Painted Ladies

[Billhook]

Never seen so many Painted Ladies around before, usually just the odd one or two

[Peasgood]

Probably blown in on this hot wind from the south (Spain)

They migrate here would you believe. It's true, Google it.

 

Some years ago we had a big patch of thistles that was full of them, quite literally clouds of them when disturbed. Magical!

[Peasgood]

https://butterfly-conservation.org/butterflies/painted-lady

[nepia]

I expect a load have indeed come over the Channel in the last few days but there were some here beforehand:  my mate near John O'Groat's had 'more than I've ever seen' arrive three or more weeks ago.

[difflock]

I thought they were all migrating to Portrush for the Open?

[AJStrees]

Lots of butterflies out at the moment, not seen so many in a while. Red Admirals, Meadow Browns, small Whites, saw one the other days on the roses but couldn't identify it. Was impressively large and colourful with white background.

[Billhook]

12 hours ago, Peasgood said:

https://butterfly-conservation.org/butterflies/painted-lady

Thank you for that link.   It says that they are expected in late Summer, so this seems a bit early for so many, possibly reflecting the increased warming.

[nepia]

It would be good if this spell of weather got us some rarer visitors, e.g. Clouded Yellows, that I remember being regulars when I was a kid.

I briefly saw a Camberwell Beauty in the garden here a few years ago.

[Stubby]

Had an out break of Red Admirals about this time last year . Hundreds of them , small they were but pretty sure they were Red Admirals .

[Billhook]

12 hours ago, Stubby said:

Had an out break of Red Admirals about this time last year . Hundreds of them , small they were but pretty sure they were Red Admirals .

Perhaps they were Vice Admirals?

 

How many rings did they have on their sleeves?