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GH, GK and BG walked transect 26, the final one for 2022, on Sunday afternoon. It was good to have GK back in the team after a few weeks' absence. The forecast sunny weather didn't quite materialise and we had to make do with a hazy sun trying to penetrate varying amounts of high cloud – pretty much the same as we've had for several recent transect walks. The autumn decline continues and our butterfly sightings were similar to those reported over the past few weeks. We recorded 5 Meadow Brown, and 1 Brown Argus,, 1 Common Blue and 1 Speckled Wood. This was the poorest year for butterfly numbers since we started recording back in 2016. The spring figures were on the poor side of average and then the severe summer drought made the situation worse as the butterflies' food plants died in the extreme heat. There's a possibility that, with the plants being drought-distressed, this year's caterpillars may not have been able to find the food plants they rely on to build themselves up for over-winter pupation, resulting in fewer butterflies in 2023. We'll find out in 6 months' time when we start the next transect season. Survey by Graham H, Graham K and Brian Gardner submitted to Butterfly Conservation (UKBMS). Report by Brian Gardner. Pics by Graham K and Brian G. Click pics to enlarge.  Transect section 1, the recently mown Hither Field -GK  The transectuals (Graham H & Treacle, Graham K and Brian G) in section 7, Hill Wood Field -GK
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The sky was cloudy and unpromising as GH and BG began the first four sections of Wednesday morning's penultimate transect but, as we entered Fames Rough, the sun appeared, raising the temperature nicely for the remainder of our walk. As anticipated, this week's count was lower than last week's despite the ideal conditions – we recorded a total of 11 butterflies from 4 species (4 Meadow Brown, 3 Brown Argus, 3 Common Blue and brief glimpse of our only Brown Hairstreak of the season). Next week marks the end of the transect season. In section 8 and 9 (Hill Wood Field and Barn Field) we were treated to a 'Raptor Fest' that began with a good view of pair of red kites circling over HWF and then, in BF, we looked up to see a Hobby, 2 Sparrowhawks and a Buzzard, all in view at the same time. Among these was another hobby-shaped bird, but larger, that BG suggested might even have been a peregrine – GH said he wasn't able to confirm this with such a brief sighting. GH suspected that all of these birds of prey may have been drawn in to feed on flying insects disturbed by the extensive grass mowing taking place in the Chipstead Valley fields. Survey by Graham H and Brian Gardner submitted to Butterfly Conservation (UKBMS). Report and pics by Brian Gardner. Click pics to enlarge.  Brown Argus, Fames Rough  Can anyone identify this mushroom found by the line of beeches between Fames Rough and Harholt Plantation?
Survey by Brian Gardner
submitted to Butterfly Conservation (UKBMS). Report and pics by Brian Gardner. Click 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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