Fewer flying

With two of the transect team elsewhere, BG was on his own for this week's transect , walked on Tuesday morning when the forecast was for a few hours of settled weather. It actually turned out to be a fairly reasonable day, despite a persistent breeze.
 
Starting the transect once again at Section 11 (Stagbury Field), where there were Chalkhill Blues in recent weeks, there was only one male Common Blue, bright blue and in pristine condition. Four more CBs, all females, were recorded in Fames Rough (Sections 3 & 4).
 
Meadow Browns are also surviving mainly in Fames Rough (five) and Barn Field (four) and with three singletons seen in Hither Field (Section 1), Harholt Plantation (Section 6) and Great Parsons Field (Section 9).
 
Two Small Heaths were in Fames Fough and Hill Wood Field (Section 7) and a trio of Speckled Woods were flying on the wooded downhill path between Hill Wood and Great Parsons.
 
The total count was 22 butterflies from 4 species.
​Click on butterfly names for more info.

Male Common Blue, Stagbury Field

Female Common Blue, Fames Rough

Meadow Brown, Great Parsons Field

​Survey by Brian Gardner
​submitted to Butterfly Conservation (UKBMS).  ​
​Report and pics by Brian Gardner. ​
​​Click pics to enlarge.