Large Tortoiseshell see near Seaton, Devon!!!

What a start to the year... some lucky people have already seen one of our rarest butterflies, the Large Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis polychloros) near Seaton in Devon.

Species already recorded in 2008 include:
Painted Lady, Comma, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Large (Cabbage) White, Small White, Holly Blue and Speckled Wood. These are all species which you are likely to expect to see as our winters become milder.

This remarkable sighting of a Large Tortoiseshell is even more important when you realise that the species is thought to be extinct as a breeding species in the UK. Many sightings are thought to be of migrants from mainland Europe.

It is also important to note that unofficial or accidental releases by butterfly breeders make it almost impossible to tell at present if there are breeding colonies present in Britain or if the reported sightings are of released, captive bred butterflies so understanding the true status of the Large Tortoiseshell in the UK almost impossible.

The sighting was reported on the Bird Forum web site on 4th March 2008: http://www.birdforum.net/
Find out more about the Large Tortoiseshell on my web site http://www.britishbutterflies.co.uk/

Here's the report posted by Kevin Hale:
"I popped home to drop off a bag of wild bird seed and to lend a mate of mine a long handled pruning saw, when i noticed 2 Butterflies around the apple trees to the side of my house one being a peacock the other being a Large Tortoiseshell! - panic then set in ( i was thinking i should really buy a camera) luckily Steve and Karen (Woolley) both sooned arrived (with camera) and the butterfly showed really well taking in the sun perched on the trunk of the apple tree".

And the photos by Steve/Karen Woolley: