Could this be a Camberwell Beauty year?

Trik · #1 (**permalink**) 10-07-2010, 10:40 PM

About five years ago I was lucky enough to see a Camberwell Beauty very briefly up by Basingstoke Canal in the Fleet Pond area. Unfortunately, as I lifted my camera, it flew up and was quickly carried away on a strong breeze. Had I known at the time that this was a rare sighting, especially so far west, I would have tried to chase after it.

I have read that these butterflies do not ever arrive here in large numbers, unlike the Painted Lady some years, but are there certain meteorological conditions which bring them to our shores?

Trik

aeshna5 · #2 (**permalink**) 11-07-2010, 05:09 AM

There are years when good numbers appear, but not on the scle of say Painted Ladies or even Clouded Yellows. 1995 + 2006 are 2 such good years. First you need a build up of the population in the countries where the immigrants originate + then suitable winds to bring them to our shores.

The 2006 butterflies were thought to have originated from Norway, so it was on northerly winds that they arrived.

The earlier invasion I mention was thought to start from Poland so here an easterly wind flow would have assisted.

Generally the eastern side of the UK receives the most sightings, with Norfolk getting the cream of them. Recently ( aweek or so back) there was an obliging individual at Titchwell for 4 days.

Trik · #3 (**permalink**) 11-07-2010, 02:50 PM

Thanks for the info, aeshna5. I wish now that I had chased after that butterfly...

Trik

aeshna5 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-07-2010, 06:20 PM

Another one has been reported this afternoon in a private garden at Holme. Norfolk does get the lion's share!

I've seen them in many countries, but not in the UK, so would welcome a good sighting here.

Trik · #5 (**permalink**) 11-07-2010, 06:30 PM

Is there a website that reports sightings such as this, please? Obviously, one shouldn`t expect to invade private property, but we would be willing to pay a reasonable fee - provided we can get there from Dorset in time, that is.

Trik

aeshna5 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-07-2010, 06:44 PM

For this particular individual, there was no access.

Atropos magazine has a website that lists some migrant Lepidoptera/Odonata sightings, but is dependent on being sent information, which many of the observatories such as Dungeness + Portland regularly do.

Susie · #7 (**permalink**) 11-07-2010, 09:20 PM

Sightings such as this usually get a mention on UK Butterflies. I know the previous one in Norfolk was flagged up. If you do see one again i would suggest you report it to your local branch of Butterfly Conservation so they can log it.

I saw one a few years back which had been found overwintering in someone's garden. They are really beautiful creatures and I would love to see one again.