Hello and welcome to the third alert of 2018: Green Hairstreak is our new species, bringing us to 12 species now flying in the county:
Brimstone, Large, Small and Green-veined White, Orange Tip, Holly Blue, Green Hairstreak, Red Admiral, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma and Speckled Wood
Next up should be Small Copper and Small Heath, followed by Dingy and Grizzled Skippers and then Wall Brown, Common Blue and Brown Argus (copper and grizzled already flying
down south)
There doesn't seem to be a lot of butterflies about - bioblitzing at Banham Zoo on Saturday produced just four speciesand a total count of 8 butterflies over a day's searching by 15+ people - but hopefully this week will see numbers start to pick up.
In other news, Large Red Damselfly are now reported from the county, while Hairy dragonfly is out in Kent and Banded Demoiselle is flying in Devon.Camberwell's have emerged from hibernation on the continent while Painted Ladies have appeared on the south coast
Meanwhile you can now get your stamps with Large Blue on them!
https://www.royalmail.com/reintroducedspeciesstamps?iid=PROMO_H1_SPECIES
As usual all reports gratefully received.(and many thanks to those who've let me know what they're seeing)
Andy B