General Chat

Butterflies........clouds of butterflies......all over my Buddleia bushes. I can't ever remember having seen so many in one go as I have today.

Anyone else noticed an abundance of the lovely things ?

Ello Amanda:) I think it's been a flourishing year for all growing things this year - loads of fruit and flower everywhere:)

Yes Mac , some of them are. I know I ought to hate them but they look so pretty : ))

Hello Uggers : ))
I'm still optomisic that we are in for a scorching summer

It is a bumper year for the crops on our allotment as well .

Cabbage whites , painted ladies , peacocks , the odd Skipper and I think I spotted a Tortoiseshell as well.

I keep trying to be optimistic too but it's hard when it keeps hissing down lol.

Try moving to Norfolk.....we have lovely weather here : ))

I know how destructive the caterpillers can be Mac , I'm glad to know your crop is safe this year. We always net our cabbages.
My OH bought " enviromesh " stuff this year ( for the carrots ) first ones we have not had the blasted fly in : ))

As an aside to the beautiful sight of butterflies on the bushes, can anyone remember a really bad year for cabbage white caterpillars in the mid 1950s?

I remember having to clear them from bedroom windows and sills at bedtime, and seeing them coming through the airbricks like something from a horror movie.

Bit before my time Elizabeth : )) but maybe we are in for another year like that ?

I live in Norfolk Amanda, have you noticed the blue butterflies about, do you know what they are called

Agatha......I get the occassional Blue butterfly in the garden . One sort is called a Holly Blue but I think there are several types .

Claddagh.........lucky , lucky you with a Swallow Tail.......I've never seen one of those.I haven't seen the bright yellow butterfly in years either.
It's just been a joy to see such a lot of them today : ))

I guess a lot of that is down to loss of habitat for the caterpillars : (