First trip of the year to Noar Hill. Pleasantly warm once the cloud dissipated with very little flying at first apart from Brimstones, male and female. Our patience was then rewarded with lovely sightings of Duke of Burgundy (3), Holly Blues (5), Green Hairstreak (2). In addition we saw Orange-tip, Peacock, Small White but interestingly no Speckled Woods. Good to see Sparrow Hawk, Red Kite and Buzzard in close proximity, and one roe deer. [Posted by Alison Vincent]
Havant Thicket. Today I visited Havant Thicket where the temperature was 15 degrees. An impressive number of male Brimstones were recorded. Totals: Brimstone 25M 6F, Orange-tip 1M and Peacock 1. [Posted by Roy Symonds]
Monks Walk, Frater Fields & Woods, Gosport. Nine species were recorded on my ramble today (1230-1420, 15 deg C sunny but cool southerly breeze). Females more prominent today including my first Small White which was found mating with - I suspect - a hugely relieved male! Numbers are well down from last year especially with the whites. It is starting to look evident that last Summer's drought has taken a serious toll on some of our butterflies in this corner of Hampshire. Total: Brimstone (M)(1); Small White (M)(6)(F)(1); Comma (2); Peacock (4); Speckled Wood (F)(2)(M)(5); Red Admiral (1); Large White (2); Holly Blue (M)(2); Small Tortoiseshell (1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Female Speckled Wood Photo © Francis Plowman | Small White (male at left) Photo © Francis Plowman | Proud as a Peacock! Photo © Francis Plowman |
Noar Hill - Selborne. At last, a fine, sunny and warm spring morning, and our first visit of the year to Noar Hill Nature Reserve. Our two target species, Duke of Burgundy Fritillary and Green Hairstreak, both seemed viable given the warm weather, and it was not long after our arrival that the first of four Dukes to be seen in one of the larger scrapes put in an appearance. Several others followed, but alighting on low-growing vegetation made securing decent views of the underwing virtually impossible on this occasion. Other species spotted included Orange-tip and Brimstone, with the sporadic Small Tortoiseshell dashing past in the sunshine. Before we left, we decided to investigate one of the larger Holly Trees, this one quite hard to access being at the summit of a steep slope with lots of surrounding prickly vegetation, but it was certainly rewarding, with no fewer than three pristine Green Hairstreaks appearing out of nowhere, and settling obligingly for photos - all in all, a very satisfying morning excursion, though no doubt the Duke of Burgundy population at this site will increase over the next few weeks. [Posted by Michael Jameson]
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| Green Hairstreak Photo © Michael Jameson | Duke of Burgundy on Cowslip Photo © Michael Jameson | Duke of Burgundy Photo © Michael Jameson |
Oxenbourne Down. Another visit to see if the Duke of Burgundy had emerged and it seem that it hasn’t yet, but a few days like today and it should be emerging, as it seems very odd that we haven’t had the presence of this delightful butterfly at most sites in Hampshire yet despite the fact we are right at the end of April. Last time I came up to Oxenbourne I was greeted with a nil count, today was totally different, the warming temperatures soon made a difference and I was soon seeing (6) Species with counts of Peacock (10), Comma (2), Brimstone between (30-50), Small White (1), Orange-tip (8) and Holly Blue (2). [Posted by Ashley Whitlock]
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| Egg laying female Brimstone Photo © Ashley Whitlock | Brimstone female egg laying two in situ and third exiting abdomen Photo © Ashley Whitlock | Male Orange Tip Photo © Ashley Whitlock |
Grizzled Skipper at Freshwater,Isle of Wight.. At Whiteway's Car Park close to Freshwater Bay two Green Hairstreak were seen today along with a first Grizzled Skipper. All were enjoying the warm sunshine. [Posted by Peter Hunt]
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| Photo © Peter Hunt | Photo © Peter Hunt |
White Admiral larvae in Pamber Forest. Good to see that the first White Admiral larvae are emerging from their hibernacula, with most still to emerge. Seen in Pamber Forest. [Posted by Pete Eeles]
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| Photo © Pete Eeles | Photo © Pete Eeles |
Green Hairstreak seen at Freshwater,Isle of Wight.. A first Green Hairstreak at last, at Freshwater today. Just a single individual fluttering around the flowering plants. [Posted by Peter Hunt]
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| Photo © Peter Hunt |
Orange-tip in Chandlers Ford garden. It's always a special day when the first Orange-tip appears in our garden. It was cloudy and cool when I went to have a look round at 11.30am, so I wasn't expecting to see any butterflies, but something caught my eye on one of our small species tulips (T. bakeri). It was a fresh male Orange-tip that had obviously spent the night in this spot. It's wings were shut, and its antennae were tight together and parallel, a sure sign that it's at rest.
As the cloud began to break, offering brief spells of dappled sunlight from midday onwards the Orange-tip started to think about opening its wings, but as the temperature was only 13oC, it was not until 2.30pm that it had warmed sufficiently to have them fully open. After basking briefly it then flew a few metres and immediately began nectaring on native Bluebell and Greater Stitchwort in our side garden, no doubt pleased to have a good supply of readily available nectar. [Posted by Andy Barker]
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| Orange-tip (underside) Photo © Andy Barker | Orange-tip (male) on Bluebell Photo © Andy Barker | Orange-tip nectaring on Stitchwort Photo © Andy Barker |
Chalton Down. Today I visited Chalton Down for the first time in 2023 where the temperature was 15.5 degrees. Here 3 male Brimstones were recorded. [Posted by Roy Symonds]
Lure still works!. Today was Duke of Burgundy day however after leaving Noar Hill Jackie and I decided to go for some lunch at 'The Chocolate Frog' for Tea, and after we had finished Jackie decided to look around the few shops there. I decided to go back to the car and take a few Photographs of the surrounding area. I opened the boot of the car and my Emperor Moth Lure was still attached to my bag from yesterday's field trip. After taking a few photos of the area, Jackie came back to the car and shouted 'butterfly! er no it wasn't it was a randy male Emperor Moth and he had detected my Lure and was flying in and out of my boot of the car , up my trouser leg, I even managed to cup him in my hands, but he escaped, and sat on the tarmac for a minute or so, where I was extremely lucky to get a few shots of him...better than yesterday where they were so frenzied in an attempt to find the female Emperor Moth. It was an area I would not associate with Emperor Moths, however it isn't a million miles away from the Heathland where I was yesterday, so It was a great surprise and joy at finding my lure still worked, even when you forget it's there! [Posted by Ashley Whitlock]
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| Male Emperor Moth at the Chocolate Frog Car Park! Photo © Ashley Whitlock |
Field Trip Broxhead Common and Noar Hill. A third time of asking at Noar Hill today but success at last with my first Duke of Burgundy which was in one of the first pits you come to from the South-Western end. I had been there three times and today was the obviously the best day weather wise. Two Dukes had been seen on the 18th April but yesterday's weather was so cool and windy I dont think they were about. On the field trip front it was nice to see everybody again after 7 months at Broxhead Common. We were successful in seeing the Emperor Moth however that's all we did see, as the weather was very cloudy and quite cool. One was seen in the morning and one in the afternoon, both were very agitated and would not stop flying about our lures and on my camera bag and other places where they thought there was a female. Other interesting flora fauna seen were Kites and Buzzards, Wood Larks and Stonechats, along with a Slow Worm, and Toadstools which shouldn't have been there as they were very early, I put this down to the very damp weather we have had in the past few months. [Posted by ashley whitlock]
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| Male Duke of Burgundy Photo © ashley whitlock | Male Duke of Burgundy Photo © ashley whitlock | Healthy looking Cowslips Photo © ashley whitlock |
Small Copper at Browndown. Out on Browndown (South) this morning principally looking for adders (found 7) but came across a very lively Small Copper, my first of the year. Also a single Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock and two duelling Speckled Woods. [Posted by Mark Wagstaff]
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| Small Copper - Browndown South Photo © Mark Wagstaff |
Havant Thicket. Today I visited Havant Thicket where the temperature was 13 degrees. An impressive total of 20 male Brimstones were recorded. [Posted by Roy Symonds]
