Camberwell Beauty

[aeshna5]

Today at Rainham Marshes a Camberwell Beauty has been seen + photographed. Wonderful treat for the finder.

I've seen quite a few in various countries, but never in the UK. I wonder whether this individual has hibernated here or recently crossed? Either are possible + the cold winter would be favourable for dormancy.

[Dae]

Wow, whoever got to see that was very lucky! I've only ever seen 1, and that was back in the US when visiting family last year. Beautiful butterfly and one I'd love to see more of.

[Deb London]

I wish! Where is the wistful look smilie?

[Ukwildlifeo]

I possibly glimpsed one up the coast at Benfleet in August last year, and someone else thinks he saw a the same butterfly there too (dark with yellowy border along the edge of both wings) Sadly it didn't land so couldn't confirm it.

Great to hear its there but I'm in Kent this weekend and had my last day of 4 day of last week

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Ukwildlifeo

I possibly glimpsed one up the coast at Benfleet in August last year, and someone else thinks he saw a the same butterfly there too (dark with yellowy border along the edge of both wings) Sadly it didn't land so couldn't confirm it.

Great to hear its there but I'm in Kent this weekend and had my last day of 4 day of last week

An error in my original post- this sighting was yesterday, not today as originally stated. Certainly weather warmer + sunnier yesterday in west London at least!

That description sounds spot on for one! As I said haven't seen one here, but seen plenty in north/east Europe, Kazakhstan (where I was able to photograph one which was settled) + Canada. Interesting that in the US/Canada they are known as Mourning Cloaks, though same species.

In flight they just look dark/blackish with a very obvious pale border. Nothing else like it. There was one not too far from me in Ealing a couple of years back or so.

[Dorts]

It really is a lovely animal and I'm pleased to hear it still turns-up here. Like others, I have only seen it while in warmer climes.
Dorts.

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

I wonder whether this individual has hibernated here or recently crossed?

I guess that we'll never know. If any is interested the photo can be seen on the wildlife photo page on elbf.co.uk

Not seen one in the UK personally (yet... ).

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Dorts

It really is a lovely animal and I'm pleased to hear it still turns-up here. Like others, I have only seen it while in warmer climes.
Dorts.

It's interesting you say warmer climes + I guess a lot of the places I mentioned have hotter summers, but they also have much colder winters, usually with lots of snow.

I've read that it's our generally mild + wet winters that prevent this species surviving here as a rule. They seem to need drier, cold winters.