Sunshine and skippers galore!

This week’s transect delivered a larger burst of butterfly brilliance, with 305 individuals from 15 species – our second-highest Week 11 total on record, just behind the extraordinary 517 seen in 2020.
Not surprisingly, the warmest survey day of the year so far had the butterflies out in force. Numbers were driven by a major surge in Small and Essex Skippers, Marbled Whites (spotted in every single section) and Meadow Browns, now dominating the summer landscape.
While Common Blues and Green Hairstreaks continue their decline, we were pleased to spot two Small Blues – tiny but mighty – one enjoying Hither Field and the other basking on Coneyboro Hill.
​The season is clearly heating up, and if this momentum continues, we could be fluttering toward a record-breaking summer.

Count details:
123 Marbled White
  90 Meadow Brown
  36 Small/Essex Skipper
  (inc. 2 Small & 1 Essex)
  20 Small Heath
  10 Common Blue
    7 Dark Green Fritillary
    4 Brimstone
    4 Large Skipper
    3 Speckled Wood
    2 Green Hairstreak
    2 Small Blue
    1 Brown Argus
    1 Large White
    1 Small Copper
    1 Small White
Total: 305 butterflies from 15 species.
​For more info on these species visit butterfly-conservation.org

Butterfly of the week

Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) – a familiar flutter in summer meadows, but full of surprises.

• As our figures indicate, it’s one of the most widespread and abundant butterflies in the UK, often seen flying even on dull or windy days when others stay grounded.
• Males and females look different – females have brighter orange markings, while males are browner and more subdued.
• Unlike many butterflies, Meadow Browns can live for several weeks, allowing them to be active from June well into September – a long season for a short-lived insect.

Meadow Brown, Fames Rough - Graham Kenward

Cleared for take-off: an unusual view of a Dark Green Fritillary - Brian Gardner

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