The June lull

9/6/2021

The weather on Tuesday was just right for spotting butterflies but despite this we were disappointed with the lack of butterflies we actually saw. Following the sighting of several Small Blues on the Kidney Vetch at the Stagbury Lagoon we hoped to see SBs on the now spreading Vetch on Hither Field but none were found.

Our total count of 81 was 14 down on last week's tally. This may be due to the regular 'June lull' where butterfly numbers dip before the onset of the mass emergences in the 'high season' of July.

On a positive note we saw one more species than we saw last week and interestingly we recorded a couple of Grizzled Skippers on Section 1 (Hither Field), which Graham H says is the first occurrence that he knows of. Plus, we also spotted our first Large Skipper of the season.

Here are the details:
37 Common Blue
18 Dingy Skipper
11 Small Heath
4 Brimstone
4 Grizzled Skipper
2 Green Hairstreak
1 Large Skipper
1 Orange Tip
1 Peacock
1 Small Copper
1 Small White
Click on butterfly names for more info.
Total: 81 butterflies from 11 species.

Survey by Brian Gardner, Graham H and Roger Vye submitted to Butterfly Conservation (UKBMS).
Report Brian Gardner.
Pics by Graham Kenward (taken at the Lagoon on the same day).
Click on pics to enlarge.