GH and BG walked this week's butterfly transect on Friday in warm, calm mid-September weather. 
 
Despite the fine conditions, the end of season die-back in butterfly numbers was soon noticeable. Most of the butterflies in the day's count were seen between Hither Field, Coneyboro Hill and Fames Rough, with only a handful recorded in the other eight sections. 41 Meadow Browns, 12 Brown Argus and 10 Small Heaths made up the majority of our count. The day's total was 73 from 8 species, which is approximately half of last week's number, however 73 is still comparatively high number for so late in the season.

Count details:
111 Meadow Brown 
  51 Brown Argus
  31 Small Heath
    6 Speckled Wood
    4 Small White
     1 Green-veined White
    3 Common Blue
    2 Small Copper
    1 Chalkhill Blue
    1 Gatekeeper
    1 Red Admiral
Click on butterfly names for more info.

Count details:
120 Meadow Brown
  59 Brown Argus
  31 Common Blue
  13 Gatekeeper
  13 Small Heath
    7 Brimstone
    5 Chalkhill Blue
    4 Small Copper
    3 Small White
    2 Holly Blue 
    2 Red Admiral
    2 Purple Hairstreak
    1 Silver-washed Fritillary 
 Summary:
262 butterflies from 13 species.

Our regular butterfly counting team of GH, GK and BG were once again joined by Liz North for Transect no. 19 on Wenesday morning. Conditions were ideal for seeing butterflies: sunny, warm with just a slight breeze, and we were not disappointed. We recorded a total of 488 butterflies, the third highest week's count of what is proving to be the best season for several years, and there are still seven weeks before the end of the 2023 counting season – let's hope the weather holds up,
 
With 278 counted, the Meadow Browns once again provided the highest numbers, as they always do over the high summer days. Gatekeeper numbers dipped slightly to 50 while the second broods of Common Blue and Brown Argus rocketed from single figure over previous weeks to 43 (CBs) and 46(BAs) – both of these figures are the best for several years for these two species. Three weeks later than usual, we saw our first Chalkhill Blues (6) at the Horseshoe Vetch patch on Gt Parsons Field (Section 11) .  Once again, Purple Hairstreaks (4) were flying high in the oak and ash trees that front on to Hill Wood Field (section 7).
 We saw butterflies on most of the transect's twelve sections but it is interesting to note that the two sections of Fames Rough (sections 3 and 4) were where we saw the greatest numbers. Is this the result of the on-going removal of scrub?

The changeable weather has an effect on our butterfly surveys. The two Grahams began Transect 17 beneath an ominously darkening sky that did not bode well. But by the time we reached section 2 (Coneyboro Hill) the sun was blazing again, with conditions continuing to change throughout the walk.
Our counts this week featured fewer numbers and a larger variety of species. Gatekeepers continued their rise while Marbled Whites declined, with Meadow Brown still prominent in the high period of their flight weeks. Although Chalkhill Blues are scheduled to be out and about just now, they failed to put in an appearance in their usual patch on Stagbury Field.

​Survey by Graham H and Graham K
​submitted to Butterfly Conservation (UKBMS).  ​
​Report and ​pics by Graham K
 ​​Click pics to enlarge.

Count details:
176 Meadow Brown
   99 Gatekeeper
    14 Marbled White
    14 Peacock
    14 Brimstone
    11 Large White
    10 Small White
    10 Silver-washed Fritillary 
      7 Common Blue
      6 Holly Blue ​
      6 Brown Argus
      4 Ringlet
      3 Small/Essex Skipper
      3 Red Admiral
      3 Comma
      2 Small Copper
      1 Dark Green Fritillary
Summary:
383 Butterflies from 17 species.
Click on butterfly names for more info.

Last Thursday's transect was walked by the two Grahams (H and K), on a mainly sunny day, starting near the Ramblers Rest. 
Once again, we recorded a substantial tally of Meadow Browns right across the transect, with the largest numbers in Hither Field and Fames Rough.
Fewer Marbled Whites were seen this week. They were outnumbered by a surge of Gatekeepers, particularly in section 1 (Hither Field) and section 7 (Hill Wood Field). The latter also provided the high spot of the day with three of the elusive Purple Hairstreaks appearing beside the oak-lined path.

Survey by Graham H and Graham K
​submitted to Butterfly Conservation (UKBMS).  ​
​Report and ​pics by Graham K
 ​​Click pics to enlarge.

Count details:
286 Meadow Brown
  70 Gatekeeper
  45 Marbled White
  22 Brimstone
  13 Small/Essex Skipper
   9 Small White
   9 Silver-washed Fritillary     
   7 Large White
​   4 Red Admiral
   4 Peacock
   4 Small Heath
   3 Purple Hairstreak
    2 Common Blue
    2 Comma
Summary:
480 Butterflies from 14 species.
Click on butterfly names for more info.