Tag Archives: Red Admiral

A dark brown, black and reddish butterfly with black and white markings on a yellow daffodil.

Red Admiral. Photo: Kevin Denham

This is the joint second butterfly photo sent in for the 2026 photo Gallery – taken by Kevin Denham and sent in telling us:

The first butterfly of the year in my garden at Conygar near Broadmayne this afternoon, 24/02/2026. Buff-tailed bumblebee queens were out nectaring on the snowdrops too. It has been a long wait for any signs of Spring!

A dark brown, black and reddish orange butterfly with black and white markings

Red Admiral. Photo: Lynda Lambert

Our first butterfly photo for the Gallery in 2026 sent in by Lynda Lambert telling us:

I decided on a visit to Compton Acres on the one lovely day last week, 04/02/2026 and was delighted to spot just one Red Admiral enjoying the many Wattle shrubs which lit up the gardens.

A dark brown, black and reddish orange butterfly with black and white markings.

Red Admiral. Photo: Mark Hardaker

Mark sent in this photo telling us:

Arthur Bryant and I were walking around the Wimborne St. Giles transect on Wednesday, 03/12/2025 to check it out before winter when a few rays of sunshine brought out a beautiful Red Admiral basking in the warmth. The temperature was only 12C so she must have been a little chilly.

A dark brown, black and reddish butterfly with black and white markings on red Rose Hips

Red Admiral. Photo: Jane Hopper

Jane sent in this photo telling us:

I was pleasantly surprised to see this glorious Red Admiral feeding on the rose hips this morning, 21/11/2025, in our Chalmington garden when there was still lots of frost on the ground.  Like me it seems to be enjoying the sunshine!

A dark brown and orange butterfly with black and white markings on a green leaf.

Red Admiral. Photo: Kevin Denham

Kevin sent in this photo telling us:

The bright sunshine today, 25/10/2025 encouraged this Red Admiral to spend a considerable amount of time basking in my garden near Broadmayne which is sheltered from the rather chilly north wind. With so few butterflies now on the wing it is always cheering to see this colourful visitor. 

A red butterfly with black, white and blue markings on a pink flower

Peacock. Photo: Stewart Balmain

A blackish/dark brown and orange butterfly with black and white markings

Red Admiral. Photo: Stewart Balmain

Two photos from Stewart taken in his Bourton garden on 21/09/2025 and sent in saying:

At last a Red Admiral on the windfall apples that stayed long enough to give me a shot. Quite common in July, there are now only a couple in the garden and they seem to favour the windfall’s with the Peacocks going for flowers.

A dark brown and orange butterfly with black and white markings

Red Admiral. Photo: Mark Pike

A brown and part orange butterfly with black and white markings

Red Admiral. Photo: Mark Pike

Mark sent in these two photos telling us:

This is just a couple of the 6 fresh Red Admirals seen feeding on Ivy in Sherborne Castle grounds today, 21/09/2025.  Also saw a Small Tortoiseshell actually INSIDE the new Castle but no photography allowed!

A dark brown/blackish butterfly with reddish/orange and black and white markings on a pink Buddleia flower

Red Admiral. Photo: Stewart Balmain

Stewart sent in this photo of a Red Admiral he saw in his Bourton garden on 27/07/2025 telling us:

They are very common in my garden at present. I got 24 of them on the count yesterday and a total of 107 of all types.