My project of raising and releasing butterflies in the garden at Hidcote has reached its end now, as the summer season draws to a close. I’m perhaps somewhat disappointed that the excitement is all over, and can’t help but ponder over how ‘my’ butterflies have progressed out there in the jolly rough world of birds and other toe-rags that should frankly stick to eating seeds and slugs!
Overall I released about 19 native butterflies into the garden, including this Comma above who is seen just after emerging from pupation. It has been gloriously good fun getting up close to these beautiful chaps, and revelling in the marvel that is metamorphosis! Fortunately some good feedback has been received from visitors and staff so we will be going for this again next year over the full duration of the summer. Combining with a moth trap and nectar-rich plantings down at the Bee Garden, it should be an interesting year for influencing and recording insect activity around the garden!
