First Small Blues of the year

20/6/2019

The sun disappeared soon after we began and the clouds rolled in, so that by the finish of our walk the rain was just getting started. Fortunately it stayed fairly warm during our walk around.
We were pleased to see that the cattle have been removed from Section 1 (Hither Field) and that our Kidney Vetch plantation is doing well. So well, that it has attracted our first Small Blues of the year. We believe they were a male and female pair (see pics), leading us to hope there will be eggs. The Meadow Browns were out in force around our circuit – we counted 81. Small Heaths were our next highest count – 24.

The details of today's transect are:
81 Meadow Brown
24 Small Heath
2 Common Blue
2 Small Blue
2 Large Skipper
1 Marbled White
1 Speckled Wood

Total: 113 Butterflies across 8 species.
Click on butterfly names for more info.

Survey by Brian G, Graham K and Graham H,
submitted to Butterfly Conservation (UKBMS).
Info by Brian G.