With reports coming in of Large Tortoiseshell butterflies flying in parts of Kent, Sussex and the Isle of Wight, I felt it would be a nice opportunity to spend a few days in Kent with my daughter, and combine it with a butterfly trip, particularly with a promising weather forecast.
Leaving home late morning , I decided to drive straight to Orlestone forest near Ashford , thinking that by the time I arrived the temperature would have risen to a suitable level for butterflies to fly. It was rather foggy when I left home and only 10 degrees, but by the time I drew up in the car park it was around 14 degrees with clear blue skies and I felt conditions would be perfect for butterfly spotting.
I was glad I had done some research, as I was able to take the right path into the forest which took me to a wide ride where I started to look. Apart from a comma butterfly which was sunning itself on the track, I didn't see anything at first. But then passing someone returning towards me, I made enquiries and was told that there were a few people watching two or three large tortoiseshells several hundred yards further down. I continued till I saw them and realised they were watching a particular tree, where a large tortoiseshell could be seen, wings closed a few metres from the ground. After a while, its wings opened to reveal the upper wing pattern, not dissimilar to a small tortoiseshell but without the white spot at the tip of the forewings and a considerably duller orange. The butterfly occasionally flew round but then landed back on the same tree trunk or a neighbouring one, giving opportunities for some close photos. We noticed another individual not far away so spent some time watching both butterflies before eventually they both flew off.
It was certainly a pleasant way to spend a sunny March afternoon, another butterfly to add to my life list and a good start to the year.
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