More Blues

The weather for Thursday's transect was warm with varying amounts of sun and cloud, and with a noticeable SW breeze. Overall, the count was quite similar to that of last week but with a few changes to the species recorded: Meadow Browns continue to head the list, we saw a higher number of Gatekeepers and Common Blues but fewer Marbled Whites and Small/Essex Skippers. Missing from this week's list were Dark Green Fritillaries, Purple Hairstreaks, Small Blues, Clouded Yellows, Small Tortoiseshells and Commas but we gained a second-brood Dingy Skipper and a Green-veined White.

108 Meadow Brown
  77 Gatekeeper
  35 Common Blue
  27 Marbled White
  10 Small White
    9 Chalkhill Blue
    7 Small/Essex Skipper
   (incl. 1 confirmed as a Small Skipper)
    5 Ringlet
    5 Brimstone
    3 Brown Argus
    3 Small Heath
    2 Speckled Wood
    2 Small Copper
    2 Silver-washed Fritillary
    2 Peacock
    2 Holly Blue
    2 Large White
    1 Dingy Skipper
    1 Red Admiral
    1 Green-veined White
 Click on butterfly names for more info.
Total number counted: 304 across 20 species.

Green-veined White, Fames Rough

Male Common Blue, Hither Field

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

Female Common Blue underside, Fames Rough

Female Common Blue, Fames Rough

Mint Moth, Fames Rough

Silver-washed Fritillary, Fames Rough

Speckled Wood, Barn Field

Worn male Common Blue, Fames Rough

Worn Gatekeeper, Fames Rough

Worn Ringlet, Barn Field

Worn Meadow Brown, Fames Rough