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Time for some relief from this cloud and rain. We just need 11c, sunshine and light winds to get things moving...

David M wrote: ↑Thu Feb 29, 2024 7:40 am ...11c, sunshine and light winds to get things moving...

Well, today ticked all three boxes locally, and after another wade through even worse footpath flooding I spotted a Red Admiral keeping its feet dry up on the flowering willow.This particular tree always flowers ahead of its neighbours, and in the past has been known to attract three or four spring species at once.

Dave

first Comma and Red Admiral of the year, the latter not stopping for its picture.

Good stuff, guys. Had an hours walk around Park Wood today, but at just 7c with a fair bit of cloud, things weren't ideal.

During some sunnier intervals it was quite pleasant again today, and after first being passed by a rapidly-moving but unmistakable, Peacock I came across two different Red Admirals. This is the second of those two. Dave

All kicked off today - 10 butterflies seen at Cwm Ivy in perfectly sunny conditions, with accompanying 12c temperatures:
Brimstone 3 (all males)
Peacock 3
Red Admiral 2
Comma 2

Now that's better! I've got some work in the woods to finish off tomorrow, and the weather looks fine, so I'm hoping for similar.
BWs, Neil

I was surprised to see an early Speckled Wood in my Crawley garden between 11.45 and 12.00 today.
Swiftly moving on to Tilgate Park, there were 5 Red Admiral and 5 male Brimstone seen.
Back home our resident vixen was found enjoying the sunshine on the lawn.
It was a sunny 10C today, but there was a cold 16mph wind coming in from the north-east, so sightings were confined to sheltered areas.

Vince

Vince Massimo wrote: ↑Fri Mar 08, 2024 4:39 pmI was surprised to see an early Speckled Wood in my Crawley garden between 11.45 and 12.00 today...

My first picture of a Red Admiral and my first Small Tort today, along with a Comma before cloud cover ruined my afternoon jaunt along Tottenham Marshes!

First LT I've heard of in 2024 (unspecified location in Kent)

https://twitter.com/WellManneredXS/stat ... jhYgA&s=19

bugboy wrote: ↑Fri Mar 08, 2024 9:31 pmMy first picture of a Red Admiral and my first Small Tort today, along with a Comma before cloud cover ruined my afternoon jaunt along Tottenham Marshes!

Very nice, Paul. Not caught up with a Tortie yet. It's the wind that's been ruining things here these last couple of days. Profoundly irritating when skies are blue all day.

garrypogson wrote: ↑Sat Mar 09, 2024 9:24 am First LT I've heard of in 2024 (unspecified location in Kent)

https://twitter.com/WellManneredXS/stat ... jhYgA&s=19

Thanks for that, Garry. A few seem to be turning up every spring now (and in summer too!)

I've no doubt they're slowly re-establishing themselves here.

David M wrote: ↑Sat Mar 09, 2024 9:35 am

garrypogson wrote: ↑Sat Mar 09, 2024 9:24 am First LT I've heard of in 2024 (unspecified location in Kent)

https://twitter.com/WellManneredXS/stat ... jhYgA&s=19

Thanks for that, Garry. A few seem to be turning up every spring now (and in summer too!)

I've no doubt they're slowly re-establishing themselves here.

One in Cornwall on the 7th
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=101 ... 4769887362

Covering the width of the country, then!

Today in Surrey too, the 4th Year in a row, sightings in March, May and August the last few years.

A Large Tortoiseshell was photographed in private woods near West Chiltington (West Sussex) on 8 March by owners Mike and Jacky. Their image shows a territorial male, which I sadly failed to relocate the following day.
BWs, Neil

I'm vicariously very excited by all these large tortoiseshell sightings. Spring is the time to look for adults. Those that do not disperse hibernate quite soon after emergence in summer, and vagrant summer individuals are very often in transit to somewhere else. But spring butterflies have hibernated in what they think are suitable breeding locations, whether they emerged there or arrived as migrants. In Switzerland, I see dozens to hundreds of spring large tortoiseshells en parade nuptiale but just single figures of summer butterflies.

Guy

My first Comma of the year seen on Sunday morning whilst walking the dogs. This brings my species count to 3.

Monday 11th - a brief window of sunshine tempted me down to Pennard Golf Course where I saw 3 male Brimstones and 2 Commas before the cloud rolled back in.