Hot stuff

10/9/2023

On Friday, we started this week's transect at 10am, an hour earlier than usual, to avoid the highest of the day's expected high temperatures. Despite this precaution, the heat soon soared to a very humid 31 degrees – fine for the butterflies but not so comfortable for us. This hot late summer is enabling the butterfiles to keep going longer than usual. We recorded 137 butterflies, whereas for last year's transect 23 we counted only 24, our lowest Week 23 number compared with 141 for 2021. Of course, as soon as the weather cools and/or the rain starts this butterfly season will be over.
Although declining slowly, the Meadow Browns were still the most numerous that we saw on the day, and they were well supported by good numbers of Brown Argus and Small Heaths. Unexpectedly, two Brown Hairstreaks were seen in Great Parson's Field and Barn Field – we usually see them in oaks facing onto Hill Wood Field.

Count details:
67 Meadow Brown
36 Brown Argus
18 Small Heath
6 Common Blue
4 Speckled Wood
2 Brown Hairstreak
2 Small White
1 Green-veined White
1 Small Copper

Count summary:
137 butterflies from 9 species.

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