First Small Blues

We'd had several cool windy and dull days, but Sunday 2nd June, the final day of transect week 9, was forecast to be a warm sunny day and so we chose it for our butterfly count – we were not disappointed. We counted a reasonable total number of butterflies from thirteen species, including the season's first Small Blues and Red Admirals. The two SBs were seen on Hither Field, where the Kidney Vetch (their specific food plant) that we seeded several years ago has once again flowered over a wide area of the field. We also noted that the sizeable Horseshoe Vetch patch (food plant of Chalkhill Blues) on Stagbury Field is looking plentiful and healthy and we hope that this indicates a successful season for the CHBs, which usually emerge in about 6 weeks' time.

Count details: 
21 Common Blue
12 Dingy Skipper
11 Small Heath
10 Brimstone 
  4 Green Hairstreak
  3 Brown Argus
  3  Holly Blue
  3  Small White
  2  Grizzled Skipper
  2  Red Admiral
  2 Small Blue
  2  Small Copper
  1  Comma
Summary:
76 butterflies from 13 species.
Click on butterfly names for more info.

Survey by Brian Gardner, Graham H,  Graham K and Liz North submitted to Butterfly Conservation (UKBMS). 
​ ​​Report by Brian Gardner 
​Pics by Graham Kenward

Brown Argus, Fames Rough

Brown Argus showing underside