www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

We're off and running after a couple of decent days in February, so let's hope March doesn't have any nasty weather surprises for us.

I have had another report from Dave Harris of Newhaven, Sussex. He has been monitoring Small White and Large White larvae which have been feeding on Nasturtium in his garden. Pupations have been taking place since the beginning of January and he confirms that today, a Large White larva pupated.

This is the latest reported pupation that I have seen for either of these species.

Vince

Not a butterfly, but had an encounter with a wood mouse at lunchtime yesterday (which I've just appreciated was technically February, making this sighting even less relevant to March butterflies).

Sitting behind greenhouse #5, I threw my apple core to the fence line as usual. They've always disappeared by mid-morning break the next day, so I know something's appreciating them.

Yesterday though, less than 5 minutes after I threw it, I saw the core rise up and roll forward seemingly by itself and then I could just make out something dragging it backwards. It couldn't get it through the fence though, where it got jammed into the mesh. The mouse continued nibbling it from the other side of the fence. I took this snap whilst still sitting down, but got up and advanced very slowly to try and get a better shot.....but it shot off like brown stuff off a garden implement.

Photo not great, but the little chap or chapess is just to the left of the base of the post.

And yes, no sign of the core this morning.

A Brimstone decided that spring had arrived early at Cheddar, my first of the year.
https://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com/

Good sunshine until 1pm here in Swansea so I visited Lower Kilvey Hill and Dan-y-Graig cemetery.

Three butterflies seen. Two were Small Tortoiseshells:
The other one was a big surprise - the earliest Speckled Wood I've ever seen:

(posted in another forum thread in error and unable to delete!)

Three Red Admirals and a Small Tortoiseshell this lunchtime. Bewley Common, Wiltshire

the first butterfly of 2022 !

this morning in the Knot Garden at Buckden Towers Cambridgeshire.

the garden is sheltered by high brick walls and soon warms up on a day like today.

this Peacock appeared and enjoyed the sunshine on a stone wall

A Brimstone and a Comma at Bookham today , plus a few still snoozing White Admiral cats.

Had my first yesterday too- a brief glimpse of a flying Peacock at Rainham RSPB.

Otherwise just Brown Hairstreak eggs this year in a west London cemetery.

Saturday 5th - solitary Small Tortoiseshell seen in Castle Meadows, Abergavenny.

I watched a Peacock fly across my garden today and land on the paved path. As it landed, a Robin flew from a nearby shrub, grabbed the butterfly and flew straight back into the shrub. Within seconds, the Peacock flew out of the shrub, over the path, over the hedge and was not seen again.
I did not check on the Robin’s condition.

I spotted a Peacock flying by on my local patch near Heathrow yesterday (8th), but in slightly warmer conditions today I improved on that. I first came across a Peacock basking on a sheltered stretch of path that had recently dried out in the sun.A bit further on, I saw something doing its best to mimic the pale underside of a bramble leaf: a Brimstone.A bit of stronger sunshine tempted it onto the top surface of a leaf, and then into the air just as I tried to close in.Passing by the same spot a little later on I found it again, better positioned. This butterfly looked absolutely fresh, with no signs of wear and tear whatsoever from the winter.Finally, on my way back along the sheltered bit of path, there was a Peacock again. I suspected it was the one I'd seen earlier, but comparison of the photos shows this was actually a second individual. Cheers,

Dave

Love that part-open wing Brimstone shot, Dave. He's in excellent nick for an emerging hibernator.

Found this Comma trying to get out of my garage this lunchtime. Presumably over wintered in there. I gave it a helping hand. Melksham, Wiltshire.

At last some warmish sunshine and three male Brimstone patrolling the garden. Unintentionally, I disturbed the female Brimstone that has been in a privet hedge since November 11. She only flew a few metres and settled in the sunshine, within a minute one of the males discovered her. An extremely brief, fluttering courtship and they mated under a leaf, they remained joined for at least an hour.

David M wrote: ↑Thu Mar 10, 2022 10:53 am Love that part-open wing Brimstone shot, Dave. He's in excellent nick for an emerging hibernator.

Cheers, David - it was a lovely fresh butterfly, and amazing to think it could be seven or even eight months since it emerged from the chrysalis.

Wolfson wrote: ↑Thu Mar 10, 2022 4:44 pm At last some warmish sunshine and three male Brimstone patrolling the garden. Unintentionally, I disturbed the female Brimstone that has been in a privet hedge since November 11. She only flew a few metres and settled in the sunshine, within a minute one of the males discovered her. An extremely brief, fluttering courtship and they mated under a leaf, they remained joined for at least an hour.

That must be very gratifying to see, Wolfson - the perfect culmination to her long sojourn in the privet.

For once, I was very happy that the weather forecast was a bit adrift of the mark today (10th). There was far more sunshine and much higher temperatures in my neck of the woods - it may have reached 17 degrees at Heathrow mid-afternoon. It was no surprise to see more butterflies, with the tally including two new species for 2022: Comma and Small Tortoiseshell. In fact, the Commas were out in force - I counted seven (with a possible eighth), which is a good number for their first appearance of the year. The overall totals were:
Peacock 1
Small Tortoiseshell 1
Brimstone 3
Comma 7
A few photos...These all look in pretty good condition too.

Cheers,

Dave

Wolfson wrote: ↑Thu Mar 10, 2022 4:44 pmAt last some warmish sunshine and three male Brimstone patrolling the garden. Unintentionally, I disturbed the female Brimstone that has been in a privet hedge since November 11. She only flew a few metres and settled in the sunshine, within a minute one of the males discovered her. An extremely brief, fluttering courtship and they mated under a leaf, they remained joined for at least an hour.

That's a very satisfying outcome, Wolfson. Seeing Brimstones in-cop is a rare treat at any time but to know that one of them has overwintered in your own garden just about makes it perfect!

Thank you David & Dave, it was a real treat being able to watch her overwinter and hopefully progress her line. The speed that the male found her was impressive, I now understand the purpose of the incessant patrolling of the males in spring that photographers find so frustrating.

Saw my first Peacock of the year in the woodland by the Gower Inn at Parkmill early this afternoon. There was also a Small Tortoiseshell.

Good spells of sunshine, light winds and 13 degrees or so near Heathrow today (14th). A walk just before midday turned up three Commas and a Brimstone. As with the others I've seen, winter seems to have been kind to them. Dave