www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Lots of Painted Lady sightings are starting to come in, which bodes well for this species this year.

See http://www.migrantmoth.com/.

Cheers,

- Pete

There were large numbers of Painted Ladies heading north west (in strong winds) at PN Guadalhorce (Malaga) on 28th March so I'm optimistic here in Hampshire.

Paul

It took ten days for the prediction to come true but my first Painted Lady in the UK ths year was at Lower Test Marshes, Hampshire this morning - a rather faded individual.

Just an observation, but the numbers of Painted Lady being seen would seem to back up the sightings I summarised on 3rd April!!! I find it incredible that the prediction is actually becoming reality, and I'm also astounded by the number of "wanderers" being seen in remote areas (Chalkhill Blue, Silver-washed Fritillary, etc.). The weather is, of course, responsible for most of this!

I'd also like to predict that we're yet to see the "peak" in terms of Painted Lady numbers. We'll see

Cheers,

- Pete

wint wrote:It took ten days for the prediction to come true but my first Painted Lady in the UK ths year was at Lower Test Marshes, Hampshire this morning - a rather faded individual.

I live a 15 minute drive from the Rio Guadalorce in Malaga



Martin.

I can't remember seeing as many Painted Lady's as I have this year!

Its not just painted lady which seems abundant this year , I have seen more clouded yellows than I can remember for many years in my area including helice form
mark

After a slow start, there are now plenty up here in Yorkshire. However, it still doesn't compare with 1997, when they were swarming on the buddleias. I remember them rising in clouds when disturbed, like dung flies from a cow pat - the best analogy I can think of!

Red admirals are plentiful too with many newly emerged adults.
And talking of wanderers, my local Avon Wildlife Trust reserve at Willsbridge, which is a small suburban site with woodland and a few open patches, had a male silver washed fritillary feeding on its buddliea bush for the last three days, which caused a stir. The nearest decent sized woodland is at Hanham alongside the Avon. I checked that out yesterday as a possible source and there were none present so I have no idea where it had strayed from. Lord's Wood, south of Bristol, perhaps?

Yes, brilliant season for Painted ladies (except if you were one of the insects involved in my 'carnage' posting a few days ago - see General forum). NB. The individual with the clipped wings is still visiting my Buddhelia, but I haven't seen the hornet lately.

It may be a good year for the PL, but what on Earth has happened to the Small tortoiseshells this year?

Trev

Same up here in the North East, the Painted Ladys are outnumbering the Red Admirals and Even the Peacocks.

I've seen only 1 Small Tortoiseshell though