25 Things in 2025 - Thing #18

[smallhobbit]

Take part in the Big Butterfly Count

The UK big butterfly count ran from 18 July to 10 August and I posted my count three or four times each week.  I made a point of going for a walk down by the canal at least twice a week, plus spotting them in the garden and in other places I was visiting.

I didn't see that many different butterflies, but regularly saw the same species.  So I spotted Large Whites, Speckled Woods, Gatekeepers, Meadow Browns, Red Admirals and a Ringlet.

Taking photos of butterflies is difficult but here's a Gatekeeper and a Meadow Brown:

   

I also spotted Water Boatmen and a Dragonfly:

   

Although the main count is over, numbers can still be uploaded until the end of August, so I shall be continuing to spot butterflies.

Comments

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Nice! I am glad you got to take part in something like that!

[smallhobbit]

Thank you. I've tried before, but this was the first year I've managed to be consistent.

[debriswoman]

A very good thing to get involved in😊

[smallhobbit]

Thank you very much :)

[adafrog]

:)

[smallhobbit]

Thank you 😃

[scfrankles]

I love how bold red admirals are. They tend to flutter round me when I'm putting out the washing, and they like to perch on the washing and on my head ^^" I remember when my brother's children were small, I told one of them to hold their finger out and the red admiral landed right on it!

Also saw a peacock butterfly some weeks ago. It had got trapped in the porch. Didn't have my glasses on and it had its wings tightly closed, so I thought it was a leaf. We both got a shock when I tried to pick up the "leaf". But I got it cupped in my hand and placed it outside on our bench. I left it alone to rest and it must have flown off after a while. I felt lucky to have seen one so close up though.

[smallhobbit]

We don't have red admirals in the garden, unfortunately and certainly none that 'help' with the washing, which is a great shame :) You were lucky to see a peacock butterfly so close - I haven't seen any this year, although J did, but naturally by the time he told me it had flown off!