First butterfly of 2020 (1 Viewer)

[dantheman]

Disturbed a Red Admiral resting in the sunshine on the front of the house this morning whilst carrying a freezer out to the car. Flew off but I didn't follow where it went as was otherwise engaged.

(12th Jan, Mabe Burnthouse nr Falmouth)

 

[Steve Lister]

Tim Appleton saw a Small Tortoiseshell at Rutland Water a few days ago.

Steve

 

[dantheman]

Tim Appleton saw a Small Tortoiseshell at Rutland Water a few days ago.

Ah, but is he on BirdForum? (Or admitting to it? )


First National sightings UK 2020 (6 species so far) -

https://butterfly-conservation.org/butterflies/first-butterfly-sightings-2020

 

[dantheman]

A moth not a butterfly but saw a hairy, chestnutty brown, caterpillar halfway up the side of the house (south facing wall) a few days back - any obvious suggestions as to what could be likely at this time of year??!? (Maybe a inch or two long). Should have tried for a pic unfortunately.

 

[honeym]

Perhaps the brown form of Phlogophora meticulosa?
Saw my first butterfly at the London Wetland Centre last Thursday.

 

[Wildmoreway]

I saw a sadly expired Red Admiral on the pavement at St Thomas, Exeter on 9th January.

 

[Richard Prior]

Much further south but at 1,000m asl (3,300ft), a Small Tortoiseshell on 14 Jan.

 

[dantheman]

An actual sunny day.

Not such a surprise to get a new species for the year - a Small White in the garden, feeding on dandelions etc

 

[aeshna5]

My first yesterday- 2 male Brimstones in west London. Pleased I noticed both simultaneously as I would have assumed it was the same very mobile individual!

 

[Larry Sweetland]

Portland's had some Large Tortoiseshells

 

[dantheman]

Portland's had some Large Tortoiseshells

I read elsewhere that Large Camberwells had been seen in the east somewhere, presumably coming out of hibernation.


Just looking forward to some warm, sunny, non-windy, non-wet weather! I'm sure the butterflies will be too (forecast grey next week or so).

 

[dantheman]

Peacock yesterday in the back garden, and a Small Tortoiseshell in the front garden today, Starting to feel a bit like spring ...



Sunshine both days!!!!

 

[Nigel Davies]

saw a pair of Commas today

 

[aeshna5]

saw a pair of Commas today

I had my first Comma yesterday-initially on a muddy path but then flew onto some Blackthorn flowers.

 

[honeym]

Portland's had some Large Tortoiseshells

Apparently the result of one individual releasing them!

 

[aeshna5]

Good day for butterflies yesterday with multiple Peacocks, Small Tortoiseshells + Brimstones & a single Comma on my walk in our local country park at the bottom of the road & as we reached home a small white by our boundary hedge.

 

[Farnboro John]

Apparently the result of one individual releasing them!

And the ones in Kent and Staffordshire?

John

 

[Welsh Peregrine]

Sold in an RSPB car park?��

 

[Euan Buchan]

Saw lots of Red Peacock Butterflies in the garden yesterday, two were sunbathing on the pavement in the garden and front door.

 

[dantheman]

Saw my first Comma and Speckled Wood butterflies yesterday.

(And it's still sunny!)