Monks Walk, Frater Fields & Woods, Gosport. Hoping to see something new on my two hours' walk from 1220 (16-17 deg C and sunny) I was not disappointed! In all my years watching butterflies I had never seen inter-species copulation. I watched as two whites rose and fell together twice in typical courtship behaviour. The pair settled on stinging nettles and I was able to observe what I thought was a Small White coupling. But no, my first sighting of Green-veined White was a female in cop with a Small White. There are few fewer Pieris rapae here than usual at this time of the year and I have yet to see even one female. Could this explain the aberrant behaviour? Eventually they tired of my intrusion and lifted up and away leaving me pleasingly mystified. Not an everyday occurrence for sure. In all nine species were counted. Total: Speckled Wood (M)(2); Holly Blue (M)(2); Peacock (5); Comma (3); Brimstone (M)(4); Green-veined White (M)(1)(F)(1); Small White (M)(5); Small Tortoiseshell (3); Red Admiral (1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Green-veined White female, left, and Small White Photo © Francis Plowman | Green-veined White female, right Photo © Francis Plowman | Further detail Photo © Francis Plowman |
Spring Butterfly Activity in Whitchurch. Green-veined White Butterflies surprised me today in a scene a kin to the territory defending species on Wild Isles recently! A great patch of Nettles on the Whitchurch Mill Trail Transect hosting three GVW’s & a Brimstone. [Posted by Suzie Brown]
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| Photo © Suzie Brown | Photo © Suzie Brown |
Orange Tip - North Baddesley. I visited Kevin R's reserve in North Baddesley yesterday morning hoping for plenty of sunshine and butterflies. It turned out to be overcast with only the occasional short break in the clouds.
However it wasn't a wasted trip as I saw my first Orange-tip of the year (a male which never settled) along with 4 or 5 Peacock, 3 Brimstone and I Small Tortoiseshell.
As an added bonus I got to see several Adders, Slow Worms and Lizards, a Muntjac and a Roe Deer. [Posted by Nic Burns]
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| Small Tortoiseshell Photo © Nic Burns | Adder Photo © Nic Burns | Lizard Photo © Nic Burns |
Portsdown Hill, Paulsgrove. The early sunshine tempted me to try pastures new and the distant (350 foot high) Portsdown Hill looked promising. Would I find a Green Hairstreak perhaps? From 1040-1145 (12 degrees Celsius) a short reconnaissance revealed just three species and GH wasn't among them. The wind from the east was very strong and fresh although there were many sheltered areas and chalk scrapes all liberally covered with beautiful Spring flora; violets, bluebells, cowslip to name some and, of course, a carpet of dandelions. One lucky male Brimstone had at least three females for company. Total: Comma (1); Brimstone (M)(1)(F)(3); Small Tortoiseshell (1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Brimstone female Photo © Francis Plowman |
Monks Walk, Frater Fields & Woods, Gosport. What a difference losing 350 feet and coming out of the cool easterly breezes! From 1215-1330 at zero feet and 14.5 degrees Celsius, seven species were recorded. The majority were basking in the intermittent sunshine but were well out of the wind. On the southern site my first Holly Blue of the year (a male) was flying around ivy-clad trees and eventually landed on adjacent bramble allowing a distant shot. Total: Brimstone (M)(1); Holly Blue (M)(1); Speckled Wood (M)(3); Small White (M)(4); Peacock (5); Small Tortoiseshell (3); Comma (5). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Comma in butterfly meadow Photo © Francis Plowman | Male Holly Blue south side of site Photo © Francis Plowman | Peacock north side on old nettles Photo © Francis Plowman |
Bedhampton Park. Today in Bedhampton Park the temperature was 13 degrees where 2 male Brimstones were recorded. [Posted by Roy Symonds]
Emperor Moth (F) - Church Crookham. This fine Emperor Moth (F) has been photographed today in our back garden in Church Crookham. It is probable that a small colony exists here, and the moth is also seen occasionally in the Odiham Forest and also on Hazeley Heath. [Posted by Michael Jameson]
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| Emperor Moth (F) Photo © Michael Jameson |
Orange Tip - Dogmersfield. Freshly emerged Orange Tip (M) - the first sighting of the year in this location in North Hampshire.
Seen flying and settling briefly on Blackthorn flowers, but obliging enough to settle on my wife's finger for long enough to secure some decent photos! This species is normally quite abundant here and so many more sightings are expected in the coming few weeks. [Posted by Michael Jameson]
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| Orange Tip (M) under side Photo © Michael Jameson | Orange Tip (M) upper side Photo © Michael Jameson |
Monks Walk, Frater Fields & Woods, Gosport. For two hours from 1115 I veritably squelched around the site today with even more areas now inundated and inaccessible. The temperature stood at 12.5 degrees Celsius with a stiff southerly and cool breeze so I was surprised to record seven species especially after the recent heavy rain and high winds. (More was to follow later today). The Small Tortoiseshell count is rising and it was pleasing to witness probably early courtship between a pair in a huge patch of nettles surrounding a badger sett. I had in previous years photographed this behaviour and in exactly the same location. The larger of the two butterflies is the female with the male visibly smaller. He slowly made his way towards the female but as soon as his antennae touched his intended, she took off. There was other competition to check out clearly. Total: Speckled Wood (M)(3); Brimstone (M)(1); Small White (M)(2); Small Tortoiseshell (4); Peacock (4); Red Admiral (2); Comma (2). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Small White male Photo © Francis Plowman | Female & Male Small Tortoiseshell Photo © Francis Plowman | Comma Photo © Francis Plowman |
Small Tortoiseshells at Miller's Pond LNR, Southampton. My first (and 2nd) Small Tortoiseshell of the year was seen at Miller's Pond LNR, Southampton this morning. There were also several Brimstone, Comma and Speckled Woods.
A few more Comma and Speckled Woods were found up the Shoreburs Greenway along with a solitary Red Admiral. [Posted by Nic Burns]
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| Small Tortoiseshell Photo © Nic Burns | Small Tortoiseshell Photo © Nic Burns | Speckled Wood Photo © Nic Burns |
Monks Walk, Frater Fields & Woods, Gosport. On the optimistic basis that previously emerged and sighted butterflies must go somewhere even in poor weather, I undertook a windy walk this afternoon. The morning's rain gave way to strong southerly winds of gale force but from 1430-1550 with the temperature around 15 deg C some three species and eight butterflies made the effort worthwhile. A single Small Tortoiseshell was seen on the southern side of the area. Also good to see Red Admiral in close-up again including a male and female that were in the same sunny glade largely protected from the wind. Total: Speckled Wood (M)(2); Red Admiral (M)(2)(F)(1); Small Tortoiseshell (3). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Speckled Wood male Photo © Francis Plowman | Male Red Admiral in close proximity to.... Photo © Francis Plowman | ....a female Red Admiral in great condition Photo © Francis Plowman |
Orange-tip at Wherwell. Our first Orange-tip of the year seen in a garden in Wherwell this afternoon- the only butterfly seen in a two and a half our walk around the area. [Posted by Rupert & Sharron Broadway]
Havant Thicket. Visited Havant Thicket today where the temperature was 13 degrees. Here the following were recorded Brimstone 15 male and Peacock 1. [Posted by Roy Symonds]
First Green-veined White, North Baddesley. First Green-veined White of the year seen on my reserve at North Baddesley today. [Posted by Kevin Ross]
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| Photo © Kevin Ross |
Broxhead Common. Visited one of my favourite sites today in the last of the good weather for a while, and it's rather a hit and miss affair trying to bait the Emperor Moth as you just don’t know how many if any are going to turn up…although I’ve had a 100% success rate here and in the New Forest over the years. Arriving at 10:30 and after about 5 minutes a male was flying in circuits around us. He unfortunately didn’t stop and was totally confused with my pheromone trap as after about 10 minutes of flying around he flew off never to fall for that trick again…today at least! We put the trap in several different areas but no luck…so my theory is it’s rather early for these at this site, or my trap is not working to its full potential as I’ve had it for several years now. There were several Brimstones seen and Peacock and Small White, but very little else. [Posted by Ashley Whitlock]
