Another warm transect

We had fine butterfly-spotting weather for Wednesday morning's transect. With the end of the season drawing near (only six weeks of transects remaining), this week's count may indicate the start of the final decline of butterfly numbers. However,  Meadow Browns are still holding up quite well and the Chalk Hill and Common Blues, Brown Argus and Brimstones were out in good numbers too, but the Ringlets, Small Heaths and Marbled Whites seem to have finished. We were able to get good (if distant views) of the Purple Hairstreaks in the Hill Wood Field oaks.
 
Count details:
151 Meadow Brown
  29 Gatekeeper
  21 Common Blue
  20 Chalk Hill Blue
  18 Brimstone
  10 Brown Argus
    7 Small White
    5 Peacock
    5 Purple Hairstreak
    4 Small Copper
    3 Silver-washed Fritillary
    2 Speckled Wood
    2 Small/Essex Skipper (1 confirmed Essex)
    1 Large Skipper
    1 Holly Blue
    1 Red Admiral
 Click on butterfly names for more info.
Total: 280 butterflies from 16 species.

Small Copper on Marjoram

Horizontally Feeding Common Blue

Purple Hairstreak

​Survey by Brian Gardner, Graham H and Duncan Jennings submitted to Butterfly Conservation (UKBMS). 
​Report and pics by Brian Gardner.
​Click on pics to enlarge.

Silver-washed Fritillary on Wild Parsnip