Reasonable numbers for late season

9/9/2024

Saturday, 7th September, was forecast to have the driest warm weather of the week, especially when compared to the heavy rain and gloomy conditions of the preceding days. It was therefore chosen for transect 23 and proved to be mildly warm and overcast with a couple of brief but light drizzly showers.

Fortunately the butterflies didn't seem to be too unhappy and were seen in reasonable numbers considering the less than perfect conditions and the lateness of the season. There were some gaps in this week's cast list, namely the Purple Hairstreaks, Brown Hairstreaks, Small Heaths and Brimstones, but the Meadow Browns, Brown Argus and Common Blues continue to be fairly well represented. There was a Small White and one worn-looking female Chalkhill Blue remaining.

The number of butterflies seen at this time of year is entirely dependent upon having favourable weather so that they are warm enough to fly, and the availability of their food flowers – without these they will soon succumb.

Count details:
52 Meadow Brown
10 Brown Argus
5 Common Blue
1 Chalkhill Blue
1 Small White

Count summary:
69 Butterflies from 5 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.