Winter wildlife’s colourful surprise
IT might seem a bit cold and damp at the moment but butterflies and dragonflies are still flying in this mild start to winter.
I was surprised to hear, from our passionate mosslands birding legend, Dave Steel, that he had recorded a number of meetings with peacock butterflies and common darter dragonflies on the mosses in Salford.
Dave tells me: “Common darters often ‘flight’ into November and the peacock butterfly can also be found this late but not as commonly as the darters.
“The temperature this November did soar to suit them.”
Try telling that to my partner Julie, who says the last few weeks have been ‘freezing!’
She’s a Geordie so I am a little shocked to see her wrapped in blankets while I am still wearing my shorts.
However, out on the mosses there is a bit of a different climate than in our cold house.
It has been a mild autumn, with not many freezes to put off our flying insects.
The common darter is a red, narrow-bodied dragonfly that is usually seen hovering over water, looking to surprise smaller insects.
It can dart really quickly, giving its prey no chance of escape.
While the water remains unfrozen and small insects are still in the air, these dragonflies will be active.
Common darters can be seen in December in really mild winters.
Male common darters are bright red and females a golden brown, so they are easy to identify, particularly this late in the year.
They have long, thin bodies and huge eyes, with wings sticking out at right angles.
When at rest, those wings will be angled towards the sun, which even feels warm in
December this year.
The peacock is one of our most common and beautiful butterflies, with its big, blue eyes – which look like a peacock bird’s tail feathers - on its red wings.
When alarmed, the peacock makes a hissing noise by rubbing its wings quickly together and, along with its eyespots, it becomes a scary prospect for would-be predators.
As long as there are flowers to feed on and it is fairly warm, the peacock will be around.
As I look out into our garden, I see plenty of flowers still showing and adding late colour and a bit of food for our insects.
The warm autumn is another reason why bird tables have been ignored a little bit by your local birds, but don’t despair, they will be back when the temperatures drop and food becomes scarce.
So keep those tables stocked.
And while it’s mild, put on a raincoat and make the most of the amazing walks where you live.
You never know, you may come across a colourful character like a dragonfly or a butterfly.