| Butterfly Conservation |
 |
| saving butterflies, moths and their habitats |
|
|
|
|||
|
| ||||
| Sussex Branch | ||||
|
| ||||
|
|
Thursday 30 June 2011 Slopes above Butchers Hole CP, Friston Forest: I have been looking out for Chalkhill Blues this past week and today saw my first, very fresh one - only one, but hopefully hundreds/thousands soon! However, the most remarkable butterfly on the slopes at the moment is the Dark Green Fritillary. Past years, I would see 1-2 on the slopes at one time, but at the moment they are the most common butterfly, followed closely by the Marbled White, then Meadow Brown and Small Heath. Also saw 2 Small Coppers, 3 Small Skippers, one each: Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell and Painted Lady. Diplocks Wood: I am pretty sure the White-letter Hairstreak is emerging but havent got a clear enough view to say 100% for sure. (Susan Suleski)
Master at work; (above) Bob Eade with White-letter Hairstreak at his fingertips in the Cuckmere Valley. (Nigel Kemp)
At 6.30 a.m spotted my first Essex Skipper (above) on a field margin on the downslink at Henfield TQ204168. I checked the antennae carefully from different angles to check the under side tips were indeed black. (Richard Roebuck) Cissbury Ring 9:00 11:40 Very sunny, becoming overcast. Walked inside the ditch, to avoid any wind.
A quick return visit to the Chiddingfold area again this morning. Sadly, the Emperor didn't make an appearance whilst I was there, but with three other enthusiasts I did see a Dark Green Fritillary (above). It didn't seem to be bothered by us and our cameras, but it was frequently disturbed by some annoying Skippers. Fortunately, it kept returning to the same patch of thistles. (Andy Wilson)
Being in the right place at the right time at Botany Bay (above). (Steve East)
Met a friend (not a butterflier) on the sea front for a walk/chat/ice-cream and suggested we checked Holywell Retreat/Beach TV6096 for butterflies. It was sunny but blustery and we found a couple of Small Tortoiseshells in Helen Gardens, several Green-veined Whites along the path by St. Bedes, 2 Small Whites on sea kale on the beach, no Painted Ladies but 2 Naked Men :o !! Glad I didn't have my bins with me. Much more pleasant sight on the lavender back home for the second day running - a Hummingbird Hawkmoth (above). (Anna Grist) A group of us found 3 Hummingbird Hawkmoths on paths leading to and from Kingley Vale today. Grid Refs SU819118, 824116 and 823105. (John Goodspeed)
News for Wednesday 29 June: Spent the morning at Southwater Woods. No Purple Emperor unfortunately, but still plenty of action, with White Admirals, Silver-washed Fritillaries, Ringlets, Purple Hairstreaks, Marbled Whites, Commas, Red Admirals, Small and Large Skippers and 100's of Meadow Browns putting on a great show. But something was wrong with one of the Silver-washed Frits - a closer look revealed... it was mating with... a Meadow Brown! Eventually the Silver-washed flew up into the trees, Meadow Brown still attached! Then onto Friston Forest Litlington Road end. Unfortunately, it was cloudier/cooler by then, but still saw several Dark Green Fritillaries, Marbled Whites and other common species. More surprising, perhaps, was the abundant Hummingbird Hawkmoths, 10+ seen in two hours (photos above). (Mark Bunch,Esther Hitchcock)
News for Tuesday 28 June: I joined forces with Matthew Oates in a hunt for new Sussex Emperor sites - new for us that is! In a quiet wood near Billingshurst we saw 3 male Purple Emperors, one of which came down to my bait, and then my finger. We may have seen more, but a fierce lightening storm brought a premature end to proceedings. A recently-emerged Speckled Wood patrolled the ride as we waited (photo of Neil by Matthew Oates). (Neil Hulme) Recent news: Roundhill area of Brighton: on 26th my first White-letter Hairstreak in the garden in Belton Road with another dead on Ditchling Road nearby; unfortunately, also dead Scarlet Tiger moths at Richmond Road on 26th and on Lewes Road near Sainsburys on 27th. However, live day-time flying Scarlet Tigers at Ashdown Road on 27th and over garden on 28th. Wednesday 29 June 2011
Another count of Small Tortoiseshells between Littlington and Alfriston produced a small increase in numbers to 33, most were at the Alfriston end. The Gatekeepers are now emerging in good numbers on only their 2nd day of being seen in this area. A very smart Essex Skipper (above) female was also seen. All this to the depressing noise of chain saws cutting down the elms that have succumbed to dutch elm disease. I would like to thank Dave, the manager of this area for The National Trust for agreeing to move the site for the fire away from a bramble bush that has been a nectaring source for the W L Hairstreaks in the area. (Bob Eade)
News from the Butterfly haven: We have a new species at the Butterfly Haven, Brighton, observed for the first time today. Its the 22nd species, the Small Skipper (above, left). (Dan Danahar)
I visited Southwater Woods this morning, arriving just after 9 a.m. On the main east-west ride, there were dozens of Meadow Browns already active, plus a good number of Silver-washed Fritillaries dashing about. At the western end, in Madgelands Wood, there were also several White Admirals nectaring on bramble, although some of these are beginning to look rather tired now. In the meadows to the north of the woods, there were literally hundreds of Meadow Browns and a good number of Marbled Whites. I was also pleased to see a few Small Coppers here. At the corner of one field, there were some Purple Hairstreaks high in the Oak trees. Estimated numbers of sightings: Silver-washed Fritillary (25+), White Admiral (10), Comma (5), Red Admiral (2), Purple Hairstreak (5), Speckled Wood (5), Small Copper (3), Marbled White (25+), Large Skipper (10), Ringlet (10), Meadow Brown (hundreds)... but Purple Emperor (zero).
Popped into Botany Bay today and saw two Purple Emperors chasing at high level also saw 16 Silver-washed Fritillaries including a mating pair. Interestingly also saw a Dark Green Fritillary (above) which I understand are unusual at this site. (Mark Tutton) Tuesday 28 June 2011 Seaford Head TQ9749 On a very hot morning before the rain and thunder came, we saw 20 + Marbled Whites nectaring on Bramble and Common Knapweed. Also on Bramble 20 Dark Green Fritillary. Numerous Meadows Brown, Large and Small Skippers, Small Heath and Large and Small Whites. In the Garden (TQ0769) this evening Hummingbird Hawkmoth. (Janet & Neville Richardson)
Just before the storms hit us, we spotted this White Admiral at Botany Bay which seems to have lost its stripes. (Maggie and Steve East)
Walking along the ride running east to west through Magdalen Wood at 9am today, one White Admiral near the gate and 2 Ringlets, plus what looked like two possible Purple Emperors in the canopy above the first crossroads; also in the Ash here one Purple Hairstreak high in the treetop. Further along the ride we saw Silver-washed Fritillaries, at least 2 more White Admirals, another possible Purple Hairstreak, 2 Large Skipper, 1 Marbled White, 2-3 Ringlet, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Speckled Wood, numerous Meadow Browns, 3-4 White sp., and 1 Red Admiral. Back at the car park, we were afforded excellent views (through binoculars) of a female Purple Hairstreak resting up in the treetop. Photos above and on my blog: http://mud-puddling.blogspot.com/. (Leigh Prevost) Single Hummingbird Hawkmoths have been present daily in my garden in Edburton for about 10 days now but I suspect theres been some immigration as this evening there were 3 together on the Valerian. Yesterday, one was making the most of the warm evening and was still feeding at 9.45pm. Otherwise the best sightings in the garden have been a couple of Dark Green Fritillaries, Large Skipper and Marbled White. In the nearby wood the first Silver-washed Fritillary, White Admiral and Purple Hairstreak have appeared. Also, near the garden I recently found a huge number of Red Admiral caterpillars in a large patch of nettles and thistles but more interesting it also appeared to be a nursery for Harlequin Ladybirds with many larva and a few adults. (Tony Wilson)
News for Monday 27 June: Firstly, "thanks" to Leigh Prevost for writing-up the Sunday walk around Southwater Woods, and to the twenty five participants who I'm sure enjoyed the stunning meadows, woods and their butterflies. On Monday I met up with Matthew Oates to look at the Purple Emperors of Botany Bay, where three came to ground. Second brood Wood White are already on the wing here! More at http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=4065&start=420 (Neil Hulme) More news for Monday 27 June: The Essex Skippers are out at that Butterfly haven and at Moulescoomb Primary school three White letter Hairstreaks were seen. (Dan Danahar) More news for Monday 27 June: On a hot and humid morning, I noticed the first Hummingbird Hawkmoth of the year flying energetically around the vegetation at the top of Chanctonbury Drive, north Shoreham. The lower slopes of Mill Hill (north of Shoreham) hosted 15+ Marbled White Butterflies, 12+ Small Heaths, two Large Whites, at least four Meadow Browns, one Comma, one Burnet Moth and two Red Admirals (the latter at the southern steps). I only visited the lower slopes, but on the southern part of Mill Hill there were two more Marbled Whites, another Small Heath, a Yellow Shell Moth and a Cinnabar Moth. There were more sightings of Marbled Whites, but these were excluded as they were thought to be the same butterfly seen twice. (Andy Horton, http://www.glaucus.org.uk/Butterfly-list2011.html) News for Sunday 26 June: Four White-letter Hairstreak flying high in the tree canopy at the northern end of Hollingbury Park (TQ317 077), Brighton. Also, Comma, Red Admiral, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper. (Caroline Clarke)
More news for Sunday 26 June: Southwater Woods has been a fruitful hunting ground recently. On Sunday I arrived after Neil's walk and met several BC friends including Maggie and Steve, who is a good spotter and pointed out a mating pair of Ringlets and an Essex Skipper. Other sightings were a pair of courting Green-veined Whites, Small Skippers, Marble Whites, Meadow Browns, a Common Blue, Commas, Silver-washed Fritillaries, White Admirals, Speckled Woods and a soaring Purple Emperor (photos above). (Colin Knight www.seapic.com) Recent news: Monday 27 June 2011
