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Cheers Wurzel, David and Mark'. A little taste of Spring today!








Once the rain and cloud had cleared this morning things looked good enough
for a first visit to the Old Railway. A thorough search there produced nothing.
So I went into town for an overdue haircut and some groceries.
Once back at home, after lunch, a male Brimstone was seen from my lounge window.
I popped out to see if it had settled, but it had gone, but I did notice an improvement
in the temperature and brightness, so off to the Old Railway once again.
This time, after a thorough search, I looked up and there was a Red Admiral basking
on a bramble leaf. After several shots on the leaf the Red Admiral took several short
flights to some various sunny basking spots and gave me about 10 mins. of pure entertainment.

What a welcome, if late, sight that was!
Trevor.

Nicely done Trevor. Its that time of year where any and every butterfly counts, even the tattiest Small White!

Totally agree, Paul. I can't remember such a late start to a new season.
Time to get out more ( weather permitting ).

2018. Who can forget the ‘Beast from the East’ . I don’t recall things getting going until April that year!

Cracking to see Trevor I saw my second butterly in March today...second! Usually by now I'm onto double figures of Small Torts on my lunch time walks! At this rate I might actually have caught up with the season on my PD

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Glad to see you've had a bit of butterfly activity round your way, Trevor.

Next nice day we get should see plenty more of them.

Cheers Mark. Yes who could forget the Beast. I was planning to return home from Wilts
that day, but came home the previous day because of the dire forecast. A good journey,
but A360/A303 were blocked next day.

Thanks David. You used the word ' bit ' in your reply, and it still applies!

That Red Admiral was heart lifting Wurzel, but nothing else since, until today.

Three butterflies today, but no shots!
First two non-stop male Brimstones, one at home, the other at the Old Railway.
Also at the Old Railway a very skittish Peacock. All aided by the strong wind gusts.

They're out there Trevor just hiding away from this dreadful weather unfortunately If it's not too cold it's raining, if it's dry it's blowing a hooley
Have a goodun

Wurzel

Cheers Wurzel. Compare this past week in 2023 with the exact same week in 2022.
If you have time go back through my diary to late March 2022! You're right they are out there waiting.

It's just the weather that is preventing them from being around in numbers. Usually, by late March, we have had a few sunny, mild days that helps them get off to a start, but sadly in 2023 we haven't had any!! You can tell by the flowering season that everything is primed....we just need a decent day and they'll be out in their multi-dozens.

2013 was possibly worse as we had abnormally cold conditions in late March. That also turned out to be the best overall year for butterflies since I moved to Wales in 2008. All is not lost, but we need conditions to settle down fairly quickly.

Thanks David. It looks, according to the forecast, as though we may have
two sunny days coming up. Tomorrow 2nd, and Mon.3rd, although the air temp maybe a bit cool.

A VERY DEMANDING ROBIN!

At my Saturday hobby job at Halnaker, West Sussex, we get regular visits from a very bold Robin.
As soon as the large main doors are opened he's there, and if the tit-bits are not immediately
forthcoming he will enter the building to remind us to be more prompt.
Today I kept my camera handy to record his antics!

Cracking little 'Eric' Trevor My Father Outlaw prefers that name I'd love to be able to take advantage of the improving weather Trevor but I'm off to Corfu just as the weather deteriorates over there Oh well at least the butterflies might finally be out over here on my return

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Cheers Wurzel. I'm not holding my breath with the weather, but great if it does behave.
Hope you can make your excuses and slip out if you do have some fine weather in Corfu!

Have a great time,
Over your way at Easter.

Trevor.

The bright sunshine today was tempered by an Easterly breeze, which according to
the forecast only affected the South East, even so I had my best day for butterflies
of the year so far. Three hours at the Old railway eventually produced two, possibly
three, patrolling male Brimstones, two Peacocks, and a very welcome, if battered,
Small Tortoiseshell. A further Peacock was seen in my neighbours front garden.

Off to a slow start at last!

Trevor.

A morning session today was out of the question because of the cold air and breeze.
After lunch the breeze started to die down, so I made my way over to Rowland Wood.
Arriving at my favourite area I soon encountered a Peacock, and a male Brimstone
both were camera shy. Eventually I found the first of two Commas, meaning that I
have now seen all five hibernators. Photography was not too difficult, but to the
best shots meant wet, muddy knees. Worth it though!

Trevor.

Things are finally moving it seems, hopefully this isn't just a blip.

Nice shots Trevor. You may have seen all 5 hibernators but I haven't seen a single butterfly so far this year which must be a record for me

Thanks Paul and Pauline. Lets hope things really get moving soon!

Another later start again today after last nights frost.
Things were slow at the old railway, but quite a variety was eventually seen including
another Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Small White and male Brimstone, none of which were photographed.
I did manage shots of a female Brimstone, Peacock and a second Bee Fly.

Hope we get some warmer air soon.

Not only my first Speckled Wood of the new season, but the only one seen today.
This unfortunate butterfly has already suffered L/H hindwing loss but judging
by the wing fringe hair it looks to be quite fresh. Bird strike ?.

That Speckled Wood is lucky to be alive, Trevor. I'd say its wing was in a bird's beak before getting torn off as it escaped.