Butterfly Blog - WOODCHIPS

Brimstone Bonus

22/9/2025

For the penultimate transect of the season, BG was once again flying solo. After days of heavy rain, blustery winds, and a dip in temperatures, the return of wall-to-wall sunshine tempted out the hardy survivors for one last show.
Overall numbers were noticeably down on last week’s 118, a reminder that the season is drawing to its natural close. But there was one curious twist: no fewer than eight Brimstones were recorded – well out of season. Normally these bright yellow butterflies are among the earliest to appear in spring and then vanish into summer dormancy before re-emerging the following year. Their unexpected appearance at this late stage may reflect this year’s unusual weather patterns or the resilience of a species finely tuned to the ebb and flow of seasonal change.

Count details:
11 Meadow Brown
8 Brimstone
6 Common Blue
4 Small Copper
4 Small White
3 Large White
2 Brown Argus
2 Speckled Wood
1 Small Heath
Count Summary:
41 butterflies from 9 species.

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

Brimstone, Coneyboro Hill

Common Blue, Hither Field.

Small Copper, Fames Rough

Survey by Brian Gardner submitted to Butterfly Conservation (UKBMS).
Pics by Brian Gardner. Report by GK, BG & AI.

Second broods boost late-season numbers

11/9/2025

LN and BG walked Transect 24 on a morning of shifting skies – a mix of warm sunshine and passing cloud. The overall species list remained much the same as in recent weeks, but the balance of numbers told a different story.
As expected for late summer, Meadow Browns, Large Whites, Small Whites, and Small Heaths are now gradually declining. However, the downturn was offset by a strong showing from second-brood species. Common Blues were out in good numbers, but the real stars were the Brown Argus and Small Copper, both enjoying an exceptionally strong season. Their late flush added to a count that might otherwise have shown the first clear signs of autumn.

Count details:
43 Meadow Brown
25 Common Blue
15 Brown Argus
15 Small Copper
8 Small White
5 Small Heath
3 Speckled Wood
2 Chalkhill Blue
2 Large White
Count Summary:
118 butterflies from 9 species.
For more info on these species visit
butterfly-conservation.org

Brown Argus - Liz North

Survey by Brian Gardner and Liz North submitted to Butterfly Conservation (UKBMS).
Report by GK, BG & AI.

A solo survey in the sunshine

8/9/2025

With the butterfly team short on numbers this week, BG took on the challenge of completing Transect 23 solo. The conditions were kind – warm early autumn sunshine lit the way – and although the overall count dipped slightly from last week’s figures, it still came in above average for the season.
The species list remained much the same, though with a few interesting changes: the Chalkhill Blues and the elusive Purple Hairstreak were absent, but in their place came a welcome addition to this week’s tally – a lone Speckled Wood.

Count details:
53 Meadow Brown
10 Small White
9 Common Blue
6 Small Copper
5 Brown Argus
3 Small Heath
1 Speckled Wood
Count summary:
87 butterflies from 7 species.

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

Speckled Wood, Hill Wood Field

Small Copper, Fames Rough

Worn Meadow Brown, Hither Field

Herdwick Sheep, Fames Rough

Survey by Brian Gardner
submitted to Butterfly Conservation (UKBMS).
Pics by Brian Gardner. Report by GK, BG & AI.

First Brown Hairstreaks of the season

2/9/2025

GH and BG set out early for Transect 22 in classic British summer conditions – a mix of sun and cloud, interrupted by a brief rain shower and accompanied by an almost constant strong south-westerly wind. Unsurprisingly, the blustery conditions held numbers down, leaving us with a lower-than-average late-season count. Even the usually reliable Meadow Browns were noticeably fewer than last week.
The day’s highlight, however, more than made up for the dip in numbers: our first Brown Hairstreak of the year, spotted and photographed beneath the oaks on Hill Wood Field. Moments later, a second individual may have zipped past us in the same section – a fleeting but tantalising possibility.
The Brown Hairstreak is always a special find. It is the last of our regular butterfly species to emerge each season, with adults often proving elusive because they spend much of their time high in the treetops. To find one low down is a rare treat – and a memorable reward for a windswept walk.

Count details:
68 Meadow Brown
10 Common Blue
5 Small White
4 Small Heath
4 Brown Argus
3 Chalkhill Blue
3 Small Copper
1 Brown Hairstreak

Count summary:
98 butterflies from 8 species.

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

This week's butterfly

Brown Hairstreak (Thecla betulae)

The Brown Hairstreak is the last butterfly to emerge in the UK each year, with adults usually appearing from late July into September.
Females lay their tiny white eggs on young blackthorn twigs, where they remain visible all winter until hatching in spring.
Although widespread in parts of southern England, adults are rarely seen because they spend most of their time high in the tree canopy, only occasionally coming down to feed or lay eggs.

Brown Hairstreak, wings closed - Brian Gardner

Brown Hairstreak, wings open,- Brian Gardner

Survey by Brian Gardner and Graham Harris
submitted to Butterfly Conservation (UKBMS).
Report by GK, BG & AI.

