We had our first swallowtail butterfly emerge on Friday afternoon! What fitting start to our 40th birthday celebration weekend.
They have emerged a little later than usual this year, as I pointed out in my last blog. However it looks as if the time is right for them now, we just need some sunny spells for more to emerge.
The best chance of seeing the swallowtails is on a hot calm day, preferably over 20 degrees and as much full sun as possible. The best areas to view the butterflies emerging will be around the fen boardwalk, where their foodplant; milk parsley thrives. Other top locations are the nectar garden, Lackford Run and they do get seen frequently from Fen Hide too. Essentially they will be looking for nectar so if you find a good nectar source in a sheltered, sunny, warm place its worth spending a few minutes there.
Hopefully we will get some warm sunny days soon and all will be rewarded with these spectacular butterflies.