Red Admiral Monks Walk, Gosport. First positive sightings of butterflies in 2018 for me! At noon, +8 degrees, sunshine but with frost still on shaded grass, I found one Red Admiral flitting around low (new) nettles. Eventually it found a place to bask and tolerated a close approach. A few minutes later in another field I almost stepped on a second Red Admiral although, quite miffed I suspect, he flew off without opportunity to photograph it. The first example appeared to be in quite immaculate condition. Chuffed! [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| General habitat Photo © Francis Plowman | Red Admiral No 1 2018 for me! Photo © Francis Plowman |
Red Admiral seen today in N Baddesley. first butterfly of the year on my own butterfly reserve at North Baddesley. Red Admiral in the sun at 6.5 degrees. [Posted by Kevin Ross]
Football Admiral at Fratton Park. Whilst at Fratton Park yesterday some of the racket must have disturbed a Red Admiral that had been roosting under the roof of the stand. A brief circuit over the pitch in a temperature of 6C and very overcast conditions persuaded it to quickly return back to its resting place. I am sure no one else noticed. [Posted by Mark Tutton]
Red Admiral out in Axmansford. I was surprised to see a Red Admiral flying around the patio on Wednesday lunchtime at home in Axmansford, in the bright sun. It was just warm enough to stir it into activity I suppose as it settled on a winter flowering pansy and spent a few moments trying to extract some nectar. [Posted by Andy Bolton]
Marsh Fritillary larval activity. As most of you are aware, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Branch of Butterfly Conservation is currently involved in a project with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust to reintroduce the Marsh Fritillary butterfly to its former stronghold of NE Hampshire. As part of this project we have a licenced breeding programme, involving the captive rearing of many thousands of Marsh Fritillary larvae. This vital work is being undertaken by experienced breeders at four different locations. During routine checks of the plants and breeding cages on 4 January, Clive Wood and I were surprised to find c.15-20 larvae actively basking on Molinia leaves within one of the cages near Romsey. This is an exciting development, and very early for the larvae to emerge from their overwintering webs; indeed, a full month ahead of last year. New leaves of Devil's-bit scabious (foodplant) are now evident, so on mild sunny days over the coming weeks the larvae will resume their feeding. They should reach maturity in April. [Posted by Andy Barker]
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| Photo © Andy Barker |