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| Emperor Moth Male at rest Photo © Ashley Whitlock | Broxhead Common Photo © Ashley Whitlock | Emperor Moth male at rest Photo © Ashley Whitlock |
Comma - Basingstoke Canal, Fleet. Warm and sunny this afternoon, and an exploration along the Basingstoke Canal towpath south of Fleet resulted in the following sightings: Comma (2), Brimstone m (9), Brimstone f (2), Small Tortoiseshell (4), Peacock (2), Small White (5). Orange Tips are normally quite abundant here, and the first emergences here must be imminent now. [Posted by Michael Jameson]
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| Comma, Basingstoke Canal Photo © Michael Jameson |
Orange Tip sighting, North Baddesley. First Orange Tip (M) of the year seen on my reserve at North Baddesley today, It would not stop for a photo. [Posted by Kevin Ross]
West Town, Hayling Island. Today I visited the former railway line at Furniss Way, West Town, Hayling Island where I recorded a single Peacock. [Posted by Roy Symonds]
Orange Tip Butterfly, Hook. My first Orange Tip of the year in a garden on Holt Park estate in Hook [Posted by Paul Warren]
7 Up! Monks Walk, Gosport. Seven species were recorded today and would have been eight had Comma put in an appearance. A wander of two hours from 1055 when the temperature rose from 13.5 to 14 degrees Celsius under blue skies and light breezes was restricted in parts by waterlogged fields and pathways. My first sightings of Red Admiral were of two extremely fidgety and shy butterflies. Total: Peacock (1); Brimstone (M)(3); Small White (M)(5); Small Tortoiseshell (3); Red Admiral (2); Speckled Wood (M)(2); Large White (1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Fresh Speckled Wood (male) Photo © Francis Plowman | Glimpse of Red Admiral Photo © Francis Plowman | Small Tortoiseshell Photo © Francis Plowman |
Longstock butterflies. On my 11-mile circuit of farmland green lanes north of Stockbridge this morning, including a stretch of the Test Way, I notched up a tally of 8 Peacock and 33 male Brimstone, with one Small White at the end of my walk in a Stockbridge back garden. [Posted by Kevin Freeborn]
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| Peacock on blackthorn Photo © Kevin Freeborn | Brimstone (and companion) Photo © Kevin Freeborn |
Langstone. Walking near the former railway crossing gates at Langstone, the temperature was 16 degrees where I saw my first Peacock of the season. [Posted by Roy Symonds]
Speckled Wood on Donkey Common, Southampton. My first Speckled Wood of the year.
It was a quite cool, breezy and very cloudy day and I was seeing nothing on my morning stroll until a bumble bee disturb a Speckled Wood deep in the brambles and bracken on Donkey Common.
Later in the day I saw a Small White and a Speckled Wood in our garden but neither settled and another Speckled Wood on the Shoreburs Greenway. [Posted by Nic Burns]
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| Speckled Wood well camouflaged Photo © Nic Burns | cropped version Photo © Nic Burns |
Whitchurch Silk Mill 'Wild & Wonderful Day'. The 'Wild and Wonderful Day' at Whitchurch Silk Mill provided an opportunity to engage with visitors on their butterfly and moth sightings. It was super to have the support of volunteers Richard Lemon and Ashley and Jackie Whitlock. Visitors talked about spotting their first Peacock of the year, some were curious about caterpillars they had found plus tales of species seen on holiday in Brisbane and Costa Rica. Families were able to enjoy colouring butterfly and moth species and contribute to a wildlife mural amongst other activities. I really enjoyed the opportunity to catch up with Richard, Jackie and Ashley, it was nice to feel part of the same team and I had also made a cake for the occasion! [Posted by Suzie Brown]
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| Photo © Suzie Brown |
Portsdown Hill (East). At Portsdown Hill on the slopes below Fort Widley, where the temperature was 11.5 degrees I observed 4 male Brimstones. [Posted by Roy Symonds]
Hummingbird hawk moth on Hayling Island. On a walk on morning of 4th a humming bird hawk moth flew ahead of us along the verge of Ferry Lane Sinah Coimmon HI. SZ 695996. [Posted by John Goodspeed]
Hummingbird Hawk moth - Bitterne. Hummingbird Hawk moth - very lucky, timing is everything.
