Our fragile fauna and flora

wow TT, so many butterflies

I don't think I've seen so many together.
I've hardly seen any atall this year.

That is a great picture....which one is fauna and which flora? (lol)

Wow lovely photo..... we have not had many butterflies this year down on the south coast...

This is a photo from less than 20 years ago.
It shows how quickly the world can change.
Protect our planet. :o)

Skippy ~
I'm still having fun thinking up new names for Bonkers the puppet. Not even a short-list yet Lol :o)

Beautiful photo TT

Thank you Janette. It's a photo I took some years ago and I scanned it onto my computer. Seems to have come out clear enough ! :o)

The Butterflies or the Years ?????
Lovely Photo

Deida51 ~
The years disappear very fast, and it seems sadly the butterflies do too. :o)

Very interesting ...what is the flower there that they were so drawn to?..It is lovely as well.

Catfinch ~
It is Sedum spectabile.
Very easy to grow.
Not many years ago, by the fall, these sedums would have turned pretty pinks and purples in numerous gardens and would be absolutely smothered in butterflies. Sadly it seems the butterflies have disappeared in many areas.

Great picture - such a shame we now see it as a rarity .Certainly not in these numbers .

BB ~
Sometimes these butterflies settled in such numbers that I couldn't see the sedum plants underneath !

Hi TT, do you have any Buddleja bushes in your garden? We have a few and they self-set everywhere too. In July they are covered in butterflies just like on your photo. We see, Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Peacock, White. It may be worth having a butterfly bush to bring them in.

There are Buddleja bushes in neighbours' gardens, but only the occasional butterfly gets tempted in. I guess your area is more countrified, which helps.
Thanks for the suggestion. :o)

I didnt realise the numbers had diminished on such a widespread scale until I have read the members' comments above, how sad. Guess we are lucky then and yes we are attached to countryside so as you say, that must help :)

I am amazed!! Never seen this sort of number together.

About 20 years ago is was a common occurrence to see many more than this number of butterflies on just one sedum.
They would arrive in groups, completely covering the plants.
Beautiful. :o)

TT, you are losing it...I already saw this picture...I still want to know which butterfly is fauna and which one is flora lol

No Skippy ~ Not quite lost it yet.
I know you've seen this.
That last piece of the message was for Gillian.
Sorry I didn't make that clear. :o)

OMG TT iv never seen so many Butterflys on a Sedum :O They are so Beautiful ,Thanx for Loading this pics its Super :) XXX

Thanks, Jacque ~
When things are more settled, I'll look back in old photos.
I might have some pictures with even more butterflies on sedum.
They used to come down in such numbers, they really did completely hide the plants. :o)

Skippy ~
Flora and Fauna just flew away. Lol.

Lovely picture! Does make you realise just how fragile our planet really is.

Id love 2 see More Butterfly Pics TT ,Maybe u can make a Blog ;) XXX

thats so nice to see so many at once i only saw 2 this year how sad to think how many there were a few years ago do any of you know other plants that would attract them?theres a buddlia that hangs over my garden but never seen a butterfly on it?

Hi Boxer ~
Above on this thread Dawnsaunt mentions Buddleja.
You're much more likely to see butterflies if you live in an area surrounded by lots of countryside.
Maybe others reading this can please suggest more plants which interest butterflies. Thanks.

Hi Guys, not meaning to show off or anything lol, but I really am amazed as we saw loads of butterflies again this year. As a rule of thumb, they say plant nectar-rich plants and you will never be without butterflies or moths, but I guess you all have those.! David Attenborough was on TV in the Summer (what Summer!) and he suggested a nettle patch in a discreet part of the garden is a "must have" as it is important for certain caterpillar species of butterflies such as the Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock. Probably that's why I get them, lol - lots of nettles here, we are rather, let's say, natural. Dawn

Wow - great photo TT. Here, we used to get loads of butterflys too - some years loads of Painted Ladies and of course the Small Tortoishells used to be the most common. This year, I saw maybe 3 or 4 on my huge buddlehja in total at any one time :-(

I'm sure it's gardeners' fault I'm afriad. 20 years ago, before the likes of groundforce showed people what they could do with their plots, not so many people were interested in gardening. Plots that were previouly patches of weeds (AKA wildflowers) were suddenly tidied up - old patches of nettles were removed etc. (I'm as much to blame as anyone). I know some people blame the use of insecticides in the countryside more - but really, I think I see more butterflys in the countryside than I do in town these days?

Sid ~
I don't totally blame the gardeners. In towns and villages there used to be lots of odd corners of wasteland etc, which had nettles and weeds. Nowadays these odd patches have all gone. With the value of land, every square metre is built on or put to use in some way, or sprayed with weed-killer by the Councils. Nowadays, it seems the only way to have lots of garden butterflies is to live in the countryside.

