www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Cracking shots especially the Large White Goldie Just how I like em - all stained glassed like

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

Well done, Goldie. Never an easy task photographing Large Whites.

Must say, I've seen a few females lately nectaring from bluebells as I've been on my walks. They're definitely having a better year than last year, when I don't think I saw more than two dozen.

Thanks Neil, Wurzel and David, it looks like we've got the green light tonight trouble is it's too cold now But the wind seems to have dropped thank goodness.

I was pleased to see the Large White's Neil, your right about the Bowles Mauve, it seems to do the job every year

I thought of you Wurzel when I saw the shot's of the large White's , I was the wrong side of the Sun when I took the shots but it was a case of being quick before they took off, so I just hoped the shots would be okay.

Many thanks David, I've yet to get a shot of one with open wings, I bet they looked great on the Blue Bells , they certainly like the Bowles Mauve

I didn't get any shots of Butterflies yesterday although a few flew through the Garden, it was just too hot for them, not one in the Garden in the afternoon, what a contrast today, down to 2c tonight. Goldie

Nothing in the Garden since the 9th May, much too cold and windy but this morning I found this Moth in the Kitchen, I wonder if any one knows what it's called It's quite large, I 'll try putting it out when the weather gets milder.
On the 9th the weather was too hot for the Butterflies even the Blackbird took a bath then, like last year did some Sun bathing I took a couple of shots of the flowers in case the wind damaged them, looking forward now to some warm days out Goldie

I'd love to be able to help you with your moth Goldie but I'm at as much of a loss as you are - it's probably called something like a Dark Rustic or some such Love the shot of the Blackbird having a bit of a sunbathe, mind you looks more like he's doing some ballet to be honest

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

Hi Goldie,

I'm not 100% sure but I think your moth is a Cabbage Moth,

https://www.ukmoths.org.uk/species/mamestra-brassicae

Cheers,

Neil.

Hi! Wurzel, The Black Birds love to Sun Bathe Especially on the top of that storage cupboard I love watching their antics,
they love Grapes and when I'm sat out they've got use to me taking some out for them and come close to me to take them.

I've looked at the Cabbage Moth you put on the post and it does look like one, It was much milder today and when I looked for it it'd gone, I hope it doesn't like curtains and furniture plus clothes instead of Cabbage It was quite big and I thought it was some kind of Hawk moth I did have the doors open coming and going so hope fully it's gone out.

It's still cold this morning, I hope it warms up more this afternoon then and only then will I go out Goldie

Hello Goldie ,
Your moth looks like a Cabbage moth. (Mamestra Brassicae, ) . Allan.W.

Sorry Goldie ,ignore last post didn,t read your other replies properly ……………………...and missed that you already had an ID
for your moth !! (which I agree with !) Allan.W.

That's okay Allan, when I do get to Kent ( when) I wouldn't mind knowing where the Grizzled Skippers are Probably be next year to see them now. Goldie

Love that shot of the blackbird, Goldie! And I'm sure I've seen those moths before and never managed to ID them so I'm glad to see Wurzel and Allan have decided it's a cabbage moth. I've only had clothes moths this year - flipping nuisance!
Janet

Goldie ,I,ll happily show you Grizzled Skipper ,next time you,re down this way , and as long as the local colonies remain stable ,one of the local colonies ,seems to have really crashed ,compared to last season.I struggled to find a singleton this afternoon …….but then Grizzlies do hate the wind ! Mind you I did find a pretty scarce moth by way of compensation ! Keep well Regards Allan.W.

Hi! Janet, the moth disappeared when I went to look for it again, I just hope it keeps to eating cabbage and not clothes .
The Black Bird's are great to watch and I love to hear them playing hell when the Magpie get's to near their nests they also give me a few songs which is lovely.

That's great Allan, the ab you found was fantastic, I just hope to be able to see them next year. I'll definitely get in touch if I can get to Kent in May Goldie

I'm glad someone came up with a name for the Moff Goldie, but embarassingly I should have known that one as I've got shots of the same species myself Oh well back to the drawing board

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

Or Speck Savers Wurzel, Goldie

Yesterday I went to Hall-Lee-Brook in the morning, it was still quite cool but I thought maybe the Butterflies if any might be warming up and slower they were but I only saw three, Speckled Wood, Large White and Small white so nothing much to report then until I returned home and saw a well marked Green Veined White in the Garden and three more White Butterflies,
not much more to report really from my area.

People have been warned to stay a way from the Lakes saying the Toilets and cafe's won't be open, Southport, Blackpool, all saying the same, since it takes at least an hour to reach all three it looks like no choice to be had but to stay local, trouble is most of the species I want now I've to travel to, I'll wait for the warmer weather I think
The first Butterfly photo looks familiar ? Goldie

That is a beautifully marked GVW Goldie I know what you mean Goldie, on the one hand we're told that we can drive into the countryside and travel as far as we like but on the other hand when you get to your countryside destination it's shut, the gates are locked, the beaches are closed etc. Just another confusing message Oh well at least your garden is still producing the goods

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

That is indeed a beautifully marked Green Veined White, Goldie. Your garden is certainly a hotspot for Whites this spring.

Sorry to hear about your travails vis-a-vis getting to further flung destinations. It's a tricky situation right now and people need to be sensible about where they go. No point visiting any of the most popular beauty spots if they're going to be overrun by hordes of people. That said, being outdoors in numbers is far safer than being in a supermarket/DIY centre at half capacity!

Let's hope things calm down in a week or two.

Thanks Wurzel and David for your posts, it's very frustrating like you both say , places closing, when you get there, I'd decided to try various places until I saw Southport and the lakes on Tele with every thing closed, pointless going there, I will try Brockholes CP when the weather gets warmer, it's been cold here, the wind once again making every thing feel colder , if you sit in the Sun out of the wind it was warm, other wise wearing a coat was needed.

I went to Hall-Lee-Brook today for a walk. I didn't really expect to see much after being there before but I thought "you never Know", I was right, just two shots of Butterflies not a sign of Holly Blues yet, not even a fly pass But I did see an unexpected sight

Three little Ducklings belonging to one of the Houses being looked after by the owners dog It was worth the walk just to see them Goldie

Your Garden does it again for the Whites Goldie - what are you feeding the plants with? I remember when I was a little lad my dad brought home some Mallard eggs from an abandoned nest and we hatched them out in the airing cupboard - I had my own little band of followers after that

Have a goodun

Wurzel