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Re: April Sightings
Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2013 8:22 pm
by Willrow
Good to be back on
UK Butterflies (among friends) and especially now that Spring has at last made an effort over the last couple of days!!!
While out birding today in the Black Mountains, South Wales, I saw seven
Peacocks (...and I don't mean the feathered variety
![Rolling Eyes :roll:](./images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)
) enjoying the daffodils that were in profusion in a very old churchyard. I could not resist taking a few record shots to get my eye in for the new season
These seven
Peacock along with two
Small Tortoiseshell are my years total
![Shocked :shock:](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
Now I need a few
Orange-tip to get things moving.
Bill
Please Note: When you roll your cursor over the image you may be rather confused to see the title Red Admiral!!! What was I thinking
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
Re: April Sightings
Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2013 8:56 pm
by David M
Nice to see you back, Willrow.
The way things are shaping up, early May could provide a bonanza for we butterfly enthusiasts.
Re: April Sightings
Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2013 9:16 pm
by Wurzel
Small Tort, Peacock and 2 Brimstone in my local area at lunchtime today. Four Brimstone and a Small Tort at Sillens Lane, Martin Down this afternoon with another 3 Brimstone at the Blandford Road side. Also 5 Small Tort, 4 Peacocks and a Brimstone pair at Middle Street this afternoon. Photos will be on my PD ( eventually)
Have a goodun
Wurzel
Re: April Sightings
Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2013 9:35 pm
by Philzoid
Gorgeous weather (at last) so my usual weekend trip from Sheerwater into Woking town, was taken on foot along the Basingstoke Canal. The canal is almost an idyllic setting to drink in the sounds and colours of spring. However you're always reminded that urban life isn't far away as the birdsong is rudely punctuated by wailing drone of private light aircraft and your stroll is inconvenienced by the hordes of cyclists thundering down the towpath forcing you to dive for cover
![Rolling Eyes :roll:](./images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)
. Still there was plentiy of butterflies and other nature to take in
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
. On the way in I saw 2 Peacock, 1 Red Admiral 5 Brimstone and also a Cormorant which is more of a common sight along here than a Heron
Also encountered was an all black bumblebee which had huge pollen baskets on its back legs. It's flight appeared different too with a higher pitched buzz which made me think it was a fly at first. Perhaps Wurzel may know what it is?
![2013.04.20 IMG_9989 Bee sp trim.jpg (158.95 KiB) Viewed 1152 times Unidentified bee. Sorry for poor picture quality](./files/thumb_10062_95268e573d46ce01e750447c86a80daa)
- Unidentified bee. Sorry for poor picture quality
On the return journey I saw 6 Brimstone and 4 Comma. Also a Herring Gull: (which find it easy to scavenge as the people aound here like to throw whole loaves of bread in to feed the ducks)
![2013.04.20 IMG_10017 Herring Gull, Basingstoke Canal, Woking.jpg (105.01 KiB) Viewed 1152 times The ducks are fed up with bread. Its left to the gulls to hoover up](./files/thumb_10062_cd028dd76fee86e630c03e571bb409f7)
- The ducks are fed up with bread. Its left to the gulls to hoover up
![Ring No. A6LB](./download/file.php?id=30340)
- Ring No. A6LB
- 2013.04.20 IMG_10019 Herring Gull, Basingstoke Canal, Woking.jpg (25.01 KiB) Viewed 1152 times
Should the ring number be reported to the RSPB and if so how do I go about it?
Thanks
Phil
Re: April Sightings
Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2013 9:41 pm
by Neil Freeman
Took a tundle around some of my local spots around Solihull this afternoon. In total about a dozen each of Comma and Peacock plus singles of Brimstone and Small Tortoiseshell.
More details and photos as usual on my diary.
Re: April Sightings
Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 7:35 am
by Neil Hulme
More Large Tortoiseshell news at base page
viewtopic.php?t=4065&start=10000
Re: April Sightings
Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 8:33 am
by nomad
Re: April Sightings
Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 8:38 am
by A_T
Trip to Whixall Moss yesterday. A few male Brimstones searching rather vainly for nectar. Also a few Peacocks.
Re: April Sightings
Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 1:04 pm
by robpartridge
In my part of the fens, Peacocks have survived the winter in good numbers. Sallow blossom is popular in the mornings, especially the sweetly scented ones;
After yesterday's high jinks with Small Tortoiseshells, today, in almost the same spot, a male Peacock began pursuing a female on the ground. He spent several minutes approaching from all directions;
Another male arrived and the two of them were fencing with their antennae for about a minute;
One of the males was driven off. the other returned to the female and spent some time trying, apparently, to force open her hind wings, which was somewhat shocking, but without success. Finally, he observed from a distance for 5 minutes before departing;
The female never once opened her wings or showed the slightest interest in the proceedings. This was happening in good sunshine at midday-ish. Two Green-veined whites flew by but no Orange-tips in the usual places despite a good two hours looking for them,
Rob
Re: April Sightings
Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 3:41 pm
by badgerbob
Yesterday my son was birdwatching at Splash Point, Seaford and several Small Tortoiseshell were seen flying in off the sea. This may explain why so many have been seen recently if there is a strong migration going on.
