The Lincolnshire Bird Club

I was bird ringing at Kirmond le Mire this morning when I saw quite a few butterflies in an Ivy covered tree adjacent to the churchyard. I went over and counted 30 Red Admirals nectaring on the Ivy and there were probably 20 or so more flying about - I've never seen so many in one place - any observations/comments?

Also very good numbers at Saltfleetby NNR Stuart the best autumn for many years for the species
majority here are using ivy flowers and some on my last of 7 buddleias with flowers with a dozen or so
when sunny.

regards John

The Red Admiral is now certainly the commonest non-White butterfly in Bracebridge Heath gardens, nectaring especially on Buddleia, Ivy, Sedum spectabile and Bowles Mauve Wallflower; windfall apples and split plums are even more attractive. Just like the Painted Lady, the Red Admiral can have an abundant year (eg. 2003 and 2017), followed by a very poor year (eg. 2004 and ?2018).

The butterflies are now fuelling up prior to their journey south to the Mediterranean. They will not be mating in Britain but will do so after arrival in the Mediterranean areas. Females will then lay their eggs in October and November, after which both sexes will die. The fresh adults will appear in the following March and April, with the main northwards migration beginning from April.

Freddy