www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

In Denmark we too have had a great influx of Yellowlegged with hundreds of sightings but most probably involving thousands or tens of thousands of individuals. First specimens were sighted july 8. culminating on July 11 with a couple of hundred observed. Since it has again being “scarce” with 10-30 specimens a day. Most specimens were probably migrating from Sweden or further southeast (Baltics, Poland aso), but some specimens were observed in the spring so possibly some specimens were locally bred. Sightings are predominantly from wooded areas with sallow and birch many at lake sites or along streams but sightings have involved gardens, citycenters and just everywhere. Many if not the majority of sightings have been on bait, wine/ sugar rope etc.
Learning about the first specimens I tried sugar rope on half a dozen localities in the vicinity of my home in northeastern Zealand; I found it on every locality finishing with a couple of specimens in my own garden but only on bait. In addition I saw several fast and high flying large Nymphalidae in the days around July 11. all migrating east …and to the east all though rather far Great Britain is situated, but Yellowlegged fly “rather well” so I’m rather sure that some will have survived the trip across the North Sea, so I would suggest trying bait in any eastern site in your country.
Greetings
Martin Bjerg

A huge welcome to our European friends that have signed up to UKB and contributed to this thread - none other than Chris van Swaay and Martin Bjerg!

Adrian Riley is also keeping a list on BugAlert here: http://bugalert.net/control/butterfly/Y ... shell.html

Here are the entries for the UK and Ireland (a la Eurovision) posted on UKB, UK-Leps and Twitter:

RSPB Minsmere (Suffolk)
Various reports on Twitter, including: https://twitter.com/RSPBMinsmere/status ... 0122876928
Photos seem to confirm this as a Scarce Tortoiseshell. Bill Stone (Suffolk Butterfly Recorder) provided a nice summary on the UK-Leps forum of links to images (and a video):
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rach-and-rob/14477701350/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rach-and-rob/14477699680/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rach-and- ... otostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rach-and- ... otostream/
http://vimeo.com/100826375
http://vimeo.com/100825044
http://vimeo.com/100827316

Norwich (Norfolk) / Costessey (Norfolk)
A few reports on Twitter, including this one: https://twitter.com/ColBowler/status/489023203453718528
This sighting is under question, since there was a butterfly release not far away. Species released being determined.

Burgh Castle (Norfolk)
Reported here: http://www.ecologicalexperiences.co.uk/ ... 4576773264
Comments state "Also mentioned on Bird Guides was that there had been a release of non-native species of butterflies recently at Colney" and may be the same specimen as above.

Landguard (Suffolk)
Reported on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/ColBowler/status/489023203453718528 and here: https://twitter.com/BirdlineEAnglia/sta ... 1835073536
May have been a misrepresentation of a sighting from a previous year.

Layer de la Haye (Essex)
Reported on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/ColBowler/status/488697130648096768
Stated as "Large Tortoiseshell" with ID subsequently questioned as potentially "Yellow-legged / Scarce Tortoiseshell"

Chambers Farm Wood (Lincolnshire)
Reported by Pete Smith here: http://ukbutterflies.co.uk/phpBB/viewto ... 174#p88177

Sandwich (Kent)
Reported here (with photos): https://twitter.com/RichardFoxBC/status ... 6394886145

A garden in Hoveton (Norfolk)
Reported by HarrassedDad here: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=7753&start=60#p88238

Fordham, Colchester (Essex)
Reported on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/Boudicca_1970/statu ... 6597801985

Cheers,

- Pete

James Whiting has just sent me 2 photos of a YLT from his garden in Thetford, Norfolk. I've asked him to inform Norfolk BC!

Cheers,

- Pete

To put on (sort of) record details behind the two possibles in Kent yesterday (news released via Birdguides).

Cliffe Pools: I disturbed a Scarce or Large Tortoiseshell which was on the stony entrance track (Pond Hill; leads from Cliffe village to radar pool) just below Allens Hill (the radar). It flew into adjacent nettles for a few seconds, then powered off west towards the large amount of Buddleia on the paths towards the RSPB car park. While confident that this was a 'large' Tort sp (e.g. bigger than the red admiral that flew off at the same time, forewing pattern), I did not nail either the legs or the shape of the back spot on the hindwing so could not conclusively ID. I thus put the news out only as Scarce or Large Tort. I could not relocate subsequently, despite trawling the Buddleia. I hope that it will be refound.

Oare Marshes: this was a muck-up, to be frank. But let's get the confession in the open. Another guy and I were getting rapid-flight-only views of a large orange 'butterfly' that dwarfed the Small Tort with which it briefly consorted as it steamed around the reedbed. Despite the odd misgiving (why is it hiding in the reeds? why is it ignoring flowers?), I confess that it took the arrival of a local to make us realise that we were actually watching Oak Eggar. Chastened!

