March 2017
Re: March 2017
First butterfly of the year at home today - a Small Tortoiseshell doing a fly-by. Also a Slow-worm basking on top of the ornamental heather in the rockery.
Re: March 2017
Good butterfly day today ,in Orlestone forest (Kent) ,managed ten Comma, 3 peacocks, and a courting pair of Small Torts
these were backed up with 2 pairs of very vocal Buzzard ,a huge flock (or should I say "Charm") of Goldfinches,plus one single Siskin,and in the same pond as last spring a huge mass of Frogspawn,which is good, but has covered the small patch of Water Violet,that just manages to hang on in this pond
could be the end for the violet,we,ll have to see ! several Common lizard were making the most of the warm sun,and a male Sparrowhawk thermalling over the main ride ........ Things are moving at last !
these were backed up with 2 pairs of very vocal Buzzard ,a huge flock (or should I say "Charm") of Goldfinches,plus one single Siskin,and in the same pond as last spring a huge mass of Frogspawn,which is good, but has covered the small patch of Water Violet,that just manages to hang on in this pond
could be the end for the violet,we,ll have to see ! several Common lizard were making the most of the warm sun,and a male Sparrowhawk thermalling over the main ride ........ Things are moving at last !
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Re: March 2017
Yes David, it was a good session...shame i couldnt spend more time out in the field, but i had to return to work!David M wrote:Sounds like you had a memorable day, TM. We'll look forward to seeing the images.
Some photos then, cheers Paul.
The 1st Brimstone image was shot using my Panasonic FZ150/close up filter. All the other images were shot using my Nikon V1/FT1/Sigma 150mm Macro lens.
The 2 Comma images have been cropped, but all the other images are not cropped at all.
The worn Red Admiral was seen first, it was basking on a small road sign!
I didnt bother loading an image of the Small Tortoiseshell, it was shot from a greater distance than the others, so it was of poor quality.
The 2 Adders sighted. Both images are not cropped.
Re: March 2017
Quality stuff, TM. What a range of interesting things you saw. You're also one of the few to have had the privilege of a grounded and seemingly well-behaved spring Brimstone!
Re: March 2017
Saw my first butterflies of 2017 on Saturday at Park Corner Heath / Rowland Wood in East Sussex - 6 Commas and a Peacock.
Cheers
John W
Cheers
John W
Re: March 2017
A walk over Hutchinsons Bank this afternoon, 15+ Small Tortoiseshell, 9 Comma, 3 Peacocks, 5 Brimstones, so good counts, but still no Red Admirals on site.
Ruby Tiger larva
Ruby Tiger larva
Last edited by MrSp0ck on Wed Mar 15, 2017 4:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Jack Harrison
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Re: March 2017
Still no butterflies here in north Scotland. But we have had a strong immigration of these (pic taken today, 13th March). Click for larger image.
Near the end of last year I photographed part of a flock and the count in the picture was 447 birds!
Jack
Near the end of last year I photographed part of a flock and the count in the picture was 447 birds!
Jack
Re: March 2017
That's decent compensation for the lack of butterflies, Jack. I'd love to see these birds.
- Jack Harrison
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Re: March 2017
Couple of Crossbills later but no photos.
jJack
jJack
- Pete Eeles
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Re: March 2017
I've spent the last 3 weeks absolutely rushed off my feet getting photos ... things have really kicked off ... although they're not photos of adult butterfliesDavid M wrote:That's decent compensation for the lack of butterflies.
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
Cheers,
- Pete
Life Cycles of British & Irish Butterflies: http://www.butterflylifecycles.com
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British & Irish Butterflies Rarities: http://www.butterflyrarities.com
Re: March 2017
Hopefully these photos are coming to a personal diary very soon?Pete Eeles wrote:I've spent the last 3 weeks absolutely rushed off my feet getting photos ... things have really kicked off ... although they're not photos of adult butterfliesKeeping an eye on immature stages is great therapy for getting through the winter
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![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
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Re: March 2017
Thanks very much David, yes, this area that i visit, is a great place for wildlife...and only a five minute drive from work tooDavid M wrote:Quality stuff, TM. What a range of interesting things you saw. You're also one of the few to have had the privilege of a grounded and seemingly well-behaved spring Brimstone!
![Wink :wink:](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
I was very lucky with that Brimstone, it behaved well for me. I dont normally get that close to brimstones, for any length of time, but this butterfly just sat there for me.
Yesterday at work, as well as the usual overwintering species on the wing, i saw 2 "Whites" (probably Small Whites)...no chance of any photos though.
