Butterfly Season

After a cool spring that was not good for butterflies, we have quite a butterfly bonanza going on at the moment. Red Admirals and Whites (Small and Large) are the predominant species, but in the last week we also had Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Holly Blue, Speckled Wood and a Hummingbird Hawk-moth around the garden, with our lavender and neighbour’s buddleia being the centres of activity.

#151 Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria)

#221 Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)

#437 Peacock (Aglais io)

Garden Favourites

Nice to have them back isn’t it? Right now the weather has turned a bit gloomy and there’s a cold wind, but the inevitability of Spring can’t help showing through whenever the sun shows. Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock and even a precocious Holly Blue were in the garden last week, but so far no Brimstone’s seen, though these are often the first butterflies of the year. A few ladybirds have appeared too; so far all the 7 spot version. It’s gone a bit quiet on the bee front too, but I’m sure they’ll be back when it warms up a bit.

#188 Common Mini-mining Bee (Andrena minutula)

#221 Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)

#287 Seven Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata)