By Fozzy
April 2024 will be remembered as one of the coldest starts to spring in living memory and as such, the records submitted reflect this. There were days of good sunshine, but temperatures frustratingly struggled to reach 10oC let alone into good double figures.
The month took a while to get going, the first butterfly reported being a Brimstone at the back of the reedbed on 6th, with another at the nursery area, as well as Roger’s Seat. One was also present for several days around the Lingham viewing screen. A Small Tortoiseshell at the newt pond and another along Flasks Lane were the only butterflies reported that weekend.
Brimstone Photo: Fozzy
After a cold spell, a Brimstone and Speckled Wood were observed at the reedbed on 11th, whilst the following day a Peacock was reported at the reedbed end of the causeway.
During a butterfly transect on the quarry on 13th, Helen Hays observed several individuals: single Brimstone at the Quarry car park and Flasks Lane, with two Orange-tips for company; two Orange-tips at ‘Pneumonia Corner’; three Small Tortoiseshells and single Peacock along the causeway, with five Peacocks and one Small Tortoiseshell in front of the reedbed screen. One Brimstone appeared along the first section of path behind Kiln Lake, with a finale of single Orange-tip and three Peacocks at the nursery. A very good haul considering the conditions!
The first Red Admiral appeared on 14th, with single Small Tortoiseshell, Comma and Brimstone at the reedbed, with Peacocks seen at Roger’s Seat and the dipping pond.
Red Admiral Photo: Fozzy
After another cold period, two male Orange-tips were on the wing near the Quarry VC on 19th taking advantage of a few days of warmth. The following day, single Orange-tips were noted at the dipping pond and Flasks Lane, as well as Langwith, with four in Camp Wood. A bumper four Brimstones were observed at the latter site as well as along Flasks Lane, with two reported at East Tanfield Quarry and another along the path to North Hide.
Continuing a good run, the writer observed single Orange-tip, Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock along the path to the North Hide, with Small Tortoiseshell also along the Lingham to Flasks Lakes path, Speckled Wood at Flasks Lake and Orange-tip by Lingham screen.
The month trickled out with a male Orange-tip at Flasks Lane on 25th, whilst Orange-tip and Speckled Wood were reported on the Reserve the following day, with a single Small White and two further male Orange-tips near the plant nursery. On 27th a single Speckled Wood on the path to North Hide, with a Brimstone just off the causeway finishing the month on 29th.
Here’s hoping for an increase in temperatures and a bumper season to make up for the slow start!