Today, i took one of my "extended" lunch breaks from work, an saw a great many Butterflies!!
Ive never seen so many Commas???!!! The woods seemed to be alive with Commas...I would think a possible 20+ seen. They were on the woodland floor, there were dueling in the air(up to 4 at a time) they were feeding on sap on tree branches that had been recently cut back.
Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Brimstone also seen.....................and a real surprise fresh Holly Blue!.
The Holly Blue, just a common little blue butterfly, seen every year with ease. But when i saw this small blue butterfly fly through the woods and land on a Bramble leaf, it took me by surprise...the colour was a joy to see, a nice surprise/bonus.
I took some interesting images of all those Commas in various situations, plus i shot a couple of pics of the Holly Blue too. But i havent had a chance to go through the pics just yet! Hope to sort them out soon enough though.
4 Adders seen, 3 males and one beautiful female.
Just the 1 Common Lizard spotted too.
Location - Kent, cheers Paul.
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Re: March 2017
Sorted through several images from yesterday.
This Comma was joined by a couple of Wood ants...both insects where after the same source...sap from the freshly cut trees/branches.
Image is cropped. Another Comma feeding on the sap.
Image is not cropped. Another Comma on a tree, this one was just about to open its wings.
Image is cropped. The fresh Holly Blue.
Image is not cropped.
A pair of male Adders, sharing the same basking spot.
Images is not cropped.
This Comma was joined by a couple of Wood ants...both insects where after the same source...sap from the freshly cut trees/branches.
Image is cropped. Another Comma feeding on the sap.
Image is not cropped. Another Comma on a tree, this one was just about to open its wings.
Image is cropped. The fresh Holly Blue.
Image is not cropped.
A pair of male Adders, sharing the same basking spot.
Images is not cropped.
Re: March 2017
Wow. An early Holly Blue.
You must have found a warm spot to see this species so early, TM?
You must have found a warm spot to see this species so early, TM?
Re: March 2017
After a February, Red admiral sighting at London WWT and reading about Wurzel’s butterfly extravaganza at 5 rivers I was hoping things would kick on. Unfortunately, not the case. Weekend weather generally came out worse on the forecasts, my own Comma Corner normally reliable at this time of year
…. wasn’t, nor did I see an expected Peacock or Brimstone while at Thursley nature reserve (although I was treated to the sight of a Buzzard being mobbed by carrion crows)
So last Sunday I decided to dampen my impatience for butterflies by doing some birding at London WWT. And as luck would have it while in a bird hide I got my second butterfly of the season as one of the wardens decided to release a Small Tortoiseshell she’d found
. I snapped off a couple of pictures and then it was off. London’s Wetland centre is the place to go if you want to see butterflies it seems
. My only regret was forgetting to find out whether she’d had picked it up from its roost (not recommended) or whether it had been flapping at the window (and therefore OK to release)
Phil
![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
![Surprised :o](./images/smilies/icon_surprised.gif)
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Re: March 2017
Reported today at Sandwich bay Bird obs;(Kent) 2 Male Orange -tips,on a very bright ,sunny but cold day, beating the previous early date of 30th March.
Regards Allan.W.
Regards Allan.W.
Re: March 2017
1 (maybe 2) Small Whites seen on Walthamstow Marshes today. details and piccies in my PD when I get a chance.
Some addictions are good for the soul!
- Vince Massimo
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Re: March 2017
A walk around my local butterfly hot-spots in Crawley yesterday afternoon (21st March) produced my first Small White of the year. It was a female with quite a dusky appearance.
Also notable was the sight of a Small Tortoiseshell briefly courting a female Red Admiral.
Several Commas were also active in the sunny conditions which reached 12C, despite a cool wind.
Vince
Also notable was the sight of a Small Tortoiseshell briefly courting a female Red Admiral.
Several Commas were also active in the sunny conditions which reached 12C, despite a cool wind.
Vince
Re: March 2017
Holly Blue first thing this morning on my local patch near Heathrow...
Dave
My earliest ever.Dave
Re: March 2017
Glorious day at Margam Park (Port Talbot) yesterday (24/3) spring has truly sprung! 2 Brimstone, 4 Comma and 3 Peacock plus Buzzards, Green Woodpeckers, Siskin, Chiffchaff, Meadow Pippits and a male Skylark singing its heart out above the downs. Add in a herd of 100+ Fallow deer - it doesn't get much better than that!
Kevin.
Kevin.