| Butterfly Conservation |
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City Council win prestigious conservation award
Brighton & Hove City Council has won the prestigious 'Promotion of Lepidoptera Conservation Award'. The award recognises an outstanding, unprecedented or major contribution to the conservation of butterflies and moths. The award was presented by Peter Titley, Trustee of the Marsh Christian Trust, the charity that supports organisations across the fields of conservation and education, at the recent Annual General Meeting of Butterfly Conservation. Read the full citation HERE
I hope you all enjoy the 'Holly Wreath', I wanted it to be my way of wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and all the best for 2015. I would like to thank everyone who attended our November Member's day for your support and incredibly kind words, your great friends. 2015 should provide you with some surprises regarding my artwork. Furthermore I can't wait to continue my Purple Hairstreak study as I have some rather interesting behaviour to follow up on. Take care and happy Butterflying. Please view my artwork here - flickr.com/photos/129860158@N06- the rest of the pieces will be uploaded by the end of the month. (Jamie Burston)
Sorry for the delay in posting these two reports - I've been away for a couple of days. Boxing Day 2014 Hibernating peacock in my Lewes house. (Michael Hawkins) Christmas Day 2014
A Red Admiral was spotted basking on a fence at lunch time today in the vicinity of the New Moon PH in Crawley. The air temperature was 8ºC in sparkling sunshine with a very light wind. (Vince Massimo) Saturday 20 December 2014 I saw a Red Admiral in the Mount Pleasant area of Newhaven this lunchtime. It was quite active in the sunshine and 9°C temperature. My previous latest record for this species was 11th December. (Steven Teale) Thursday 18 December 2014 In continued blustery conditions a Red Admiral was found enjoying a spell of sunshine on the house wall here in Worthing this morning. (John & Shena Maskell) Wednesday 17 December 2014 In the strong winds this morning we were surprised to see a Red Admiral bravely flying outside our kitchen window here in Worthing. (John & Shena Maskell) Tuesday 16 December 2014 2 sightings of late Peacock today at High and Over. Of course it could well have been just one butterfly!! (Bob Eade) A Red Admiral through our East Dean garden (TV562984) this morning. (Carole Jode)
Today I joined Garry Philpott, Mark Colvin and Neil Hulme at Heyshott escarpment for the last work party of the year. Three MDT members joined us for a winter workout on a fine day. The next work party is scheduled for Thursday 8 January. Afterwards I called in at The Burgh near Arundel and saw Short-eared owls (5 sightings, including 2 together), Red Kites and a Kestrel. (Colin Knight www.seapic.com) News from long ago:
I couldn't believe it when I found myself in Michael's presentation at our Member's Day. Here are the very results of using my home made 14' bamboo tripod, the aim was to photograph Purple Hairstreak in the canopy. The photos are without using zoom, luckily I managed to rope my dad into helping me, it's rather heavy. However I still had to take a 15 minute walk to the site with it, receiving some funny looks in the process. It turns out I would need a 28' tripod to get true ariel canopy photos, which would be impossible to lever up into the air. My brother has a powerful drone, however using for this purpose would be dangerous to the species. I've realised I only need a free cherry picker or a David Attenborough wildlife documentary style camera production to get the results! (Jamie Burston) Saturday 13 December 2014 A Red Admiral was flying around the bus stop in glorious sunshine this afternoon, while I was waiting for the bus at Midhurst. (Barry Collins)
This afternoon I caught a very brief glimpse of a Peacock flying up the garden but before I could get outside it had had disappeared. However, five minutes later I saw it from an upstairs window flying around the neighbour's garden where it settled in a sunny spot on the fence - the air temperature was 6ºC. Not the best photo I'll admit, but in mid-December any butterfly photo will surely do... (Bob Foreman, Lindfield) Saw my first ever December butterfly today. It was a Red Admiral that was flying around the Visitor Centre buildings at Seven Sisters Country Park in the cold (5 degrees C) and breezy sunshine. (Chris Hooker) News for Saturday 6 December:
