February and March 2021
In most years I would expect to see the early butterflies begin to appear around the start of March. In some years February would bring with it an occasional Brimstone or Small Tortoiseshell. The start of 2021 however has been marked with bright, but particularly cool weather, brought to us on a cold north or north-easterly wind. Peacock Butterfly - Tucking Mill 31-03-2021 I managed several trips along the cycle-path between Tucking Mill and Wellow during February and March, during which I also explored the footpaths that crisscross the area. During these excursions I saw very few butterflies. On the 31st March I managed to see and photograph this lone Peacock warming itself in the grass. I planned these trips to coincide with fine sunny weather. It was the cold that was keeping the butterflies away. In Bath, the first half of February was very cool, warming a little towards the end of the month when 'peak' daytime temperatures typically reached 10-13c. March brought little ...