Hi Jack,jackz432r wrote:Hi Nick
Just catching up with your diary.
It has just struck me that it must be quite exciting to live in an area which is at the edge of colonisation spread of various species. Whereas down here on the South Coast we take many species for granted, I imagine that for you each year brings much anticipation. To see species gradually moving in to your area must be immensely satisfying and exciting.
I hope you continue to get new arrivals in your area and that their numbers continue to increase You never know maybe you will wake up to find Glanville Fritillaries and Lulworth Skippers fluttering around outside your window
Yes it is certainly interesting times up here for butterflies. For the last few years there have been a number of new species occurring here 2004, I saw my first Comma, and they are now as common as Small Tortoiseshells. 2009 the first Speckled Wood, which are now pretty widespread, 2010 I found the first Wall Browns and they have made their way along the coast half way along East Lothian. We had a new colony of Holly Blues here two years ago, but sadly they seem to have died out. Three years ago we received a couple of reports of Small Skippers and last year three or four good colonies were found.
Talking to an ex-countryside ranger, I hear that in the '70s we didn't even have Ringlets, Orange Tips or Peacocks up here!
It is great to find more and more species here, despite reducing habitat, but I do wonder what it happening. I hope that it isn't at the cost of the southern range of these butterflies.