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The weather forecast for today was for cloud with the odd sunny spell.
But in fact the cloud broke up earlier today, by 10 am, than in recent days.
So I drove up to High and Over in glorious sunshine and 18c. All I saw was one
Peacock which escaped without a shot.
But there is justice in this world as on arrival at home there was an immaculate
Peacock sunning itself on top of the garden fence!

Trevor.

It is just so satisfying when that happens, Trevor! A very nice Peacock. (No blue sky here until half two, by which time it was too late to rouse any butterflies, so a quick for the Sussex weather gods. )

Cheers,

Dave

I always think of Peacocks as one of the first to 'bed down' for the winter Trevor - this crazy mild spell is playing havoc with their body clocks Still nice to see that you got the one that didn't get away

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Great garden sighting for November, Trevor. 18c on 14th of the month is just ridiculous.

Many thanks Dave, Wurzel & David. More on that Nov14th Peacock.

If the Peacock on my fence on November 14th,turns out to be my last butterfly
of 2022, then my butterfly year will have ended exzctly as it started with the same
species and exact location as 11 months ago.
For on 31st January 2022 I was delighted to find a Peacock basking on my garden fence.
whch not only kickstarted my 2022 season, but alowed my first and only January image so far.

So two Peacocks 11 months apart, first and last of the year on the same fence must be pretty unique!

Trevor.

Yes, Trevor, that would be quite an achievement! You'd expect the honours to be taken by a Red Admiral, so a Peacock is an extra bonus. Keep an eye out for the first one of 2023 - it could be exactly the same butterfly as your 14th November one...

Dave

Cheers Dave.

That first Peacock has also broken a personal record.
From February 2021 until the present day I have only had one butterfly free month, December 2021.
I think it's season end for me. Horseshoe Plantation would be my best bet for further sightings, but
the best route from here is closed, and two more alternatives are still flooded, and via Eastbourne
is painful at best.

Still you still have you're local patch.

All the best,
Trevor.

What is that Peacock doing up so late - they're normally one of the first to 'bed' in my experience That's a cracking run of butterfly sightings Trevor

Have a goodun

Wurzel

It would certainly be notable to have Peacock as your first and last butterfly sightings of the year, Trevor. Even more so given the extremes of dates.

The best of Spring 2022. April/May.

Fantastic array of shots Trevor - some Facebook Faves That Holly Blue in particular

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Very nice, Trevor. A reminder of what we've got to look forward to in a few short months!

Cheers Wurzel & David. Hope you enjoy the June/July 2022 selection.

My East Sussex garden at 16.10, 11.12.2022.

Very seasonal, Trevor! All it needs is a cunningly photoshopped Red Admiral - which are after all very much in suitable Santa colours - and a caterpillar of tinsel and it would be perfect!. Merry Christmas!

Dave

Hi! Trevor, that's a great shot of the White Admiral they don't look much until you see the under wing Goldie

trevor wrote: ↑Sun Dec 11, 2022 4:57 pmMy East Sussex garden at 16.10, 11.12.2022.

Looks pretty severe, Trevor. Not had any snow round my area but it's been down to -4c, which is the coldest since I moved here in 2014.

I doubt if any Clouded Yellows/Red Admirals will have survived this freeze-purging, but the last truly good butterfly season we had followed a similar, abnormally cold spell back in 2013.

"Hope you enjoy the June/July 2022 selection." Certainly did Trevor Hopefully the cold weather will see off the parasitoids and 2013 will be as good if not better than 2013 (thank you David for reminding me of the year ) I just hope that the Southbourne undercliffs don't get too cold as it would be nice to pop down there for an easy Cloudy

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Many thanks all. Some more of 2022.

July ( continued ) to September.

In 2020 the highlight of my season occurred right at the start, in March, with a Large Tortoiseshell.
In 2022 the climax was near season end, towards the end of September, and that party at Worthing.

On my first visit to the Worthing ' hot spot ' it was all a bit to take in at first! For in a fairly small area
there were two migrant species, Long Tailed Blue and Clouded Yellow, and plenty of each!
Such bounty, of course, attracted plenty of visitors, and it was great to spend time with some old ( and new ) faces .

Below, in no particular order, are some images from several visits.

Trevor.
.