You're so right. There used to be wasteland down the end of this road - now it has a supermarket and huge carpark. When I was a kid, there was a large area of wasteland at the back of my gran's house - now it is a housing estate. The value of these places it seems only become aparent once they're lost :-(

There is something missing from this picture - four legs, hairy chops, waggy tail. No, can't think what it is.

John.

Hi John ~

I do have a few photos off my usual topic (lol)
e.g. there is a feathery one on an armchair.

But don't worry, I'll soon revert to type.
The hairy, waggy-tail ones are never far away.
This photo is just an errant hybrid :o)

Oh, and thanks for the 'like'
Our disappearing butterflies are a big worry,
and as the comments get longer it's harder to scroll up to 'like'. Lol.

One of the amazing sights we saw last year was of a Humming Bird Moth on our Centranthus (Red Valerian). My husband called me over to see it and we were amazed!!! It was just like a miniature Humming Bird and hovered just the same, truly remarkable. Why is it you never have your camera with you when you need it!

Humming bird moth ! Did you ever see it again?
Sounds really amazing. Was this in the evening?

Hi TT, We saw it about 3 times in total last Summer but not this year :( We saw it in the daytime, my husband remembers it was when it was hot and sunny. He's just told me that he does have a photo somewhere - will have to have a search! Not exaggerating, it was wonderful! The Centranthus wasnt a favourite plant of mine as they spread everywhere, but I let them do their own things now in the hope the moth will return.

An absolutely gorgeous photo!
This brings back many happy memories of my childhood when I used to watch the butterflies settling on the Sedums in my parents garden.
Thanks for sharing this photo T.T.

Clever Centranthus. Knew it could win you round by attracting the moth, and the it would have free rein to grow all over the place as much as it wishes :o)

That's hopeful that your husband might have a picture. No pressure. Whenver there a winter's evening that you can go on a search. :o)

Thanks, Grenville.
Comments getting out of synch. here.
I'm not calling you a clever Centranthus. Lol

Iv'e been known to change under the cover of darkness T.T, but only when theres an 'R' in the month and a full moon!

That settles it.
I'll visit your magical stumpery in May. :o)

Hope you can visit the garden some time in 2009 T.T.
You are very welcome.

Grenville, thanks.
It seems that with the changes and improvements you've made, those visitors returning for a second or third time will find different plants, ornaments and designs to delight.

I reckon Gardeners' World would enjoy another look at your garden. Something unusual would be to film the stumpery at night, with the lovely lighting ~ and they could also get some fab. footage of the wonderful water cascade.:o)

crikey i didnt even know there was a humming bird moth i should watch more discovery channels when i moved here i had every weed but nettles maybe we should all start to leave a small place for weeds and we would get more wildlife i watch gardeners world to the have been showing how to make a place for hedgehogs to hibernate a few weeks ago i saw a quite large fox in the garden i felt so sorry for it as it looked as though it couldnt get out! but went through a gap the cats have made

This is great, TT! A previous garden in a previous home used to be filled with Peacock butterflies, due, I hope, to my plant choices. I'd have to scan a whole scrapbook, though, to show it. As for my childhood, a vivid memory is running through grassland filled with Ox-eye daisies, clover, Bird's-Foot-Trefoil, and Sheep's-Bit Scabious, trapping those little perfectly blue butterflies in jam jars (although we werre always made to let them go after a short study). Where have those butterflies, not to mention the wildflowers, gone? None exist here, anymore!

Hello Boxer ~
Good comments. Have you seen Jacque's recent blog where she made a hedgehog 'hotel' in her garden? It's fun to read, with great photos.

Glad that the cats made a gap to help the fox get through!
You've made me think about nettles. I have a place where I could plant some nettles. I'll do that and see if it brings in more butterflies.

David ~
Thanks for your beautiful memories of meadows, butterflies and wild flowers. An idyllic wonderland.

And thanks to all who've visited this photo to register the fact that maybe somehow we can recreate an environment to hopefully bring back butterflies in their thousands.:o)

I've seen a hummingbird moth in my garden. Last year I spotted it on the buddleja. This year I found it visiting my Eryngium planum - I scampered off into the house to grab the camera, but alas it was gone when I returned. Maybe next time!

Sid ~
A pity you didn't get the photo, but very good news about the positive sighting of the hummingbird moth.
Better luck with the camera next year. Your Wellie Olympics training will ensure you can sprint into the house more quickly :o)

Indeed! And my Polemonium Vaulting is coming along a treat, so I will be able to leap over any obstacles in my way - laundry baskets, cats, prunings, sunbathing relatives, etc....

Sunbathing relatives ?
Do you live in Hereford or Hawaii ?? :o)

Aye, we be a hardy lot down this way!

