A first for this year

27/8/2023

Transect 21 was walked on Friday in sunny and warm weather that brought out the butterflies in numbers that were similar to last week's count.
The counts for Meadow Browns and Brown Argus are each holding up pretty well and there was even an increase in Small Heaths, but Gatekeeper and Common Blue numbers are falling away. Furthermore, the Chalkhill Blues are coming towards the end of what has been a very poor season for them. The Purple Hairstreaks were once again seen flying high in the oaks on Hill Wood Field, except for one individual who flew low enough for us to get a positive identification for our record. Only a few strides on from the Purple Hairstreak sighting we saw what was at first thought to be a Gatekeeper but, on closer inspection, proved to a photogenic Brown Hairstreak, our first of this year.

Count details:
124 Meadow Brown
45 Brown Argus
25 Small Heath
12 Common Blue
7 Speckled Wood
5 Small White
4 Chalkhill Blue
2 Gatekeeper
2 Small Copper
1 Brown Hairstreak
1 Comma
1 Purple Hairstreak
1 Silver-washed Fritillary
Summary:
230 butterflies from 13 species.

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