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Norfolk Butterflies and Moths (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Birding Bob
- Start date
firstreesjohn
Well-known member
Nice work, always nice to get that first of the year confirmed.
Shed loads of Small Tortoiseshell on the wing over the last couple of days. I hope others are noticing an increase too? Meadow Browns and Ringlets not far behind in terms of most prevalent. I recorded my first Large Skippers of the year, yesterday at Wheatfen and again today at Rockland. A single Swallowtail gave us a brief fly-past at Wheatfen, along Smee Loke.
Cheers,
Jim.
Yes - there seems to be lots of Small Tortoiseshell at the moment. I saw 35 or more in a small area near Costessey yesterday. Also Small and Large Skippers, Ringlet, Meadow Brown and Brimstone.
Cheers
Mike
tootsietim
Tim Rollins
Currant Clearwing
Currant clearwing moths on redcurrant bushes in Old Catton. At least three present.
Currant clearwing moths on redcurrant bushes in Old Catton. At least three present.
Locostella
Guest
Silver wash' still present at at c16.30 this afternoon, showing well in the same spot as per John's directions.
No sign of any White Admiral, but plenty of Ringlet on the wing.
Kieran
No sign of any White Admiral, but plenty of Ringlet on the wing.
Kieran
firstreesjohn
Well-known member
Hawk-eyed me, with a jumbo haul
I haven’t been fortunate to visit moth trappers when they’ve had some good catches- until this morning. (Thanks, Martin.)
It was quite a thrilling experience (“He’s like a kid with a new toy!” was one description of me), with some beautiful creatures on view.
A selection of images is below. They’re not always the easiest things to photo (I hope to get better at it) and, disturbingly, have an occasional tendency to fly orf. (Those who are familiar with moth trapping, please ignore.)
From the left, the Hawkmoths are Elephant, Small Elephant, Poplar, Privet and Lime.
I haven’t been fortunate to visit moth trappers when they’ve had some good catches- until this morning. (Thanks, Martin.)
It was quite a thrilling experience (“He’s like a kid with a new toy!” was one description of me), with some beautiful creatures on view.
A selection of images is below. They’re not always the easiest things to photo (I hope to get better at it) and, disturbingly, have an occasional tendency to fly orf. (Those who are familiar with moth trapping, please ignore.)
From the left, the Hawkmoths are Elephant, Small Elephant, Poplar, Privet and Lime.
Attachments
Mister Magoo
Active member
Red Admiral
Saw first red admiral of year today in Earlham but despite being fresh emerged it could not fly properly so possibly injured or diseased; pity.
Saw first red admiral of year today in Earlham but despite being fresh emerged it could not fly properly so possibly injured or diseased; pity.
firstreesjohn
Well-known member
The Silver-washed Fritillary continues at Holt Country Park, in the same location as shown in #1319.
It spent most of its time while I was there in the brambles on the west of the path.
Here, I was able to do a Lurcio (ensconced in the bushes): it came far too close to focus (0.5m), several times, oblivious of my presence.
It spent most of its time while I was there in the brambles on the west of the path.
Here, I was able to do a Lurcio (ensconced in the bushes): it came far too close to focus (0.5m), several times, oblivious of my presence.
Attachments
HarassedDad
Norfolk County Butterfly Recorder
I've had a report of two silver-washed males at holt today. Also White-letter hairstreaks, essex skipper and several white admirals from around the county. And a report of 300+ small tortoiseshells in a field between cantley and reedham.
In about a fortnight we should get a healthy emergence of peacocks to join the small torts.
In about a fortnight we should get a healthy emergence of peacocks to join the small torts.
ben_lewis
Well-known member
Hundreds of Small torts in the meadows at Strumpshaw yesterday, each thistle had 'swarms' of them nectaring, quite a sight!
Swallowtails still just holding on in the sunny weather, still enough about to almost guarantee sightings in good conditions over the next few days... (disclaimer attached!)
Very large numbers of Norfolk Hawkers emerged now too (sorry wrong thread!) but while I'm there Orchids in the meadow are looking good too.
Moths looking up too- 85 species in two mv's on Saturday night, including the first dentated pug of the year.
HarassedDad
Norfolk County Butterfly Recorder
I've just had a report and photos of a silver-washed in a wood just north of Cranwich. This suggests that as well as the North-east population, we may have a population now settling in the brecks (probably from the Suffolk colonies). Worth checking any woodland with large open rides.
firstreesjohn
Well-known member
(Stop the) Norfolk tick (!)
No, not a new butterfly/moth, but the more unpleasant sort.
My local hospital (Cromer) told me there were currently three or four cases each day, from locales not just sylvan- even the dunes.
I post this, so that members are aware and can both take precautions (http://stopthetick.co.uk/stop-the-tick/) and check themselves, after woodland ramblings.
No, not a new butterfly/moth, but the more unpleasant sort.
My local hospital (Cromer) told me there were currently three or four cases each day, from locales not just sylvan- even the dunes.
I post this, so that members are aware and can both take precautions (http://stopthetick.co.uk/stop-the-tick/) and check themselves, after woodland ramblings.
HarassedDad
Norfolk County Butterfly Recorder
I'll second that. There's been some really nasty cases lately of people being really ill from Lyme's desease. Do take care when you're out and about.
ob butterfly: Even more white letter and white admiral reports in the mailbox tonight. This weekend is a really good time to be wandering around deciduous woodland.
ob butterfly: Even more white letter and white admiral reports in the mailbox tonight. This weekend is a really good time to be wandering around deciduous woodland.
firstreesjohn
Well-known member
Rangers report 2 males still present. I only saw one yesterday- which, on fleeting views (hot, actively feeding), appeared different from the one I'd seen before.
They've also had White Admirals, coming down to their watering cans !
Perhaps this is a new butterfly attracting technique. I know I've successfully used 'natural liquid products' in the jungle , too- without plastic containers.
Jasonbirder
Jason-occasional-twitcher
Is this a White Point?
(I favoured White Point over Clay - but wanted confirmation given its status)
Trapped at Light Holme Next the Sea Monday 8th July
(I favoured White Point over Clay - but wanted confirmation given its status)
Trapped at Light Holme Next the Sea Monday 8th July
firstreesjohn
Well-known member
Holt Country Park
They (definitely two, as we saw both together) were being crafty, today, and playing hard to get. We were told they’d been seen by the pond and the Hempstead Road car park: no sign at the former.
In fact, they seemed to have had a bit of a siesta and flew up into a tree to roost, as we watched. They were in the ‘usual spot’, with a couple of White Admirals to add interest.
They (definitely two, as we saw both together) were being crafty, today, and playing hard to get. We were told they’d been seen by the pond and the Hempstead Road car park: no sign at the former.
In fact, they seemed to have had a bit of a siesta and flew up into a tree to roost, as we watched. They were in the ‘usual spot’, with a couple of White Admirals to add interest.
