Posted to the All creatures... forum
3 November 2009 7:10 PM
I thought it would be interesting to hear where and when the last bees and butterflies were spotted and when the first ones appear next year.
I’ve still got Bumble bees and honeybees feeding on the last of the Dahlias. I also saw a dragonfly flitting around the pond this morning.
Life is too short to waste.
3 November 2009 7:27 PM
Hi - the allysum is still in full flower and still attracting bees and all sorts of insects and we still have lots of very large gnats buzzing around all day it seems unbelievable that it is November - my son's puppy was still chasing butterflies yesterday but haven't seen any to day perhaps they've gone next door out of his way! He can't understand how they just take off and disappear! It all makes for a shorter winter when the wildlife is still active this time of year.
3 November 2009 8:04 PM
As the days are drawing in, and I leave for work when it has only just got light and get home at dusk I've not seen much but there were definitely still bees in the garden over the weekend. Didn't see any butterflies tho. We've got lots of ivy in our garden so that's why we are seeing them. Sadly our dahlias have gone over.
Regards
Kezmo
"What is the good of having a nice house without a decent planet to put it on?" Henry David Thoreau
3 November 2009 8:35 PM
Still a few bees, wasps and butterflies - and those tiny little midges that you only seem to see of an evening with "artificial" light.
3 November 2009 8:56 PM
Weather too bad today, but yesterday I saw both bunble/ honey bees; two butterfly and a beautiful dragonfly.
3 November 2009 11:20 PM
Can't remember the last time I saw a butterfly, probably a week or two ago; however, as I was filling the bird feeders today, the biggest bumble bee I've ever seen flew right at me and hit my leg, it was so big it actually hurt!!
4 November 2009 12:18 AM
I had a late butterfly in the garden on Saturday (which was remarkably mild and sunny here) and various bees buzzing around me making for the remains of the asters and the chrysanthamums. However, no butterflies on Sunday. I think the intermittent showers will not encourage them now but I still have two chrysalis on the house walls which have not emerged ~ they are probably moths though rather than butterflies.
As we move through the universe may we leave as light a touch as a butterfly wing on the fabric of the environment.
4 November 2009 12:26 AM
Hi WF
I have to admit I have noticed the odd butterfly around and Bees - large bumble Bees.
Wonder if it is the warmer weather that has confused them, and winter is not on their agenda yet.
Kathy and Dave
Another day 'birding' means another happy moment in life
Regards Kathy and Dave x
4 November 2009 10:26 AM
Hi all
Great idea for a thread! A few species of butterfly are still on the wing, taking advantage of late flowering plants and the mild weather. At the Lodge yesterday i caught a glimpse of a painted lady warming up on some ivy in the November sun. Red admirals and peacocks may also be around, they might even turn up in sheds and garages where they will spend the winter. A truly beautiful species to look out for is the clouded yellow, i was lucky enough to spot one at Minsmere a few weeks ago and one was spotted at the Lodge earlier this week. The link below tells you a bit more about this species and where it has been recorded.
http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/Butterfly/32/Butterfly.html?ButterflyId=5
Many of the bumblebees that you will be seeing will be the large queens in search of hibernating places where they will spend the winter before emerging in March. Check out any ivy patches as they attract loads of insects to their flowers in the autumn!
4 November 2009 11:34 AM
The last couple of days I have seen butterfly's,bees and even warps looking in old logs must be getting ready for winter
4 November 2009 2:53 PM
IanH, I have just been clearing leaves in the back garden where I found an oak tree branch blown down by the wind, which had quite a few green caterpillar on the still green leaves. I thought this only happened in spring and that is what blue tits feed their young. Can you help ?
I also saw 2 bumblebees and 1 Red admiral.
4 November 2009 2:56 PM
I saw some last week but not today, was rather frosty this morning! I did see a red admiral that looks as if it has gone into hibernation in an abandoned shop though lol
4 November 2009 3:13 PM
I found a peacock butterfly in my office last week. It was fluttering madly against the window so I let it out into the sunshine. No butterflies or bees here today as it's pouring with rain.
4 November 2009 3:30 PM
Several of the common species of butterfly are still around in our garden, although not today, as it's wet. We have a buddlhea bush which is large, and these are very popular with butterflies so that must be the reason. (I'm in the N. West of England)
Lindybird (Linda)
4 November 2009 3:33 PM
Saw large bumble bee/bees in the garden today being very exploritory in the borders. Not sure what kind as wouldn't keep still for long enough! Have seen Peacocks inside rather than out! and a Red Admiral in the Garden.
Sell your clothes and keep your thoughts - Henry David Thoreau