Natural History Wanderings

BBC Nature reports that due to the second-coldest March on record many rare butterflies in the UK have  delayed their emergence, according to the charity Butterfly Conservation.

• Pearl-bordered Fritillary last year  first spotted on 1 April but were not recorded until 27 April this year.
• Wood Whites could be seen by 10 April last year, but this year were delayed until early May.
• Duke of Burgundy butterfly appeared in late April this spring, about three weeks later than last year.

The total number of butterflies are down this year as last year after most butterflies emerged (earlier than usual due to a mild February and March) there was a lot of very wet weather which prevented the Butterflies from flying and finding mates. The Butterflies emerging late this year isn’t necessarily problematic if the weather conditions are drier and support a successful breeding season. Learn more at:  BBC Nature – UK’s rare spring butterflies make a late show.