Numbers still high

12/8/2024

This week's transect was walked on Friday morning in fine, warm weather that was perfect for maintaining butterfly numbers: rain, strong winds or cold at this time of the year could bring about an early close to the butterflies' flight season.

In Friday's favourable conditions, the Meadow Browns and Gatekeepers once again provided three-figure numbers to boost our count total, and we also had a slight rise in the second-brood Brimstones, Common Blues and Brown Argus. The Small/Essex Skipper, Marbled White and Small Heath numbers are now in decline, while Silver-washed Fritillaries and Purple Hairstreaks are holding steady. This week was the final week of the normal high point for sighting Chalkhill Blues and, at last, we found them, but sadly only four – two on Stagbury Field's Horseshoe Vetch patch and a single on each of Hither and Coneyboro Fields.

Count details:
265 Meadow Brown
102 Gatekeeper
18 Common Blue
16 Brimstone
4 Silver-washed Fritillary
6 Small/Essex Skipper (incl. 1 confirmed Small Skipper)
5 Purple Hairstreak
4 Chalkhill Blue
2 Brown Argus
2 Dark Green Fritillary
2 Marbled White
2 Small Heath
2 Small White
1 Peacock
1 Speckled Wood
Count summary:
432 butterflies from 14 species.
Click on butterfly names for more info from Butterfly Conservation.

Survey by Brian G, Graham H and Graham K submitted to Butterfly Conservation (UKBMS).
Report by Brian Gardner.
Pics by Graham Kenward and Brian Gardner.