The NatureSpot Photo of the Month for September 2023 is this image of a Red Admiral, taken by NatureSpot contributor Marian Markham. Read more...

Want some good news about nature? Butterfly Conservation says that overall there have been more butterflies this year than in the previous four summers. In the Big Butterfly Count 2023, the most-recorded species was the Red Admiral, Vanessa atalanta, the first time the species has taken the top-spot. The Red Admirals seen in Britain are often migrants from continental Europe and North Africa, arriving in the UK each spring and summer, where the females lay eggs. Butterfly experts say it appears many more are staying in England over the winter months, leading to more sightings this year. Overall climate change has been bad for insects, but not, so far, for the Red Admiral. Marian's photo beautifully captures this species feeding on autumn fruit. 

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