Thurs 30 Mar

The weather may be milder now but still no flush of butterflies to report, so a good chance to put up the website's first Sussex picture to show how they will look, and give a taste of what's to come later in the year. The image is a 360x240 pixels jpeg at quality 5.

 

Silver-spotted Skipper, Belle Tout, Beachy Head

(13 Aug 05, Jim Steedman)

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Weds 29 March

1 Red Admiral, 1 Brimstone male, West Dean Woods  SU 842 154 (Margaret Hibbard)

 

Red Admiral in the Pannel Valley (per www.rxwildlife.org.uk)

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Tues 28 March

Dru Brook reports one Painted Lady and one Red Admiral in McIntyres Field just above the allotments, Lancing Ring LNR (per Ray Hamblett)

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Sat 25 Mar

No moths came to an all-night Skinner trap in Peacehaven garden with 15w actinic light despite mild cloudy conditions (Adrian Thomas)

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Thurs 24 Mar

Male Brimstone in Brede High Wood, Powdermill Reservoir, TQ798206 (Dan Hoare)

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Thurs 23 Mar

Red Admiral seen in Seaford garden despite strong wind (Roy Neeve)

Small Tortoiseshell seen in our East Dean garden then nectaring on neighbour's Erica. It was sunny but with a very strong wind (our first garden ST last year was on 16 March). (David Jode)

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Sun 19 Mar

Andy Brook reported a Brimstone in Ring Road, North Lancing earlier today (per Ray Hamblett)

 

Small number of Red Admiral and Small Tortoiseshell reported from Friston Forest (per David Jode)

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Sat 18 Mar

Comma in Saltdean garden (David West)

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Weds 15 March

Peacock reported from near Lewes prison (per www.sos.org.uk/news)

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Mon 6 March

The first Peacock butterfly of the year has been reported by Dru Brook, it was seen near the car park, Lancing Ring. The temperature has improved today and almost managed 10ºC on the garden thermometer (per Ray Hamblett)

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Sun 5 March

Small Tortoiseshell reported from Lewes (per www.sos.org.uk/news)

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What to look for in March

• Butterflies: Any burst of spring-like weather should see our five species of butterfly that overwinter as adults (Peacock, Brimstone, Comma, Small Tortoiseshell and Red Admiral) emerging from hibernation. By the last week of the month, we can also expect to see the first Large Whites, Small Whites and Green-veined Whites on the wing, and if we have plenty of mild weather in the month, there is the chance of Holly Blue, Orange Tip and Speckled Wood emerging too.

• Moths: Slowly, the number of moth species increases. Expect Clouded Drab, Common Quaker and Early Grey in gardens.

The website at this stage had yet to be advertised to Butterfly Conservation members (or indeed anywhere except by word of mouth!) which may explain the lack of butterfly and moth records for February. However, the protracted cold weather has given very little opportunity for any to fly.

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What to look for in February:

• Butterflies: It takes some mild sunny early-spring weather to tempt our five species that overwinter as adults (Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Red Admiral and Comma) out of hibernation.

• Moths: A surprising number of species are on the wing on mild February nights, albeit usually in small numbers. Garden species include the March Moth, Early Thorn, Pale-brindled Beauty, Oak Beauty, Spring Usher, Dotted Border, Red Chestnut, Satellite, Chestnut and Dark Chestnut.

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Tues 24 Jan 2006

Two Red Admirals near Alfriston (per www.sos.org.uk/news)

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Sat 21 Jan 2006

Red Admiral at Burton Mill Pond (per www.sos.org.uk/news)

Red Admiral at Southwick (per www.sos.org.uk/news)

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Tues 3 Jan 2006

Red Admiral in the Pannel Valley near Icklesham (per www.rxwildlife.org.uk)