Butterfly Alert No 3
Hi all - no new species have been reported in Norfolk - but reports from elsewhere suggest a very early spring - these haven't made the BC first sightings page yet.:
Grizzled Skipper Shoreham West Sussex on 2nd April and Nottinghamshire on the 9th - there's a chance they may be already flying here in Norfolk .
Wall Brown emerged Cornwall on April 8th - along with several Clouded Yellow! So I'd expect them in Norfolk next week.
North Stoke, Sussex (near Amberley) has produced sightings of at least two Large Tortoiseshell so far this year and bug alert reports Duke of Burgundy flying in Hants and Pearl-bordered Fritillary in Devon
This time of the year is perfect for spotting Elm, as it's in flower at the moment - ideal to pick your spots for White-letter later in the year.
I now have reports of Green Hairstreak from four sites and it seems to be having a good year.
Currently reported for Norfolk are: Large, Small and Green-veined Whites,
Brimstone, Orangetip, Holly Blue, Small Copper, Green Hairstreak, Painted
Lady, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral. Peacock, Comma and Speckled Wood
Large Red damselflies are flying in Norfolk, with Hairy Dragonfly expected
shortly.
There's been a Vagrant Emperor at Portland bird observatory recently and
three reported from Cornwall - with 10,000+ reported Southern Sahara in
March, we may get more.
Downy Emerald now flying in Gloucestershire
As usual all reports gratefully received.
Andy B