[cjay]

I have just received a report of a large swarm of Painted Ladies 10 miles inland at Culpho Suffolk (between Ipswich & Woodbridge). The (non expert) observer estimated 4 or 500!
Has anyone else in Britain seen large numbers today

I saw only one today at Lowestoft.
Colin J

[jayhunter]

I do believe that some years painted Ladies do arrive in swarms, although I think this is limited to the South and East coasts. Personally here in Cheshire I have only witnessed single butterflies visiting my Buddliahs. Get more Red Admirals and Small Tortoiseshells than any other species, get Commas, Buff Tips and Peacocks on a regular basis.

[Michael Frankis]

Quite a few PLs up here, saw about 10 yesterday, but not a swarm. Have heard of some other reports of swarms down south this summer though.

Jayhunter, is that a Buddleia or a Buddha they were visiting?

Michael

[Surreybirder]

There have certainly been plenty of painted ladies around my home in Surrey. The other day I thought I had a hummingbird hawk-moth in the garden. A friend said that there had also been an invasion of this species, with a report of c30 in a Kent garden. Apparently the same conditions that lead to a PL invasion can lead to a HHM invasion.
But I've seen few red admirals so far (another migrant species, I believe.)

[phyllosc]

Like the other postings I cannot report a swarm but they seem to be everywhere I go these days (Essex & Suffolk).

Dave

[Nick-on]

I was at Dunwich heath on the 1st June and painted ladies were passing through in ones and twos for several hours, probably saw well over 50!
Also saw 2 Hummingbird HM's yesterday at Caban Coch Resr in the Elan Valley (near Rhayader mid-Wales), my first HHM ever, absolutely amazing things.