Marbled Whites Exactly on Cue

I saw my first Marbled Whites in Toft on Monday but only singles and not in their usual roost area. Last evening they were there roosting - perhaps 10 so not yet in previous large numbers but fingers crossed for a good year. Light pretty low by the time I took these.

Marbled Whites - Early and Plentiful This Year

Like many butterflies, the Marbled Whites have emerged at least a week earlier than previous years in our village. They are also as plentiful as we have ever seen with literally dozens of them taking last feeds and then roosting yesterday evening. Here a few different lighting conditions to show off their delicacy.

Butterflies in Toft Cambridgeshire

I feared the heavy rain overnight might have damaged the butterfly population in our local wood but was delighted to count more than 70 Marbled Whites and plenty of other species including Meadow Brown, Comma, Ringlet and Small Skipper in large numbers. Also couple of new Hoverflies for the collection.

 

Marbled Whites Are Back

Last year we first saw the Marbled Whites in our local wood on 28th June - this year 27th June so very consistent emergence date. The clearing in the centre of the wood was alive with males last evening getting a last feed on the clover before roosting. The grass is very high so difficult to get clear backgrounds but lovely to see them in their pristine condition. Lots of similarly newly emerged Meadow Browns.

Marbled Whites are Emerging

 A handful of Marbled Whites were on the wing in Toft Wood this afternoon along with Ringlets, Small Heaths, Meadow Browns and Narrow-Bordered five-Spot Burnet Moths

Marbled Whites are On the Wing

 Our local meadow was alive with Marbled Whites yesterday evening - this is about 2 weeks earlier than last year. Lovely to see them there in large numbers again. They are all in very good condition with males (black) and females (Brown) clearly distinguishable.