If anyone wants a root of nettles I have plenty, lol. We are very lucky because our field is a meadow and looks a real picture in the Spring and it is hedged witih hawthorn. Sid: I was amazed at the size of ithe moth, wasnt you. I've seen a humming bird in the Caribbean and to be honest this moth was almost as big. We have a photo somewhere but need to find it, think it may be on a computer that we dont use now, or maybe its on an old mobile phone. Well it is raining, might talk my husband into searching for it.

Ther is an awesome website for viewing the hummingbird moth....some humor too... www.hummingbirdmoth.com We have them in the US as well. I took a really nice picture of one but then my computer crashed..one of the drives got corrupted..my son, the computer genius has it now and is moving all of my stored pictures to a DVD so I will have a copy of them...that was months ago but I guess he will get it done someday...I got a new computer...About a month ago, I saw another one buzzing around my tobacco tree...thought it was a really tiny hummingbird and blindly snapped a picture of it (it was pitch black outside but I could barely see the little guy in the light thrown by a distant street light) I didn't know what it was until I loaded it on the computer

Hi Skippy, when my husband saw the moth for the 1st time he really thought it was a tiny humming bird - this was on a very sunny day though, unlike when you saw your's. We're still looking for our photo - one more old computer to go .....

Dawnsaunt - yes, they are pretty big. I think it was the shape and way of moving that caught my eye the first time - just had to go over and investigate. I think it's amazing when they do their drinking nectar while on the wing thing. And they're fast too!

Ooo - Skippy - that website is a bit creepy at first, 'We Know Why You Came', (shiver...) ;-) but funny after that bit! The UK ones are like the ones with clear wings on that site. They must use so much energy to keep their wings going all the time and they manage to keep so still! Don't get real hummingbirds over here, so these are a nice alternative, tho not very common.

I'm really pleased that this photo has generated so much discussion about butterflies and moths. It will be great if next year we can all report an increased number of sightings of these :o)

Thanks Skippy ~
I've just checked out www.hummingbirdmoth.com. Amazing photos.
It sounds like there's a computer competition between you and Dawn as to who will find their moth photos first. Lol

Will you get to yours before Sid vaults the Polemonium and captures her moth on camera ?

The race is on......
Please report back here when you upload your photo. :o) Lol

<...grabs camera, runs out through the door, rugby tackles the cat, takes aim at the buddleja........realises it's November and returns to house crestfallen!>

Sid ~
Finding photos on old computers can be tricky ~
you could win the race yet...

I think I have to admit defeat :-( Went through 2 old computers last night and a couple of old mobile phones. Found lots of other pics though like Bonnie as a Baby - will be uploading some garden photos later. The funny thing is we can all remember the photo of the moth, it was in mid-flight. Why is it that you can never find the one thing you are looking for?

Dawn ~
That's a pity you can't find the moth photo, but maybe it will turn up when you're looking for another picture.

Thank you for your recent blog which is a follow-up to this photo.
Anyone interested in seeing more butterflies in our gardens, please look at Dawn's blog and add comments if you have any ideas to help butterflies and wildlife. Thanks :o)

i had a buddliea that had actually got so big it was a tree, white one, and a few years ago it was covered in peacock and red admiral butterflies when you shook a branch it was like petals falling there were so many!!! but this year i think i only saw a handful, is it global warming?

Hi Sewinqkilla, following this photo and the interest it has stirred, I've done a bit of research and you may like to read my Blog that I posted yesterday - Plant For Butterflies

Yes, please also check out Dawn's blog.
I'm glad this photo has brought back happy memories of gardens filled with butterflies.
Hopefully we can come up with more ideas to help attract the butterflies back again. :o)

That's a fine picture. I grew several Sedum\ spectabile this year but never saw a Butterfly anywhere near them. . I think any of us old enough to remember those days of Birds, Butterflies, Bees and other wild life, should count ourselves very lucky.

Poaannua ~
I'm sure you don't mind my mentioning that you are one of GoY's more senior members, so you presumably remember decades in the 1930's and 1940's when there were even more butterflies than in the above picture ?

My photo was taken less than twenty years ago. The difference has happened alarmingly quickly. Thanks for your comments.

Unfortunatelly the conclusions of several studies around the world including here in Brazil are signaling for extinction. The weather conditions,(see:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/05/060508170906.htm) has significant influence on both, the "dormancy" and the "hostage".
Brazil was famous for its art, using the wings of Callicore hydarnis and others, now the government have created a project to save the "blue butterflies.
The UFRGS (Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul), has 25 hectares of natural forest reservation where you can appreciate the blue butterflies. The school of Biology and Botany are responsible for the area.

Just for info... more than 2000 blue butterflies are destroyed to build a tea table board with about 50 cm diameter.

