MARCH 2011 BUTTERFLIES

Well, it's been a good start to the butterfly season, with 11 species seen before the end of March, including my earliest ever small coppers, painted lady and small white, and the holly blues were out on the 23rd of March, which equalled my earliest ever sighting of these beautiful little blues. Also seen have been peacocks, red admirals, commas, small tortoiseshells, a large white, brimstones and speckled woods. Sadly, I failed to see an orange tip (my earliest ever sighting was on the 29th March 1996) to get to a good round dozen.

Let's hope it's going to be a good season. Some recent photos:

small tort-2011-05 This male was being very attentive to the female behind him, but she wasn't having any, so eventually he moved off leaving me with the view in the picture below.

small tort-2011-06

comma-2011-04 A male guarding his territory against all comers, and basking in the sun at the same time

comma-2011-04

small white-2011-01

holly blue-2011-01 A male, freshly emerged and getting his bearings.

holly blue-2011-06 A female basking in the warmth of the sun on a windy stretch of coast path

holly blue-2011-02 This male was taking on mineral salts from the path at Pontsmill

speckled wood-2011-01 My first of the year in the wilderness area of Par Beach, and a very small, almost dwarf specimen

brimstone-2011-05

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