Walking through the park earlier today, I noticed a small family - father, mother, small daughter - crouching down gazing intently at a clump of Dwarf Iris in a sunny spot. The man was taking a photograph - and no wonder, for there, perching decoratively on a flowerhead, was a Red Admiral! It was a slightly faded specimen, and flew off within a minute and was lost to view - but what a joyful surprise... The butterfly year has begun - already, nearly a full month earlier than last year.
Sunday, 19 February 2012
Already
Walking through the park earlier today, I noticed a small family - father, mother, small daughter - crouching down gazing intently at a clump of Dwarf Iris in a sunny spot. The man was taking a photograph - and no wonder, for there, perching decoratively on a flowerhead, was a Red Admiral! It was a slightly faded specimen, and flew off within a minute and was lost to view - but what a joyful surprise... The butterfly year has begun - already, nearly a full month earlier than last year.
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wow that is early!! Perhaps due to london normally being a degree or two warmer than the countryside?
ReplyDeleteWell, Butterfly Conservation's list of First Sightings has a Red Admiral on Jan 1st, closely followed by Brimstone, Comma, Peacock and Tortoiseshell, and a truly surprising Speckled Wood!
ReplyDeletePostscript: I saw another Red Admiral on Saturday (25th), another amazingly sunny and warm day.
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