Forum Topic

Spring Butterfly :)

Just seen a Brimstone fluttering around our garden.  So lovely on this wonderful Spring day !

Julie Canterbury ● 1646d19 Comments

very nice. They are commonly found with the fire butterfly in the same space ;-)  I haven't seen any types yet. :-(

Andrew Craig ● 1646d

Me neither and despite being out and about a lot more last year we saw very few at all and the most common one was a cabbage white.

Philippa Bond ● 1646d

We had a peacock in the garden today 👏👏👏👏

Jayne Thorburn ● 1646d

Goodness, really ?  That is very early — I hope it can find food !

Julie Canterbury ● 1645d

You're lucky Jayne.  I only saw one peacock butterfly last year and that was for the first time in several years.  It was sunning itself on the bricks of the house.Peacocks are one of several butterflies which choose to lay their eggs on nettles but there are many fewer of those around with so much manicuring and paving of gardens.  A wild spot perhaps out view of the nettle haters is worthwhile. It is amazing how some gardens are absolutely full of flowers at the moment - magnolias and camellias and spring bulbs.  I hope those gardeners will keep it up for the rest of the year.  I've only actually seen peacock butterlies feeding on buddleia and dahlias.I always have loads of bees on my winter flowering shrub honeysuckle.

Philippa Bond ● 1645d

https://nurturing-nature.co.uk/wildlife-garden-videos/peacock-butterfly-disturbed-during-hibernation-making-anti-predatory-noise-video/attachment/hibernating-peacock-butterfly-inside-a-tyre/

Philippa Bond ● 1644d

My husband is a keen gardener and wildlife supporter so the garden has been planned accordingly. We are very lucky to have a completely wild garden near us so that may attract peacock butterflies as loads of nettles 😂😂😂😂

Jayne Thorburn ● 1644d

https://butterfly-conservation.org/butterflies/identify-a-butterfly

Jonathan Caton ● 1644d

https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/signs-of-spring.html

Philippa Bond ● 1644d

I've seen quite a few over the past few week or so, but am absolutely rubbish at identifying them. Most of them were yellow but I definitely recognised a peacock at the Barnes WWT on Monday.

Mike Firth ● 1644d

The website Jonathan Caton has posted the website for above is a great way to identify what you have seen.  A brimstone was on the front of it.I was intrigued by the National History Museum peacock butterfly photo.  I've never been able to look down on tree blossom to see butterflies!  Some are waking from hibernation so are around now - that is if they haven't been swept away (literally) by our obsession with tidying up outdoor spaces for winter.  :(

Philippa Bond ● 1643d

I’m glad you found the ‘butterfly identifier’ weblink so handy, Philippa. I’ve found it very useful myself! May I suggest to all, to have a think about participating in the Big Butterfly Count, which runs from 15th July to 7th August. It’s a great fun way to engage in a national survey as a ‘citizen scientist’, it’s really simple to do, and I’ve found it great for one’s mindfulness. Link below.https://bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conservation.org/

Jonathan Caton ● 1642d

I've just seen what I think is a tortoiseshell:—

Michael David Rowe ● 1642d

It looks a bit nibbled around the wing edges - I think that's the comma butterfly.  Have a check on the website that Jonathan Caton has put in his post.  You should then be able to compare.

Philippa Bond ● 1642d

I had a look on the Butterfly Conservation website and the first likely match I found was the Large Tortoiseshell but I think you are right Philippa it looks more like a Comma.

Michael David Rowe ● 1642d

Similar but one always looks nibbled/battered!  Those also lay their eggs on nettles as do Tortoiseshells and Red Admirals.  I've yet to see a single butterfly this year :(

Philippa Bond ● 1642d

I’m aligned with Philippa -I believe you’ve spotted a Comma butterfly there, Michael. I’ve also not seen any butterflies at all so far this year, ..so I’m jealous! Here’s hoping! 🤞 By contrast, I’ve seen quite a few huge buzzy bumble bees. I love them too! Here’s a link I use to identify them:https://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/bumblebee-species-guide/

Jonathan Caton ● 1642d

Oh yes I love those too!

Philippa Bond ● 1642d

Too early. We've got snow coming this week.

Juliet Hogg ● 1641d