Comments on: First Butterfly Sightings in Glasgow & SW Scotland 2009

By: Heather Young

Heather Young — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:48:18 +0000

I know it’s not a ‘first’ for the year, but I’ve just seen a beautiful brand new Red Admiral in my garden - my first for the summer! Bridge of Allan NS791985.

By: Scott Shanks

Scott Shanks — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 19:12:33 +0000

Ran a butterly walk at Bennane Head, north of Ballantrae Today (07-06-09) with Scott Donaldson and Marianne Ward. We also stopped at Pinbain burn for a look. Very fresh-looking Northern Brown Argus seen at both locations. Bennane Head (NX091864), Pinbain burn (NX137914).
Other species:
Bennane had 80+ Painted ladies, 15 Wall Brown, 1 large skipper (male),7 large white, 4 small white, 10 green-veined white, 2 orange tips, 6 small copper, 2 small heath, plus a wood tiger, mother shiptons, silver-ground carpets, yellow shell, 2 adult 6-spot burnets and LOTS of burnet caterpillars and cocoons!
(on the first of June I visited Bennane and saw a peacock and 2 dingy skippers too!)
Pinbain burn (more overcast) had 7 Painted ladies, 20 wall brown, 1 large white, 7 green-veined whites, 1 small white, plus yellow shell, silver Y.

By: John Candlish

John Candlish — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 08:40:12 +0000

Just correcting an error on my post yesterday which must have been made due to the heat, I obviously meant Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary rather than Pearl Bordered Fritillary.

By: John Candlish

John Candlish — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:37:31 +0000

I saw my first 6 Dark Green Fritillaries of the year this afternoon (01/06/09) in the Bow Hill area near Rankinston (NS4312, NS4412 and NS4512). This and the surrounding area must surely be one of the best places in Scotland to see both this species and the Pearl-bordered Fritillary in good numbers as I recorded 40+ Dark Green Fritillaries and 20+ Pearl-bordered Fritillaries multiple times here during 2008.

By: Fraser Simpson

Fraser Simpson — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 10:41:27 +0000

My first Large Skipper of the year in Pinbain quarry, Ayrshire (NX 138915 on Saturday 30/05/09.
More recent sightings here:
http://www.ayrsdragons.blogspot.com

Fraser

By: John Candlish

John Candlish — Sat, 23 May 2009 23:19:58 +0000

I recorded my first Small Heath of 2009 on Friday morning (22/5/09) just outside the village of Rankinston, Ayrshire (NS444143), other butterflies seen in the area included 24+ Green-veined Whites and 3 Orange Tips.

By: Neil Gregory

Neil Gregory — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 20:47:00 +0000

Mesage from Norrie on Bute:

“Seen plenty of Small Tortoiseshell Butterflies, but unusual to see a pair of Painted Ladies at Craigmore NS 101 654. They were appearing to be having a game of “Tig” and only stopped for a moment for me to identify them, but not long enough for a photo.”

By: David Fotheringham

David Fotheringham — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 20:27:10 +0000

Hi folks, my first orange tip was a single male at Linwood Moss (NS46 I) on Saturday 11th April, nectaring on dandelion. Also present were two peacock, nectaring on willow.

By: Scott Shanks

Scott Shanks — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 16:30:21 +0000

3 Small Tortoiseshells being very territorial and chasing each other in Yorkhill Park, Glasgow (NS561661) on Thursday 2nd April (about 5.45pm)- Not the first to be seen in the branch area…but they were my first butterfly sighting of the year! Hurrah!
Scott Shanks

By: Heather Young

Heather Young — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:14:15 +0000

One small white in my Bridge of Allan garden today (2nd April). NS791985.
Heather Young.