Today I went back to Hollingbury park to look for White-letter Hairstreak, Whilst there I saw two Red Admirals, three Meadow Browns, one Large Skipper and suprisingly one Silver-washed Fritillary. I went back to the same spot as yesturday, finding three White-letter Hairstreaks in flight chasing each other, I saw two at eye level, and on and off single and double sightings of White-letter Hairstreak, down feeding on bramble. So in total a definate three White-letter Hairstreaks were seen, with a possible three too six individuals, but with possible, double countings (photos above). (Jamie Burston)
I managed to sneak out to Friston Forest today and what a joy! Lots of butterflies just laying there waiting to be photographed, including my first sightings of the year of easily 50 Dark Green Fritillary. Also seen were a handful of Marbled White (also my first sighting of the year), a couple of Small Tortoiseshell, a few Large Skipper, a couple Red Admiral and one Comma (photos above). (Nick Linazasoro)
At 6.30 a.m Hummingbird Hawkmoth 1, Red Admiral 5, Ringlets 3, Comma 2, Meadow Browns 8. TQ2016. at 8.30 Mill Hill top car park vicinity, Painted Lady 1, Hummingbird Hawkmoth 2. and finally - TQ212121 Marbled Whites 4. The above pic sums up the weekend - masses of butterflies - only the skipper was stationary. TQ211240 field surrounded by woods, 2 Meadow Browns, one Comma, one Large White but surprisingly this field was dominated by Small Skippers 25 plus. Sunday 26 June: Near Downs link, Marbled Whites 11, Small Skippers 6, Small Tortoiseshells 2. TQ203172. At Woodmancote 30 plus Marbled Whites a large colony, Small Skippers 25 plus, Large Skippers, 5 Meadow Browns numerous, Commas 3, Red Admiral 1, Hummingbird Hawkmoth 1 TQ242141. Wiston TQ1416 Silver-washed Fritillary 8, White Admiral 3, Purple Hairstreak 2, Marbled Whites 5, Small Skipper 3, Large Skipper 5, Green-veined White 2, Ringlets 10, Meadow Browns numerous, Large White 1, Common Blue (pristine) 1. At TQ236131, pritine Small Copper, Purple Hairstreak, Marbled White 2, Meadow Browns 5, one tatty Speckled Wood. (30 plus spp in the moth trap including 5 Elephant Hawks a rather late Cockchafer and bits of a male Stag beetle outside, sparrows?). (Richard Roebuck) Southwater Woods 09.30 to 12.15 much of the time in the pleasant company of Susie. Very Hot and Very Sunny. Species seen and approx numbers: My moth trap over the weekend at RSPB Pulborough Brooks yielded over 200 moths and 30 different species the highlights included Eyed, Poplar and Elephant Hawkmoths, Rosy Footman, Buff-tip, Buff Arches, Beautiful Hook-tip, a Lackey and a Shark. Most numerous were Dark Arches and Large Yellow Underwings. Still trying to get to grips with the micros, taking on a couple of challenges each time I trap this time several Bramble Shoot Moths and Catoptria pinella. Weve also got some fabulous, fat, Mullein moth caterpillars in the visitor centre courtyard. In terms of butterflies around the reserve at the moment we've seen Meadow Browns aplenty, plus Large Skippers, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral and the first of our Ringlets. I also saw one White Admiral (on the woodland/heathland trail) and one Marbled White (over the car park) yesterday we only get a handful of sightings of these two species each year.
News for Sunday 26 June: I went for a stroll around the northern half of one of the "mystery tetrads", Graffham Common (SU9218). The north-eastern square consists mainly of coniferous woodland with a dense bracken undergrowth, on a poor light Lower Greensand soil. There were very few nectar sources for butterflies and I saw only a few Meadow Browns bobbing about. I was beginning to think that I wouldn't see anything else at all, but at one clearing that had some bramble flowers, I disturbed a White Admiral, which then proceeded to flit around very restlessly for several minutes. There were also a couple of Large Skippers at this location. I later saw one more White Admiral, also nectaring on bramble, but no other woodland species. The north-western square has an unwooded area marked on the map as Selham Common, which in fact is a large meadow with horses grazing on it. It was full of, guess what... Meadow Browns, but nothing else. Overall, this was a rather disappointing expedition from a butterfly point of view, but it's a nice area for a walk. (Andy Wilson) More news for Sunday 26 June: Having spotted the White-letter Hairstreak in the field near where I live on the cold Saturday I looked a bit harder than usual on the hot Sunday morning. I saw 1 nectaring on bramble and another 3 flying high. I have looked many times around the edge of the field as I was sure they would be there but never seen them before. They certainly can be very easily overlooked. (Bob Eade)
News for Saturday 25 June: The photo above was taken at 4.40pm on Saturday 25 June 2011. (Juliet and Chris Moore) Sunday 26 June 2011 A visit to Broadwater Warren near Tunbridge Wells resulted in 10 Meadow Brown, 5 Speckled Wood, 1 Large Skipper, 1 Large White, 2 White Admiral and (for the first sighting in my life, at the age of 58!) a male Purple Emperor - which was active for a good 15 minutes at ground level at about 12.30 pm. (Rob Thomas)
On the Southwater Safari led by Neil Hulme today, a total of 14 species seen. In no particular order: Purple Emperor (3), Purple Hairstreak (2 very brief), White Admiral (3-4), Comma (1), Ringlet (2), Meadow Brown (many!), Holly Blue (1), Green-veined White (4-5), Silver-washed Fritillary, Marbled White, Large Skipper (4), Speckled Wood. Also seen by the group but not me, 1 Red Admiral and 1 Small Tortoiseshell. Thanks Neil for yet another fantastic trip and for imparting your knowledge. After a very brief glimpse of an individual Purple Emperor, flying powerfully through the canopy, we were lucky enough to see 2 males jostling for territory over the car park. I hope one day to see this fine butterfly resting but a fleeting glimpse will keep me satisfied until then. A surprise find in my moth trap last night was a Purple Hairstreak (Keith Alexander)
Today our family took advantage of the RHS Open Gardens scheme and visited the hidden gem of Follers Manor in Alfriston. I took the camera to take photos of the flowers and somehow managed to photgraph an endangered battered but lovely White-Letter Hairstreak - I'm not sure that I've ever seen one before! Also spotted were several Meadow Brown, Large White and a Red Admiral. We also saw a dragonfly and damselfly depositing the next generation in the pond. Lovely garden and weather and enjoyable afternoon (photos above). (Nick, Sharon, James & Toby Linazasoro) Today I went to Hollinbury park, Brighton, I saw one Green-veined White, two Red Admirals, five Meadow Browns, one Small Tortoiseshell and one White-letter Hairstreak, which was down on bramble, finding it toward the top end of the park, close to Hollingbury golf course. (Jamie Burston) Lancing Rings 12 - 2pm very hot and sunny. Approx. numbers seen: Visited Cissbury Ring today for for a short walk for the first time since early June. The number of species was not high but it was good to see 40 + Dark Green Fritillaries - some still emerging. Marbled Whites were also there but I only noticed c 15. 1 Small Blue, 2 Common Blues, a few Large Skippers and lots of Small Heaths and Meadow Browns made up most of the supporting cast. Also 2 Forester moths there. We had our first Gatekeeper of the year at Thorney Island (SU752024) this afternoon, and a Hummingbird Hawkmoth flew east along the shoreline, at the southern end of Thorney Island at SU762012. On an evening walk, saw first Gatekeeper of my butterfly year. (Graham Parris Isfield)
News for Saturday 25 June: I visited Cissbury Ring on Saturday, arriving at 4.30 just as the sun started to come out. This time I managed to find the Marbled Whites and Dark Green Fritillaries, around the south-eastern side of the ring (last time I made the mistake of walking around the north side and seeing very little). The Dark Green Fritillaries were very lively at first but had settled down considerably by the time I left, at about 6.30. Also I saw Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Small Heath, Small Copper, a very faded Common Blue, Green-veined White, and Small and Large Skipper (photos above). (John Williams) Saturday 25 June 2011 Just been for a long walk to Littlington, Alfriston and back over the hills and in the cool temperature hardly saw anything. I was nearly home when I spotted a small butterfly sheltering in the long grass. On closer inspection I found it was a White-letter Hairstreak. Map ref. TQ5009 0045. (Bob Eade)
News for Friday 24 June: One Essex Skipper (above) on Nore Down near West Marden in West Sussex SU774130. Also, plenty of Marbled Whites (Brian Fellows) More news for Friday 24 June: Hummingbird Hawkmoth in our Steyning garden on one of our Buddleia bushes... hovering for about two minutes around bush. (David Geoghegan) Friday 24 June 2011
Ventured down to woods off Spithandle lane, late this afternoon and it immediately became overcast and chilly in the wind. Finally I saw my first Silver-washed Fritillary of the year here which looked pristine. Also newly emerged Ringlets 6, in super condition, Green-veined Whites 3, White Admirals 3, Commas 3,Large Skippers 6, Red Admiral 1, Large White 1. TQ1615 (photos above). (Richard Roebuck)
At least 12 Marbled Whites seen on the Rifle Range this morning (TQ 164113). Also lots of Meadow Brown, 6 Ringlets & a mating pair of Green-veined Whites (above). No Blues to be found. (Pete Varkala) A single Painted Lady, my first this year, nectaring with 5 Small Tortoiseshells and several Meadow Browns on thistles near to Lodge Farm, Keymer at TQ318139 (Malcolm Le Grys)
I went to Friston Forest above Butchershole today to try to get photos of Dark Green Fritillaries. The weather was better than the last few days but still a rather cool wind. However, I found two sheltered locations where there were several nectaring on Knapweed and Bramble (above). Also saw Meadow Brown and Marbled White (too numerous to count), Comma (1), Red Admiral (2), Speckled Wood (2) and a solitary male Large White. (Andy Wilson)
