

A couple of Brimstones and a Peacock along the edge of woodland at Coombe Abbey Country Park near Coventry today.

Dave

Susie · Post by **Susie** » Sat Mar 19, 2011 8:00 pm

Not a butterfly but there was a beefly in the garden today.

walpolec · Post by **walpolec** » Sat Mar 19, 2011 10:00 pm

A beaut day which deserved to feature some butterflies! Pleased to see my first of the year, on a visit to Loughborough, Leics. Must have seen about 5 Small Torts overall.

Chris

Paul Wetton · Post by **Paul Wetton** » Sat Mar 19, 2011 11:46 pm

No Butterflies for me today but for those who were talking about Water Voles a few days ago here's one we found to try the new (second hand) Sigma 150-500mm on.

What a cutie.

Birdguides stated that a Camberwell Beauty was seen at Rainham Marshes today.

lee3764 · Post by **lee3764** » Sun Mar 20, 2011 8:34 pm

Saw a Hummingbird Hawk-moth today (20th March at 11:30am) in my back garden at Par, Cornwall. Briefly visited a narcissus for nectar & then took off at 500 mph!!!!!! This surely is very early for this moth isn't it?? A welcome sighting though!
Cheers all,
Lee Slaughter.

Post by **Padfield** » Sun Mar 20, 2011 9:14 pm

Hi Lee. That's very early for an immigrant HBHM and suggests to me they're resident in your neck of the woods. The species regularly flies in winter where it is resident, often coinciding with the first small tortoiseshells.

Guy

Millar153 · Post by **Millar153** » Sun Mar 20, 2011 9:35 pm

Saw my first butterfly of the year in Belfast on 16 March. It was a dozy Small Tort, resting on a sunny windowledge. I got it onto my finger to show the lads. It tried to fly away but hadn't the energy, gave up, and landed on my friend's shirt. We all said his new brooch suited him very nicely!

Ahh, spring.

Sam

http://millar153.wordpress.com

admiral halsey · Post by **admiral halsey** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 9:53 am

My first Butterfly of the year was unfortunately too quick for me to capture on camera

. A Brimstone at Wicken Fen, Cambs on 19th March.

Rich

admiral halsey · Post by **admiral halsey** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 12:14 pm

Just been for a walk in Langdon Hills nature reserve (Basildon, Essex). Two more Brimstones to add to the list. Got a photo but, sadly, too poor to share.

Rich

Ian Pratt · Post by **Ian Pratt** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 1:45 pm

First Holly Blue in a garden in Melville Street Ryde IOW today.

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