Butterflies are some of the most beautiful creatures on earth, which makes watching them a pleasure. Later this month, it will be National Learn about Butterflies Day, so now is the ideal time to get started. Here are some common UK varieties to look out for in your garden.
Painted Lady
This butterfly is not native to the UK. It visits here from Africa, although the numbers vary from year to year. 2008 was a particularly auspicious year for the Painted Lady, as roughly 11 million hit British shores. You can spot them by their orange wings with black patterning.
Painted Ladies prefer wide open spaces, so you may have to venture beyond the garden to spot one.
Common Blue
As its name suggests, the Common Blue is the butterfly most frequently seen in this country. All you need to do to spot one is relax on your Supremo Barcelona garden furniture on a nice summer’s day. Given how common they are, you will have a great chance of catching a glimpse of one.
If it is completely blue, it is male. The females can be anything from mostly blue to brown.
Marbled White
This butterfly used to be confined to southern parts of the country, but not anymore. The species is now quite often seen across the north too, and they have a fondness for flowers that are purple.
If you have any blooms of that hue in your garden, keep an eye out. This type of butterfly has white and black wings.
Why not try keeping an eye out for butterflies this spring as a change from bird watching?
