Breaking records despite cloudy skies

2/8/2025

GH, LN and BG set out for this week’s transect under muggy, overcast skies – conditions that eventually gave way to bursts of hot sunshine. While the overall count of 436 butterflies was lower than the bumper totals of recent weeks, it still stands well above the average for late July.
Species diversity remained largely unchanged from last week, although numbers were down across the board – perhaps a sign that some of our summer stalwarts are beginning to wane. Still, there’s plenty to celebrate: with 5,809 butterflies recorded so far in this 2025 season (up to week 18 of 26), we’ve officially surpassed the brilliant benchmark set in 2019 (5,783 butterflies) – and we still have weeks to go.
Who knows what surprises August will bring?

Count details:
172 Meadow Brown
137 Gatekeeper
46 Common Blue
19 Small Heath
16 Small White
13 Large White
9 Purple Hairstreak
6 Chalkhill Blue
5 Speckled Wood
4 Silver-washed Fritillary
2 Brown Argus
1 Comma
1 Dingy Skipper
1 Holly Blue
1 Red Admiral
1 Ringlet
1 Small Copper
1 Small/Essex Skipper
Summary: 436 butterflies from 18 species.
For more info on these species visit
butterfly-conservation.org

Out there this week

Small White (Pieris rapae) – more than just a garden guest.

Sometimes called the ‘Cabbage White’, this butterfly is a common sight in gardens and allotments, where its caterpillars feed on cabbages, kale, and other brassicas.
Although often mistaken for the Large White (pictured right), the Small White has subtler wing markings and is more delicate in flight – think of it as the stealthier sibling.
It’s one of the most successful butterfly species globally, found from Europe and Asia to North America and Australasia, thanks to its adaptability and global appetite for leafy greens.