Has anyone seen any butterflies this year in England?

[Danny-Boy]

Don't nettles encourage some kind of butterfly. They lay their eggs on them or something?

Also - didn't I read that some butterflies (red admirals?) come here from Spain each spring?

Red Admirals are now reckoned to be able to overwinter here, but a lot more do fly in. The main immigrants though are their Vanessid cousins "Painted Ladies" (there was an invasionof them about 5 years ago, I remember seeing dozens around Newhaven. Also Clouded Yellows fly in at some time most years.

Having said that I understand there are rumours that the "Monarch" butterfly might try to establish itself here, this is a true worldwide species based mainly in America but has spread to Australia and I believe the Azores. It can fly for hundreds if not thousands of miles.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarch_butterfly

 

[Danny-Boy]

It's a small tortoiseshell. I remember them being so abundant when I was a kid. You don't see them that often these days. They really are quite stunning.

Many years ago I used to breed them. Their caterpillars live together in a "nest" on nettles. If you disturb them or even get near them they "Twitch" in unison as a defence mechanism, quite eerie. I saw a nest of them a couple of weeks ago near the cemetery in Seaford.

 

[goldstone]

Just back from a mid Sussex footpath walk. Saw hundreds of butterflies.

 

[footychick]

I saw 3 today in Ely.

 

[jevs]

Lots of Meadow Browns around at the moment.

Actually saw my first large white today (first this year that is)

 

[clapham_gull]

Red Admirals are now reckoned to be able to overwinter here, but a lot more do fly in. The main immigrants though are their Vanessid cousins "Painted Ladies" (there was an invasionof them about 5 years ago, I remember seeing dozens around Newhaven. Also Clouded Yellows fly in at some time most years.

Having said that I understand there are rumours that the "Monarch" butterfly might try to establish itself here, this is a true worldwide species based mainly in America but has spread to Australia and I believe the Azores. It can fly for hundreds if not thousands of miles.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarch_butterfly

Thought I was seeing things / would never be believed but saw a Red Admiral in a garden in Hertfordshire at the end of FEBRUARY.

Subsequently read that it has been observed before.

 

[Wrong-Direction]

Wtf have I just opened!?

 

[clapham_gull]

Wtf have I just opened!?

You know that milk stuff it comes from COWS !! Would you believe it.. !

 

[Return of the Rev]

Just been on green ridge fricking hundreds of the winged freaks up there today. Never seen so many tbh

 

[Uncle Spielberg]

My Butterfly count last Saturday in a 1 mile walk over downland 71 Meadow Brown's 15 Marbled Whites, 4 Large Whites, 4 Coppers, 4 Skippers, 2 Comma's, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Small Blue, 1 Common Blue, 1 Small Fritillary

 

[Return of the Rev]

My Butterfly count last Saturday in a 1 mile walk over downland 71 Meadow Brown's 15 Marbled Whites, 4 Large Whites, 4 Coppers, 4 Skippers, 2 Comma's, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Small Blue, 1 Common Blue, 1 Small Fritillary

And 1 speckled oddball

Since the cull on badgers the butterfly numbers have shot right through the roof!

 

[Uncle Spielberg]

And 1 speckled oddball

Since the cull on badgers the butterfly numbers have shot right through the roof!

You calling me odd ? That's rich !

 

[Return of the Rev]

You calling me odd ? That's rich !

I wouldn't be surprised if your not breeding the little buggers then painting them up with different designs and then flicking them out your car window as you go.

 

[Uncle Spielberg]

I wouldn't be surprised if your not breeding the little buggers then painting them up with different designs and then flicking them out your car window as you go.

Ok then

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Red Admirals are now reckoned to be able to overwinter here, but a lot more do fly in. The main immigrants though are their Vanessid cousins "Painted Ladies" (there was an invasionof them about 5 years ago, I remember seeing dozens around Newhaven. Also Clouded Yellows fly in at some time most years.

Having said that I understand there are rumours that the "Monarch" butterfly might try to establish itself here, this is a true worldwide species based mainly in America but has spread to Australia and I believe the Azores. It can fly for hundreds if not thousands of miles.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarch_butterfly

I've just seen a Painted Lady in my garden when I was dead heading the roses. It was fluttering around the fuschias. I've also got two hebes in full flower at the moment, attracting loads of bees.

 

[Petunia]

There was one in my kitchen yesterday. I hid behind the door while Mr P got rid. Can't stand the little fluttering wotsits!!!!!

 

[Stumpy Tim]

Took my kids to Pulborough Brooks on Monday and saw loads of Gatekeeper butterflies. There were hundreds of them

 

[Norman Potting]

There are increasing numbers in our garden attracted by the tree with the pointy purple bits just coming into blossom (sorry don't know its Latin name). Bees also appearing on the Lavender bush.

 

[The Birdman]

What about Bees!

 

[Green Cross Code Man]

What about Bees!

Seen banded miner bees in my garden for the first time this year!