www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Catteraxe wrote: ↑Fri Nov 27, 2020 1:16 pmYou're spot on about the absence of wind, Dave. Whilst at the Trig point we spoke to a guy who had unfurled a paraglider and intended to glide across to Sugar Loaf. He promptly threw himself off Skirrid and a few minutes later came down in a field half way between the two peaks. No wind.

Lol! You'd think these enthusiasts would check the weather forecast, wouldn't you? Wind speed on the Gower coast was a mere 5 mph so further inland it was always going to be abnormally becalmed.

I guess he must have plummeted to earth somewhere near Pantygelli.

Small White larva, more comfortable through it’s winter larval slowdown on “evergreen” Aubretia ground cover, than some other brassicacea

Sunday 8th - Solitary Red Admiral seen nectaring on the copious hebe blooms at around 3pm at Limeslade Bay, Gower:

Glorious sunshine and no wind. Can’t believe it won’t be followed by the first proper frost of this autumn... So this could be it from me. But Two Red Admirals, a Comma and a Male Brimstone will have made a pretty good end of November finale!

Red Admiral seen today, nectaring on Mahonia.

Maximus wrote: ↑Sat Nov 28, 2020 10:30 pmRed Admiral seen today, nectaring on Mahonia.

That Mahonia's sure doing the business for you, Mike. Might have to look into growing some myself.

Thursday 19th - solitary Red Admiral spotted in flight at Oystermouth Cemetery, near Mumbles on the Gower.

Comma seen during todays sunshine, basking on a rose.


Mahonia's are great for a late nectar source, David, well worth growing.

Maximus wrote: ↑Mon Nov 30, 2020 6:45 pm...Mahonia's are great for a late nectar source, David, well worth growing.

Thanks, Mike. Will definitely look into getting some.

Nice Comma by the way. The season is still not over!

David M wrote: ↑Mon Nov 30, 2020 8:44 pm

Maximus wrote: ↑Mon Nov 30, 2020 6:45 pm...Mahonia's are great for a late nectar source, David, well worth growing.

Thanks, Mike. Will definitely look into getting some.

Beware the leaves though, they are vicious! Would work well as part of a garden hedge to give trespassers second thoughts!

One lesser-known feature of Mahonia is that the berries (which ripen in July/August) are edible - hence its alternative name of Oregon Grape. However, they are rather tart in taste (not at all like grapes in fact!). You'd be surprised what you can eat - Fuchsia "berries" are also edible - as are the flowers - and there are even varieties available that are marketed specifically to be eaten.

Dave

Thanks, Paul/Dave, I'll be sure to bear these things in mind. Where I live is ideal for plant species that don't conform to 'tidy' standards and anything that can attract butterflies in the month of November can be as scruffy as it likes.

Wednesday 25th - single Red Admiral spotted nectaring from hebe at Limeslade Bay, Gower:

Thursday 26th - solitary Small Tortoiseshell seen nectaring from valerian on the south side of a residential wall at Port Eynon, Gower: