If you'd like to spend 15 mins doing something pleasant and beneficial while you're out and about (camping or not) in the next couple of weeks, how about looking out for butterflies? The Big Butterfly Count is on, helping to map populations of butterflies - it will give a rough idea of who's where. What's not to like about watching these wonderful little creatures during the short period they're among us? I was standing in the local country park while walking daughter's dog this afternoon and a comma butterfly sat on my hand for a moment - I felt quite privileged. Though I wouldn't have felt the same if it had been a slug...
Why not spot a few (butterflies, not slugs!) and share your sightings?
That's a really good idea. I'm sure there aren't so many about this year.
There's a field behind us that the farmer seems to spray with every chemical known to man and we seem to be in a bit of a wildlife dead spot as a result. We've recently started planting lots of pollinators and wildlife friendly plants to try and redress the balance.
I did happen to spot a couple of cabbage whites lurking round my cabbages the other day though
I happened to see a rather pretty one today as it goes, while I was up the garden with puppy. Noticed a bog standard Cabbage white performing his aerial acrobatics around the runner bean plants but was actually chasing another kind. Not one I've ever seen before and mainly white but with some striking black bits on it's wings.
Don't think I'd be any good at the Big Butterfly Count though since I'm not very good at identifying them. Have similar trouble when I insist on taking part in the Big Bird Watch for the RSPB every year A lot of those tend to end up in my LBJ class....Little Brown JobbiesStill, I do me best.
Not actually noticed that many flutterbyes about this summer though oddly enuff. Used to see w-a-y more when the neighbour one side had a Buddleia bush but the new residents have ripped that up.......sacrilege!
Over the last week, our garden (Hampshire) has been full of butterflies.
We have a tree which attracts them (and bees) and they have also been heading to the ground after I have watered, so I assume they are dropping in for a drink.
Might do the same myself in a minute - nicely 30 degrees and very humid here.
------------- The drinking will continue till the economy improves
107.7 The Bone rocks my tent (earphones after 10pm)
My garden is full of plans which attract bees and Butterflies. I've had lots of differant bees but only a few butterflies so far. 3 Peacocks and 2 pairs of cabbage whites.
------------- North Wales May 2014
Wirral July 2014
Arrowe brook farm July 2014
Bellingham August 2014
North Wales October 2014
Hayfield August 2014
There are definitely more butterflies about this year as it has been ideal conditions for them with the very warm prolonged spell and then the rain - this was reported recently in the various wildlife forums etc I subscribe to.
For information there's no butterfly called a cabbage white, they are either small or large whites - there is also the green veined white and the marbled white which is maybe what one watcher saw above.
Hippy - like the dogs back!
There's a book written by Patrick Barnham called Butterfly Isles in which he attempts to see all 56 or is it 57 species of butterfly native to UK - I think he nearly sees them all - he has travel to specific places to see some of them, really interesting.
I have a little DK book for recognising them - it does cover Europe too though. I think you can probably by the laminated sheets by the FSC which are really good and excellent value for money.
borntoshop, a comma butterfly landed on my hand the other day when I was in the country park - I felt quite honoured! I have only one stem of buddleia out so far, the rest is about to burst. I chop it off at the knees each spring to keep it flowering on the new growth at a height I can appreciate, but that means it flowers a little later. Hang on, butterflies, it'll be ready soon!
------------- Always edited for sloppy typing - when I spot it!
Quote: Originally posted by hippy chick on 01/8/2013
I happened to see a rather pretty one today as it goes, while I was up the garden with puppy. Noticed a bog standard Cabbage white performing his aerial acrobatics around the runner bean plants but was actually chasing another kind. Not one I've ever seen before and mainly white but with some striking black bits on it's wings.
<SNIP>
It could well have been a female white if it had black spots on its wings. :- They've devastated my cauliflower this year !
The female large whites have strong black markings at the edge of the wing as well as the spots - sounds like it was one of those. They're not doing my kale any good at all - need to eat it sharpish before they finish it off, I think! The 'Nero de Toscana' black kale, not the curly stuff - delicious, better flavour I think, and much easer to prepare - worth trying.
------------- Always edited for sloppy typing - when I spot it!
I have just noticed a cornus plant with its leaves stripped to just leave the central vein. Now I guess that's caterpillar damage, but can't see any. Any ideas what it could be that eats cornus?
My wife has a small shrub next to the patio (I have no idea what it is called) she says it is good for attracting butterflies and yesterday I counted 9 fluttering around it and not one was white, all were large and brightly coloured
Don't go much on the nature thing but it made the heart leap
got the fixator off the broken leg today so it's the MH out next week
First time this year