Any advice for my hibernating colony please!
Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 3:03 am
Hello everyone,
For the last couple of years I've been making a point of catching and releasing any butterflies bashing around in the house in spring/summer, and last year saw some better than average returns.
I got 2 small groupings (8 each) of small tortoiseshells on an indoor ceiling, which was really nice to see, plus some random individuals around the house.
I just went to check on the main room the other day during a mild sunny afternoon and there were a few active, including a rather large and tired looking peacock.
Sadly I'd already missed a couple who had perished on the windowsill.
I did manage to interest the peacock in some hand feeding of sugar solution, but the active tortoiseshells didn't go for it or some semi rotten pear.
I have shown them an open window, even putting the most active tortoiseshell outside on the sill, but when I checked later he'd walked back indoors and settled again.
My questions are -
When will be the best time to show them the door properly? the peacock seems to respond to human activity (heat and light etc) with some very laboured ocasional wing flaps plus a lot of walking, but doesn't seem ready to go outdoors. Is it best to try to keep them all in as long as possible?
The peacock seems ok and settled again after two days/sessions of sugar solution, is it safe to feed them this?, would honey/a.n.other solution/food be better?
Will the tortoiseshells go for/need any feeding help before release?
Will turning off the radiator in the room help them stay settled due to the cold?..it is on for a period in the morning and evening.
----------------------
that's all my questions! (for now)...sorry to waffle on but I'm getting attached to these little fellows and I want to do the best for them that I can...having the peacock sit on my hand while feeding from a teaspoon has been the highlight of my year so far......having him then go to sleep there and refuse to move was somewhat less fun......it is best to pick them up by the wings eh?![Rolling Eyes :roll:](./images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)
thanks in advance guys,
brian![Wink :wink:](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
For the last couple of years I've been making a point of catching and releasing any butterflies bashing around in the house in spring/summer, and last year saw some better than average returns.
I got 2 small groupings (8 each) of small tortoiseshells on an indoor ceiling, which was really nice to see, plus some random individuals around the house.
I just went to check on the main room the other day during a mild sunny afternoon and there were a few active, including a rather large and tired looking peacock.
Sadly I'd already missed a couple who had perished on the windowsill.
I did manage to interest the peacock in some hand feeding of sugar solution, but the active tortoiseshells didn't go for it or some semi rotten pear.
I have shown them an open window, even putting the most active tortoiseshell outside on the sill, but when I checked later he'd walked back indoors and settled again.
My questions are -
When will be the best time to show them the door properly? the peacock seems to respond to human activity (heat and light etc) with some very laboured ocasional wing flaps plus a lot of walking, but doesn't seem ready to go outdoors. Is it best to try to keep them all in as long as possible?
The peacock seems ok and settled again after two days/sessions of sugar solution, is it safe to feed them this?, would honey/a.n.other solution/food be better?
Will the tortoiseshells go for/need any feeding help before release?
Will turning off the radiator in the room help them stay settled due to the cold?..it is on for a period in the morning and evening.
----------------------
that's all my questions! (for now)...sorry to waffle on but I'm getting attached to these little fellows and I want to do the best for them that I can...having the peacock sit on my hand while feeding from a teaspoon has been the highlight of my year so far......having him then go to sleep there and refuse to move was somewhat less fun......it is best to pick them up by the wings eh?
![Rolling Eyes :roll:](./images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)
thanks in advance guys,
brian
![Wink :wink:](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)