Butterfly spotters

[Billy the Fish]

Butterflys are pretty much wiped out these days compared to 15 years ago. I remember as a kid going out with a net and catching them, they were everywhere. Now you're lucky to ever see one, although I've definitely seen more about this year.

 

[Uncle Spielberg]

Southwick downs is the place to go. There are hundreds up there.

 

[Nibble]

Boxhill in Dorking is the best place to see huge variety, only a 40 min drive from Brighton and a great place on a sunny day anyway.

 

[Binney on acid]

We had a comma in our garden the other day. I love butterflies. They're stunning. I'd love to see a purple emperor.
Anyone on NSC been to the relatively new butterfly place in St Albans? I want to visit soon, but I have a feeling that the massive conservatory hasn't been constructed yet.

 

[1066familyman]

Has anyone seen any of those hummingbird moths this year ?

Last year a buddleia at work had loads of them working it, but not seen any this year.

 

[Sir Norman Gull]

Went to RSPB Pulborough Brooks today-saw about 12 different varieties of butterflies today including Red Admirals,Commas and a plentiful supply of Gatekeepers.

 

[1066familyman]

Nice pic of said hummingbird hawk moth here.

 

[Huple]

I do like a pretty flutterby I must say.
When I was in New York I came across a bush down by the Ellis Island ferry which had a thousand flutterbys on.





What sort are they NSC ?

 

[Uncle Spielberg]

They are Monarchs.

 

[Tricky Dicky]

If they are so attracted by lights, why don't they come out in the daytime?

Current thinking is that they are not attracted by lights - they head for the darkest areas. When you have a lightbulb, the "darkest" area is directly behind the bulb,as far as the most is concerned, it doesn't matter which direction it coems at it from.

 

[Gwylan]

Butterflys are pretty much wiped out these days compared to 15 years ago. I remember as a kid going out with a net and catching them, they were everywhere. Now you're lucky to ever see one, although I've definitely seen more about this year.

Not in our garden they're not - there are dozens of them. Apparently, nettles are the key - butterflies are attracted to places with lots of nettles and we have a clump at the back.

 

[Uncle Spielberg]

The caterpillers of tortoiseshells, peacocks, red admirals and many more feed on nettles. The butterflies lay their eggs on them. Nettles and a buddlea bush are the ideal combination.

 

[Hornblower]

I LOVE Moths as well by the way.

Moths are my favorite, had a Poplar Hawk Moth in our garden last week, took pictures on my iPhone but not sure how to upload - looked amazing.

 

[saslowi]

Was lucky enough to see some White Admirals at my inlaw's place the other day. They like wooded areas and the caterpillers feed on honeysuckle.
Its mainly Gatekeepers in the garden at the moment but the sprout and broccoli plants are getting shredded so there must be some sneaky Cabbage Whites around.

 

[Gwylan]

The caterpillers of tortoiseshells, peacocks, red admirals and many more feed on nettles. The butterflies lay their eggs on them. Nettles and a buddlea bush are the ideal combination.

That explains the high incidence of tortoiseshells and red admirals in the garden. I've had the odd peacock, orange-tip and camberwell beauty too

 

[Barrel of Fun]

There were thousands upon thousands of butterflies around the area I stayed in Ecuador.

I couldn't even begin to name them, but we had lots of Hummingbird butterflies and moths the size of ones hand.

 

[Return of the Rev]

What about starting an albion nature group,we could support creation of some meadow sites around the stadium,similar to eastern rd and lewes rd?

 

[Uncle Spielberg]

That explains the high incidence of tortoiseshells and red admirals in the garden. I've had the odd peacock, orange-tip and camberwell beauty too

Camberwell Beauty

 

[hans kraay fan club]

What about starting an albion nature group,we could support creation of some meadow sites around the stadium,similar to eastern rd and lewes rd?

Is there any spare land around the stadium site?

If so, why not.

Meadow v cultivated grassland;

Costs less to maintain.

Requires less [zero] chemical input.

Looks better.

Massively better for wildlife.

Good PR.



All good.

 

[FamilyGuy]

You can rip the piss out of me if you want but I am a great lover of butterflies. Infact I used to breed them when I was younger as it is a fascinating cycle of life and was very rewarding nurturing them from egg to butterfly.

On the South Downs there is a feast to be had for butterfly spotters. Today I saw numerous Marbled Whites, a lovely black and white species, magnificent, the old favourite, the Red Admiral, another family favourite , the Small Tortoiseshell, a Peacock was spotted last week, numerous species of coppers and skippers, a small blue was spotted and recently I spotted an Adonis Blue. Alas the Chalkhill blue seems to be rare this year but Southwick Downs is a butterfly lovers treat.

Anyone else spotted anything interesting this year ?.

White Admirals on Lingfield Golf Course