Highest score

On Monday, the day chosen  for our transect, the hot weather returned and it was oppressively humid too. The warmth and late-summer sunshine brought out the year's remaining butterflies and also a Red Admiral and  Small Tortoiseshell that could over-winter through to next year, if they can feed up sufficiently and find suitable shelter for their hibernation.  
 
This week's total count of 141 butterflies is the highest week 23 score since we started doing the transects in 2016 when the count was 62. It was 66 in 2017, 35 in 2018, 112 in the superb butterfly summer of 2019,  and 48 in 2020.  However, this week's count is no indicator of any upward trend, as 2021's annual count looks like it will result in a lower than average total number. Below right are annual figures for three common species that show marked or even alarming declines.  These drops in numbers may be due to normal seasonal variations or may be proof of an overall deterioration in environmental conditions.       

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

Summary of this week's count:
70 Meadow Brown
29 Common Blue
25 Brown Argus
  6 Small White
  4 Brimstone
  2 Small Heath
  2 Speckled Wood
  1 Red Admiral
  1 Small Copper
  1 Small Tortoiseshell
 Click on butterfly names for more info.
Total: 141 from 10 species.

Small Tortoiseshell

Speckled Wood

Autumn Gentian, Fames Rough