Peacock

The Peacock hibernates during the winter months, normally being found hanging from walls and roofs in old buildings, out-houses, barns and log sheds etc.

This Peacock was found hibernating on the back of a piece of discarded ply.

They emerge in the spring, normally in March [both male and female are alike] but, can be seen earlier. I once found one flying on a warm day in January in a sheltered area of a field. In early spring you can quite often find them nectaring on the flowers of Sallow along with other species of butterflies that have also emerged from a long winters sleep, i.e Brimstones, Small Tortoiseshells etc.

Peacock on Sallow flowers in late March.

Once copulation has taken place the females lay their eggs in large clusters on the underside of Common Nettle leaves in a sunny position.

Peacock sunning itself on Common Nettle where they lay their eggs
on the underside of the leaves.

The butterflies from these eggs start to emerge about the middle of July. They will continuously feed themselves on the local flowers building up their fat reserves to last them through their long winter hibernation.

Peacock showing the undersides of it's wings, feeding on Bramble
flowers on the 18th July

Peacock nectaring on Fleabane, building-up it's fat reserves for the long
 hibernation over the winter months.