Early warmth boosts numbers

At twenty-one degrees, the weather for Transect 2 was only three degrees warmer than it was on the previous Friday's butterfly count, but that slight rise in warmth (plus the extra few days) made a massive difference to our count. 
 
GK and BG recorded 29 Brimstone, unusually seen in all 12 transect sections (this is only achieved occasionally by Meadow Browns at the height of the summer). We also saw 11 Peacock (in five sections) and 3 Orange Tip (the first we've counted this year). The overall total was 43 butterflies.  
 
Although Fames Rough is in the process of recovering from disturbance during recent scrub clearing, its warm south-facing slope attracted 15 butterflies. It's hoped that, as the season continues and more flowers emerge, FR will hold its place as the best of our sections for the numbers of species and number of individual butterflies seen.

Peacock, Fames Rough

Survey by Graham K and Brian Gardner submitted to Butterfly Conservation (UKBMS).  ​
​Report by Brian Gardner. ​Pic by Graham Kenward.