African & Mediterrenean Butterfly Species Appearing In Austria - In January - Reuters

[hatrack]

VIENNA - Unusually warm temperatures are bringing African and Mediterranean butterflies to the Austrian Alps, one of Western Europe's coldest regions.

As almond trees and primroses burst into bloom in the valleys in what should be deep winter, migratory butterflies such as the Admiral, which would normally spend the winter in the warmer Mediterranean area, have been spotted in the Alps.
"We have seen some very unusual species and ... we are talking about species that shouldn't even be able to survive the winter here, which is what surprises us," said Peter Huemer, biologist at the Tyrolean State Museum. "The frost should have killed all these animals."

Around 4,000 species of butterflies live in Austria, but recent years have seen more exotic species join their number -- such as an African moth that was spotted on a Tyrolean mountain in late summer and now has a good chance of multiplying in the region, according to experts.

"I saw an Admiral on my balcony on Jan. 10," said Heinz Habeler, a self-taught butterfly expert who has built up a database of local species in the Alpine region.

EDIT

http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/39969/story.htm

[Kerrytravelers]

1. But, no, any climate change and global changes are just a liberal lie.

:eyes: