First peacock in North Baddesley. First peacock of the year on my reserve at North Baddesley today. Sorry no camera. [Posted by kevin ross]
Hummingbird Hawkmoth near Hayling Island. Very bright sunny day today and shopping at Stoke Farm shop which had several racks of flowers outside on display. In particular polyanthus which were attracting a number of honeybees.
However flying round feeding was a Hummingbird Hawkmoth that looked pretty new as wings and body in very good condition. I spoke to the staff who said they often saw them in April but never February and she too had seen this one this morning.
Stoke Farm shop is on the road onto Hayling Island. [Posted by Chris Allison]
First butterfly at last Monday work party of the season. The Monday work party volunteers moved a little way east from MHD to clear the chalk scrape adjoining the Chilcomb road - a known site for the rare Striped Lychnis moth, which is managed under an agreement with HCC - this morning. As the sun emerged and the temperature rose a male Brimstone appeared to inspect the work. A Common Plume moth had been seen earlier. A small rear party at the reserve itself also saw a Brimstone.
This was the last reserve work party of the year in which much has been achieved by the loyal volunteers under the inspiring leadership of our landscape officer, Fiona Scully. Given the uncertainty that has been created by the restructuring at BC, it is impossible to predict whether or not this work will restart next autumn, but let us all hope for a good outcome for the sake of our reserves which mean so much to many of our members. [Posted by Rupert Broadway]
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| Common Plume near Chilcomb Photo © Rupert Broadway |
First sighting in N Baddesley. First sighting of the year today on my reserve at North Baddesley (Red Admiral) Another first for me seeing it nectar on snowdrops. [Posted by kevin ross]
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| Photo © kevin ross |
First local butterfly sighting of the year. A male Brimstone flying in the early afternoon sunshine in Enham Alamein, no photos, but spring's on the way. [Posted by Kevin Haggar]
Red Admiral display at Funtley. 6 Red Admirals seen enjoying the afternoon sunshine by Reg Pink in his Funtley garden. [Posted by Andrew Brookes]
First sightings. My first sightings of the year today at Hilliers in Romsey of 2 Red Admiral and 1 female Brimstone. Also a Red Admiral at Abbotswood. [Posted by kevin ross]
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| Photo © kevin ross |
Another Red Admiral today.. I was out for a couple of hours this morning and half expected to see something fluttering about but it wasn't until I returned home and was halfway up the drive that I spotted the Red Admiral. It kindly settled for a photo on a neighbour's car. [Posted by Nic Burns]
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| Red Admiral Photo © Nic Burns |