February 2015

[Alastair Rae]

My lepidopteran year waited a month to get started with a Pale Brindled Beauty found in a public loo in Suffolk.
I didn't even know my phone could do macro but I didn't have a "proper" camera with me.
Pale Brindled Beauty by Alastair Rae, on Flickr

[David M]

Spent between 12.15 and 1.45pm at Bracelet Bay near Swansea today and managed to see two Red Admirals in the sheltered area by the coastguard's hut.

Both were nectaring on the hebe which flowers here throughout the winter.

Conditions were pretty good: 7c with no cloud cover and very light winds:

[Goldie M]

You lucky thing David, Butterflies sighted already Goldie

[David M]

You lucky thing David, Butterflies sighted already Goldie

It's such a uniquely sheltered spot, Goldie, that I feel that I'm almost cheating.

Good to get 2015 off to a start in early February all the same.

[bugboy]

Don't worry Goldie, the weather forcast people say the Jet Stream is moving north next week so the temperatures will go up, maybe enough to wake up some sleeping beauties!

[peterc]

Went to Norton Green this afternoon to look for Purple Emperor larvae on 2 sallows and adult Red Admirals. Didn't find these but I did find a Small Tortoiseshell basking in the sun on the ground even though it was generally about 7 degrees.

Peter

[Vince Massimo]

This mornings sunshine came as a surprise because it was not forecast, but it felt warm enough to see if there were any Red Admirals flying at my local hot-spot.

Red Admiral overwintering site - Crawley, Sussex

At 12.44 I got a sighting of an individual which was intent on basking on the tarmac and ivy hedge for the next hour. The air temperature was 8C with a light northerly wind.

Red Admiral - Crawley, Sussex 8-Feb-2015

I was happy enough with that, but even more satisfied when I checked it against my photo database for this site. It turned out to be an individual that I saw there on 6th December 2014.

Red Admiral - Crawley, Sussex 6-Dec-2014

This confirms that it has successfully (so far) survived at a known overwintering site (albeit with what looks like additional water damage to its wings).

Vince

[David M]

Excellent detective work there, Vince.

The weather was lovely again today in Swansea. I popped back up to Bracelet Bay in 8c temperatures but didn't get a glimpse of any butterflies. However, upon my return home there was a Red Admiral fluttering around my patio window!!

That's now 3 in two days!

[Vince Massimo]

I have received a report from old friends of mine, Ralph and Jane Pattenden, who saw a very fresh Red Admiral in their garden at Burgess Hill, Sussex at 13.07 today.

Red Admiral - Burgess Hill, Sussex 8-Feb-2015 (Ralph Pattenden)

Thanks guys, great photo

Vince

[Scott Barron]

Small Tortoiseshell today 8th February in a garden at Longrock, nr Penzance.

[Testudo Man]

At work today, cold but sunny! Approx 2.00pm, location Kent.

I sighted a probable Red Admiral fly past. By the time i climbed down from my ladder, the butterfly was out of sight!

I knew i would see a butterfly today, brilliant sunshine, light wind, im just surprised i didnt see a few more! but, i was at work

Cheers Paul.

[andy brown]

Saw my first Butterfly today for 2015 it was a Red Admiral in the back garden and seen while taking some pictures if this little beauty.

Goldcrest

Goldcrest

[Scott Barron]

Today 15th February I saw my 3rd butterfly of the year a Peacock was basking in a warm corner of my parents garden in Longrock, near Penzance at 12:20pm. This is now my third species this year having already recorded a Red Admiral in January & a Small Tortoiseshell in February. Can I see a butterfly in all 12 months of 2015 as I did in 2014?

[David M]

Today 15th February I saw my 3rd butterfly of the year a Peacock was basking in a warm corner of my parents garden in Longrock, near Penzance at 12:20pm. This is now my third species this year having already recorded a Red Admiral in January & a Small Tortoiseshell in February. Can I see a butterfly in all 12 months of 2015 as I did in 2014?

I'd rate your chances as odds-on!

December will be the key.

[Vince Massimo]

A visit to my local hot-spot in Crawley produced a Red Admiral which was flying when I arrived at 12.45. It was quite a fresh looking individual and new to the site (according to my photo database) and was still basking when I left at 13.40.

Red Admiral - Crawley, Sussex 17-Feb-2015

The highway hedges were being trimmed at the time, but the butterfly did not seem to be too bothered by all the activity. At one point it was basking on the tarmac when it was straddled by the tractor and trimmer arm, but it just sat there with its wings open. Only after the machinery had passed over, did it take off and land on the tractor.

Hedge Trimming - Crawley 17-Feb-2015

It was joined by another individual at 13.20, which was seen off after a brief aerial battle. It seems to me that, because the site is on a small sheltered hilltop, it could also be a territorial/congregation area for passing males and not just the ones that have managed to survive here thus far.

The temperature was 10C with a light north-westerly wind.
I had previously surveyed these hedges for Brown Hairsteak eggs (finding just one in a vulnerable spot). This was removed from the hedge before the strimmer reached it

Vince

[Cotswold Cockney]

How about that. Whilst preparing the family meal ( peeling some spuds ) I was aware of some fluttering outside the kitchen window as I worked. Looked up just in time to secure a quick image before it was away flying strongly in the beautiful winter sunshine.

Good to see and a reminder that Spring cannot be that far away. Roll on.

Been retired six years now and that allows time for me to do many things denied the opportunity in the past because of work commitments. Cooking appeals to me ... maybe to my creative bent ... Went down well later with the two main fusspots in my family so cannot be bad ... Actually was rather good if I say so myself.

My wife also reported seeing a butterfly in the garden on Sunday. Small Tortoiseshell and she knows the various differences in the garden butterflies. She found a second instar Swallowtail Larva on Wild Carrot whilst on holiday in Austria. Good powers of observation. She had previously seen them in the broads.

[Scott Barron]

This afternoon 17th February my wife spotted a Red Admiral at Porthgwarra Cove, West Cornwall whilst she was on coffee break at work.

[IAC]

Hi all,
No butterflies yet for me...sadly...however, I hope someone may be able to identify, if possible, this wee bird that was seen down on the beach near Eyemouth in the Scottish Borders. It might be a Stonechat...but not sure at all.

Thanks,

Iain.

[bugboy]

Yup, i'd say a female Stonechat

[web4160]

First butterflies of the year for me. Visited Walton Common in North Somerset. Saw a total of 4. The two positively identified were a male Brimstone and a pristine Red Admiral.