The number of red admirals in Britain soared over the summer despite the soggy conditions, according to conservationists who said public sightings of the butterflies had risen to their highest since 2010. Other common butterflies also fared well over the summer, with sightings of commas rising 90% and small coppers up 62% on 2016. Several species were seen far less than last year, with all three of the UK’s common white butterfly species down. While red admirals are now a common sight in British gardens, the butterflies were strictly summer visitors a few decades ago. The butterflies still migrate, but many now overwinter in Britain, making red admirals the most commonly seen butterfly in the winter months.

Source: The Guardian September 24, 2017 22:52 UTC