A stroll today to High and Over and Frog Firle produced 5 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Brimstone, 2 Peacock and 2 Comma as well as the 3 Wall Brown larvae.
Re: April Sightings
Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 3:48 pm
by Debbie
We had 14 degrees in Shropshire yesterday. After a hard mornings work in the garden, a beautifully fresh butterfly landed in the garden, which we think is a comma due to the markings, but by the time hubby got the camera, off it had flown. We went out a little later and saw a male brimstone with the most beautiful buttery yellow colour patrolling his patch with such speed and the odd glimpse of a couple of peacocks, but again sadly no photos.
I have not been posting out of season, but have enjoyed reading all the posts over the last few months.
Re: April Sightings
Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 7:02 pm
by Wurzel
Aright Philzoid - your Bee is a female hairy-footed flower bee, Anthophora plumipes, they're great little beasties
Five Rivers today only had 4 Small Tortoiseshell and the first Peacock for the site
Have a goodun
Wurzel
Re: April Sightings
Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 10:06 pm
by Paul Harfield
No butterflies today, I have used up all my butterfly time this week
![Rolling Eyes :roll:](./images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)
. Had to do some chores today
![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)
Whilst doing some tidying in the garden I came across this little chap.
![DSCN6845 - Copy.JPG (226.79 KiB) Viewed 980 times Beefly in my garden today](./files/thumb_11661_467ba43f9cc042a04b502371fb1a1bd5)
- Beefly in my garden today
![DSCN6863 - Copy.JPG (224.63 KiB) Viewed 980 times Beefly in my garden today](./files/thumb_11661_8be302e3a163a75deb86eca8c3717daa)
- Beefly in my garden today
![DSCN6857 - Copy.JPG (262.07 KiB) Viewed 980 times Beefly in the garden today](./files/thumb_11661_45bb577834e5b821e7a2682b9b971002)
- Beefly in the garden today
I know it is a Beefly, but what species
![Question :?:](./images/smilies/icon_question.gif)
The last photo used flash ( I have no control over when it decides to use flash) this has rendered the colour innacurate.
I have seen a lot of Beeflies about but normally struggle to get close enough for a photo. With my old point and shoot camera I need to be within a couple of inches of the subject and it takes an age to focus. Beeflies are normally long gone before I get close enough
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
. This little chap was different, it was definitely alive but did not flinch whilst I was taking several pics, it was still in the same place an hour later. I am not familiar with the life cycle of the Beefly but I know it must have larval and pupal stages. I am assuming this individual had just emerged, any comments appreciated.
Re: April Sightings
Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2013 12:22 am
by Pawpawsaurus
It looks like a Dark-edged Bee-fly (
Bombylius major) to me.
See the key at
http://home.hccnet.nl/mp.van.veen/bombyliidae/
You're lucky to have them in your garden.
Paul
Re: April Sightings
Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2013 10:57 am
by MikeOxon
Philzoid wrote:Should the ring number be reported to the RSPB and if so how do I go about it?
Ringing in the UK is carried out by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO)
http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/ri ... ing-scheme
Reports of ring findings are now co-ordinated throughout Europe by the Euring system. Go to the website at
http://blx1.bto.org/euring/lang/pages/r ... country=EN and follow the instructions to fill in the form there.
Mike
Re: April Sightings
Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2013 11:56 am
by Mildheart
First newly emerged butterfly of the year at Bookham Common on Saturday - a Small White. Also one Red Admiral and a few Brimstones, Commas and Peacocks.
Re: April Sightings
Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2013 1:49 pm
by NickB
Hooray! First of the year - a Green Hairstreak on the Fleam Dyke today, one of 3 seen, with 4 Peacock and an ST
Spring has officially started!
N
Re: April Sightings
Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2013 1:56 pm
by Charles Nicol
NickB wrote:Hooray! First of the year - a Green Hairstreak on the Fleam Dyke today, one of 3 seen, with 4 Peacock and an ST
GH_1_FD_22_April_2013.jpg
Spring has officially started!
N
Well done Nick !! Lovely pic of the Green Hairstreak. Still waiting for the Orange Tips...
![Cool 8)](./images/smilies/icon_cool.gif)
Re: April Sightings
Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2013 1:59 pm
by NickB
Charles Nicol wrote:NickB wrote:Hooray! First of the year - a Green Hairstreak on the Fleam Dyke today, one of 3 seen, with 4 Peacock and an ST
The attachment GH_1_FD_22_April_2013.jpg is no longer available
Spring has officially started!
N
Well done Nick !! Lovely pic of the Green Hairstreak. Still waiting for the Orange Tips...
![Cool 8)](./images/smilies/icon_cool.gif)
...in the usual place too, Charles......
Yes - thought I might see one today....
(This one hadn't had such a good time emerging....
)
Re: April Sightings
Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2013 5:41 pm
by aeshna5
My first Holly Blue of the year today in a garden near Wandsworth Common, London. Also a Peacock.