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Thursday 13th - Two Peacocks and a Small Tortoiseshell in Park Wood, Parkmill, Gower. Plenty of cuckoo flower but no Orange Tips (must be due any day now).

David M wrote: ↑Fri Apr 14, 2023 8:01 am Thursday 13th - Two Peacocks and a Small Tortoiseshell in Park Wood, Parkmill, Gower. Plenty of cuckoo flower but no Orange Tips (must be due any day now).

Im sure you will see an Orange Tip by the weekend David. I will be looking for them on Sunday (seems the best day for me here in Kent). Next weeks weather looks real good.
Yesterday (between hail/rain showers) garden butterflies were - 1 Peacock, 1 Small Tort, an once again, a lovely male Orange Tip came into my garden. This time it landed on a small Daisy, so i ran in the house, grabbed a camera, came back out into the garden, but the butterfly flew over the fence an was gone!! I never learn, i should have a camera waiting by the back door, that way i wont miss a shot! The time it takes to go in house, up the stairs, get camera out of bag, then get back to the garden where the butterfly is = too long for a flighty species.
Cheers Paul.

Testudo Man wrote: ↑Fri Apr 14, 2023 9:00 am ...a lovely male Orange Tip came into my garden. This time it landed on a small Daisy, so i ran in the house, grabbed a camera, came back out into the garden, but the butterfly flew over the fence an was gone!! I never learn, i should have a camera waiting by the back door, that way i wont miss a shot! The time it takes to go in house, up the stairs, get camera out of bag, then get back to the garden where the butterfly is = too long for a flighty species.
Cheers Paul.

The joys of a pocket-sized compact camera (or I suppose one of the better phone cameras) - you can carry it with you everywhere all the time!

I'm very envious of you even seeing an Orange Tip, Paul, as they are still to appear down my way.

Cheers,

Dave

millerd wrote: ↑Fri Apr 14, 2023 3:38 pm

Testudo Man wrote: ↑Fri Apr 14, 2023 9:00 am ...a lovely male Orange Tip came into my garden. This time it landed on a small Daisy, so i ran in the house, grabbed a camera, came back out into the garden, but the butterfly flew over the fence an was gone!! I never learn, i should have a camera waiting by the back door, that way i wont miss a shot! The time it takes to go in house, up the stairs, get camera out of bag, then get back to the garden where the butterfly is = too long for a flighty species.
Cheers Paul.

The joys of a pocket-sized compact camera (or I suppose one of the better phone cameras) - you can carry it with you everywhere all the time!

I'm very envious of you even seeing an Orange Tip, Paul, as they are still to appear down my way.

Cheers,

Dave

Thanks Dave, i feel slightly embarrassed now My phone was in my pocket at the time!! i would imagine it takes half decent pics too?! But since im a bit of a "Dinosaur", an only really use my phone, as...well, as a phone, it never occurred to me to reach for my phone
I also have enough cameras, to always leave one by the back door...so no excuses really
Ive also missed WLH's in my garden in the past too.................when all i had to do was grab the phone!...what a fool!

I always get Orange Tips fly through the garden each year, but they never seem to land (normally).
Im guessing after this Sunday (the weather improves greatly) and all through next week, so Orange Tips should be seen everywhere.
Cheers Paul.

Testudo Man wrote: ↑Fri Apr 14, 2023 9:00 am...Im sure you will see an Orange Tip by the weekend David. I will be looking for them on Sunday (seems the best day for me here in Kent). Next weeks weather looks real good...

Yep. If not tomorrow then definitely by Monday or Tuesday.

As you say, we look to have several fairly benign days next week and this should be the catalyst we need.

First one of the season for me. Small tortoiseshell in my Aberdeen garden today.

Saturday 15th, Cwm Ivy, Gower:

Brimstone 25-30
Holly Blue 7
Peacock 5
Speckled Wood 5
Comma 3
Small White 1
Red Admiral 1

Monday 17th, Dan-y-Graig cemetery, Swansea:

Small White 1
Small Copper 1

i went to Barton Hills today ( in Bedfordshire )

i saw a Green Veined White
no sign of the Orange Tips yet....

David M wrote: ↑Mon Apr 17, 2023 3:03 pm Monday 17th, Dan-y-Graig cemetery, Swansea:

Small White 1
Small Copper 1

17S.SmCopp(1).jpg

What a little beauty David (The Small Copper).

Thanks, Paul. It was quite an unusual individual with the copper dusting on the hindwings.

Monday 17th, Cwm Ivy, Gower:

Brimstone 6
Holly Blue 4
Peacock 3
Speckled Wood 3

Last Sunday started dull here in Kent! By the time things began warming up in the afternoon, i had to cut my visit short because of other stuff in life getting in the way! So as a result of leaving early, i sighted way more butterflies on the 30+ minute walk back to the car, than i had the previous 3 hours on site! Still a good session though, with 4 male Orange Tip seen, Also at least 8 GVW's (including a female). Small Whites, Brimstones (including a female egg laying) 10+ Peacock, 5+ Comma.............18 Common Lizards seen too (this really is a great site for Common Lizards).

Several highlight photos, no images cropped, cheers Paul.

Tuesday 18th, Park Wood, Gower:

Brimstone 11
Small White 5
Orange Tip 4
Peacock 3
Green Veined White 1

The Orange-tips are back!

Love those white antennal tips, Chris.

So good to see them around again.

Wednesday 19th, Gower Inn & Park Wood, Parkmill:

Brimstone 5
Peacock 3
Orange Tip 2
Green Veined White 2
Speckled Wood 1
Comma 1
Small White 1

After a grey morning, the skies cleared to brilliant blue, and the transition period proved ideal for posing butterflies around my local patch on Heathrow's doorstep. Some highlights here, but a fuller report in my PD shortly. Dave

A surprising Green Hairstreak sighting on the Gatwick North-West zone transect today in marginal conditions.
1 Orange-tip, 2 Peacock and 1 Speckled Wood were also seen.

Vince

Female Wall Brown seen on 19th April.