This week’s butterfly hotspot: Hither Field

GH and BG walked transect 21 on the morning of Sunday 23rd August. The weather was fine for the first few sections but thereafter banks of cloud rolled in and reduced the sunshine.
​The Meadow Browns’ total count was 108 (very similar to last week’s number) but they were largely concentrated on Hither Field, where we recorded 79. Hither Field was also where we saw 11 of the 13 Common Blues recorded and 23 of 51 Small Heaths. 
The Clouded Yellows were still flying around in good numbers. In Hill Wood Field we had a close sighting of a single Brown Hairstreak, which sadly escaped being photographed.

Count details:
​108 Meadow Brown
51 Small Heath
13 Common Blue
9 Clouded Yellow
5 Small White
1 Brown Hairstreak
1 Chalkhill Blue
1 Large White
1 Small Copper

​Count summary:
190 butterflies from 9 species.

If you would like to know more about any of the butterfly species mentioned,
​visit ​butterfly-conservation.org

This week's solitary Chalkhill Blue - Stagbury Field

A butterfly desert in Chipstead Valley,

Autumnal bramble.

This week's survey by Graham Harris and Brian Gardner submitted to 
​Butterfly Conservation (UKBMS).
​Report by GK, BG & AI. Header photo of Small Heath by Duncan Jennings.
Other photos by Brian Gardner.