Late-season shifts on transect 21

29/8/2025

Butterfly numbers on this week’s walk were a little below the late-season average, reflecting the natural slowdown as summer draws on.
Despite the decline, Meadow Browns still dominated with 139 recorded. Interestingly, the usually modest Small Copper took second place with 14 individuals – an unusual and welcome rise for this fiery little butterfly. In third place were the hardy Small Heaths, holding on with 11 sightings.
Our hoped-for Silver-spotted Skippers were absent this time, after their exciting appearances on the past two transects. Fortunately, they had already shown themselves just days earlier, when UKBMS experts Bill Downey and Gail Jeffcoate joined us on Stagbury Field and successfully located their eggs – a promising sign for the future of this rare species on our patch.

Count details:
139 Meadow Brown
14 Small Copper
11 Small Heath
10 Common Blue
8 Brown Argus
8 Chalkhill Blue
8 Large White
5 Small White
5 Speckled Wood
Count summary:
208 butterflies from 9 species.

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

In flight entertainment

Small Copper, Fames Rough - Brian Gardner

Brown Argus, Fames Rpugh - Graham Kenward

Hoverfly, Coneyboro Hill - Brian Gardner

Survey by Brian Gardner, Graham Harris and Graham Kenward
submitted to Butterfly Conservation (UKBMS).
Report by GK, BG & AI.

Silver-spotted Skippers – the next generation?

26/8/2025

Silver-spotted Skipper, Stagbury - Graham Kenward

After our recent sightings of the rare Silver-spotted Skipper on Stagbury Down, we wondered: could this be the start of a brand-new colony on our patch?
To find out, GH, BG, LN and GK teamed up with butterfly experts Bill Downey and Gail Jeffcoate for a closer look. The mission? To search for the Skipper’s eggs – tiny treasures that are laid only on its caterpillar food plant, sheep’s fescue (Festuca ovina), see pics below. This fine, wiry grass already supports other species such as the Gatekeeper, Small Heath and Meadow Brown.
But the Silver-spotted Skipper is choosier than most. Females will only lay eggs on short clumps of fescue, usually beside patches of bare, sun-baked ground with a warm, south-facing aspect. And they like it hot – they won’t get out of bed if it’s less than 20°C!
On this sunny visit, conditions were perfect. Before long, Gail had spotted egg after egg – 18 in total – carefully tucked onto fescue blades. Each one could be the start of a new generation.
Whether these eggs will lead to a thriving colony remains to be seen, but the discovery is hugely encouraging. If successful, the Silver-spotted Skipper could once again become a regular jewel of our chalk downland, brightening our transect walks in years to come.

Silver-spotted Skipper egg photos by Liz North

Silver-spotted Skippers sighted again on Stagbury Down

20/8/2025

The weather for this week’s transect was kind to GH, LN and BG – warm sunshine with a refreshing breeze to take the edge off the heat. GH had seen several Brown Hairstreaks on his local butterfly transect and we were therefore on the lookout for them on our circuit too. Sadly, we didn’t see any BH this time around, but we were more than compensated by seeing two rare Silver-spotted Skippers on Stagbury Down, where we saw a single individual last week. We’re very much hoping that these late-season celebrities will, in the future, become established on our patch.

Butterfly numbers this week were down on those of last week, so although the count of Meadow Browns and Common Blues were very similar, there were reductions in the Chalkhill Blues, Gatekeepers and Small Heaths, and no Purple Hairstreaks or Brown Argus. Even so, the discovery of those Silver-spotted Skippers ensured the transect was far from ordinary.

Count details:
232 Meadow Brown
45 Common Blue
15 Small Heath
14 Chalkhill Blue
7 Small White
6 Gatekeeper
5 Small Copper
4 Large White
2 Holly Blue
2 Silver-spotted Skipper
2 Speckled Wood
Count summary:
334 butterflies from 11 species.

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

Finds of the week

Chalkhill Blue (Polyommatus coridon) – the subtle beauty of the Downs.

Unlike the sky-blue males, females are brown with delicate orange spots, making them trickier to spot on chalk grassland slopes.
They rely exclusively on Horseshoe Vetch as their caterpillars’ food plant, making them specialists of chalk and limestone habitats.
Though locally common in large colonies, their entire flight season lasts just a few short weeks in high summer.

Female Chalkhill Blue, Stagbury - Liz North.

Plump sloes in Hill Wood Field - Graham Kenward.

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

Rare Skipper steals the spotlight

12/8/2025

GH, LN and BG tackled Transect 19 under a blazing sun on the first day of the summer’s fourth heatwave. Despite the heat, butterfly activity was lively, led once again by the ever-reliable Meadow Browns – 243 were counted, an unusually high tally for this late in the season. They were joined by strong showings of Common Blues, Chalkhill Blues, and Small Heaths, while Gatekeepers, so abundant last week, fell sharply from 233 to just 41.
But the real excitement came in the form of a tiny, fast-flying rarity: a single Silver-spotted Skipper. This little gem is a scarce species in our area, and its appearance marks only the second time we’ve recorded one in ten years of transects – proof that even on the hottest days, the unexpected can happen.

Count details:
243 Meadow Brown
54 Common Blue
41 Gatekeeper
26 Chalkhill Blue
24 Small Heath
11 Small White
7 Large White
5 Small Copper
4 Speckled Wood
3 Brown Argus
3 Purple Hairstreak
2 Brimstone
1 Silver-spotted Skipper
Summary:
424 butterflies from 13 species.
For more info on these species visit
butterfly-conservation.org

Butterfly of the week

Silver-spotted Skipper (Hesperia comma) – the rare speedy sunlover

A scarce UK butterfly, found only on a handful of warm, south-facing chalk grassland sites in southern England.
One of the fastest butterflies in the country, able to zip away in a blur before you can blink.
Its caterpillars feed exclusively on sheep’s-fescue grass, and the ‘silver spots’ are actually pale gold, best seen when the wings are closed in bright sunlight.

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

Breaking records despite cloudy skies

2/8/2025

GH, LN and BG set out for this week’s transect under muggy, overcast skies – conditions that eventually gave way to bursts of hot sunshine. While the overall count of 436 butterflies was lower than the bumper totals of recent weeks, it still stands well above the average for late July.
Species diversity remained largely unchanged from last week, although numbers were down across the board – perhaps a sign that some of our summer stalwarts are beginning to wane. Still, there’s plenty to celebrate: with 5,809 butterflies recorded so far in this 2025 season (up to week 18 of 26), we’ve officially surpassed the brilliant benchmark set in 2019 (5,783 butterflies) – and we still have weeks to go.
Who knows what surprises August will bring?

Count details:
172 Meadow Brown
137 Gatekeeper
46 Common Blue
19 Small Heath
16 Small White
13 Large White
9 Purple Hairstreak
6 Chalkhill Blue
5 Speckled Wood
4 Silver-washed Fritillary
2 Brown Argus
1 Comma
1 Dingy Skipper
1 Holly Blue
1 Red Admiral
1 Ringlet
1 Small Copper
1 Small/Essex Skipper
Summary: 436 butterflies from 18 species.
For more info on these species visit
butterfly-conservation.org

Out there this week

Small White (Pieris rapae) – more than just a garden guest.

Sometimes called the ‘Cabbage White’, this butterfly is a common sight in gardens and allotments, where its caterpillars feed on cabbages, kale, and other brassicas.
Although often mistaken for the Large White (pictured right), the Small White has subtler wing markings and is more delicate in flight – think of it as the stealthier sibling.
It’s one of the most successful butterfly species globally, found from Europe and Asia to North America and Australasia, thanks to its adaptability and global appetite for leafy greens.

Small White, Great Parson's Field - Graham Kenward

Large White, Hill Wood Field - Brian Gardner

Battered Comma, Hill Wood Field - Brian Gardner

Faded RInglet, Hill Wood Field - Brian Gardner

Male Common Blue, Fames Rough - Brian Gardner

Single file in Fames Rough - Brian Gardner

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

Riding the crest of a butterfly boom

28/7/2025

Transect 17 was carried out under classic butterfly-counting conditions: hot, humid, and with a sky that alternated between full sun and pockets of cloud. It was ideal weather for butterflies – and pretty good for spotting them too. With just eight transects left in the season, we may well be on course for a record-breaking year.
Gatekeepers, Meadow Browns, and Common Blues continue to dominate, with numbers remaining impressively high for a third consecutive week. It’s shaping up to be a vintage year for many other species too, with Chalkhill Blues, Silver-washed Fritillaries, Purple Hairstreaks, and both Small and Large Whites thriving in this long run of favourable weather.
A particularly exciting find was two second-brood Dingy Skippers – a rare late-summer appearance not seen since 2020. Normally an early-season species, this second emergence may be a response to the extended warm conditions, offering a fascinating glimpse into how climate and habitat interact to influence butterfly lifecycles.
Each transect now seems to bring a new highlight – what surprises will the next eight weeks hold?

Count details:
233 Gatekeeper
173 Meadow Brown
86 Common Blue
22 Small Heath
20 Silver-washed Fritillary
17 Chalkhill Blue
17 Large White
14 Small White
13 Purple Hairstreak
6 Brown Argus
5 Holly Blue
4 Speckled Wood
2 Dingy Skipper
2 Ringlet
1 Brimstone
1 Marbled White
1 Red Admiral
1 Small Copper
Count summary:
618 butterflies from 18 species.
For more info on these species visit
butterfly-conservation.org

Butterfly of the week

Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages) – don’t let the name fool you!

Despite its modest colouring, the Dingy Skipper is actually a day-flying moth lookalike and a master of camouflage, often mistaken for a dead leaf or a patch of bare earth.
It prefers sunny, sheltered spots with sparse vegetation, often basking with wings outstretched to soak up the warmth.
Although usually a single-brood species, warm summers can trigger a rare second brood – as spotted in our transect this year for the first time since 2020!

Dingy Skipper - Liz North

Chalkhill Blue, Stagbury - Liz North

Common Blue, Fames Rough - Brian Gardner

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

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