BUTTERFLIES

Because of the wet weather my records of butterflies over the summer has been greatly reduced, but there has been recorded at the WARCS Nature Reserve the following – Comma, Gatekeeper, Green Veined White, Large White, Orange Tip, Peacock, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood and White Letter Hairstreak.

Unfortunately I have not seen the Holly Blue there this year, but was compensated by seeing the White Letter Hairstreak which had come down from the tree tops to nectar.  I will certainly be keeping my eyes peeled for this rare one next year.  Then, to see again this year the Speckled Woods was a bonus.  This butterfly is on the move, until recently this species was only seen to the west of the county, but in the last couple of years it has moved eastwards.  It is a pretty little butterfly and I am so pleased to say it is now in residence in our wood.

The Yorkshire Branch of Butterfly Conservation will have a new publication out in the New Year  – Butterflies of Yorkshire –  and from the specimen pages that I have seen, it will be a truly beautiful and informative reference book that any butterfly enthusiast should not be without.  I am pleased to say that the Wolds and Riverbank Countryside Society is one of the many sponsors of this book.

BUTTERFLY SUPERSTITIONS

 If a butterfly was seen flying at a funeral it was thought to be the spirit of the person being buried.  Then if you find a butterfly in the house, particularly in the winter, it was said to bring good luck.  Also, if seen in dreams, particularly brightly coloured ones, this was also thought to be a good omen, and bring good fortune.