www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Great to see you are doing so well with the butterflies already. Hopefully things will start to improve up here, although the forecast doesn't look too good over the next few days.

Great stuff Trevor I too was slightly worried by the lack of Small Torts until the three we saw last weekend, then I saw 7 during 20 minutes on Monday and yesterday there were 13 at the same place Reports will follow in due course

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Many thanks Nick and Dave,
I think the Commas are being seen in concentration because they have yet to disperse
from their hibernation site. Last year, on a farm in Halnaker, West Sussex about 30 to 40
Small Tortoiseshells emerged from the various farm buildings one fine warm day, they were everywhere.
The next week there were none, even though there were more Dandelions flowering than the previous week.
Only a theory of course.

Trevor.

During a brief visit to Abbots Wood this afternoon I was a little surprised, given the cold wind,
to see a single Comma flitting about. It initially disappeared behind some Gorse bushes, but returned
to bask on some leaf litter.
My only Butterfly this week I fear !.

Trevor.

One's better than none Trevor

We've been feeling that cold wind too Trevor I've only seen one butterfly all week as well, hopefully the weekend will be a bit warmer and brighter...

Have a goodun

Wurzel

At lunchtime today I saw my first Bee Fly of the year, systematically visiting each flower of a Primrose in my garden.
It then settled on the concrete base of a fence, just giving me enough time to grab my camera.
I then thought that a Butterfly hunt might be worthwhile, as the warmth of the sun was just about ahead
of the cool breeze.
On arrival at the old railway I spotted Comma quite high up, the first of three seen. The prize of the afternoon
was however a very brief glimpse of my first Speckled Wood of the year, I saw just enough of it for identification
purposes, but then it was lost.

Trevor.

You're racing ahead there Trevor A Specklie already and Beeflies as well I'm pinning my hopes on this weekend

Have a goodun

Wurzel

NO COMMAS TODAY !.

Today I was on the farm in Halnaker, West Sussex, ' working '.
Fortunately I had a job using quick drying paint, and thixotropic adhesive, each needing
a little time ' to go off ', before the next stage.
This meant quite a few short visits to a nearby meadow. At exactly 10.40 ( 09.40 yesterday! )
two Small Tortoiseshells were up and about braving the very chilly breeze, and many more
appeared as the day wore on, as did two Peacocks and a Red Admiral.
About 11.00 my first ever March Orange Tip flew in from behind me, and spent sometime patrolling the
perimeter hedge of the meadow, not stopping once !. Not long after, the first of two Small Whites,
teased, as they hopped from one Dandelion to another. But I managed a shot of one of them.
Two non-stop Brimstones were also seen.

A very good day indeed !.
Trevor.

I am seriously envious of the Orange Tip, Trevor. The first glimpse of one of them is one of the special moments of the year.

Dave

Sounds like a cracking day Trevor (apart from the painting) - the last Small Tort is really well marked and a March Orange-tip is a great sighting - it's all kicking off now so we just need the weather to hold

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Many thanks Dave and Wurzel,

It was both a shock and a surprise to see the Orange Tip, never seen one in March before.
Although several have been reported in Sussex already.
It is worthwhile keeping an eye on the Sussex BC sightings page for early appearances .

PS. The painting wasn't too distracting, I was getting paid for it.( The boss is quite understanding ).

All the best,
Trevor.

trevor wrote:It was both a shock and a surprise to see the Orange Tip, never seen one in March before.

Must admit, when I saw how much cuckoo flower there was in bloom in Abergavenny on Saturday, I guessed that someone, somewhere would see an Orange Tip over the weekend.

I reckon most of us should encounter them next weekend if conditions are fine.

Congrats on seeing the Orange Tip. On your tip I shall be visiting my best local site, but, I suspect we are a bit colder and slower up here. All of my Small Torts have been seen in Church so far. But every day is showing more promise. And we had a bee fly in the garden yesterday, no camera with me...

The Butterfly population along the old railway continues to build.
Last week I had a brief glimpse of a Speckled Wood at this location, today I had one patiently pose for me.
Also a patrolling Brimstone suddenly landed and stayed put for some minutes.
Peacocks outnumbered Commas for once, although both were frequently seen. Two other species seen
in the air were a lone Holly Blue, and Small White.
The new season really has got off to a great start, considering we are still in March.

Trevor.

I love that Peacock shot Trevor, I've still to get a single shot of one yet. I hope all these species appearing before we enter April bode well for the year, some people could be into double figures before the 1st!

trevor wrote:The new season really has got off to a great start, considering we are still in March.

It sure has, Trevor, and things don't look like deteriorating like they did in April 2012.

I've prayed for a benign March followed by a sunny April for several years, and I sincerely hope this year is the one where it is delivered!

Great stuff with the Specklie Trevor - I better start searching them out now as now would be the time - we're about a fortnight behind the east side of the country over here . Fingers crossed the weather holds...

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Many thanks Buggy, David ,Wurzel and Peter,

It seems an age ago since I took my first Butterfly image of 2017, on March 11th.
So far the weather has largely been favourable, with only the odd blip, and the Butterflies have responded.
Almost every day produces a season' first'.
Let's hope the weather holds, there's still time for Winter to reassert itself.

PS. Having just written about the weather, a cold sea mist has just rolled in, and it's turned chilly .

Fantastic Peacock shot Trevor, it shouts Spring arriving Goldie