First butterfly sightings 2011

[aeshna5]

Today around London a good sunny day. Feeling pleasantly warm in the sun with a cooling breeze.

In a garden near Wandsworth Common I noticed an actively flying butterfly at midday. I could see after a few seconds following its flight it was a Red Admiral. It then landed a short distance from me on a raised bed, basking on the dry compost.

Great to see my first butterfly of the year + looking in good condition.

[Ukwildlifeo]

Excellent. I saw my first bumblebee of the year today.

[Susie]

I envy you your butterfly!

However, I did see my first honeybee of the year today.

[Cordaline]

Makes you feel good doesn't it, especially on a gorgeous sunny day!

[Deb London]

There is a fair amount of mythology surrounding the first butterfly that you see, especially with respect to its colour:

▧Yellow: It will be sunny weather, or you will come down with a fever (take your pick ).

▧White: An omen of death, or (in Ruthenia) of sickness.

▧Red: An omen of good health (in Ruthenia).

▧▧▧▧Variegated: An omen of marriage.

† In England it's very unlucky to kill the first butterfly.

Various sources.


Just a bit of fun, and a load of poppycock no doubt.

[Geoff F]

Yes I've seen a couple of Red Admirals and a Peacock recently (far South Devon) and on a sunny wall today, near a Red Admiral, was a Pisaura mirabilis spider, juvenile I suppose.

[C J Smallman]

8/2/11 Shropshire.........









Red Admiral ?

Chris.

[htcdude]

A Red Admiral indeed Good pics

Nige

[Deb London]

Lovely Chris, well spotted.

[Monika]

Am I not right in thinking that until a few years ago, red admirals did not overwinter in Britain? Small torts and peacock, yes, but not red admirals. Reading the recent posts, red admirals obviously survived pretty low temperatures in this country this last winter, so what has changed to suddenly make them stay here?