No, I'm actually seeing fewer than usual around here. Normally at this time of year my pentas and lantanas are covered with butterfiles fighting for a place, but I'm seeing one or two at a time at most. I envy you.

I have Sulphurs, Monarchs with the highest numbers. I have already seen Spicebush Swallowtails, Giant Swallowtails, Polydamas, Gulf Frits, and even one Zebra Longwing. Saw my first White Peacock today.

It is early for some species for me. Some overwinter in their chrysalis stage (like Polydamas) so I am not surprised to see them with the warm weather we have had.

Hoping to see Eastern blacks this year. There were none in my yard using the dill, parlsey and fennel last year.
Only saw a couple Zebra Longwings and that was late in the season.

There are more butterflies around my property than any February or early March ever! I have Giant Swallowtails, Spicebush, Sulphurs, Monarchs, Polydamas, Fitillaries and lots of skippers. I had Zebra Longwings until the beginning of February, but haven't seen one since.

It is clearly the warm winter that has allowed them to stay and hatch. It's been great.

Also, two hummingbirds never left and another one, a Rufous joined the other two in early January. They are all still here and the spring migration will be bringing more shortly.

The purple martins returned about ten days ago also.

It's been a great winter and promises to be an even better spring.

I am also seeing Spicebush and Polydamas ST's, Gulf Frits and Skippers but no Zebra Longwings or White Peacocks. I never saw a single Zebra Longwing or Peacock last year so I am keeping my fingers crossed for this year. No sign of a hummer yet!

I am so glad that others of you are seeing more butterflies. I hope they arrive with you soon, writersblock.

I'm seeing more this February than in years past, too, it must be the early Spring we're having. I have no idea what they are getting their nectar from, though - no flowers to speak of except for the Coral Honeysuckle and the Bottle Brush trees, but nothing much wild is blooming. Don't know if they are attracted to the Walter's Viburnum, which has been in bloom for a month now.

I'm seeing a few butterflies. I also had a couple of Monarch (or Viceroy?) chrysalis open.

Anyone know what butterfly or moth this is. The bfly isn't too big--sorry the photo isn't better.
Marcia

It looks like either a Duskywing or a Cloudywing species.
Yours looks more black than brown but I'm sure its in one or the other. Both are in the Skipper family.

Thank you for your help with the ID. This is the first one I've seen of this type.
Marcia

I have had an unusual large amounts of swallows for this time of year.....They are taking nectar off the Azaleas of all things.....I never remember Azaleas being appitizing before? Only a few Monarchs have been faithful nonstop....Mainly because the milkweed has been unaffected through the winter...

I seem to have just a few Monarchs, lots of cats on the milkweed, but it doesn't seem to add to the number.. haven't seen anything else but Monarchs.... and i have milkweed and fennel and pentas all over my small-patch, and other goodies they are supposed to like.... wonder what the problem is, it's a no-spray garden.there must be something taking the cats that I'm missing......sally

We have several pairs of cardinals around here that work hard eating all the cats! I love to see the birds but hate to see them wiping out the future butterfly population!

I have been working outside all day today and was amazed by the numbers and variety of butterflies.

Maybe that's it ! I have cardinals and they are around the garden, also blue-jays, I'll have to watch more closely... thanks, sally

I have been seeing tons just this last week. I went to a nursery the other day that is nearby and they had a row of bottle brush trees and the whole row of trees was loaded down with butterflies and big bumble bees trying to get to the 'brushes'. Its nice because I hardly saw any butterflies last year.