Aleyna ~
Thanks for all this information. I'm pleased to know that the Brazilian government has a project to save the blue butterflies.
It is so sad seeing our butterflies disappear on a global scale.

We need to teach our children about the earth needings :o)

New BBC TV series is coming.
Aleyna ~ do you get to see any BBC shows in Brazil ?

~~~This coming Wednesday ~ 19th Nov. 2008~~~
~~~WILD ABOUT YOUR GARDEN. 8.30 p.m.~~~

New series featuring Nick Knowles, Ellie Harrison
and Chris Beardshaw.

Showing how to encourage more wildlife into your garden.

Wow that sounds fab TT :) Best watch that :)

Yes, Jacque ~
This could really get gardeners all around the country thinking about butterflies and other wildlife.

I actually think that you Jacque should be on the show with your Five Star Hedgehog Hotel :o)

Hi TT, I'll make a note of 19.11.08, perfect!!

Yes, BBC will hopefully make a good job of this Wildlife show. :o)

nice to see butterflies, unfortunately we only seem to get the cabbage whites here, they seem to be flourishing

Maybe the new BBC TV show will tell you how to replace your Cabbage Whites with other more colourful butterflies. :o)

This mid-November morning is quite warm and there is a clear blue sky. In my front garden the purple-coloured hebe is still in full bloom, on which I saw a huge happy bee and a Red Admiral butterfly basking in the sunshine, along with lots of smaller buzzy things. Looks like hebe is another good choice to attract the bees and butterflies. In that sunny part of the garden, it seems more like a summer's day :o)

Hi TT the Temp 13.5 here 2day when The Sun was Shinning that is :) Iv also made a note of the New BBC Show TT ,Im off 4 the wked now Hope U ,Bonsia&Conker r well xxx

Jacque ~
enjoy your weekend.
I hope it stays sunny for you and the butterflies, the birds and the bees. xxx :o)

Wow... ,what an amazing sight to see ! Hopefully on day soon you will have a repeat performance. I'm still waiting for my first time....LOL.

Flcrazy ~
It's difficult to describe how these butterflies would flock in such numbers that you could not see the plants underneath. It was such a familiar sight every autumn. We didn't realize just how amazing this was till it didn't happen any more. I hope we can tempt more beautiful butterflies back to our gardens. :o)

wow..that's like butterfly speed dating....may be they have settled down?

Just about everyone on GoY is planting shrubs to attract butterflies, so we're doing our best to bring back as many butterflies as possible !

wow....so many butterflies and all in one spot.

Hi Sue ~
I've planted many sedums in my garden, to attract lots of butterflies. Last year's wet summer didn't help ! Let's hope for better luck this year :o)

Please see my blog # 4. about gardening/growing theme shows on TV for programme on Friday 20th Feb. 09. :o)

TT, your pic is absolutely brilliant....butterflies are beautiful little creatures arent they...this year im going to give a bit more thought into plants that will attract them...

Hi Motinot ~
Let's hope 2009 is a good year for butterflies.
I have quite a number of sedum plants in my garden which I hope will attract them....

Get to the bottom of the queue Indy! how did I miss this one , stunning TT adding to my faves now!

Thanks, Indy.....
Butterflies on Sedum make such a wonderful combination don't they.... :o)

Thats why I grow it TT but this year there were almost no takers for it , lots of bumbles and stunningly coloured flies but very few flutterbys, I'm a tad worried by it to tell the truth, and deeply saddened by their loss, there were a bunch of red admirals on the buddlia earlier in the year but they all dissapeared before the sedum was out properly!!!! :~(

Yes... we need more butterflies...!!!
Part of the reason I asked for one of my GoYpedia pages to be Sedums, is that I can get an idea in which areas of Britain Sedums seem to attract the most butterflies... I still hope to add lots more photos and blogs to that GoYpedia category..

Will bear it in mind for next year sweetie and i'll trawl my old snaps for you to when I have the time, must have some somewhere!

Wow! Time really does bring on changes. I've seen several butterflies flittering about but not all attending the same bush at the same time. This is a lovely sight, TT.

Hi Gardengnome...
Some parts of Britain still get lots of butterflies, but there are other areas where less and less are seen, despite gardens being planted which include flowers especially to attract butterflies... Let's hope the butterflies multiply ! :o)

That's too bad. I'll cross fingers, eyes and teeth that they do just that. I haven't noticed a lack here, at least not yet.

Which of your flowers do the butterflies seem to prefer?

Hands down the Mexican sunflower. Wherever it is in bloom it always has an abundance of butterflies flitting to and around it.

Is the Mexican sunflower different to "normal" sunflower?
Is it on your GoY pics ?

Yes it is. Check out page one of my photos for an example.

Thanks. I found it :o)