Highest number of species

Although the weather was borderline hot and calm, we didn't get the high butterfly numbers that might have been expected, however we recorded the highest number of species this year: 561 butterflies across 17 species. Although less numerous than recent weeks, the Meadow Browns and Marbled Whites still provided our highest counts with the newly emerged Gatekeepers as the third highest count. We also saw the first of this season's Chalkhill Blues close to our nurtured Horseshoe Vetch area in Stagbury Field and Purple Hairstreaks along the line of oaks in Hill Wood Field. The complete absence of Common Blues was worrying as in previous years they have been seen in high numbers at this point in the season. Our count figures have been entered on the BCT website.

Count details:
196 Marbled White
190 Meadow Brown
  56 Gatekeeper
  34 Small/Essex Skipper
  34 Ringlet
  13 Small Heath
    8 Dark Green Fritillary
    8  Small White
    5  Large White
    4  Brimstone
   4  Chalkhill Blue
   2  Purple Hairstreak
   2  Silver-washed Fritillary
   2  Comma
   1  Large Skipper
   1  Peacock
   1  Speckled Wood

Overall total: 561 butterflies across 17 species.
Click on butterfly names for more info.

Marbled White on Scabious, Stagbury

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

Hover over pics for captions. Click on pics to enlarge. All pics © Graham Kenward 2019.