A morning off coincided with some sunshine so I decided to check out one of the unrecorded tetrads (see suitcase above). I headed across to Gay Street near Billingshurst. I wasn't too sure what to find in this largely agricultural tetrad and focussed my recording on an area of woodland in the SW corner - Woodshill Copse. So many woods in Sussex are dark and abandoned - so I was pleased to find this one in a healthy condition - wide rideas and areas of clearfell made this site fantastic for butterflies and other wildlife. The place was full of Silver-washed Fritillaries - there were over 40 all along the rides along with White Admirals, Red Admiral, Purple Hairstreak, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Green-veined White, Comma, Speckled Wood and a Hummingbird Hawk-moth. Management here looks set to improve this habitat for the future - I'll certainly be back (photos above). (Michael Blencowe) I have been trying to do my annual Small Tortoiseshell count between Littlington and Alfriston for some time now but the wind has been too high. With better weather predicted I set off today to but find that there was still a stiff breeze blowing along the river. The nettles and thistles were also less than in recent years, possibly due to over winter flooding. I counted just 28 Small Tortoiseshell which was still quite impressive, but was well down on what I was hoping as last year it was nearly 60!! Details of two transects walked yesterday and today at Bedelands Farm, Burgess Hill, Species seen; News for Thursday 23 June: In the evening, one Marbled White, 50+ Meadow Browns, 20+ Large Skippers, one Small Tortoiseshell, in a disused field off downs link. As far as I can remember this has not been mown or cultivated for many years, hence the large numbers of butterflies. TQ204171. (Richard Roebuck) Thursday 23 June 2011 I dodged the showers to go White-letter Hairstreak hunting in Brighton. 1 White-letter Hairstreak on my neighbour's English elm tree (seen through binoculars from the comfort of my conservatory window) and two on Wych elm on Surrenden Field (TQ301 075). I also checked out Withdean Park which has elm dotted around its borders. No luck but even when the sun came out it was pretty windy so not ideal spotting conditions. I'd be very surprised if there weren't colonies here, though - and I know the odd sighting has come through in previous years close to this park. (Caroline Clarke)
After reading Dan Danahar's post on the Sussex Butterflies website on June 5th 2011, I decided to visit the Chalk pit at Hollingbury Industrial Park to see if I could see the Small Blue. Although the numbers were much lower than Dan had reported earlier this month, I saw at least 10 Small Blues in the fenced off Nature Reserve (both sides of path) plus a good selection of other species including: 3 Large Skipper, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 White Sp., and most surprising of all at least 6 Marbled Whites (with at least 1 female). I also noted that a few individuals had damaged wings with one in particular, having almost all of one wing missing. Of note, I also observed one Small Blue ovipositing on a Kidney Vetch Anthyllis vulneraria. Photos above and on my blog: http://mud-puddling.blogspot.com/. (Leigh Prevost)
Had a walk up a bridleway at Wineham today and saw Large Skippers 5, Small Skippers 8, Commas 3, Red Admiral 1, Marbled White 1, Ringlets 2, Small Tortoiseshells 5, Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet moths 2. TQ235189. For a slightly different angle, got a head shot of a Large Skipper feeding on red clover (photos above). (Richard Roebuck)
On a short walk in Friston Forest today I counted over 200 Dark Green Fritillaries (above). They were everywhere! Every available nectar source seem to have a Fritillary feeding on it. One Burdock had 15 of them jostling for nectar. Also 1 Ringlet, 2 Large Skipper, 3 White Admiral, 3 Meadow Brown, 1 Small Skipper, 10 Marbled White. (Name not supplied) Wednesday 22 June 2011
Having cancelled my trip to Cumbria to see some new species due to the awful weather up there I once again ventured into Friston Forest wishing I had booked a different week off. Once again the sheltered rides were brimming with Dark Green Fritillaries. At one time I was surrounded by at least 17. Many now looking worn, but many fresh specimens were also there. I managed to improve my underside shots, not quite upto Neil's standard but getting there. There must have been around 100 Fritillaries here. Along the ride there were several other species inc. Ringlet, Meadow Brown, White Admiral, Comma, Speckled Wood, Marbled White, Small Tortoiseshell, Large Skipper and Small Skipper. A large Mullein larva was found in the next ride and then I was rewarded with an excellent Scarlet Tiger Moth which improved my mood a little!! (photos above) (Bob Eade) Trapping at home last night (21st-22nd) produced few species and low numbers, unsurprising perhaps given the breezy conditions, although I did record my first Small Elephant Hawkmoth here and my first Dot Moth of the year. (Jeremy Patterson, Belton Road, Brighton)
News for Tuesday 21 June: Blustery walk around Friston Forest we were lucky to see in the very brief glimpse's of sun, White Admiral, Marbled White, Dark Green Fritillary, Red Admiral, Large Skipper, Common Blue, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Scarlet Tiger, Cinnabar (photos above). (Janet Richardson) Tuesday 21 June 2011 There was plenty to see in the early evening at Worms Wood (SU971008) today. Marbled White (12), Large Skipper (15), Red Admiral (1), Comma (1), Small Tortoiseshell (!) The icing on the cake was my first ever decent sighting of a Purple Hairstreak (female). (Paul Ingate)
I finally found a sunny window this morning to do my weekly transect at Mill Hill with the following result: 2 Common Blue (females), 2 Green-veined White, 1 Large Skipper, 3 Marbled White, 4 Meadow Brown, 7 Small Heath, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Small White. It was interesting to watch a buzzard soaring overhead carrying a pheasant in tow (photos above). (Colin Knight www.seapic.com)
Yesterday evening in the rain, lots of Meadow Browns in hay fields off Bramlands lane TQ2313. Reptile surveying Markstakes AM: And finally... Sam Bayley contacted the website to let us know that he has received confirmation from Colin Pratt that the aberrant Small Tortoiseshell that he photographed last Wednesday was an example of the very rare ab. conjuncta Neub. Monday 20 June 2011
A couple of hours spent at Park Corner Heath and Rowland Wood waiting for the cloud cover to thin, which didn't happen, resulted in a very good view of a Nightingale, a probable hawk moth zooming past and a single butterfly that was a Painted Lady (above) in Rowland Wood. Fortunately the lady settled on some fern long enough to get a grab shot which shows the fabulous design of its underwing. I never did get a good view of the top wings, but looking at the underwings it seems a very fresh specimen. (Bob Eade)
Though the clouds appeared laden with rain, I decided to chance my luck with a brief trip up to Cissbury Ring, and I'm glad I did. On first arriving, a saw a lone Meadow Brown flitting amongst the damp grass but little else for 30 minutes or so, then as the skies cleared briefly more and more butterflies started to emerge from their slumber. A Large Skipper, which at first appeared 'frozen' to the spot, obiliged well; then a Marbled White and some more Meadow Browns started to appear. But the jewel on this damp grey day was the sight of 2, possibly 3 Dark Green Fritillaries (all male I believe) flitting amongst the long grass, and posing for a significant amount of time, in the southern most ditch (please see a very close-up shot of a DGF 'cleaning' itself - top, left). On way back to the car I also saw a very battered Common Blue and 2 Small Heaths. (For more photos please visit my blog: http://mud-puddling.blogspot.com/) (Leigh Prevost)
News for Saturday 18 June 2011: In between the showers and spells of torrential rain I managed to find half a dozen Dark Green Fritillaries and 3 or 4 Silver-washed Fritillaries (above) at Cissbury Ring and Southwater Woods. I've finally dried off. More at http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=4065&start=420. (Neil Hulme) News for Saturday 11 June: A single speciman of a Ringlet was seen on 11th June 2011 in Long Meadow on Graffham Down. (Paul and Biddy Dimmer) Sunday 19 June 2011 I enjoyed a sunny but blustery morning walk around my tetrad and beyond today - from Eastbourne Youth Hostel along the SD Way to Jevington (checked out the weeping Wych elm for WLHs) and back via Butts Brow and was delighted to see newly emerged Marbled Whites and Dark Green Fritillaries, plenty of Meadow Browns and Small Heaths, several Small Tortoiseshells, a Common Blue, Large + Small Skippers, a Speckled Wood and a Red Admiral. The Pyramidal Orchids are looking beautiful all over the downs as well as in my garden! (Anna Grist)
Went for a bimble over my local patch late this afternoon and was surprised to find this little chap (above) sitting in the middle of Old Wickhurst Lane, Broadbridge Heath on my way back. I've been meaning to search this area for White-letter Hairstreak for years and not got around to it, obviously he was impatient to be found! Also seen half a dozen Small Tortoiseshell and a few Meadow Browns. (Susie Milbank)
Went to Cissbury ring about 7.30 a.m, hedging my bets a bit as this was pretty early, anyway as the sun got a bit higher saw 5 Dark Green Fritillaries on the ground just warming up, some on the plateau, also saw Common Blue, Small Blue, numerous Meadow Browns, Small Heaths, two Marbled Whites, newly emerged Six-spot Burnet moths, Cinnabar caterpillars, and one pristine Small Copper, actually best of all were three Red Admirals, one was absolutely magnificent, it looked like it was made of velvet. Slightly later went to Southwater Woods, a few White Admirals and Silver-washed Fritillaries and a Comma. However I actually enjoyed the time watching numerous Meadow Browns with their wings open due to the overcast conditions. Had a good chat with Dan and as we were leaving met Colin. Next stop Spithandle Lane, however nothing much happening there today. Early evening on a family walk found an un-mown field with loads of Meadow Browns flying as the kids ran thorough the grass. TQ226157. On the way back got slightly distracted spotting a colony of 10 Small Tortoiseshells at the back of a farm, great to see them doing well this year ever the opportunists, a few nettles and brambles, home sweet home. TQ224157 (photos above). (Richard Roebuck)
There wasn't much sun in Storrington today (until the cool of the evening) but at 10.00am the sun shone for a couple of minutes and immediately I had Small Copper, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Small Heath and Common Blue, all in my garden meadow.
