Butterflies

[SueA]

Having moaned on here a while ago that all the butterflies had disappeared I thought I'd let you know that they came back (for a while-they've gone again now because of the rain). I've had all sorts- whites, commas, peacocks(6 or 7 at once on the buddleia), painted ladies, speckled woods,small tortoiseshells, red admirals, holly blues & gatekeepers plus some day flying moths (silver Y & some I don't know). Posting a few pics. I've taken of them.

[Lesley Jay]

They are great photos Sue. What camera do you use?

[eskymo]

Greta pics!

Do you know the varieties. The butterfly in the final image is the one I'm particularly interested in finding out about. I found a dead one of these on the pavement outside my house, completely intact and it's beautiful.

[skegblade]

Hi Eskymo

It's a painted Lady.

[FoxHillGardener]

how do you get them to sit still long enough for a photo!?

[JennieAtkinson]

Lovely photographs Sue. There is a nice article in our local paper today indicating that the warmer temperatures and more clement weather we are experiencing in summer will see a rise in the type of butterflies here.

I just can't imagine them flying all that way. Even if they stopped off at Fair Isle its still a 25 mile hop!

[SueA]

I use a HP R507 4.1 megapixel camera at the moment but am looking out for a higher megapixel one. I tend to take loads of photos on the macro setting so am looking for one which lets you get as close as possible to the subject.
My neighbours probably think I'm mad as when I spot any butterflies or unusual insects I rush out with my camera & stalk them all round the garden until they land & then stand as still as possible whilst trying to sneak the camera right up to them without disturbing them. You have to try to not cast a shadow on them as this frightens them off.
They are (left to right) a Holly blue female (Ithink), a Comma, a Peacock, a Small Tortoiseshell & a Painted Lady.
We only seem to have got Painted Ladies up here in the last few years due to the effects of global warming no doubt so they probably will all make it up to you eventually Jennie!

[nick the grief]

.....I just can't imagine them flying all that way. Even if they stopped off at Fair Isle its still a 25 mile hop!

There's one variety in america that migrates in the winter from North america to south or the other ways about anyway it's a bloody long way

[smallblueplanet]

....My neighbours probably think I'm mad as when I spot any butterflies or unusual insects I rush out with my camera & stalk them all round the garden...

As long as you don't stalk the veggies Sue?!

Nice pictures.

[Alice]

Hello SueA, Thanks for the pics. Just great. You really do seem to capture the moment. But, as for painted ladies and global warming, I think not. We've always had them here and we're a good bit further north than you. In the last ten years we've had the peacocks,(now the most common butterfly we have. Flying about in gangs )but think its more to do with what we're growing than the weather. Buddlea seems to do it every time. second and third most common are painted ladies and red admirals, then orange tips then all kinds of whites and blues that I don't know a name for. Shame on you Alice !

[Slug]

Hi SueA,

Great piccies - and a real help too! I saw this little fella in the garden today.... took a picture and came looking for your post. Now I know what I have - it's a peacock!

It's the first time I've ever seen one so I'm pretty chuffed!

[SueA]

As long as the neighbours don't think I'm stalking them I'm not bothered SBP!
Peacock butterflies are gorgeous aren't they Slug, really colourful, love your pic. You'll probably get all his/her mates following on now they've found you.
Alice, it must just be that painted ladies didn't like our area before then if you've always had them up in Scotland. I wonder if they breed at all up there as most of them are supposed to be migrants & prefer the wamer south of Britain? They would probably be happy in the south west of Scotland where it's warmed by the Gulf stream, around Galloway etc., we visited Logan Botanical Gardens up there & they had quite a few tropical type plants which thrive. I've seen painted ladies in Wales on holiday but it's only the last couple of years that we've had them in our garden, maybe all the Manchester rain puts them off!

[Alice]

Hello SueA, yes the whole of the west of Scotland is warmed by the gulf stream and there are little pockets of micro climate within that. I think we are very mild here. Hope you enjoyed Galloway and the Logan Gardens. I think it's just a little world of it's own (Galloway and the Logan Gardens both) Have you been to the Hunter Gardens near Dunoon? Just lovely for Rhododendrons and Azaeleas, but I think you need 80 - 120 inches of rain a year to grow that stuff to that standard (and they get it) I know. I come from Argyll. One of the reasons I don't live there anymore. But it is extremely beautiful.

[Slug]

If I get his/her friends visit my garden then I'll be one happy slug!

[SueA]

Not been to Hunter Gardens Alice but I think we went up to Dunoon once, the whole area is lovely & we got up as far as Oban one time. We used to go to a cottage in Borgue near Kirkudbright quite often until the owners sold up & have been to a few others around Gatehouse Of Fleet etc. but not been for a few years. The wildlife is great around Galloway but as you say it does seem to rain quite a lot, I always packed more waterproofs than bikinis!