Good spot, Susie.Susie wrote:Red admiral and comma on the buddleia this morning despite there still being frost pockets in the shade.
Proves there are still opportunities to be had.
Good spot, Susie.Susie wrote:Red admiral and comma on the buddleia this morning despite there still being frost pockets in the shade.
Minutes after reading David's post this morning I walked into my garden and was buzzed by a Comma!David M wrote:Good spot, Susie.Susie wrote:Red admiral and comma on the buddleia this morning despite there still being frost pockets in the shade.
Proves there are still opportunities to be had.
Unusual for a Brimstone to be out so late. I don't think I've ever seen one beyond early October.Trev Sawyer wrote:I saw a Brimstone fluttering around late yesterday morning along the edge of a field at Great Eversden in Cambs.
Yes, Arbutus thrives in Gloucestershire certainly. I believe it is indigenous to parts of South West Ireland.padfield wrote:Interesting, CC. Strawberry tree blossom is a good attractant late in the year for those sugar-loving creatures that are finding nectar scarce - but I didn't know it thrived in the UK. My last holly blue of 2011 was working a strawberry tree systematically, inflorescence by inflorescence, on 1st November:
This year is a different kettle of fish. It is quite possible I have seen my last butterfly of the season.![]()
Guy
North Somerset is only about forty miles from me.Matsukaze wrote:Is Strawberry Tree frost-hardy? I'd be tempted to plant it, but we are quite high and exposed here (by the standards of southern England, anyway).
A Small Tortoiseshell was enjoying the sun here today, flying strongly before settling to bask on the wall of our neighbour's house.
So did I, no matter how hot was today (16 C), first snow seems to be a dividing line.padfield wrote:This year is a different kettle of fish. It is quite possible I have seen my last butterfly of the season.
That will do nicely - thanks!Cotswold Cockney wrote:Never lost one or suffered much from frost damage even in that severe 81-82 winter when inside my Greenhouse, the min-max Thermometer recorded the lowest temperature of -22 C. Much colder outside.
Yes, without fail. One of their many attractions. I'll dig out a print of my huge bush I had at the bottom of the garden. Some winters there would be several Red Admirals feeding from the flowers on the occasional sunny winter days. The memory is not what it once was but I cannot remember ever seeing Commas, Peacocks, Small Tortoiseshells or any other butterfly on them except the Red Admirals. There were several large Bumble Bees working the flowers in the recent sunshine.David M wrote:Do these shrubs always flower so late?
Where can you buy these shrubs from?Cotswold Cockney wrote:Yes, without fail. One of their many attractions.David M wrote:Do these shrubs always flower so late?