This afternoon we had just started easing down the drive and I saw it cross in front of us. Carol reversed back up a bit and I managed a quick picture out of the car window! [Posted by Nic Burns]
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| Hummingbird Hawk moth Photo © Nic Burns |
Monks Walk, Frater Fields & Woods, Gosport. I returned to my local haunt this morning (1050-1250) wanting to see if I could gain a better photograph of yesterday's Small Tortoiseshell, which I managed. With the temperature similar to Monday's (10-11 deg C) and in full sunshine but with a cool SE breeze coming off Portsmouth Harbour), five species were again recorded. Although no further sighting of Speckled Wood was made, Small White put in a first appearance (for me) of the year. Yesterday I managed to obtain a photograph of a Brimstone male that appears to have returned to its hibernation site. Hitherto, the underwing striations of this butterfly reminded me of the surface of cabbage but with this sighting I have had to amend my thinking. It seems to be quite brilliant camouflage against the underside of Ivy. Totals: Brimstone (M)(5); Peacock (3); Small White (3); Small Tortoiseshell (1); Comma (4). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Small Tortoiseshell (photo turned 90 degrees) Photo © Francis Plowman | Small White Photo © Francis Plowman | Yesterday's Brimstone camouflaged in Ivy Photo © Francis Plowman |
Hardway, Gosport - Large White Emerges. My butterfly habitat for Small and Large White looked promising last Autumn and was protected from the worst of the winter weather tucked away behind some shrubs. I went to move the habitat into this afternoon's warm sunshine only to find that one (impatient) Large White had already emerged! The mint male specimen soon flew out and walked around the shadows before taking my finger and being placed on Wallflower. At least 57 apparently viable chrysalises remain and my nasturtiums are nowhere near ready for the imminent arrivals! [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Large White male Photo © Francis Plowman | Same butterfly on Wallflower Photo © Francis Plowman |
Havant Thicket. Visited Havant Thicket where the temperature was 21.5 degrees. Here I saw my first butterflies of the season. A total of 17 male Brimstones and a single Small White. [Posted by Roy Symonds]
Brimstone surprise. After the wettest March at Great Fontley for 41 years, it was more than a pleasure to see a female Brimstone amidst the males, diligently nectaring on dandelions. Several other butterflies, presumably vanessids, were seen on the wing but none settled to be identified. [Posted by Andrew Brookes]
Commas, Peacocks and Brimstones.. Plenty of sightings on yesterday's walks around Bitterne and Sholing.
Found my first Comma of the year at Hum Hole flitting around the tops of a flowering laurel.
Brimstones seemed to be widespread, and I saw Commas and Peacocks at Donkey Common and Furze Dip and another pair of Commas at the top end of the Shoreburs Greenway. (Totals for the day: 13 Brimstone, 2 Peacock and 3 Comma) [Posted by Nic Burns]
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| Comma Photo © Nic Burns |
Monks Walk, Frater Fields & Woods, Gosport. Having undertaken unsuccessful searches at Monks Wood on the (few) likely days in February and March I gave up and left for a fortnight's warm-up and butterfly searches in Cyprus! Some twenty species were seen but that did not include Brimstone. However, today, my first UK butterfly of the season was Gonepteryx rhamni. Surprisingly four additional species were also recorded and with photographs, distant/shabby in two cases. Nevertheless, long overdue, today's sunshine (10-11 deg C) on my walk from 1050-1200 realised: Brimstone (male) (4); Comma (2); Small Tortoiseshell (1); Peacock (3); Speckled Wood (1). [Posted by FRANCIS PLOWMAN]
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| Comma warming on a discarded bottle Photo © FRANCIS PLOWMAN | Peacock feeding on Blackthorn Photo © FRANCIS PLOWMAN | Brimstone male Photo © FRANCIS PLOWMAN |
Park Hill. After the wettest March for several decades it was nice to get out and about in warm sunshine in the South Downs National Park again today at Park Hill close to East Meon. On the thermals were numerous Red Kites with a splattering of Buzzards and a couple of Kestrels hovering over the down. Disappointingly the wild flowers seem to be very slow this year, probably due to the cool and damp weather we have been having lately. There were good clumps of Wood Anemone and Primroses, but other plants haven’t shown themselves yet. On the Celandine there were Small Tortoiseshell and an odd Peacock but the butterfly of the day was the male Brimstone which was everywhere in the bright sunshine, only stopping very briefly to refuel, the count being in excess of twenty, plus. [Posted by Ashley Whitlock]
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| Bee Fly Photo © Ashley Whitlock | Small Tortoiseshell on Celandine Photo © Ashley Whitlock | Brimstone briefly at rest Photo © Ashley Whitlock |
Emerging species at Winnall Moors. This morning I came across Brimstone (2), Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and Comma all on or in the close vicinity of a large blackthorn bush in flower and in full sunshine, even though the temperature must have been around 11degC. [Posted by Bob Whitmarsh]
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| Peacock. The only one that posed for me Photo © Bob Whitmarsh |