Early Butterflies

Due to the warmer temperatures this week I quite expected to find perhaps a Brimstone butterfly on the wing. However, I did not expect to find four different species in the space of an hour today.  I found all four of these along the edge of a woodland area adjacent to a river. The woodland slopes upwards from the river and is a sun trap. I also found two of the four elsewhere later during my walk.

The Brimstone butterfly is a resident and hibernates over winter.

This one was a male of the species. Only males were observed.

Brimstone Butterfly

The Peacock butterfly is also a resident and hibernates during winter.

Peacock Butterfly

The Comma butterfly is a resident and hibernates over winter. 

I found this species in two different locations.

Comma Butterfly

Somewhat different, the Red Admiral was previously known as a Spring migrant from Europe which would then breed in UK. In recent years it has now become considered as a resident. A small number will over winter here. As you can observed this one appears to have managed that, but is not in great condition.

This is a first for me finding this species so early in the year.

Red Admiral Butterfly