A White Admiral visits

16/6/2020

The weather for this week’s butterfly count was a repeat of last week’s. After a fine start, it clouded over by the time we started Section 4 (the second part of Fames Rough).
Despite the encroachment of thorny scrub (previously reported), Fames Rough remains the high point of every week’s transect – it rarely disappoints. It was where we saw most of this week’s butterflies, notably Meadow Browns (57) and Marbled Whites (32) and when we stepped off the transect route into the shade for a tea-break we were visited by a White Admiral – the first we’ve seen in four years of counting for the BCT (and certainly the first I’ve seen). It glided in and settled in a sunny spot on the ground, posing while we took our photos, took off, circled a few times and then returned for more sunbathing before its final departure.
We checked for the Small Blues but they were once again absent, as were their Common cousins.
Report from Brian G.

Here's this week's count:
57 Meadow Brown
32 Marbled White
9 Small Heath
7 Small/Essex Skipper
5 Large Skipper
4 Dark Green Fritillary
3 Ringlet
3 Small Tortoiseshell
2 Brimstone
1 Small Copper
1 Small White
1 Large White
1 Comma

Total: 126 from 13 species.
Click on butterfly names for more info.

Survey by Graham H, Graham K, Brian Gardner and Roger Vye
submitted to Butterfly Conservation (UKBMS).
Pics by Graham K.
Click on pics to enlarge.