www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Thanks Goldie, another Peacock today. My only butterfly before it clouded over.

Trevor.

Today was plagued by high cloud, It was only the odd brighter spell that produced any sightings.
My first visit was to the old railway, just one Comma was found here.
After lunch I popped over to Rowland Wood, here I found several active Peacocks with several pairs
spiralling high over the tree tops. It was great to see a pair of courting Small Tortoiseshells,
the last sighting before the cloud obscured the sun.

It was good to see John Williams for a chat.
Trevor.

That Peacock sitting in the lesser Celandine is stunning, love the contrasting/complimenting colours

Only seen one Peacock so far this year and it was on the far (too far) side of a garden at work so an early for your shots. The weekend looks like ti's going to be great - finally the prospect of some butterfly weather

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Nice to see you've encountered some Small Tortoiseshells, Trevor. It'll be interesting to see how many there are this spring following their 'renaissance' last summer.

Well done with your Commas & Peacocks as well; two species that I've struggled with so far this year.

The Peacock shots look great Trevor, you've certainly caught their colour yet to see one, hope fully this weekend Goldie

Many thanks all for your comments .

Some positive news from Sussex today. Dave Cook saw and photographed
a male Orange Tip, a very early sighting. ( See Sussex BC sightings page. )

For me it was Comma after Comma this morning, the fine weather seems
to have brought many more out of hibernation. At least three male Brimstones
were seen in non-stop patrolling mode, together with several basking and nectaring Peacocks.
The would be prize of the day was an immaculate Small Tortoiseshell which took flight
without a shot. The number of Small Torts seen so far equals the six each for the years 2019/20.

Things are looking up !.
Trevor.

I need to get out over the weekend 'm getting serious Comma envy Lovely set of shots Trevor and the Peacock is cracking I saw the OT on Face-the-book - that is early

Have a goodun

Wurzel

I see you are suffering a flood of Commas as well, Trevor! Also, hearing about the appearance of an Orange Tip doesn't surprise me - even if the forecast for the rest of the month is only half right there could well be enough sun and warmth to bring them out all over. I like your Peacock on the faded maroon bramble leaves - the shade can sometimes be very close to that of the butterfly and makes for surprising camouflage.

Cheers,

Dave

Cheers Wurzel & Dave, OT's soon, but I would think a Specklie will be first.

Today turned into one of the finest Spring days I've ever known, perfect.
An early visit to the old railway I saw two male Brimstones flying, almost immediately upon arrival.
At this stage it was still cool, and both Brimstones had to pause to bask, one landed conveniently.
Commas and Peacocks were again plentiful, but more active in the warmth.

I arrived home at lunchtime to a real bonus!. A Comma and a Peacock were nectaring together on a
Peris in my back garden. Fortunately I not only had time to grab the camera, but when I returned
they had both moved closer together for a shot with both in frame.
I had never seen butterflies on this shrub before today.

Trevor.

Love the twofer Trevor I got my Comma today - so now for a better Peacock

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Great to see how many Commas are about round your area, Trevor. The Peacocks seem to be quite prominent too. Surely only a day or two till the Whites, Specklies and Holly Blues join the party, with maybe Orange Tips by midweek.

Strange sight that (for me) - the local butterflies here completely ignore the celandines. A shame, as those two of yours look great on the flowers.

Cheers,

Dave

Cheers Wurzel, another twofer today!.
Thanks David, At the moment it's Commas everywhere around here,
they've come through winter very well.
Celandine is the most plentiful nectar source along the old railway, Dave,
hence it's popularity. Primroses are also doing well, popular with Brimstones.

The cool weather today meant few butterflies, except for Commas.
As I paused to view a basking Comma another flew in and landed very close.
They took no notice of each other, probably because both were females.
A passing cyclist sent them up. There was very little else around this morning.

Trevor.

Love the latest addition in your 'twofer collection' Trevor I got my own yesterday so you'll be able to see it around May time

Have a goodun

Wurzel

A year ago today!. 21/3/2021.

Nice to see that LT, Trevor, and in great condition too Are you still looking this year?

Mike.

Always looking Mike, you never know!.

Today was quieter than I had hoped for. A visit to High and Over produced nothing,
so I ended up at the old railway. Here there were several Commas and Peacocks plus
a good sighting of a female Brimstone. On the way back to the car I found my first
Bee Fly of the year, then towards the end of the path my first non hibernator,
a very welcome Small White, which proved to be a tricky subject to photograph.

Trevor.

Very few butterflies around today despite almost perfect weather.
It is possibly down to dispersing hibernators, and it being a little too early for new species.
However I was able to watch a male Brimstone locate a female, but the resulting chase
ended without success. Also seen two Peacocks, and two Commas, and that was about it !.

Trevor.

Great shot of the Brimstone Trevor - I'm struggling with them this year I reckon you'll be onto an OT by the weekend

Have a goodun

Wurzel