2013 - Butterfly winners & losers...
Posted: Sat Oct 12, 2013 2:39 pm
After a run of pretty miserable summers, we finally had a decent one in 2013 (although spring was hijacked by the back end of winter until early May).
There were two main peaks of glorious weather; late May through to mid-June followed by much of July. Unlike the preceding few summers, even when we weren't enjoying balmy conditions, things were still relatively benign, with hardly any extremes by way of flooding, cool temperatures or high winds.
Of course, this meant that butterflies recovered significantly after their annus horriblis of 2012.
So, which were the principal winners and losers from the areas you come from. From a south Wales perspective there were far more of the former than the latter:
Winners
1. Peacock
Stratospheric numbers in late July through to mid-August. I can honestly say I've never seen so many. However, there were quite a few about in spring as well, which I presume is down to Peacocks' propensity to 'sleep in' a little compared to the other adult hibernators.
2. Small White
2013 was like being transported back to my childhood when this species was common to the point of boredom. They emerged in huge numbers during the latter part of the summer and there are still a few hanging on right now. A tremendous year for them.
3. Small Blue
I was taken aback by the numbers seen during the first brood. On two occasions I counted well into 3 figures and their flight period was pretty lengthy too. The second brood, however, was scanty in comparison making me wonder whether this 'boom and bust' cycle might be a naturally occurring process.
Notable others
Dark Green Fritillaries in numbers I've never experienced before. Small Tortoiseshells well up on all recent years too. Marsh Fritillaries seem to have done splendidly as well, whilst Common Blues and Small Coppers have shrugged off the cataclysmic effects of 2012.
Losers
1. Holly Blue
I've seen no more than a dozen or so in 2013. Maybe it's the 'trough' period in their undulating 7 year cycle. They were obviously hit early on by the cool spring, but most other species with second broods produced big numbers later in the year. Not so argiolus, sadly.
2. Large Blue
Very poor year for adult sightings at Collard Hill by all accounts. When I visited it was peak flight period but had it not been for the large numbers of other enthusiasts present on site that day, I might well not have seen a single one so thin on the ground were they. I wonder if this is down to the health of the ant population which is obviously critical to this butterfly's development?
3. Red Admiral
Didn't see one at all until 26th June, which must be a record! Undoubtedly, most were affected by the cold, cold conditions that persisted through the late winter right through till the end of April. Numbers have picked up in recent weeks, but they've been conspicuous by their absence for much of 2013.
There were two main peaks of glorious weather; late May through to mid-June followed by much of July. Unlike the preceding few summers, even when we weren't enjoying balmy conditions, things were still relatively benign, with hardly any extremes by way of flooding, cool temperatures or high winds.
Of course, this meant that butterflies recovered significantly after their annus horriblis of 2012.
So, which were the principal winners and losers from the areas you come from. From a south Wales perspective there were far more of the former than the latter:
Winners
1. Peacock
Stratospheric numbers in late July through to mid-August. I can honestly say I've never seen so many. However, there were quite a few about in spring as well, which I presume is down to Peacocks' propensity to 'sleep in' a little compared to the other adult hibernators.
2. Small White
2013 was like being transported back to my childhood when this species was common to the point of boredom. They emerged in huge numbers during the latter part of the summer and there are still a few hanging on right now. A tremendous year for them.
3. Small Blue
I was taken aback by the numbers seen during the first brood. On two occasions I counted well into 3 figures and their flight period was pretty lengthy too. The second brood, however, was scanty in comparison making me wonder whether this 'boom and bust' cycle might be a naturally occurring process.
Notable others
Dark Green Fritillaries in numbers I've never experienced before. Small Tortoiseshells well up on all recent years too. Marsh Fritillaries seem to have done splendidly as well, whilst Common Blues and Small Coppers have shrugged off the cataclysmic effects of 2012.
Losers
1. Holly Blue
I've seen no more than a dozen or so in 2013. Maybe it's the 'trough' period in their undulating 7 year cycle. They were obviously hit early on by the cool spring, but most other species with second broods produced big numbers later in the year. Not so argiolus, sadly.
2. Large Blue
Very poor year for adult sightings at Collard Hill by all accounts. When I visited it was peak flight period but had it not been for the large numbers of other enthusiasts present on site that day, I might well not have seen a single one so thin on the ground were they. I wonder if this is down to the health of the ant population which is obviously critical to this butterfly's development?
3. Red Admiral
Didn't see one at all until 26th June, which must be a record! Undoubtedly, most were affected by the cold, cold conditions that persisted through the late winter right through till the end of April. Numbers have picked up in recent weeks, but they've been conspicuous by their absence for much of 2013.