Today I went to Southwater woods to see what I could find in the form of woodland butterflies. Of course it was the same old story, when I set out it was sunny but as I travelled to the site the weather got worse and I was not confident about seeing very much at all. However, on my arrival I immediately saw Small Tortoiseshells and Meadow Browns but quickly it got very much darker and threatened rain, so I was delighted and surprised with the sighting of some Ringlets, my 33rd species of the year. I have never found this to be an abundant species but at Southwater Woods it clearly enjoyed flitting about the bracken and most of the individuals were very freshly emerged. I found the weather conditions almost perfect for photography because all the insects were sedentary and frequently basking with wings open. I also saw Speckled Woods and Small Skippers who were also motionless because it started to rain. Saturday 18 June 2011
Wonderful find today at Arundel Wetlands a Puss Moth (above). My first ever! Recommend this place, it's beautiful. Hope you are all having a good weekend. (Heather Maryson)
Escaping the wind yet again in Friston Forest was once again very successful. Apart from bumping into Andrew Burns there were plenty of Dark Green Fritillaries. Trying to get some underside shots I nearly, for the 2nd time in just over a week, trod on an adder! This one was a smart female that didn't seem too bothered by me. A White Admiral behaved very well and posed for both of us. A Red-necked Footman was a bonus as well as a sighting of a Scarlet Tiger Moth. Finally, just as I was leaving the area a Marbled White settled in front of me. (Bob Eade)
Up very early this am and as sun shining I thought I head over to Southwater Woods to try catch up with the White Admirals and Silver-washed Fritillaries reported over the last few days. Walking west along the very muddy public bridleway, I spotted my first Silver-washed Fritillary after 5 minutes or so - 'mud-puddling'! Unfortunately, over the next 1hr and half I had only seen another 2 butterflies in total, 1 Meadow Brown and 1 Speckled Wood. However, whilst walking back to the car, my luck was in and I spotted at least 3 more Silver-washed Fritillaries feeding on some bramble, 2 Meadow Browns and 1 Speckled Wood. (please see more photos/details on my blog at: http://mud-puddling.blogspot.com/). (Leigh Prevost)
This morning I ignored the rain and had Southwater Woods to myself and then was joined by Neil. A White Admiral was followed by a female Silver-washed Fritillary and my first Purple Hairstreak of the year. Then Neil found two male Silver-washed Fritillaries together. The day was completed by finding the Marbled White at Cissbury Ring in the south ditch. (Colin Knight www.seapic.com)
Braved the wind and heavy showers this morning and found in disused fields next to a footpath at Woodmancote, one Marbled White, one Small Skipper, Large Skipper 5 Meadow Browns 30+ and numerous Five-spot Burnet moths TQ241140. This is a really great site rich in flora and fauna. (Richard Roebuck) Friday 17 June 2011 A solitary Meadow Brown was the only butterfly I saw in Rowland Wood this morning which, given the weather conditions, was an unexpected bonus. (Bob Foreman) Recent news: Trapping on the night of 14th-15th produced, amongst others, the following moths: 5 Willow Beauty, 5 Riband Wave, 4 Garden Carpet, 7 Pale Mottled Willow, 12 Dark Arches, one each of Snout & Common Footman and a slightly tatty Scarlet Tiger at Belton Road, Brighton. (Jeremy Patterson) More recent news: I met a Purple Hairstreak butterfly last Sunday when walking in Montacute Field, off Broadwater Down, Tunbridge Wells, field is in Sussex, at TQ 575374 approx. Thursday 16 June 2011
A visit to Cissbury Ring after the rain this afternoon today gave me a beautiful Marbled White, 10 sightings of Dark Green Fritillaries, Cinnabar moths and a Burnet sp.pupa in addition to the usual Meadow Browns and Small Heaths and a Common Blue (Colin Knight www.seapic.com)
News for Tuesday 14 June: A visit to Southwater Woods with my father produced the following species: White Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Comma, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Common Blue, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood and Meadow Brown (all abundances recorded for our Atlas Project). The Small Skippers had clearly emerged that morning and were still very unsteady on the wing. Also fresh out were the first of the second brood Green-veined White and a large number of hutchinsoni (pale-coloured summer brood) Comma. But I was most pleased to see the tremendous numbers of Meadow Brown, which has made a spectacular come-back after two poor years. More at http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=4065&start=420 and scroll back one page for another report on the Rowland Wood opening event. (Neil Hulme) Wednesday 15 June 2011
With rain predicted and cloud all day it was a risk driving all the way to Botany Bay and walking through to Oaken Wood. After 45 minutes with only a sleepy Large Skipper I was thinking I should have stayed at home, however, eventually the cloud thinned a bit and 2 Silver-washed Fritillaries and a White Admiral woke up. The cloud however soon thickened again so I walked through to Oaken Wood. As well as more Silver-washed and White Admirals I found a newly emerged Dark Green Fritillary which is a very unusual species for this wood according to Nick and Pauline who I bumped into and are local to this wood. Neither of them have ever seen this species here!! Unfortunately they missed the fritillary but were good enough to show me a very fresh Ringlet. By this time it was now raining but despite the weather it was a very good day (photos above). (Bob Eade)
Having put a trap at home for the first time in ages the night before last I managed to catch a Rannoch Looper and yesterday found another flying around my garden at midday!
I spent a couple of hours today beside the lake at the Brinsbury Campus of Chichester College in the company of a good number of beautiful Marbled Whites, including this pair (above). (Robin Bassett) I was in Eastbourne this morning and spotted a Hummingbird Hawkmoth flying around Valerian hotly pursued by an enthusiastic sparrow, the moth escaped easily. On the way home saw two Marbled Whites, east of the horseshoe plantation in the long grass next to Beachy Head road TV561959. (Richard Roebuck)
Recent news: On Monday I visited Cissbury Ring and was rewarded with two Dark Green Fritillaries in the north-west ditch plus a Small Blue and many Meadow Browns and Small Heaths On Tuesday at Southwater Woods I saw my first Silver-washed Fritillaries and White Admirals of the year and met Neil, Susie and Anna on the same mission (photos above). (Colin Knight www.seapic.com)
Less recent news: White-letter Hairstreak on the wall of my house halfway up Beacons field Villas, Brighton. 6th June remained overnight and then flew when sun came out on 7th. I am aware that there is a local population but exciting and early nevertheless. (Tris Moore)
News from April: Stella Pendleton reported the recent discovery of a Scarlet Mormon (Papilio rumanzovia) in West Wittering (above). Unfortunately this magnificent creature was found dead on a windowsill. The butterfly is a native of the Phillipines, and though we have had some high winds of late, we suspect an open window at nearby Earnley Butterflies is a more likely origin. Tuesday 14 June 2011 Thanks to Sherie New and Keith Alexander for heading into the unknown and visiting the Amberley and Moneypenny tetrads. I've added their updates to the tetrad page (click on the suitcase above for Sherie's report and Keith's shaken - not stirred report) A lot of people have commented that the 'suggested tetrad' page is a good idea - so I'll add some more tetrads soon. Meanwhile there's still a hike north of Brighton and a stroll around Gay Street up for grabs (Michael Blencowe) Walked around King's Standing Heath today to record Silver-studded Blues. Counted 27, mainly around the outer fringes (24, including 1 female). only 4 seen through centre of heath. Also, Meadow Brown (13), Large Skipper (8), Small Heath (5) and 1 Small Copper. (Bob Coleman)
I went to the Le Mans 24hrs Race over the weekend which was a great experience, however I still managed to put in some butterflying. It was great to walk through a small track of grass and was surrounded by hundreds of Marbled Whites including mating pairs (why does this not happen here?). In addition behind my tent, I spotted some Purple Hairstreaks on an oak. On my return this evening I legged it down to Woods off Spithandle Lane and at 6.15 saw two newly emerged White Admirals and in the tops of tall oaks my first Purple Hairstreaks of the year, only about 8, again these must be newly emerged as there were none there last week. In addition a Red Admiral, Speckled Woods, numerous Large Skippers and Meadow Browns. Life in the tree tops has begun. (Richard Roebuck) Today, 14th June, I saw a Hummingbird Hawkmoth and a Painted Lady in Cuckfield. (Tim Newnham) Mary and I walked from our house on the outskirts of Storrington to Chantry Hill then onto Kithurst Hill and back. The following butterfly species were seen; Meadow Brown 100+, Small Heath 70-80, Large Skipper 40, Small Tortoiseshell 4, Red Admiral 2, Small Blue (Kithurst Hill) 3, Common Blue 2, Speckled Wood 1, Small Skipper 3, Large White 2, Small White 2. I had what was most probably an Essex Skipper in a meadow between Chantry and Kithurst but by the time I had alerted Mary (40 yards away) and fiddled with my camera I couldn't relocate it. Most annoying! The tips of the antennae were distinctly 'club shape' and black and I am 95% certain of the ID. Weather permitting I may have another shot at it in the next day or so. (Martin and Mary Kalaher)
I visited Iping Common and Southwater Woods both today and yesterday. Yesterday at Iping there seemed to be a great many deformed Silver-studded Blue butterflies. Many had crippled wings in the same way as the Adonis Blue were affected at Denbies Hillside this year. Victims of the hot dry spring perhaps. Today, however, I didn't find any. There are still fresh butterflies emerging. I was priviledged enough to be able to watch a female Silver-studded Blue being attended by ants this morning. Got attended by a fair few myself. Also seen at Iping Speckled Wood, Large Skipper, Meadow Brown and a male Brimstone.
