Best day so far

2/6/2023

At last, we had a good day (Tuesday) for our transect, giving us our best count this year. The weather was sunny and warm for more than half of our walk around but still with a cooling NE breeze away from shelter.

South-facing Coneyboro Hill (section 2) and Fames Rough (sections 3 & 4) were the most exposed to the strengthening sun and it was in these three sections once again that we saw the greatest number of butterflies. We saw our first Brown Argus, Green Hairstreaks, Grizzled Skipper and Small Heaths of this season,

There is no sign, as yet, of our established Kidney Vetch coming through on the northern side of Hither Field's path, and the small scrape south of the path where the more recently sown vetch was previously doing quite well was rolled on and shredded by the cattle that were in the field recently, leaving only a few surviving plants. It's hoped that the better weather will encourage the Vetch to perk up in order to feed the Small Blue butterfly caterpillars. Small Blues are reported as being sighted around Stagbury Lagoon where the Vetch is doing extremely well and even flowering.

Count details:
20 Brimstone
15 Common Blue
14 Dingy Skipper
10 Small Heath
4 Green Hairstreak
3 Holly Blue
3 Small White
1 Brown Argus
1 Grizzled Skipper
1 Orange Tip
1 Red Admiral
1 Small Copper
1 Speckled Wood

Summary:
75 Butterflies from 13 species.
Click on butterfly names for more info.

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