www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

No - not seen one yet; anyone else?
I'm hoping this brief, warmer drier spell will bring one or two out....
..especially tomorrow!
N

Hi all.
I am thrilled to report that I saw my first butterfly of the year this afternoon, a Small Tortoiseshell in Long Melford, Suffolk. It fluttered past very weakly, so I'd guess that it hadn't woken up that long ago. I reckon that the temperature was only about 8 degrees celsius, so I was chuffed to see the little beauty. Incidentally, my first urticae sighting last year was on 2nd March!
Regards,
Deano.

I'm so jealous.

Felix

Great idea to start a thread for the early sightings Felix. Good one! I will certainly post my March sightings on this thread.

We were lucky enough to escape the gale-force winds that struck elsewhere in France , but no March butterflies - rain all day!

No butterflies here yet, but I found a few snakeflies today, never seen one before, one landed on my finger and I was amazed when it started walking backwards fast-ish (but then I found out they are one of the few insects that can run backwards fast)

Yes you where lucky I have heard that people died in some parts.


good luck with the weather,

Felix

Wakehurst Place, West Sussex, either several or one red admiral seen on several occasions.

Susie wrote:Wakehurst Place, West Sussex, either several or one red admiral seen on several occasions.

Susie, from the markings, I would say that both photos are of the same individual.

Cheers,

Vince

At least 3 sightings of Brimstone in Verwood, Dorset today.

Chris

Yeah, but did you get a picture?!

Yeah, Suzy!
You win the, "I-got-the-first-picture-in-March-2010" competition!

Oh it is good to finally see some new sightings after these cold few months....

I was out and about yesterday and looking in all the sunny spots I could find but to no avail

Cheers

Lee

Bit too cold here for much (monday was 10C and hot, but tuesday/wed were colder and damp), but its getting warmer slowly, so have to wait and see if anything appears in future.

Yes, cold here too.


Felix

Same here...and with a cold NE breeze forecast....
may just have to wait a bit longer...
Nick

He wasn't stopping for picie's, but I did see a Red Admiral today, first butterfly of the year for me. Well first moving butterfly, as the Peacock is still in me shed.

Regards Gruditch

Reading of these atalanta sightings, it just goes to show how Red Admirals have got hardier over the last few years doesn't it! Didn't expect any to survive this winter, but I'm so pleased that some have!
Best wishes to all,
Deano.

i think i saw a butterfly this morning near Huntingdon Railway Station.

it looked like a leaf but was moving horizontally.... maybe a Comma ?

the sun was shining brightly but the temperature was quite low, maybe 2 or 3 deg C.

Charles

More non sightings really...

A good walk around West Middlesex Golf Course yesterday and Horsenden Hill today in quite warm sunshine yielded nothing on the wing. I also had a look for Purple Hairstreak eggs on oak buds at both locations but didn't find any.

I did have a big bumble bee enjoying the sunshine by my front door yesterday and have noticed a few more flies about so nearly there in Middlesex.

I reckon the cold spell has put things back a little, as where I was seeing Commas and Peacocks at this time last year still looks quite sparse with not much in the way of fresh green spring growth. Plus it's still just a little too cold!

I did find a nice little moth in my hallway this morning though. I'll pop him in the ID thread.

Cheers

Lee

I drew a blank on a walk around Wytham Woods in Oxfordshire this morning - perhaps just as well, as the only nectar sources available were snowdrops.