Brown Hairstreaks make the day

7/9/2020

When we started the conditions were borderline suitability: cool, cloudy and breezy and we saw only a Meadow Brown in Section 1. Fortunately, after that the weather improved sufficiently for butterflies to be up and about and from Section 2 onwards we recorded a reasonable, if reduced count. Meadow Browns were still the most numerous, with 27 seen. The second highest score was for Small Whites, 7 seen. The highlight of the morning was the sighting of 2 or maybe 3 Brown Hairstreaks flying along the line of oaks in Section 7 (Hill Wood Field) where we see Purple Hairstreaks in July most years.

Here's what we saw:
27 Meadow Brown
7 Small White
4 Small Heath
3 Large White
2 Brown Hairstreak
1 Brown Argus
1 Chalkhill Blue
1 Common Blue
1 Red Admiral
1 Small Copper
Total: 48 from 10 species.
Click on butterfly names for more info.

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