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Produce => Wildlife forum => Topic started by: Garden Manager on March 31, 2006, 10:11:43

Title: Butterflies
Post by: Garden Manager on March 31, 2006, 10:11:43
Anyone seen any yet?

I have, in my garden earlier this week. Not knowing butterflies very well i couldnt tell you the variety, though it was a coppery colour so i imagine it must be one of those with 'Copper' in its common name!  ;D.

On the same day i also saw the first ladybird of the year, whilst doing some weeding.
Title: Re: Butterflies
Post by: Ceratonia on March 31, 2006, 10:15:48
Yes - saw a yellowy-green one last weekend, which I now know to have been a Brimstone.

I've had ladybirds active in December, January & February - seem to have very large numbers of them this year - not sure what they're all going to eat!
Title: Re: Butterflies
Post by: Garden Manager on March 31, 2006, 10:21:03
Quote from: Ceratonia on March 31, 2006, 10:15:48
I've had ladybirds active in December, January & February - seem to have very large numbers of them this year - not sure what they're all going to eat!

Wish I could get them to take up residence in either the greenhouse or conservatory, plenty of whitefly in those places for them to feed on
Title: Re: Butterflies
Post by: Mrs Ava on March 31, 2006, 23:52:15
Seen a couple, but have seen trillions of ladybirds!  And my first great big fat bumble bee of the year at the start of the week!  ;D
Title: Re: Butterflies
Post by: jennym on March 31, 2006, 23:54:04
I've seen lots of ladybirds too, feel a bit guilty when tidying up debris from the garden and see them - good excuse not to tidy though :)
Title: Re: Butterflies
Post by: eileen on April 01, 2006, 00:01:26
No butterflies yet.  :(

No ladybirds yet.  :(

BEES -  YES!!!!!!!  ;D
Title: Re: Butterflies
Post by: GREENWIZARD on April 01, 2006, 06:54:15
only dirty flies............. too much dog  poo left in next doors garden >:(
Title: Re: Butterflies
Post by: jeanaustin on April 02, 2006, 21:23:03
Saw my first butterfly of the year on the lottie this morning, a small tortoiseshell.
Also today, lots of ladybirds about when I cut back my Penstemon plants, think they've been over-wintering in these.  Also saw a couple of bumblebees.
Title: Re: Butterflies
Post by: Rosa_Mundi on April 02, 2006, 21:51:52
Beautiful one in the kitchen - copper/brown with blue roundels?
Also had bees bashing themselves against the window glass....
Title: Re: Butterflies
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on April 02, 2006, 22:27:45
Sounds like a Peacock. The adult often hibernates in houses.
Title: Re: Butterflies
Post by: Mrs Ava on April 02, 2006, 22:30:52
So many bumblers today!  A couple came into the conservatory as we had the door open it was so warm!  Also, a lacewing and a hoverfly!!
Title: Re: Butterflies
Post by: Rosa_Mundi on April 03, 2006, 00:24:47
Thanks, Robert - pictures confirm a peacock. Had probably been in the garage and woken up - he's out in the big wide world now.
Title: Re: Butterflies
Post by: Garden Manager on April 04, 2006, 10:05:37
Quote from: Rosa_Mundi on April 02, 2006, 21:51:52
Beautiful one in the kitchen - copper/brown with blue roundels?
Also had bees bashing themselves against the window glass....

A Peacock butterfly?

Sounds a bit like the butterfly i've seen (and again since i first posted). Bees? the bumblers have been around for ages now, though saw one honey bee flying around the other day too.
Title: Re: Butterflies
Post by: froglets on April 04, 2006, 13:44:22
No butterflies, a groggy wasp, a bumblebee & a few ladybirds on the hardy geraniums which are bushy green already.  Hoping the tiny specs on the wood I took out of the woodpile then put back are ladybird larvae in the making.   Had lots in there last year so fingers crossed