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Maybe one or two surprises in the early days before the frosts arrive...

Only a slight surprise, as I hadn't seen one in recent days amongst the Red Admirals: a single Comma on the ivy in bright sunshine this morning on my local patch before the clouds rolled in once again.There were also a couple of Red Admirals, one too inaccessible to photograph, and the other a swift flyby.

Dave

A very pleasant surprise is that, Dave. I'm hoping you'll see a few more Holly Blues before the first frosts set in.

A couple of welcome visitors enjoying the last knockings of the Buddleia in my garden today...

Was surprised to see two different Peacocks yesterday (5th Nov). Although it was mild (13c) and I half expected a Red Admiral or two, I wasn't anticipating Peacocks being around.

Despite the poor weather suffered throughout October, Long-tailed Blues are still being seen in Sussex. On Sunday 3 November, four freshly emerged adults (2m, 2f) were reported from a site in/near Newhaven, and a female was seen at Pagham Harbour. However, the lack of an Indian Summer has undoubtedly deprived us of some spectacular autumn action.

David M wrote:...I'm hoping you'll see a few more Holly Blues before the first frosts set in...

No luck on that score, David, but things aren't quite done yet here.

7th November: three Red Admirals and a Comma this morning on my local patch in bright sunshine but temperatures below 10 degrees. Dave

A walk along the seafront at Lancing on the Sussex coast produced 3 Red Admirals. One was laying many eggs in a sheltered spot; one was on the beach and another was flying determinedly north (against the wind).
There was also a 4th instar Painted Lady larva in its tent on Common Mallow, which had moulted to 5th instar a few hours later.
The temperature during these observations was 9C in sunny conditions and with a cool northerly wind.

Vince

Red Admiral at Holly Hatch Cottage near Fritham in the New Forest today during one of the few sunny intervals - no shots unfortunately as I was 'communing with nature' at the time and my camera doesn't have a hands-free option

Have a goodun

Wurzel

One Red Admiral on my local patch today (11th). It was a bit high up for more than a shakily hand-held greatly zoomed shot (but at least I did have my hands free... ). Dave

Two Red Admirals seen in Oystermouth Cemetery, Mumbles, Gower on Sunday 10th. Another seen later in the day at Port Eynon on the coast.

Sighted a Red Admiral in my garden, on Wednesday 13/11/19.
It was basking on the fence...ran inside, grabbed my camera...battery dead!!!...back inside, got a charged battery, went back out into the garden.........butterfly was gone!!

After a very wet start to Wednesday 27th November, at around 0930 the sun came out and it became quite warm. I set off for a walk around my local patch near to Heathrow before the clouds inevitably gathered again. Almost immediately, I found a basking Red Admiral. A few metres further on, something silvery fluttered across my vision and then down onto the grass - yes, it was a very late (even for the third brood and for my exacting standards) Holly Blue. I think it was a male, and certainly it was very restless and soon took off before opening up. Dave

A walk along the seafront at Lancing today produced three Painted Lady larvae (all 5th instars). Two were basking on their Mallow foodplant and the other was on a wall. The first one is the same individual seen moulting to 5th instar on 8th November.
They have survived thus far because they are in very sheltered locations, but are unlikely to complete their development (particularly #2 which is clearly injured).

There was also a 5th instar Small White larva and a Ruby Tiger caterpillar (also both on walls). The White may reach pupation if it's lucky, while the Ruby Tiger will go into hibernation.
The temperature at the time was 11C in sunny conditions and all the larvae were taking the opportunity to get some warmth.

Vince

millerd wrote:...A few metres further on, something silvery fluttered across my vision and then down onto the grass - yes, it was a very late (even for the third brood and for my exacting standards) Holly Blue.

Even a Red Admiral is good going for late November, Dave...but a Holly Blue!!?!!

Fantastic sighting.

No holly blues in my garden - and indeed no butterflies at all in November until today, when a female red admiral took advantage of the sun to hang around maturing her eggs (I presume). I took this GIF with my iPhone:



She then indicated her voting intentions by sitting on the fence:





She remained like that, with her wings closed. If the fine weather continues she will probably start laying eggs all over the place soon.

Guy

Padfield wrote:...I took this GIF with my iPhone

Nice effort, Guy. I like the presentation.