2005 : The Browns

The Speckled Wood is expanding its range within the national frame. In Sussex it continues to thrive across the whole of the country with the scarcely any distinction between the spring and summer brood periods. There is slight evidence that a third brood occurred in October 2001.

New squares: 28   Lost squares:315    Both squares: 144

Across the south of Britain the inland population of the Wall has undergone a severe decline, to the extent that in general it now appears to thrive along the coast. In Sussex however, the association seems to be more with the South Downs than the coast and our population appears to be disconnected from the coastal populations of both Kent and Hants.

New squares 5  Lost squares 99   Both squares 41

There appear to be strong colonies of Marbled Whites along the South Downs but few in East Sussex. After an advancing onset to the flight season between 2002 and 2004, in 2005 it receded to mid June.

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There have been no recent sightings of Graylings neither from West Sussex nor from Beachy Head in East Sussex. On the other hand the colony around Lullington Heath (TQ5401) appears to be healthy and stable – and totally un-reinforced from any other colony in southern England.

New squares 0   Lost squares 3   Both squares 3

The Gatekeeper continues to thrive across the whole of Sussex.

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More Meadow Browns are recorded on transects than any other butterfly – a national statistic that will not be news to Sussex transect walkers. As with the Gatekeeper, the Meadow Brown continues to thrive with perhaps some evidence of an extending flight season.

New squares 26   Lost squares 351   Both squares 162

Ringlets are doing well nationally and in Sussex they are generally a common species except for the coastal plains of the east and west of the county.

New squares 22   Lost squares 155   Both squares 64

The two-brooded Small Heath continue to be found across the whole of Sussex and may be regularly encountered at any time during the period May to September.

New squares 18  Lost squares 129   Both squares 74