Painted Ladies

badgerwatcher · #**141** (**permalink**) 03-06-2009, 06:35 PM

All gone here.

Gill Catton · #**142** (**permalink**) 03-06-2009, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Cheeseman

Still several hanging around Bedfont Lakes where we seem to be having a good year for most species with the exception of Small Tortoiseshell. Come on you Clouded Yellows, get a move on. Lots of Small Heath and Common Blue today with good numbers of Brown Argus so far this year.

Cheers,

Adam

Not for me! I've seen more small tortoiseshells this year than last, maybe even than the year before.

Gill Catton · #**143** (**permalink**) 03-06-2009, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ron1863

Spotted dozens of them up here today in central Scotland, with a lot of them sunbathing on the track I was following. A change from last year - not one spotted.

sounds like the wave I was seeing motoring north and northwest last Thursday I think it was.

aeshna5 · #**144** (**permalink**) 03-06-2009, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gill Catton

Not for me! I've seen more small tortoiseshells this year than last, maybe even than the year before.

I've seen good numbers of most widespread species during the fairly fine spring, but have managed only 1 Small Tortoiseshell, despite being out most of the time.

Gill Catton · #**145** (**permalink**) 03-06-2009, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aeshna5

I've seen good numbers of most widespread species during the fairly fine spring, but have managed only 1 Small Tortoiseshell, despite being out most of the time.

I have seen six or seven this year so far, just being out and about not specifically looking (I only saw one last year) - outnumbered for me only by painted ladies (obviously)the early brimstones, orange tips and recent white butterflies.

Of the top of my head of other species I have seen:
Two common blue, two brown argus, one small heath, 4 peacocks and a large skipper.

Oh and lots of dingy skippers but then i went looking for them!

Mike Jackson · #**146** (**permalink**) 03-06-2009, 09:01 PM

I went on a butterfly walk in Brede High Woods on Bank Holiday Monday. It was led by a chap from the Sussex Butterfly Conservation Group who said that this year was definitely the best year for painted ladies since 1996. He also said that a friend in Dorset estimated around 15000 flying in over the cliffs in an 8 hour period. In the 3 hours I was with him he counted over 150 in the woods.

We also saw quite a few common blues and various whites.

Here's a couple of pics I managed when the Painted ladies were good enough to pose for me.

Gaina · #**147** (**permalink**) 03-06-2009, 10:45 PM

I'm begining to think Painted Ladies have something against me - I've only see four individuals since this migration started!

ron1863 · #**148** (**permalink**) 03-06-2009, 10:49 PM

Still inundated with Painted Ladies, I watched dozens flying along the edge of our local coniferous forest. No Tortoiseshells or Red Admirals yet but plenty of Orange Tips and Whites.

cutecoot · #**149** (**permalink**) 03-06-2009, 11:36 PM

Not seen any around here as yet ... probably giving Northampton a wide berth ..!

What a sight that must be to see them en masse

Lesinlondon · #**150** (**permalink**) 04-06-2009, 02:00 AM

Butterfly Conservation had been recording the progress of Painted Lady migration across Europe and into the UK. I can't find the details now, but I had noted them and have added in brief the report to my blog page for 3rd June. I saw part of the invasion at my local eco park on 28th May. You can see the report and my post for 28th May here Also BC News page here