A web posting reports a YL in Sheringham yesterday. I also have a photo of a Purple Emperor taken in a garden in Sheringham yesterday. To put this context, the nearest emperors are in Suffolk, we haven't had a proven record since the early 60's. It's tempting to think that it's a migrant; However, I now have a partial list of what was released 10 days ago. Partial in that the supplier can only state that

> The butterflies sent were a mixture of the following:
> Monarchs Small and Large
> Camberwell Beauty
> Large Tortoiseshell
> Purple Emperors.
> Peacocks

Now I've now seen photos of the release and they definitely included two non-european species. But it is interesting that at least one supplier is shipping Large Torts for release. And obviously it casts a pall on the emperor record. Enquiries continue.

For anyone looking, I suggest checking the coast around the sheringham point and south to winterton is probably your best bet.

Hi HarassedDad,

As I'm almost certain that certification for the release of non native species has not been granted by DEFRA in this case, is the local Wildlife Police Officer aware of these activities? Companies behaving in such an irresponsible (and illegal) manner need to be shut down as soon as possible to protect British wildlife.

BWs, Neil

I reported this ridiculous nonsense to DEFRA last year after a wedding release in Leicester resulted in Monarch at Rutland a week later. I was told this was in hand but have not had a follow up. If everyone aware of similar clearly illegal releases contact DEFRA they may start to take it seriously.

JCL at Oare Marshes: this was a muck-up, to be frank

Thanks James for being so honest. We did arrive very quickly on the scene to be advised by JR of the situation. I for one would rather this situation than risk missing a real goodie because someone was not sure, or wanted to get home and check the details before releasing the news. The Scarce Tortoiseshell is proving quite elusive at the moment so any current opportunity to view one is most welcome.

The problem is that the firms are not the one's who would be prosecuted. It would be the bereaved relatives, entirely innocent of the law (and who have been most helpful in finding details of the supplier for me at a very difficult time for them), who actual released them. Frankly the legality is an irrelevance. Any half competent brief could make a prosecution go away , even if the DPP decided to prosecute - which they wouldn't . And the backlash against national organisations when we got headlines in the Mail reading "butterfly fanatics persecute grieving family" would constitute a significant own goal.

The reality is, it isn't going to go away, and the best way forward is to promote a responsible code of conduct, to which suppliers could sign up to. Such a code could include
1 knowing what butterflies were shipped where
2 making that data publicly available on a national website
3 proscibing certain species as not eligable for release. (ie large and yellow legged torts, long tailed and short tailed blue, map, european swallowtail and anything else that we think might turn up)
4 encourage the use of Painted ladies, who turn up naturally all over, don't have a native population to damage, and pose no economic threat to crops.

If this was linked to a change in the law legalising releases that followed the code, it could be relatively easy to get suppliers to join up.

Quite frankly I don't care about Monarchs or other exotic new world butterflies being released. They won't cause confusion, they won't naturalise, and they are unlikely to carry parasites dangerous to native species. (I appreciate that the situation is different in counties that do get monarchs) What I care about is stopping this ridiculous situation of not knowing whether a sighting of a european butterfly is genuine or not. We know from dragonflies (a new species every two years on average since 1995) that we ought to be getting stuff coming over. Far too often the records get chucked as being "a cardboard box job" before ever getting to a national level. So we don't see the pattern, and we'll miss stuff.

To get back on topic: Another photographed in a weybourne garden friday midday TG114428

The Law is a grey area with certain species

The Kits used in schools with painted Ladies are technically releasing African Butterflies, but Painted Lady flies here and Breeds here naturally, so has been on the British list for years, Monarch is in the same, been on the British List for over 100 years.

There are more exotic butterflies that escape from butterfly houses each year, and as not released deliberately, so not against the law, which states "deliberately release non native species" non of the escapees has ever established a population through a British winter.

At Hampton Court Flower Show in 2013 it was a common sight to see a Papilio demodocus flying around the area, I have witnessed a Papilio demoleus egglaying on citrus at Syon Park Garden Centre.

The Large Blue is not technically a protected British species, the form that died out in 1979 is. As continental stock is not covered by the Wildlife Act.

We should just think ourselves very lucky that two continental species have decided to pay us a visit the last 2 years, and hopefully the Swallowtail will breed and establish on the southern downs again.

Spent several hours in Weybourne today. Met the finder, saw the bush but not the butterfly. Also checked out Sherringham in the area where one was seen two days ago but no sign.
It looks like they've moved on as there were plenty of people looking for them without any success.
Apparently the first one seen at Minsmere was eaten by a Whitethroat according to people I met today.

One reported at Holme today. A real shame most reports are only put out after dark.

