First outing of 2022

Last week's cool weather was thought unsuitable for butterflies and we gave the first transect of the 2022 season a miss. The forecast for week 2 was not very encouraging either, with the exception of Monday, which offered borderline temperatures with a mix of sun and cloud but also strong winds. We decided to give it a try.
 
At the start of our transect circuit at Hither Field (Section 1) it was sunny but with a strong headwind which persisted across Coneyboro Hill (Section 2) – recently cleared of much of the scrub by Surrey Wildlife Trust.  Dropping down into the normally sheltered Fames Rough (Sections 3 & 4), the wind was still noticeable and we saw Brimstones hurrying by and Peacocks flitting about and sunning themselves on the sun-warmed paths.  We also had a fly-by from a Red Admiral. 

​Leaving Fames Rough  we saw another couple of Brimstones in the wooded section (5) between Fames and Harholt Plantation (Section 6). On Hill Wood Field (Section 7) there was a single Peacock.  Barn Field and Great Parsons Field (Sections 8 to 12) were open to the wind and largely shaded – we counted no butterflies there.

Count Summary:
12 Peacock
12 Brimstone
  1 Red Admiral
 Total : 25 Butterflies
Click on butterfly names for more info.

View from Coneyboro Hill to Fames Rough.

PS. While unlocking the gate to Coneyboro we found a Common Lizard by the gate-post (see pic). In Fames Rough we also spotted an Orange Underwing Moth (see pic).

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

Peacock, Fames Rough

Common Lizard, Coneyboro Hill

Orange Underwing Moth, Fames Rough

Underwing of the Moth