Comma butterfly in Scotland

Nicola Main · #1 (**permalink**) 19-09-2006, 02:13 PM

Hi there, just about half an hour or so ago I spotted a Comma butterfly basking on a rock in a woodland glade in the presence of some dragonflies. On returning home and looking at the Comma in my butterfly book it says that they don't occur in Scotland. It was definitely a Comma I seen the jagged edges and the 'comma' mark underneath. The grid reference is NO 551 349. Where should I go to report this sighting? Please help, regards NM.

rlchew · #2 (**permalink**) 19-09-2006, 02:23 PM

Nicola

I would suggest Butterfly Conservation .... Contacts .... scroll down for the Scotland contacts.

My book says that the Comma is only a vagrant to Scotland but that it is poised to recolonise as its range expands northwards.

Sounds like you have seen one of the pioneers of the recolonisation

.

Richard

DL · #3 (**permalink**) 19-09-2006, 02:23 PM

I give my info to Butterfly Conservation.

Great find. There was one seen a couple of weeks back in Monikie, as far as I know that is the only other sighting for Angus.

rlchew · #4 (**permalink**) 19-09-2006, 02:25 PM

.... and you may also find this site interesting .... Butterfly Conservation - Glasgow and South West Scotland Branch

Richard

DL · #5 (**permalink**) 19-09-2006, 02:26 PM

They turned up along the Lothian coast a couple of years ago. I know people who have been on the lookout for them moving into Fife since then but I only know of one other sighting in St Andrews, there may well be more that I have not heard of.

carlj · #6 (**permalink**) 19-09-2006, 02:48 PM

Climate change is pushing many species ever northward. Expect more to appear. The beeb even had an item on gatekeepers crossing passport control into Scotland.

Nicola Main · #7 (**permalink**) 19-09-2006, 02:50 PM

Thank you all for your replies. I have just sent an email to the Scotland branch of Butterfly Conservation telling them about it. Ill tell you when they reply to me and what they say. Thanks again, NM.