This weekend was the start of Butterfly Conservations Big Butterfly Count.
The idea being that you record however many butterflies you see in one place over 15 minutes.
We chose our back garden and overall, the results over the two days weren’t bad.
On the Saturday we recorded 2 holly blues, a small skipper, ringlet, small white, green veined white, small tortoiseshell and comma.
On the Sunday we had large white, small white, green veined white, small skipper, meadow brown, red admiral, and ringlet-10 species overall so not a bad return.
I also had two early trips to North Cave Wetlands. The purpose was to try and photograph purple hairstreak. I had 4 on the Saturday and only one in flight on the Sunday, however it was nice to be out and there were some good numbers. My list over both days was; purple hairstreak, red admiral, painted lady, small tortoiseshell, peacock, small skipper, Essex skipper, meadow brown, gatekeeper, ringlet, large white, small white, green-veined white, small copper and holly blue-15 species again not a bad return.
Some photos below.
Purple hairstreak- North Cave Wetlands
Purple hairstreak- North Cave Wetlands
Gatekeeper- North Cave Wetlands
Meadow brown- North Cave Wetlands
Holly blue - North Cave Wetlands
Essex skipper- North Cave Wetlands
Holly blue - North Cave Wetlands
Holly blue - North Cave Wetlands
Green-veined white-Garden
Small skipper-garden
Meadow brown - North Cave Wetlands
Six-spot burnet- North Cave Wetlands
Small skipper - North Cave Wetlands
Elephant hawk moth caterpillar