Taking 15 minutes amongst the butterflies daily …What could be a nicer way of spending some time outside just now than watching and counting butterflies? Yes, the annual survey of these wonders (launched by the Butterfly Conservation organisation in 2010) has begun.
Green Veined White
This year’s Big Butterfly Count runs from 19th July to 9th August. It is an enjoyable, therapeutic way for your average punter to help ‘take the pulse of nature’ (since butterflies react very quickly to changes in the environment).
Small Skipper
With the sunny weather this week the sightings have so far been good. My son spotted (and photographed) this moth on the wall of our house for instance. Sadly, I missed it, since I was at work.
Jersey Tiger moth
But here are some others that I’ve photographed in the garden over the last week or two:
Plus, this rather wonderful, large moth flew in to the house the other night, attracted by the conservatory light. It is a Swallow-tailed moth:
Additionally, we’ve recently seen various large whites and a red admiral, but not taken pictures.
We’ve not seen any peacock butterflies yet though. However I did take this surprising shot yesterday of a real peacock crossing the road in the next village.
Why did the peacock cross the road???
I’ve seen him once before. According to a friend, he apparently hangs out there and is not quiet about it! I’ve no idea where he comes from.
So there you have it. Today I start counting, which is slightly more troublesome, since a lot of these butterflies are to be found flitting around the meadow patch. They slide between grass blades and pop out somewhere else or swirl around in little tornadoes, looking for mates. It is all good fun though. If you are interested, download the ID sheet or free phone app and start adding to the interactive sightings map.
#ButterflyCount
Frogend dweller's Blog 
These are a wonderful series of photos!
Thank you Peter! Are you counting too?
I send my sightings via iRecord, which get recorded the same 🙂
Ah … interesting. I’ll look into that, thanks.
You’ve taken some great shots, Allison – love those tortoiseshells.
Thanks Eliza. Cats and butterflies!
fantastic shots of butterflies 🙂
Thank you!
That is a lovely idea and I do hope you see a peacock of the butterfly kind too. 😉 I don‘t think we have a butterfly count here, just bird counts twice a year. The white moth is really pretty. We have had loads of peacocks and little else this week.
We have a bee count too! The RSPB February bird count is the big one though. I am pleased to say that I have seen a peacock butterfly now 🙂 and since the various plums have started to drop, I expect to see more from here on out.
One can’t go wrong with a post of beautiful Leps and this certainly is a lovely collection. Many moths are just as lovely as butterflies and I am glad to see some included.
🙂 Thank you. I keep wondering about making a moth trap to explore them further.
I have a few acquaintance who have traps and are quite successful drawing in many species. I did use lamps, banaba brew bait, and sheets one summer but then felt guilty (guilt is my superpower 🙂 ) about disturbing their normal pursuits so stopped.
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