It's butterfly transect walking time again, and up until October, I will be recording what butterflies I see around a designated walk around the Park. If you've not read what the butterfly transect is all about, you can read about it here.
This month, Peacocks and Small tortoiseshells make up most of the numbers. The very first sighting early this April were two tortoiseshells at the beginning of what could have been a gig-lengthy dance ritual in the sky. Against the clear blue sky, the image of two synchronized divers popped into my head.
Male tortoiseshells are like the glam rockstars of the butterfly world. With a natural talent for drumming and with an animal print-like attire, he will chase his female mate around his territory. The chase goes like this: they fly, rest, flutter, fly, rest, fly and rest again. If the female butterfly is in the mood, in between dances, she'll open her wings on the ground, and the male will drum his antennae on her hind wings. Then the dance will continue!
It is a performance indeed, and the drumming is even audible to the human ear! What a star!
The peacocks I have seen have been either fresh, bold individuals with many months to live, or ones that have defiantly lived a happy & long life (11months). You can tell them from the young ones, as they look like Rocky Balboa at the end of every film!
I'm surprised to have not seen a comma yet. The last couple of years Commas have been my first sighting - usually as early as February or March! Other species on the transect have been Small whites. Outwith the transect, I have spotted an Orange-tip and a Large white too!
Dandelions! I want to finish by stressing the importance of dandelions. This month, I have only seen butterflies drinking from dandelions.
Just think, maybe Rocky below might not have made it this long if it hadn't been for the liquid gold from dandelions - what a champion!
This spring, let’s all leave a patch of dandelions somewhere for a wee old butterfly to enjoy!
Emma I loved this post! We planted a wildflower garden specifically to attract the butterflies, I hope we get some sexy ones and they're not too intimidated by its gritty Glasgow locale. Hope to show it to your some time! x Marilyn
Hi Emma thanks again for all the lovely pics of the gorgeous butterflies ,I’m sure Jared will have a lovely time this year again searching for the again and I’m sure Levi will show a great interest this year too as he seemed to enjoy showing granda round the garden last week . Brilliant blog and fantastic pictures loved them all and looking forward to seeing more keep up the good work all of you x