Sam

HarassedDad has seen

.....a photo of a Purple Emperor taken in a garden in Sheringham yesterday. To put this context, the nearest emperors are in Suffolk, we haven't had a proven record since the early 60's.

I am far from convinced that should automatically be considered suspicious.
There is plenty of ancient woodland to the south of Sheringham (it could hardly be to the north ). In my youth in the 1950s, Pearl-borderd and High Brown Fritillaries occurred in the Pretty Corner woods. With the well-known ability of the Purple Emperor to lurk undetected (Neil Hulme recently re-iterated this), surely PE could have easily remained un-discovered at a very low population level? PE is now seemingly doing much better in recent years so I would think it is possible that finally it has reached observational status in North Norfolk.

Jack

Agreed Sam
After spending all day in Norfolk yesterday I could of gone home via Holme if it had been reported when seen. Shame all round

Yellow-legged seen near Ryhall, Rutland (Leics), 19th July
http://s1358.photobucket.com/user/flyle ... utterflies

Hi

New member. At my parents house in Axminster, devon saw a 'large' tortoiseshell which only settled briefly, so unfortunately no photo. Could this be a yellow legged?

Sorry date was 19th July

Lloyd

Martin, thanks a lot for your detailed report from Denmark. I got a bit confused about what you wrote about the direction of the migration: ' In addition I saw several fast and high flying large Nymphalidae in the days around July 11. all migrating east …and to the east all though rather far Great Britain is situated...' I presume you mean west of south west? East seems to me where they came from. Is that right or am I missing something?

LCEvans wrote:At my parents house in Axminster, devon saw a 'large' tortoiseshell which only settled briefly, so unfortunately no photo. Could this be a yellow legged?

Hi Lloyd - very doubtful given that all sightings are in the eastern counties.

Cheers,

- Pete

I will be keeping an eye out in both Northants and Warks checking every buddleja I see. Just heard one reported from Rutland, so fingers crossed.

Latest update. Please note that Adrian Riley is also keeping a list on BugAlert here: http://bugalert.net/control/butterfly/Y ... shell.html

13-Jul-14: Norwich (Norfolk) / Costessey (Norfolk)
A few reports on Twitter, including this one: https://twitter.com/ColBowler/status/489023203453718528
This sighting is under question, since there was a butterfly release not far away. Species released being determined.

14-Jul-14: RSPB Minsmere (Suffolk)
Various reports on Twitter, including: https://twitter.com/RSPBMinsmere/status ... 0122876928
Photos seem to confirm this as a Scarce Tortoiseshell. Bill Stone (Suffolk Butterfly Recorder) provided a nice summary on the UK-Leps forum of links to images (and a video):
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rach-and-rob/14477701350/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rach-and-rob/14477699680/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rach-and- ... otostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rach-and- ... otostream/
http://vimeo.com/100826375
http://vimeo.com/100825044
http://vimeo.com/100827316

14-Jul-14: Layer de la Haye (Essex)
Reported on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/ColBowler/status/488697130648096768
Stated as "Large Tortoiseshell" with ID subsequently questioned as potentially "Yellow-legged / Scarce Tortoiseshell"

14-Jul-14: Chambers Farm Wood (Lincolnshire)
Reported by Pete Smith here: http://ukbutterflies.co.uk/phpBB/viewto ... 174#p88177

14-Jul-14: Burgh Castle (Norfolk)
Reported here: http://www.ecologicalexperiences.co.uk/ ... 4576773264
Comments state "Also mentioned on Bird Guides was that there had been a release of non-native species of butterflies recently at Colney" and may be the same specimen as above.

15-Jul-14: Landguard (Suffolk)
Reported on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/ColBowler/status/489023203453718528 and here: https://twitter.com/BirdlineEAnglia/sta ... 1835073536
May have been a misrepresentation of a sighting from a previous year.

15-Jul-14: Sandwich (Kent)
Reported here (with photos): https://twitter.com/RichardFoxBC/status ... 6394886145

17-Jul-14: A garden in Hoveton (Norfolk)
Reported by HarrassedDad here: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=7753&start=60#p88238

17-Jul-14: Fordham, Colchester (Essex)
Reported on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/Boudicca_1970/statu ... 6597801985

18-Jul-14: Thetford (Norfolk)
Reported on UKB here: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=7753&start=80#p88315

18-Jul-14: Sheringham (Norfolk)
Reported on UKB here: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=7753&start=80#p88350

19-Jul-14: Holme Dunes NNR (Norfolk)
Reported on UKB here: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=7753&start=80#p88375

19-Jul-14: Near Ryhall, Rutland (Leicestershire)
Reported on UKB here: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=7753&start=80#p88391
Photo here: http://s1358.photobucket.com/user/flyle ... t=3&page=1

Cheers,

- Pete