Checked out Littlington this morning. Several Small Tortoiseshell nectaring on thistles. After some time also managed to get a decent underside shot. There was also a few Dark Green Fritillaries nectaring on the thistles. The bramble flower there is still some way off flowering so no White Letter Hairstreaks seen. The bad news here is also that lots of elms are currently being felled as dutch elm disease is, as reported a few months ago very evident here. I would have liked to have done my tortoiseshell count but I was on standby this afternoon so time was limited. This afternoon I did however visit the 'wasteland' behind where I live in Seaford where I saw my first Marbled Whites, including one still pumping out its wings, and Small Skippers of the year. Here also were several Small Tortoiseshell as well as Meadow Brown (photos above). (Bob Eade) My father Roy Symonds reports the following sightings: Inhams Lane, West Stoke (SU835089) Large White (1), Small White (2), Meadow Brown (1) and Red Admiral (1 fresh).
A glorious summers afternoon up on Cissbury Ring for the first time; what a great place and what stunning views. Butterflies were in abundance, with a possible 6 new species for the year. Lots of Meadow Brown and Small Heaths in the meadow near the carpark and in/around the plateau. Also one fairly ragged Small Copper on the southern slope leading up to the plateau. Recent news: In our garden at Rodmell: This evening, a Hummingbird Hawkmoth on Valerian. Markstakes. Dormouse Surveying:
News for Thursday 9 June: Many thanks to Colin Pratt, Bob Foreman & Michael Blencowe, for confirming the moth (above) was a Riband Wave also a rare aberration previously unrecorded in Sussex. Monday 13 June 2011
The first White Admiral (above) of the year spotted in my wood near Small Dole. Also a pristine Comma, a Large Skipper and lots of Meadow Brown. (Pete Varkala) Details of the transect walked today at Bedelands Farm, Burgess Hill, species recorded;
After a frustrating Saturday hunting unsuccessfully for Black Hairstreaks in Bucks and a rained off Sunday I made a special effort to get to Southwater Woods this evening. I arrived just before 6 in rather pale sunshine. There wasn't awful lot flying but I was fortunate enough to see a couple of White Admirals and a nice chocolatey Meadow Brown, as well as a Comma, Red Admiral, and Large Skipper. Also I bumped into Susie Millbank who was just returning from her own after work expedition (photos above). (John Williams)
Recent news: On Saturday night we trapped at Heyshott Common in calm but cold conditions, in what we later realised was a frost hollow... The statistics were three MV traps catching 14 moths of 10 species, and temperatures so cold that ice formed on some of our kit at around 1am; not a great sounding night's mothing! We had a thoroughly good time though as we caught our two target species being a single Clouded Buff and 2 Pine Hawkmoth (the first time we have ever caught this species of Hawkmoth). Other species were pairs of True Lovers Knot, Four-dotted Footman and Brown Silver-lines, and individual Grass Wave, Common White Wave, Peppered Moth, Buff Ermine and Scoparia ambigualis. A supporting cast of roding Woodcock, churring Nightjar and a screeching Tawny Owl chick formed the soundtrack for the evening. It demonstrates what a difficult time Nightjar must have hunting in cold conditions, as moths form the bulk of their prey. Apart from the ice, perhaps the biggest surprise of the night was the absence of any Rannoch Looper, a species which we caught in Shoreham on the 9th June, and at Woods Mill on the 3rd June when we caught 60 species including a fresh Nascia cilialis (photos above). (Dave and Pen Green) Sunday 12 June 2011 Sunday's dreadful weather produced a complete washout and all of today's reports are from Saturday:
After the official Rowland Wood opening my family departed, leaving me to stay behind to help with tidying up. A little while later I received a text from Jo to tell me that when she got home she found an "interesting little moth" on the washing line and had popped in a pot for me to see on my return. The moth it turned out, was the pRDB1 species, Orange-blotch Cosmet, Chrysoclista lathamella (above) and only the second all-Sussex record, the last one, according to Colin Pratt, was in 1880! - now that's what I call a good spot. (Bob Foreman)
I packed up my suitcase this morning as per Michael Blencowe's advice (see suitcase near top of page) and ambled off to Amberley Wildbrooks. It was what my partner would call a 'twofer' mission. I wanted to see what the Brooks could offer in the way of Odonata and butterflies both. I have meant to do this walk year after year and never quite got round to it until Saturday. I started off from Greatham Bridge, walked to Amberley and then across the railway tracks towards Bury. There I stopped and simply retraced my steps. My plan was to note all species that came my way be they in the Amberley tetrad or not and send them in. Course, I had hoped to see lots of butterflies in the tetrad but that was not to be. From Greatham Bridge to the outskirts of Amberley (all the route that was on the Brooks proper) I saw lots of butterflies and damselflies but by the time I got to Amberley (when I'm taking photos a walk takes me *long* time) the weather had turned to heavy cloud and rain. Maybe I should have started out from Amberley towards Greatham? Anyway, on the Wildbrooks (I'll send OS refs later Michael) I saw lots of Meadow Browns, Small Tortoiseshells and Large Skippers. I also saw one Comma. Not a great diversity of species but each of the species there had good numbers of individuals present. I don't think I've seen so many Large Skippers on one walk before. The walk was absolutely beautiful, a real treasure and not heavily used from what I could tell (I only met two couples across the entire brooks). It is well worth exploring and this tetrad still needs its butterflies counted so anyone feeling like an adorable walk should give it a try. I will try and get back there myself but it probably won't be until July/Aug now.
