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This sunny, dry but windy April has provided temperatures that occasionally lifted above those favoured by butterflies and we have been lucky to being able to walk three of the first four transects in reasonably suitable conditions. GH, GK and BG did this season's fourth transect on Sunday afternoon, once again starting the circuit at Section 10. Despite the warmer temperature, there was a strong NE breeze and, except for one Brimstone seen in each of Sections 8 and 11, the day's focus for counting was entirely in the more sheltered Fames Rough and Harholt Plantation (Sections 2 to 5). As for the previous two transects, it was the Brimstones and Peacocks that were out in the highest numbers, along with Commas and Orange Tips but we also recorded our first Dingy Skippers on Coneyboro and Fames Rough, plus a single Holly Blue.
Survey by Brian Gardner, Graham H and Graham K submitted to Butterfly Conservation (UKBMS). Report by Brian Gardner. Pics by Graham K. Click on pics to enlarge.  A stream of Bluebells, Hill Wood Field
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The Easter weekend was warm and sunny and so we (GH, GK & BG) decided to do the transect on Sunday afternoon. Anticipating that the Ramblers Rest car park would be jammed with the cars of lunchtime diners, we parked in the also crowded Holly Lane car park and joined the transect route at Stagbury Field (Section 10). Peacocks were enjoying the fine weather around most of our route with singles on the more exposed easterly facing fields and 12 counted in the sheltered Fames Rough. Last week we recorded an equal number of Peacocks and Brimstones, but for this week's count the Brimstones were less evident. We also saw our first Comma and Orange Tips of the new season.
Survey by Brian Gardner, Graham H and Graham K. Report by Brian Gardner. Pics by Graham K. Click on pics to enlarge.  "What's your angle?" Last week's cool weather was thought unsuitable for butterflies and we gave the first transect of the 2022 season a miss. The forecast for week 2 was not very encouraging either, with the exception of Monday, which offered borderline temperatures with a mix of sun and cloud but also strong winds. We decided to give it a try. At the start of our transect circuit at Hither Field (Section 1) it was sunny but with a strong headwind which persisted across Coneyboro Hill (Section 2) – recently cleared of much of the scrub by Surrey Wildlife Trust. Dropping down into the normally sheltered Fames Rough (Sections 3 & 4), the wind was still noticeable and we saw Brimstones hurrying by and Peacocks flitting about and sunning themselves on the sun-warmed paths. We also had a fly-by from a Red Admiral. Leaving Fames Rough we saw another couple of Brimstones in the wooded section (5) between Fames and Harholt Plantation (Section 6). On Hill Wood Field (Section 7) there was a single Peacock. Barn Field and Great Parsons Field (Sections 8 to 12) were open to the wind and largely shaded – we counted no butterflies there.
PS. While unlocking the gate to Coneyboro we found a Common Lizard by the gate-post (see pic). In Fames Rough we also spotted an Orange Underwing Moth (see pic). Survey by Brian Gardner, Graham H and Graham K submitted to Butterfly Conservation (UKBMS). Report by Brian Gardner. Pics by Graham K. Click on pics to enlarge. |
The TransectualsHere you'll find details and pictures from the team carrying out our regular butterfly surveys (known as transects) over 26 weeks during Spring and Summer. Archives
September 2023
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