First Butterflies 2022 (1 Viewer)

[Owene]

A very tatty Small Tortoiseshell and a very smart Speckled Wood came out to greet the warm sunshine (out of the wind) this morning.

Well done. We were out in good habitat in quite strong sunshine this morning but nothing. Was still about 9 degrees despite the sun though

 

[KC Foggin]

Two days ago a Monarch Butterfly for me.

 

[aeshna5]

Glimpse of a Peacock in flight at Rainham RSPB today.

 

[aeshna5]

Male Brimstone flying around in the local park just before noon-always one of those magical seasonal milestones in the natural history year.

 

[honeym]

7 male Brimstone, 1 Peacock and a Comma in the Isabella Plantation, Richmond Park, Surrey today.

 

[aeshna5]

Can add a Small Tortoiseshell briefly in the front garden.

 

[Xenospiza]

I added Comma and Peacock during a clear spell today, but it was a bit too windy and cloudy for more in the afternoon.

 

[Xenospiza]

A very nice day with Red Admiral as the latest addition.

 

[Kits]

First Brimstone in the garden today.

 

[Farnboro John]

Finally clocked my first butterflies of the year today while looking for the female Serin by the M25 (saw it, too) - two Small Tortoiseshells hurtling across the field in line astern.

John

 

[dantheman]

My first Peacock and Comma today - spiralling together on my arrival at the field - chased down the Comma first, then had to go the other direction for the Peacock. Also a Small Tortoiseshell.

 

[Jos Stratford]

First butterfly of the year in Lithuania today - Yellow-legged Tortoiseshell

 

[McHeath]

Saw my first two Brimstones of the year in Berlin yesterday

 

[Richard D]

Comma on Saturday, Peacock today

 

[Jon Turner]

Brimstone seen at Blashford lakes today, sadly, not by me...

 

[David_]

My first butterfly of the year was a peacock on February 28th here in Düsseldorf.
Last week I saw a couple of Brimstones and on Friday the first Small Tortoiseshell (while watching curlews showing courtship display at Dingdener Heide). Sunday was the best day for butterflies yet with at least 7 Peacocks, 2 Commas and one Brimstone at the edge of a small forrest

Edit: I forgot to mention that I also saw my first Red Admiral of the year on Sunday.

 

[Xenospiza]

My first butterfly of the year was a peacock on February 28th here in Düsseldorf.
Last week I saw a couple of Brimstones and on Friday the first Small Tortoiseshell (while watching curlews showing courtship display at Dingdener Heide). Sunday was the best day for butterflies yet with at least 7 Peacocks, 2 Commas and one Brimstone at the edge of a small forrest

Do you have a picture of that Small Tortoiseshell? I have seen quite a few Large Tortoiseshells (here is one from the Heubachwiesen), but Small Tortoiseshell has become very rare in the region.

 

[David_]

Do you have a picture of that Small Tortoiseshell? I have seen quite a few Large Tortoiseshells (here is one from the Heubachwiesen), but Small Tortoiseshell has become very rare in the region.

No, I don‘t have a picture as it was only flying by. The underside of the forewings was distinctly brighter than the hindwings so I assume it was a Small Tortoiseshell rather than a Large T.
I wasn’t aware that Small T. is very rare in that area and didn’t spend too much time looking at it, so maybe it was a Large T.
Must be the only area in NRW where Large T. is the more common one.

 

[RobinD]

3 Brimstones during my lunch break in north east Hampshire

 

[aeshna5]

A couple of male Brimstones at Wisley today.