Weather not very good but went to Southwater Woods and saw our first White Admiral (above) but no Silver-washed Fritillary. Plenty of Meadow Browns and a few Speckled Woods and Large Skippers. (David & Molly Dancy)
Saturday was a good day for new species. On my regular transect at WildPark LNR in Brighton (TQ 3307 0813) I say my 30th butterfly species of the year, the Marbled White (Melanargia galathea). Two of them were resting in long grassland. It had just past 10.00hrs and the temperature was low at 13ºC. Just walking through the sward disturbed them and they flew in the week sunlight. Later at the Rowland Wood (TQ 5129 1514) launch we discovered my 31st species, a beautiful Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia). The weather was poor and it had been raining slightly, which proved to be excellent for taking photos. These conditions also helped with the photography when we found a motionless Comma (Polygonia c-album) (TQ 5106 1491). Finally a trip to Friston Forest (TV 5366 9906) produced species 32, the Dark Green Fritillary (Argynnis aglaja) and also a Large Skipper (Ochlodes venata). The Dark Greens were very busy flying up and down the ride, stopping frequently to feed on bramble blossom before periodically flying up into the Ash canopy. There was even an adder coiled up beneath one of the butterflies, which I mention because I know that Andrew Burns has a special interest in them. Thanks go to Andrew, Neil & Micheal for their advice for locating the Dark Green Fritillary. (Dan Danahar) Saturday 11 June 2011
Today was the official opening of our Rowland Wood reserve. Staff and Trustees from Butterfly Conservation travelled from across the country to join us on the reserve. Jim Asher introduced Neil Hulme who spoke of the importance of Rowland Wood in safeguarding the future of a wide range of species in Sussex. This was followed by an illustrated 'History of Rowland Wood' by Michael Blencowe. The group then strolled to the centre of the wood - The Big Beech - where the opening ceremony was performed by Graham Parris and Jack the horse who both assisted in the unveiling of a new interpretive board. After the grand opening groups were lead around the reserve looking at the recent management work and seeing Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Silver-washed Fritillary (above, photo: Andrew Burns). God bless Rowland Wood and all who sail in her! (Michael Blencowe)
Saw approx 15 Dark Green Fritillary (above) at Friston Forest this morning. When I got home in Uckfield there was a Purple Hairstreak above my front door. (Andrew Burns)
It's always nice to say hello to an 'old friend' and I was delighted when 3-4 Small Skippers (above) joined me in my wild flower meadow. Also 4-5 Meadow Brown, 2-3 Large Skipper and 2 Small Heath. (Martin and Mary Kalaher)
I did a transect at Mill Hill yesterday afternoon, luckily it was sunny when I arrived at the bottom of the hill. My counts were 1 Adonis Blue, 1 Common Blue, 1 Brown Argus, 1 Large Skipper, 1 Marbled White, 2 Meadow Brown, 18 Small Heath, 1 Small Tortoiseshell. This was the first Marbled White I have been able to photograph this year and it was in pristine condition. Plus the Small Tortoiseshell nectared on the privet flowers for some time (photos above). (Colin Knight www.seapic.com)
An early morning trip to Slindon Woods proved to be relatively quiet. Our first sighting this year of a Small Skipper (pictured) was the highlight. The other species seen were Red Admiral, Speckled Wood and Green-veined White. There was a bit more activity at Cissbury Ring later in the morning. Dozens of Meadow Browns were on show. One particularly fine specimen posed for a photo. Other species observed were Large Skipper, Small Heath, Common Blue, Large White and Red Admiral (photos above). (Paul Cox and Paul Ingate) News for Thursday 9 June: Dennis Dey reports that he found a White-letter Hairstreak on the pavement outside the 99p shop on London Road in Brighton. He was able to move the butterfly out of the way of shoppers feet. He also asked me to point out that he wasn't actually shopping in the 99p shop - just passing by (Michael Blencowe) Recent news: We ran a moth trap last week (June 3rd) in Rowland Wood and caught 10+ Rannoch Loopers - making it the 3rd commonest moth in a very varied catch which included Festoon, Cream-spot Tiger and Lime Hawkmoth. The weather was perfect for moth trapping on the following Friday (June 10th) so we hastily set up some traps in Rowland Wood. Not long after we fired up the generators a torrential downpour started and we raced back to the traps to turn them off and pack them away. Despite this brief trapping session we still caught 6 Rannoch Loopers - it was the second commonest moth of the night behind Brown Silver-lines! (Michael Blencowe) Friday 10 June 2011 Whilst walking the South downs way at Beachy head this morning I found a freshly emerged Marbled White, still pumping its wings up. TV 592 959 (Jeremy Burgess)
Today went for an all too brief visit to Park Corner Heath. I wasn't disapointed as I saw around 6 Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary, 4 Large Skipper, one Large White, two Meadow Brown, one Comma (that amazingly was being chased by a much smaller Large Skipper!), two very large blue dragonflies and as far as I can remember my first encounter with a Green Tiger Beetle. (Nick Linazasoro)
On Thursday I visited Cissbury Ring. Its always a pleasure to enjoy the views and plentiful life on this Iron Age fort. Heavy black cloud and light drizzle forced me to take cover under the trees at the south side where I was rewarded by seeing two Tree Creepers and a pair of Greater Spotted Woodpeckers. The butterfly action was mostly in the ditch on the south side where an Adonis Blue insisted on posing beautifully many times. He was disturbed by Common Blues and a worn Brown Argus. On Friday I returned and heard cuckoos and because of the wind all the action was in the wooded part of the ditch. A pristine Red Admiral posed, plus a beautiful female Common Blue. I also saw two worn Green Hairsteaks. There was also many Large Skippers plus a blue demoiselle. Both days I saw dozens of Meadow Browns and Small Heaths. (Colin Knight www.seapic.com) In Edburton, my first Hummingbird Hawk Moth of the year feeding on valerian - hopefully it will be a good year as they were numerous In Charente and the Loire while I was on holiday last week. Also a Painted Lady on the valerian but few other butterflies in the garden, just 2 - 3 Small Tortoiseshells and a couple of Meadow Browns. As I write this the first Small Elephant Hawk Moths are arriving on the same valerian plants just outside my window (Tony Wilson) On slopes above Butcher's Hole CP: it was not a very inviting day for butterflies but I saw lots of feisty Small Heaths and fresh Meadow Browns as a wandered on the slopes. Also, 2 very battered Common Blues, 4 Small Tortoiseshells, 7 bright Large Skippers each guarding about a 1.5 metre square of bramble "hedge" and 2 more in another area of bramble, and what I am pretty sure was a fast moving Dark Green Fritillary. (Susan Suleski) News for Wednesday 8 June: Large skipper - 2, TV562957, Horseshoe Plantation. Meadow Brown - 1, TV562957 Horseshoe Plantation, 2, TV562964, Eastbourne Downland. Common Blue - 1, TV562957, Horseshoe Plantation, 1, TV560959, Birling Gap. Dark Green Fritillary - 3, TV562964, Eastbourne Downland. Small Heath - 4, TV560959, Birling Gap, 2, TV562964, Eastbourne Downland, 1, TV559969, Eastbourne Downland. Small Tortoiseshell - 1, TV563960, Eastbourne Downland, 3, TV562964, Eastbourne Downland. Red Admiral - 1, TV559969, Eastbourne Downland. (David Jode) Thursday 9 June 2011 Hour and a half spent today at a sunny but breezy Lancing Rings. The meadows were all disappointingly devoid of butterflies but the more sheltered rides especially near the pond were a better story. Seen: Hummingbird Hawk Moth sighted in garden in East Grinstead 8.15am. (Clive Wills)
News for Wednesday 8 June:Maggie and I had an exciting morning with Silver-studded Blues at Iping Common on Wednesday. The female has lost her orange spots! Neil tells me that this is an example of an aberration (photos above). (Steve East) Wednesday 8 June 2011
A rather battered Small Copper (above) was sheltering from the wind at Church Norton this morning.
Went late evening to Woods off Spithandle Lane, saw numerous Large Skippers, a couple of Green-veined Whites and Speckled Woods and also 3 pristine Commas (above) one of which appeared to be a hutchinsoni. (Richard Roebuck) 7 White Admiral, 4 Silver-washed Frtitillary and 2 Wood White (last of spring brood), wood near Plaistow. (Margaret Hibbard)
Escaping the wind in Friston Forest paid off with several Dark Green Fritillaries showing well nectaring on bramble flowers. Also seen were Large Skipper, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Small Tortoiseshell, Small Heath, Common Blue and Red Admiral. Also my first Hummingbird Hawk Moth of the year that settled several times on the path (photos above). (Bob Eade) Yesterday I travelled to Somerset to see Large Blues - story at http://colinknight.blogspot.com/2011/06/large-blues-at-collard-hill.html (Colin Knight) Tuesday 7 June 2011
Well, it took about 45 minutes to even find any Silver Studded Blues at Iping Common which was very frustrating with the reports coming in to the web site. However, it was cool and breezy. Eventually I found a couple and on approaching a male I almost trod on a female adder that hissed loudly at me and even got into striking position!! After swiftly moving on, both me and the adder, I then came accross more butterflies sheltering in the heather avoiding the cold and then the rain shower. I was almost on the point of giving up when the clouds broke up briefly. Suddenly the blues were everywhere, some faded but some still very fresh. Well worth the drive over. (Bob Eade)
I had an early morning walk around Cissbury ring and found the following, Common Blue (lots) Small Heath (lots), Small Copper (tatty) Grizzled Skipper (tattier), Dingy Skipper good condition, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Brown Argus (2) Small Blue (1), Adonis Blue (1), Meadow Brown loads, Cinnabar moths (lots) Mullein moth caterpillars, Speckled Yellow moth, Common Heath, a large female adder, a spectacular, resting, female Emperor Dragonfly and lastly two pristine Dark Green Fritillaries (none on the plateau at the moment). Marvellous. (Richard Roebuck) Small Tortoiseshell - 1, TV560983, East Dean. 1, TV562985, East Dean. 1, TV561985, East Dean. (Cassie Jode) Painted Lady flew northwards through the garden today, four days ago saw first Silver Y. More migrants to follow? (Graham Parris, Isfield) I had a day off today so Susan Suleski joined me in exploring pastures new around Charleston and Firle, TQ4806, as requested by Michael. It was a blustery but sunny day and we set off from Alciston walking along a good path past Tilton Wood, through Charleston Farm and under Firle Tower spotting Meadow Brown 1, Small Tortoiseshell 4 and Large Skipper 1. After lunch in the grounds of Firle Place we headed south and back along Comp Lane at the foot of Firle Beacon. It was a bit more sheltered here and we found Speckled Wood 1, Small White 1, Common Blue 8, Small Blue 6, Small Heath 4 and another pristine Large Skipper. This was a delightful circuit in the south half of the tetrad and we intend to return over the summer. (Anna Grist) Markstakes... Reptile survey: Monday 6 June 2011 I also caught a Rannoch Looper in the moth trap last night in Henfield. (Richard Roebuck)
