First of the 2026 season

Easter Monday provided ideal conditions for launching the new butterfly recording season, with GH, LN, and BG completing the first transect of the year in fine, mild weather. The walk covered all 12 sections of the standard route, with the south-facing slope of Fames Rough producing the majority of observations.
In total, 23 Peacocks were recorded, 16 of them on Fames Rough, along with 13 Brimstones, of which 9 were also seen there. Additional species included two Commas, two Holly Blues, two Orange Tips, and a single Speckled Wood.
Not a bad haul, making a strong start to the 2026 monitoring season, reflecting both favourable early-spring conditions and good species activity across the site. 
As in previous seasons, records from this and future walks will contribute to the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UKBMS), helping to build a long-term picture of national population trends and habitat health.

 
​One of the early flyers this year ...
 Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines)  pictured above – a springtime splash of colour with hidden talents.

• Only the males have the bright orange wingtips – females have mostly white upper wings and are often mistaken for other white butterflies.
• It’s one of the first butterflies to appear in spring, often seen darting through hedgerows and along woodland edges.
• In south-east England, the flight period is typically from early April to late June, with peak activity in May.
• Orange Tip caterpillars are cannibalistic and will sometimes eat their own kind to eliminate competition for food. 

.Survey by Graham Harris, Brian Gardner and Liz North 
​​submitted to Butterfly Conservation (UKBMS).
​ ​Report by GK, BG & AI. Header photo by Graham Kenward.
​For more info on the species mentioned, visit
​​butterfly-conservation.org