www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

So there you have it. A November diary page, packed with butterflies. Now I wasn't expecting that!

With more glorious sunshine on Sunday, it was time for a walk in Epping Forest. The autumn colours, the blue sky and the sunshine made for a most enjoyable walk. This is hornbeam, a native hardwood that was one of the last trees to reach Britain, before we broke off from the continent. It is restricted to south-east England. That night,came the first widespread frost of the season.

Great shots from Dungerness essex, the colours of the butterflies and flowers in that light..
I think we all appreciate Autumn forest walking.

Cheers

A fantastic array of Coppers Essex I wonder how many more butterflies will be about now the frosts have started arriving?

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Great haul for November, Mark, though I fear that solid frost might put paid to the bulk of any activity henceforth.

Hi Andrew, yes a walk in Epping Forest or, no doubt, other forests in our country, is one of November s greatest pleasures, especially if it is sunny, as autumn reaches it's final peak.

Thanks Wurzel and David. Yes, I think a few frosts have finished things off. Although I saw a Red Admiral last week, I think my season has now finally come to an end.

essexbuzzard wrote:Yes, I think a few frosts have finished things off. Although I saw a Red Admiral last week, I think my season has now finally come to an end.

Mine probably finished on 5th November with a Red Admiral flyby in Abergavenny town centre so looks like my next will be in late February/early March.

This late season has been full of surprises though, so we should all keep our eyes peeled.

The Hawfinch is now a very scarce, perhaps even rare, British breeding bird, and has probably been lost as an Essex breeder, with just a handful of winter sightings in recent years. But this autumn there has been a perhaps once in a lifetime event- a big hawfinch invasion.

Following sightings on the Essex coast in recent weeks, they have settled in our woodlands, especially those containing hornbeam. We hope they will remain through the winter but equally, they may feed for a few weeks and move on. They are said to be particularly fond of hornbeam seeds and buds. I have never seen one in Britain before, never mind Essex. So today I visited Thorndon County Park, more in hope than expectation. Did I see any? You bet!

You lucky bugger! I had a wander round Epping Forest yesterday (lots of Hornbeam there) in the hope of finding some but didn't see any... didn't see much of anything to be honest

Nice find. We have had around 6 locally over the past few weeks, with them showing a preference for cemeteries. Didn't have the free time to go looking regrettably

Phil

Nice one Essex A very striking bird.

Great set of shots Essex - they're a cracking looking bird, fingers crossed their 'invasion' will be the vanguard with Waxwings, interesting Redpolls, Brambling etc all to follow
Great catching up on Saturday and cheers for the lift, sorry if I made your car smell of rancid beer, although to fair I'm only partially responsible for that

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Glorious sighting, Mark...a bird I've long yearned to see. Whilst not great for butterflies, this time of year nonetheless provides good opportunities to see other desirable wildlife!

Thanks, Bugboy. I agree, Epping forest should be suitable. Thorndon Country Park, near Brentwood, is proving most reliable at the moment, with more there again this weekend. Hatfield forest has been good, too, though I don’t know how easy it is for you to get there.

Thanks Phil. Don’t give up,there should be some around for a few weeks at least.

Cheers Andrew, they are indeed great birds, one that I’ve long wanted to see!

Cheers Wurzel, no the car’s not too bad! Good to see you last weekend.

David, you’re right. The good thing about birds, especially near the coast, is that they fill the void in winter, when the flowers and butterflies have gone. If it weren’t for that, I think I would suffer greatly from SAD, as others have said.

Like many from Wales, across the midlands to East Anglia, we had several inches of the white stuff today, creating a white winter wonderland!

Wow that's full on!

If the recent report from Butterfly Conservation is correct then you'll be enjoying bucket loads of butterflies next season

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Incredible, Mark! I'm almost envious. We haven't had a flake here in Swansea yet Merthyr Tydfil (a mere 20 miles away) has been inundated and has seen night time temperatures of -10c!!

A visit to Hatfield Forest, Essex today. Hawfinches continue to be seen there, and I found several, still feeding on hornbeam seeds. Not the best pictures in the poor light today, but good to see anyway. Also a kite, which are still scarce in Essex, and a roosting tawny owl in a tree.

for that Hawfinch, I've still not caught up with any yet, although to be fair I've had precious little time to get out and about in recent weeks. Good spot with that Owl as well

That Owl shot is a classic Happy New Year!

Have a goodun

Wurzel