Having seen a number of reports of Rannoch Looper over the last couple of years (and noting that Jake Everitt had 9 the other night!) it was nice to finally trap a couple in my garden moth trap, in Hailsham, last night - The trap contained a female which presumably attracted this male (above) which was found outside. (Chris Ball) News for Saturday 4 June: TQ11638 28764 Elmhurst Farm, Five Oaks Road, Billingshurst, West Sussex: 8 Small Tortoiseshell, 10+ Meadow Brown, 20+ Large Skipper. (Susie Milbank)
News for Wednesday 1 June: Visited Itchingfield churchyard and saw 4 Small Tortoiseshells. I have not seen these here before but they were on the plethora of Ox-eye daisies. No Blues and Skippers here though. They seemed to be on the lower flora next door in the adjoining field and here there were 5 Common Blues, a Small Skipper, Small Copper, Large White and 3 Meadow Browns. 4 Speckled Woods in the wood in between the two locations (photos above). (John Coxon) Sunday 5 June 2011
Attendees at Saturday's Park Corner Heath and Rowland Wood Open Day (above). (Michael Blencowe) Finally trapped the first Rannoch Looper for Pagham Harbour last night. (Ivan Lang) A White-letter Hairstreak seen on Preston Drove, Brighton on Sunday 5 June. (Jeremy Patterson)
Silver-studded Blues were showing up in spite of overcast and drizzle at Iping Common today. Plus two slow-worms. (Colin Knight www.seapic.com)
I have previously mentioned the Hollingbury, Brighton, habitat restoration scheme devised by Ben Kimpton (Ecologist from Lewes). His consultancy was set the task of dealing with a very large amount of chalk, produced from excavations to allow for the construction of warehouse space. Their client was keen to keep the chalk on site and so from what I can gather, Ben designed a tiered mound that maintained the structural integrity of the chalk and thus helped to keep it safe from slippage. The mound faces a south westerly aspect and in many ways is superficially similar to the design of the Butterfly Haven. As far as I am aware there was no intentional design reference to the ecological engineering concept originally described by Morris et al in 1994 and its use of topography to manipulate micro-climate at ground level. However, Ben's design has made a fabulous contribution to local Small Blue habitat and on Thursday 2nd June, I visited the site with Ben and one of his colleagues. Yesterday's Action for Small Blue gathering in Warwickshire provided (among other things) details of key management techniques for this declining species. If you wish to have an informal summary of the day's events please get in touch (01273 515762). Due to non - availability of a suitable receptor site I have about 50 spare Anthyllis plugs free to a good home. These are not from local stock, so please plant well away from any native Sussex Kidney Vetch. Many thanks to Warwickshire Branch and the other BC attendees and speakers for a thoroughly informative day's session and field visit. News for Saturday 4 June: I have an allotment plot at the northernmost edge of Portslade which has a small area of grassland next to it. Saturday 4 June 2011 It was our open day at Park Corner Heath today - over 50 people attended walks throughout the day - despite the wind there was plenty to see - and it was Fritillary madness in there! The Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries were extremely active in the heat and Margaret Riley from the Kent branch reported a late Pearl-bordered Fritillary. While chatting with Jenny Mallet from the Hampshire branch I'm pretty certain the Dark Green Fritillary flew over us. Barbara Woods then photographed a Silver-washed Fritillary near the car park area. All four Sussex fritilaries at the same site on the same day! Thanks to all who attended and especially to Jim Barrett for help on car-park duties and Clare Blencowe for making the cakes. (Michael Blencowe) An early White-letter Hairstreak in Woodvale Cemetary Brighton today. (Ian Whitcomb) Dark Green Fritillary seen flying during my transect walk near Upper Beeding on Friday 3 June. Also Silver-washed Fritillary flying along roadside adjoining Ash Park Wood near Plaistow the day before. (Jim Steedman)
Determined not to be left out from the excitement I ran my moth trap in the garden in Lindfield last night and hey-presto! I bagged a Rannoch Looper too! (above), seems they're pretty common 'round these parts. (Bob Foreman)
4 newly emerged Dark Green Fritillaries in the corner of Frog Firle this morning. This is not a site where the DGF are regularly seen so was an unexpected bonus. Large Skippers, Small Blue continue to do well however most species are now well past their best and numbers were generally low. Yesterday I found a bee swarm near the river below High and Over (photos above). (Bob Eade)
Birling Gap TQ9555. Despite very strong winds but sunny and warm we saw 2 Dark Green Fritillary (above) also 2 Common Blue, 2 Small Heath 1 Large White, 1 Small Tortoiseshell. (Janet & Neville Richardson)
Went out for a quick look around Wilmington chalk pit today to see what was about and despite the extremely blowy conditions saw Small Blue 5+, Common Blue 2, Meadow Brown 1, Large White 1, Large Skipper 2 and best of all and another first for me a Dark Green Fritillary, quick photo before it flew off or should that be got blown off! Obligingly it let me photo it once and get the underwing which was great as we weren't 100% positive that it was a Dark Green until we got home and checked the photo! (photos above) (Kerry Baldwin) Kingston Nr Lewes, East Sussex: In my garden today between 2.30 and 3.00 the following were seen, Small Blue in the greenhouse, Humming Bird Hawkmoth in the glazed porch. Male Brimstone flew across front garden. Female Adonis imbibing from a damp part of the vegetable patch which had been watered yesterday evening.
Like many others I thought I'd try and catch up with the Silver-Studded Blues at Iping Common. I arrived at Iping Common around 8:15am and it didn't take long before I saw my first SSB, much smaller than I had expected but nonetheless, a beautiful specimen. As it was still fairly early and the sun was hiding behind some clouds, it was very obiliging, just sitting contently on a blade of grass while I snapped away happily. As the temperature started to increase so did the numbers of SSB I spotted. I probably saw 10-12 males, plus 2 females between 8:15 and 9:30 but I didn't range to far from my initial spot so I expect there were many, many more. What a fantastic little butterfly. Pics above and on my blog http://mud-puddling.blogspot.com/ (Leigh Prevost)
Today we made our first ever venture into the Castle Hill Local Nature Reserve at Woodingdean, Brighton. I was reluctant to follow the kids down this steep hill, but I'm glad I did as there was a little butterfly haven at the bottom! There were lots of Large Skipper and Common Blue all whizzing around chasing each other as well as, Meadow Brown, Small Heath, one Comma and one Small Tortoiseshell. An enjoyable first adventure at Castle Hill only marred by an early exit in order to get home to see a dire England game! (Nick, James & Toby Linazasoro) News for Saturday 14 May: Mathew Berry of the Sussex Botanical Recording Society reports a Scarlet Tiger Moth at Upperton Lane, Eastbourne. (Jim Barrett) Friday 3 June 2011 We ran a moth trap a Rowland Wood last night and the first moth to the light was a Rannoch Looper. Until a few years ago this species was only found, as the name would suggest, in wooded areas of central Scotland. This moth had never been recorded in Sussex until 2009 when a mini-invasion of migrants arrived. Last year there were more records. At Rowland Wood last night we recorded over 10 - it was one of the commonest species in the traps. It is amazing how quickly a moth can become established in England - and good to see it doing well on our reserve. (Michael Blencowe & Keith Alexander)
I have a conservation area behind my garden-Lower Farm Close Meadows, East Grinstead, and I am very lucky to have access & to see plenty of butterflies & moths on my walks. At Park Corner Heath today several (9+/-) Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries including female possibly laying/scattering eggs. Dark Green Fritillary, Meadow Brown 4, Red Admiral 1. (David Plummer) It looks like being another bumper year for Dark Green Fritillary in the Friston Forest Project Area. Today I recorded 13 along my regular transect as well as an early White Admiral, single Dingy and Large Skippers, 4 Brimstones, 1 Green Hairstreak, 13 Common Blues, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Small Tortoiseshell and 1 Small Heath. A Painted Lady here on 31 May. (Paul James) Yesterday was a very good day. In just 15 minutes whilst checking the livestock I noticed the following:- Early morning walk along the river Adur near Henfield I recorded 11 Small Tortoiseshells all in very good condition TQ1916. (Richard Roebuck)
I completed 2 transects at Mill Hill this week. On Tuesday I recorded 14 Adonis Blues, 4 Brown Argus, 1 Common Blue, 2 Dingy Skippers, 4 Meadow Browns, 5 Small Heaths, 1 Small Tortoiseshell. I also saw a Clouded Silver moth (above). Today I recorded 4 Adonis Blue, 2 Large Skippers, 3 Meadow Browns, 3 Red Admirals, 2 Small Blues, 17 Small Heaths, 1 Small Tortoiseshell. The Adonis Blues counts for six weeks are 2 - 112 - 182 - 69 - 14 - 4. (Colin Knight) We went to Springhead yesterday and only realised when we were back home that it was precisely a year ago that we'd seen the Glanville Fritillary there. None there yesterday, which is good news really as it supports the case that last year's was a straying wild butterfly rather than a release. Not quite as many species on the wing there as last year - but plenty of Small Blues and (unlike last year) a Small Tortoiseshell. The few common spotted orchids were very small, presumably because of the drought, but the twayblades were less affected. (John A Heys) Details of the transect walked today in glorious sunshine at Bedelands Farm, Burgess Hill. Species seen;
