www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Thanks David. I have to say I’m surprised, but very pleased, how well they have survived the wind and rain of autumn and winter. Clearly the mild weather wasn’t as detrimental as I expected!

Thanks Old Wolf, glad to have helped. Bee-flies are spring insects, so keep an eye open for the next few weeks!

Love your shots of the Wood Anemones essex, also the Small Torts on the Blossom, I've not seen any Blossom out around here yet, exception being the Magnolia which opened up this last week, I'm still waiting to see some more Sun. Goldie

essexbuzzard wrote: ↑Tue Mar 31, 2020 9:21 pm Thanks David. I have to say I’m surprised, but very pleased, how well they have survived the wind and rain of autumn and winter. Clearly the mild weather wasn’t as detrimental as I expected!

Yes, I don't think I can ever recall seeing so many adult hibernators emerging in such fine condition. On that first sunny, mild day, perhaps everyone opened their sheds and outhouses en masse meaning that few ended up beating themselves against windows?

Whatever the reasons, it's nice to see so many looking in such good shape.

The glorious blackthorn blossom is now out in full, and presents a lovely spectacle on my local walks. Us country folk used to know it as April blossom, to separate it from May blossom or hawthorn, which flowers next month. In reality, blackthorn has been flowering since late March, and will be good for a couple of weeks yet. Set against a blue sky, it is even more attractive. As for butterflies, still only hibernators for me so far. But the staggering numbers of Peacocks continue to give much pleasure, as do the equally staggering numbers of bee-flies, despite their rather questionable life cycle!

This Peacock was in remarkably good condition for this time of year. Bee-flies

Great set of shots Essex There do seem to be a lot of Peacocks round at the moment Isn't that a distinct species of Beefly?

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

Yes, the Blackthorn has been amazing this year, Mark.
Almost dazzling enough to cause snow blindness!.
It's almost peaked around here, with petals beginning to fall.

All the best,
Trevor.

Hi Mark,

Some of my local blackthorn is already just about finished and some is just coming into blossom. Like most areas, I assume that it depends on the aspect and micro-climate of each spot.

Cheers,

Neil.

essexbuzzard wrote: ↑Sun Apr 05, 2020 9:28 pmThe glorious blackthorn blossom is now out in full....

Isn't it just, Mark. One of the finest times of year without doubt.

I'm sure your non-adult overwinterers will be out very shortly. Meantime, enjoy those bee-flies; I've seen quite a few over the last few days in my neck of the woods.

I have never seen one of those bee-flys before in my life ! I didn't even know they existed. My research tells me the UK has 9 species and that one looks to me like a Dark-Edged Bee-Fly or Large Bee-Fly photo that I have on my screen.

This new hobby of mine and that which folk share on here by way of photos and narrative is a marvellous and enjoyable education for me. Thank you everyone.

The Blackthorn is a mixed bag in South Derbyshire. Some dying or dead and some that is looking rather splendid.

Thanks Wurzel, yes these are greater bee-flies, the largest and by far the most common of the group. There is a smaller one with spotted wings, which I have seen on the North Downs in Kent.

Thanks Trevor, yes, blackthorn blossom is abundant this year, and is proving popular with butterflies, too!

Yes David, April is a great month, full of promise!

Neil, you’re right, though flowering times vary slightly, even when two bushes are growing next to each other...


Otep,welcome to your new hobby, it’s sure to give you much pleasure. And, of course, we are here to help!


Well, times are hard at the moment, but full of hope ,new life is appearing... In our local park, the poets narsissi, sometimes called pheasants eye, are attracting interest...

Did we all get to see the super moon last night? It truly was super! There was a bit of high cloud, so I didn’t see it to start, but here is my picture, taken at midnight...

I've been so obsessed with this coronavirus, I have hardly looked at other news.

Sadly, this escaped my attention, and I'm all the more angry because skies round here were clear.

Cheers for the ID Essex - and also for the Poets Narsissi - wasn't aware of that one or even the very apt common name

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Hi! essex, great Moon shot and I think in my post my Peacock is also on a Narsissi which I called a Daffodil, I think they may be the same family but I could be wrong Goldie

Hi David, if it is clear your way, take another look tonight, still quite splendid!

Hi Wurzel, Poet’s Narcissi grow wild in alpine meadows in Eastern France and the Alps, which is where I first saw them. But they grow perfectly well in gardens here.

Goldie, they are really the same thing, so it’s perfectly fine to call them daffodils!

Today was all about firsts. First my first willow warbler was singing it’s wonderful descending song, then my first Green-veined White flew past. Another was seen later. Ten minutes later, my first Orange Tip was seen. No chance of it stopping on this very warm day, pictures can wait for cooler weather.

But my first Large White did stop. Picture taken at maximum zoom on the wrong setting, but it only fed for a few seconds. A Red Admiral was also on the blackthorn. This male peacock was trying his luck, while the female was feeding. Later, my first Speckled Wood flew over the garden, but didn’t stop.

Honestly Essex just as I catch up you go and get a GVW and a Large White Also something of a rarity this year a Red Admiral Keep em coming

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

essexbuzzard wrote: ↑Wed Apr 08, 2020 8:52 pm Hi David, if it is clear your way, take another look tonight, still quite splendid!

It certainly was Essex. Amazing sight.

Triple whammy there, Mark. The three species I've struggled with this year have all been captured in your sequence - Green Veined White (which I'm still to see definitively), Large White (seen two, neither stopped) and Red Admiral (just the one fly-by so far).

Can't be long before Small Coppers join the party!

Well everyone, I hope we all got to enjoy the warm weather over the weekend. Normally service has now resumed, but more sunshine is expected later this week.

Here is a nicely marked Green-veined White, in my garden. The Orange Tips are now in full flow. This adult has a slight Nick in his wing. This one was a bit fresher, with stronger markings. Haven’t seen a female yet.

That is a gorgeous looking Green-veined White Essex - I've still to see my first one Lovely OT's which you van never have too many of

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel