During January, many butterfly species over winter as eggs, larvae or pupae with only a few species over wintering as adult butterflies. Of these, most hibernate in tree hollows, sheds, outhouses, barns and houses. Only on clear sunny days with temperatures above 10° are you likely to get the rare chance to encounter a butterfly.

Its a risky strategy... if the temperature falls quickly, individuals which have become active may die unless they find warmth and shelter.

As the effects of global warming increase, so have the number of winter butterfly sightings with more records occurring over the last 5 years.