I went in search of female Silver-studded Blue at Iping Common today and found six individuals amongst the one hundred plus males that have now emerged and cover most places on the common. Also saw, Speckled Wood (1), Small Tortoishell (1). News for Thursday 2 June: Ian Woolsey, Rupert Hall and I saw our first White Admiral of the year at Markstakes Common yesterday Thursday 2nd June. It settled in a tree for quite some time so though it was partially obscured and at a very difficult angle we could look at it for long enough to see that it was definitely a White Admiral. Is this the first Sussex White Admiral sighting this year? (Thyone Outram)
News for Wednesday 1 June: "Oh no, it's those Elephants Hawkmoths on the rampage again", I thought, but fortunately there was just the one accompanied by 3 Small Elephant Hawkmoths, several Treble Lines including a darker one, which I assume to be the obscura form, Cinnabar Moth, Buff-tip, Angle Shades, Clouded Silver, Lime-spot Pug, Spectacle, White-point, Snout, Peppered Moth, Common Wave, Straw Dot, Orange Footman, Cypress Carpet and Rustic... in all 35 macros (photos above). (John Luck) Thursday 2 June 2011 Thank you to Susie Milbank who has already taken up the challenge of recording in new areas (see link above). She took a trip to TQ1834 - her report is on the tetrad page. Looks like it's going to be a hot weekend - why not pick a square and check it out. (Michael Blencowe) Sheffield Park: Regarding John Holloway's recent question (Thursday, 30 May) about first sightings of Meadow Browns, I saw my first one this year on Thursday, 19 May in Brightling (although I haven't seen one again yet!) (Katie Walker)
I joined the queue of Silver-studded Blue admirers at Iping Common yesterday. I got there early hoping to catch a glimpse of ants attending an emerging butterfly. I did spot a newly emerged male but by the time I found it there was no sign of attendant ants. I have to say, though, that seeing the SSB in such pristine condition and sitting so still for photo shoots was great. In any case, to make up for the lack of ants I later discovered a female being pursued by a posse of males, one of which successfully encouraged her to mate. It was a hot, hot day but lovely. I must have reached the first colony I found by 7.30am and one or two butterflies were already actively flying around. An hour later and there were SSBs everywhere. Nice! (photos above) (Sherie New) I have just come from my local allotments in Cuckfield and seen 5 Small Tortoiseshells feeding on the bramble. Message timed at 17:29 on the 2nd of June (Timothy Newnham) 2 Marbled Whites at Bevendean Bank this morning, first I've seen this year. (Geoff Stevens)
On a dog walk this morning, up the Downs Link, around 8.00 a.m I saw 8 Pristine Small Tortoiseshells nectaring on brambles, I am sure these were all newly emerged and compared with previous years they are doing well. Slightly further on a another two and then two along a river bank. In addition one Common Blue, 8 Large Skippers, a Green Hairstreak nectaring on a buttercup and two Cinnabar moths. TQ2016. Late morning my step son told me he pickled up a large male stag beetle in the road near home and moved it to the shade, this seems really early to see one in Henfield. On a last note I recently found an Orange Tip caterpillar preparing to pupate on a Garlic Mustard plant in Wiston Woods. As this is an annual and will rot away too nothing, perhaps it's not a wise choice. I thought it may have been parasitised. However I visited every day and after two days a perfectly camouflaged chrysalis appeared. Pics (above) before and after shedding skin. (Richard Roebuck) Having seen on the website the sightings at Iping Common, I spent an hour this afternoon (2 June) there. In that short time I saw 53 Silver-studded Blues, almost all males. Recent news: Seeing Richards photo of the Garden Tiger Moth larva, I was clearing Pen's aunt's garden last weekend where I found 4 of these superb beasts. Also a Fox Moth larva was hiding in the undergrowth. This was in the middle of Landport Estate in Lewes.
News for Wednesday 1 June: A trip to Cissbury Ring marked the start of summer for me, with my first 2011 sightings of Meadow Brown. Also recorded were Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper (including a freshly-emerged female, 54 days after my first this year!), Green Hairstreak, Brown Argus, Small Blue, Adonis Blue, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Small Copper, Small Heath, Wall, Speckled Wood, Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Large White, Green-veined White and Large Skipper (above). 20 species in a day isn't bad for this time of year! More at http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=4065&start=400 (Neil Hulme) News for Tuesday 31 May: A Hummingbird Hawk-moth in our East Dean garden (TV562984) on Tuesday. (Cas & David Jode) News for Tuesday 24 May: Common Blue - 2, TV537972, Crowlink, 1, TV544974, Crowlink. Small Heath - 1, TV538976, Crowlink, 1, TV537975, Crowlink. Adonis Blue - 1, TV537974, Crowlink. Peacock (tatty) - 1, TV540972, Crowlink. (David Jode) Wednesday 1 June 2011 Dark Green Fritillaries were recorded today on the Lullington Heath transect and I have heard reports of other elsewhere (David Burrows) Spent the afternoon looking for Wall Browns at Frog Firle and The Comp, but although I found it on the map, was not sure where to look, so wandered around from 12:00 until 4:30, looking for bare bits on chalk grassland. I did eventually see one, but it resolutely refused to bask (it was a lovely hot sunny day, although rather windy) and I had to make do with excellent views of its underside a female I think. It was perched on the ride in front of me, in a fairly wooded stretch, just to prove that they dont read the books! Mary and I enjoyed a pleasant walk from our house (Storrington) up to Chantry Hill and back. We saw at least 40 Common Blue (only one female), 40+ Small Heath, 12+ Dingy Skipper, 1 Grizzled Skipper (in mint condition), 3 Speckled Wood, 2 Brimstone, 6 Meadow Brown, 6 Large Skipper and an assortment of Whites. I hadn't realised there were so many Common Blues around. (Martin and Mary Kalaher)
I was driving home today in Henfield and spotted a caterpillar on the opposite side of the road (as you do). I did an emergency stop as I new immediately what it was. Also hoping the Porsche going the other way wouldn't flatten it. I Ran up the road and fortunately it survived although slightly dazed as it kept running around in circles. Anyway, it's a long, long time since I have seen a Garden Tiger moth caterpillar. This is probably full-grown with nearly inch long hairs. After a quick blow dry and set, it fully recovered. Now this is what you call a caterpillar, fantastic. Also caught an attractive moth, possibly a Foxglove pug? maybe because I planted some part grown foxgloves near the moth trap a couple of weeks ago (photos above). (Richard Roebuck)
I took a slightly longer walk at Cissbury today to see how the Small Blues are progressing. I saw a minimum of 7 in one area (possibly c 10) (above). Today a very fresh Small Tortoiseshell appeared as well as a Painted Lady. In all 12 species seen but there are definite signs of a 'June dip' with low numbers of several species. Meadow Browns were up to 10 today. (Mike Snelling)
Not too many butterflies around on my Rowland Wood - Park Corner Heath transect today. However, I did, see my first Meadow Browns of the year (4) and also recorded 2 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries in Rowland Wood which is terribly exciting (I've seen them in the wood earlier in the year, but this was my first "transect" record). Plenty of day-flying moths though, including a Cocksfoot Moth, Glyphipterix simpliciella (above). (Bob Foreman)
On the Bevendean A transect this morning all I saw were 5 Small Blues, 5 Common Blues, 8 Small Heath and a Speckled Wood. On my return home there was a Green Hairstreak (above) in my garden nectaring on Potentilla fruiticosa. The first for my garden. (Geoff Stevens)
A trip to Stedham Common in the late afternoon gave a great opportunity to see the Silver-studded Blue. By the time we got there the weather was just cooling down and the insects were settling quite frequently. We probably saw 15 to 20 insects in the half hour that we were there. All were male except for one female. None basked with their wings flat and so it was difficult to get all of the insects in focus. My wife (Libby Danahar) took the photo showing the upperside of the female. I knew that buying her a smart camera for her birthday was a good move! This is now the 26th species of butterfly I have seen in Sussex this year (photos above). (Dan Danahar)
News for Tuesday 31 May: I visited Mill Hill and saw my first Meadow Browns and Small Tortoiseshell of the year. I also visited Iping Common and joined the growing band of admirers of the Silver-studded Blues which are frolicking on the heather (Colin Knight www.seapic.com)
Recent news: In reply to John Holloway's query regarding Meadow Brown, I too had one in my Storrington garden on the 30th. I had another in a field nearby. The first date for last year was 17th June. Regarding Large Skipper, I have been a little surprised that having recorded one in my garden on the 12th it has taken until the 30th to have another sighting (there were two) (photos above).
I planted some Alder Buckthorn sprigs this spring and in no time at all Brimstone came along and started to lay eggs. Above are three photos, which all have some interest attached to them. In the first (taken 24th April) you can see a distinctive egg attached beneath a leaf but 'hands up' who spotted the caterpillar at the top of the picture? I found the 2nd and 3rd photos (taken 11th May) fascinating for it gave me a possible insight regarding the evolution of the camouflage of the older caterpilar. The caterpillar is sitting on a leaf of the Alder Buckthorn but what is next to it and in situ very closely resembled it? None other than our old friend 'Robin run the hedge' (otherwise known as Goose grass or Sticky Willie - I kid you not, Sticky Willie!). Seeing is believing but the caterpillar is beautifully camouflaged with the Goose grass tangled in amongst the Alder Buckthorn. It may also explain why the eggs are generally laid fairly low down on Buckthorn (as that is where most of the Goose grass is located). Sadly, the 5 sprigs with the caterpillars look as if they are doomed! (Martin Kalaher) 
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
| Copyright Butterfly Conservation © 2006 Sussex Branch |
|
|
| Privacy and Copyright Statement |
|
|
|
Butterfly Conservation Company limited by guarantee, registered in England (2206468) Registered Office: Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5QP Charity registered in England & Wales (254937) and in Scotland (SCO39268) |
|
|
|
|
