Blogdecember Day Ten

Peacock

 

My Butterfly Year 2020

It’s that time of year when I review all the butterflies I’ve spotted in 2020. Will I have seen as many species as 2019? Somehow I very much doubt it. Limited travel this year plus a wet winter and early spring got things off to a very slow start. As usual I will go through those months I managed to sight my flutters either in my garden, on the field I monitor or just out and about.

Peacock

March: A trip to Dorset started my butterfly journey off this year. A beautiful walk near Colmer’s hill allowed me to spot a Peacock. Intriguingly the first of many this year. Curious how you can go a couple of years without any sightings and then suddenly they return. Later in the month another Peacock headed my way this time back home in Jersey.

Speckled Wood

April: This month saw the return of the beautiful Speckled Woods plus a few Small Whites. All nearby to our garden.

Green Veined White

Small White

Red Admiral

May: Small Whites still in evidence. Green veined whites made an appearance in the garden at the start of the month. They often favour damp conditions and are an unusual spot. The Red Admirals returned to the garden as well.

Large White

Speckled Wood

June: all the expected butterflies appeared this month: Red Admirals, Meadow Browns, Large Whites and Speckled Woods.

Peacock 

Gatekeeper

Gatekeeper 

Small Copper

Grayling

Small Tortoiseshell 

Large Skipper

July: More Peacocks were back this month along with the Gatekeepers. On my transect field I managed to spot a Large Skipper, Small Tortoiseshell and a Small Copper. Graylings were seen too along with more Speckled Woods.

Peacock

Large White

Holly Blue

Comma

Wall

Speckled Wood

August: This was another busy month with many Peacocks,Large Whites and Gatekeepers. My first Comma was finally spotted at a garden centre. A cliff walk enabled me to spot my first Holly Blue and Wall. Speckled Woods were plentiful along with Red Admirals.

Peacock

Small Tortoiseshell 

Comma

Red Admiral

September: A peacock took residence in our garden and was spotted for almost a week. A trip to Wales allowed sightings of Commas and Small Tortoiseshells.

October: My last sighting was a Red Admiral on the 10th October, since then nothing.

So altogether the grand total of 15 species down on last years total of 22.One species definitely missing was The Painted Lady. After last years abundance it was strangely absent. Here’s hoping for a better year next year.

Meanwhile today’s advent wool has definitely got a few hues from the Peacock butterfly 😀

How was your butterfly year? Any interesting spots in your corner.

Barbara xxx