Brimstone records are fluttering in
Judith Garforth, 25/02/2019
Brimstone butterflies overwinter as adults and awaken in the spring when temperatures warm up. We want to know when brimstone butterflies 'wake up' near you, so let us know the date that you first see a brimstone butterfly this spring.
We received our first record of brimstone butterfly this spring on the 12th February in Somerset. Since then records have been fluttering in. We've since received just over 200 records from around the UK and as far north as Lancashire and North Lincolnshire.
In both 2017 and 2018 we had four records of individual brimstones outside before February 12th. The vast majority of 2017 and 2018 observations were between March 9th and April 9th however, so keep you eye out for your first brimstone sighting over the next month.
It's these early spring sightings that we're looking for, because sightings of brimstone butterflies made after the end of May are likely to be the offspring of the overwintering butterflies.
You can see if records have been spotted in your area on our live maps.
