Strong results ... and a surprise visitor

A cool northerly breeze drifted through several parts of the transect this week, dialling down the temperature – but not the butterfly activity. Generous helpings of sunshine more than made up for the chill, giving our survey another boost.
Hot on the heels of last week’s record-breaking total, this week’s count reached 187 butterflies across 13 species – our second-highest total ever for Week 7.
The Green Hairstreak also had a strong showing, with 12 individuals spotted in a single section – just shy of our record of 13 from Week 6 in 2018, and matching tallies from 2019’s Weeks 5 and 7. Clearly, this little green gem enjoys making history.
But the real showstopper came courtesy of Fames Rough, where we were treated to a surprise visit from a Painted Lady – a glamorous globe-trotter that had travelled a very long way for a brief encounter in the sun (see below).
What to call the male of this species? Perhaps a Tattooed Gentleman!

​We recorded:
69 Common Blues
30 Brimstones
29 Dingy Skipper
26 Small Heath
12 Green Hairstreak
  5 Small Copper
  4 Peacock
  3 Brown Argus
  3 Grizzled Skipper
  3 Speckled Wood
  1 Holly Blue
  1 Orange Tip
  1 Painted Lady
Total: 187 butterflies from 13 species.

For more info on these species visit butterfly-conservation.org 

Butterfly of the week

Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) – the globe-trotting marvel of the butterfly world.

• Painted Ladies migrate thousands of miles – from North Africa to the UK – without a map, compass, or satellite navigation.
• They’re the most widespread butterfly on Earth, found on every continent except Antarctica.
• Unlike many UK butterflies, they don’t hibernate – each generation keeps the migration going, like a relay race across continents.

Painted Lady, Fames Rough - Graham Kenward

Survey by Brian G, Graham Harris and Graham K submitted to Butterfly Conservation (UKBMS). ​Report by GK & AI.