March 2012

[Jack Harrison]

Swallowtail in West Norfolk

Seen in King's Lynn INSIDE a shop window on 29th February. It will still be there tomorrow so I should be able to get my first tick of the month without too much effort........


Jack

[dilettante]

It seems to have its shoes on backwards

[CFB]

A day too late to be a February sighting, today I saw two Large Tortoiseshells together. This was the tatty one. It settled on a tree, then flew off into the distance, only to return to the same tree within inches of its previous position four minutes later. I didn't manage to get a photo of the un-tatty one.

There were also three Brimstones, but they didn't settle anywhere. I suppose they were too busy looking for suitable flowers, but I don't think there were any.
--
Colin

[Jack Harrison]

1st March. Splendid weather in NW Norfolk but just one butterfly, a male Brimstone.

Jack

[robpartridge]

My apologies if this is the wrong forum but here are so many to choose from. I was stuck enviously indoors today thanks to work, and nothing flew past the window. But I notice a number of sightings of Red Admirals being reported already on the Cambs BC website. I had had a quiet bet with myself that few of these would survive such low temperatures as we experienced recently, and now I owe myself some money. I thought the latest theory was that this species does not really hibernate but has managed to overwinter thanks to generally milder winters. Whatever its strategy, it appears to now be able to survive the worst that our winters can throw at it. More expert opinions very welcome,

Rob

[The Annoying Czech]

Large Tortoiseshell in March? Challenge accepted, although the Spring didn't arrive here yet.

No chance to annoy The Annoying Czech!

[marmari]

A beautiful afternoon today once the sea fog lifted.Foghorn at the Needles lighthouse going all morning.
Visit to Woodhouse Copse and feared no sightings,but eventually a Comma and then a Red Admiral both enjoying the sun.
LTs not in sight as yet.

Comma Woodhouse Copse Isle of Wight 0001.JPG

[millerd]

One Red Admiral seen this afternoon high up in a tree close to J14 of the M25...

This one had certainly seen better days, and lacked a large piece of the inner edge of one hindwing. The damage didn't appear to hinder its flight in any way, however.

Dave

[EricY]

My first of the year today was a male Brimstone on Kelling Heath, would not allow a photo to be taken. Not much else the birdwise. Eric

[Rosalyn]

I was visiting Leicestershire today, 1 male Brimstone, 1 Small Tortoiseshell

[edgueinart]

Red Admiral today in Brighton!
PS:everyone seen a Brimstone this year...but I didnt!where to look for brimstones?

[Gibster]

Small Tortoiseshell on Epsom Common, Surrey today. Perched on a yellow crisp packet. Next best thing to a real flower I guess?

A plea to the IOW contingency - if the Large Tortoiseshell IS seen at the hallowed copse over the next couple of weeks I'd be VERY keen to join you on a hunt for the beastie!!! PM me if possible?

Many thanks,

Gibster.

[Paul Harfield]

A plea to the IOW contingency - if the Large Tortoiseshell IS seen at the hallowed copse over the next couple of weeks I'd be VERY keen to join you on a hunt for the beastie!!! PM me if possible?

Could somebody tell me if this is a naturally occuring colony of Large Tortoiseshell or an introduction?

[Padfield]

My apologies if this is the wrong forum but here are so many to choose from. I was stuck enviously indoors today thanks to work, and nothing flew past the window. But I notice a number of sightings of Red Admirals being reported already on the Cambs BC website. I had had a quiet bet with myself that few of these would survive such low temperatures as we experienced recently, and now I owe myself some money. I thought the latest theory was that this species does not really hibernate but has managed to overwinter thanks to generally milder winters. Whatever its strategy, it appears to now be able to survive the worst that our winters can throw at it. More expert opinions very welcome,

Rob

This probably isn't the right forum for this question, so I've started a new thread in the 'General' forum for people to offer their ideas. It is here:

viewtopic.php?f=16&t=6084

Guy

[Reddog]

I saw my first butterflies of 2012 today. The first one was a Small Tortoiseshell seen at Oglet shore Speke near Liverpool the second was a Peacock in my back garden. I was well pleased and Iv got frogs in my pond.

[CFB]

Only one butterfly this morning, a Wall Brown, which stood on a stone in the sun long enough for me to take a few photos.

--
Colin

[CFB]

... and this afternoon I managed to get a photo of a Peacock Butterfly for the first time! There were also some Brimstones around, but I wasn't able to get any photos of them.

--
Colin

[marmari]

Good question,jackz432r.!!

[David M]

There were also some Brimstones around, but I wasn't able to get any photos of them.

Are Cleopatras early spring butterflies in your area too?

[Padfield]

Just a thought: Might it be better to limit this thread to UK sightings? It's wonderful to see pictures of how the season is progressing elsewhere in Europe/the world but perhaps this could be recorded in an 'overseas sightings' thread, or a personal diary. In a couple of months, I fear domestic sightings might get drowned out if many people put their international records here too.

As I say, that's just a thought. I thoroughly enjoy your pictures and comments, CFB, and others might disagree with me about the thread.

Guy