It's a spot the Red Admiral competition! (and the Grey Squirrel is not too shoddy with its camoflage either). (James Early, Crawley) Thursday 11 December 2014
Today I joined BC member Garry Philpott and 4 Murray Downland Trust members at Heyshott escarpment for more clearance work. We were fortunate with the weather, but the wind and smoke made us feel like Sussex Kippers by the end of the session. It is good to look back to Spring and remind ourselves what a little beauty the Duke of Burgundy is. This photo was taken during a BC Sussex tour of the site on May 14 with BC Chief Executive Martin Warren and BC Conservation Officer Dan Hoare, which emphasises the importance of the Dukes on the Edge project and our conservation work at Heyshott.The Kingfishers at Arundel WWT have provided some alternative natural beauty during the recent dull periods. (Colin Knight www.seapic.com) Wednesday 10 December 2014 A Red Admiral flew past us yesterday on Ashdown Forest near Old Lodge in 7 degrees!! (Bob Eade , Nigel Kemp) Tuesday 9 December 2014
Following the highly successful launch of the Dukes of Steyning Project last night, there are still some of Paul Fosterjohn's fabulous, limited edition Duke of Burgundy pin badges (middle left of pic) available via britannicuspinbadges@gmail.com for £5.70 incl. P&P. All profits go towards habitat management on the Steyning Downland Scheme area (Wiston Estate). Wear it with pride. (Neil Hulme and Paul Fosterjohn) Saturday 6 December 2014 At last - some December butterfly action!
Despite the temperature being only 4ºC or 5ºC at lunchtime today, I found a Red Admiral basking in a sheltered spot in the vicinity of the New Moon PH in Crawley. (Vince Massimo)
Small Tortoiseshell resting in sun on our conservatory window at Keymer this afternoon. (Malcolm Le Grys) Sunday 30 November 2014
A few weeks back I put out a request for people to help join us on the top of the South Downs creating some habitat for butterflies and moths and today a crowd of people joined us today at Graffham Down. The whole event was planned with military precision and people car-shared and caught the train from all over the county. A local farmer kindly gave us access across his land and this morning a convoy of vehicles skidded along the South Downs Way towards Graffham. There we were met by members of the Graffham Down Trust work party and we got to work cutting back vegetation to widen and ride and create a glade. Bonfires were lit and potatoes were baked and it was a pleasure to be working in such a lovely part of the county. I really can't think of another conservation group in Sussex who are blessed with such a big team of keen volunteers. So a huge thank you to everyone who came along - Jon, Clare, Ian, Mark, Nigel, Jean, David, Jack, Penny, Dave, Paul, Peter, Peter, Richard, Neil, Garry, Carole, Paul, Phillipa, Dianne, David, Ollie, Jacob, Paul, Biddy, Skip (dog), Colin and James. A special thank you to Andrea who came across from Kent on her birthday. She received an extra special baked potato. Thank you also to all those who did the driving and for everyone who bought cakes!. I'm hoping to get back up to Graffham Down again - maybe in Januray. Look out for details on this website. (Michael Blencowe)
Saturday 29 November 2014
Wivelsfield Green Sussex, Saturday afternoon: While up a ladder pruning an apple apply tree I was very surprised to see this butterfly land on the trunk of a nearby oak. I climbed down the ladder got my camera and went back up. Friday 28 November 2014 Camera shy Red Admiral darting around a large pine near Micks Cross, St Leonard's Forest, Horsham. (Patrick Moore) Recent news:
Wednesday 26 November, Horns Cross: David Burrows was pleased to find this Slender Burnished Brass in his trap his morning and with southerly winds still blowing maybe some more migrants might turn up. (Keith Alexander) Monday 24 November: 1 x Small White seen flying near bungalow in Pevensey Road, Polegate, East Sussex at 12.25pm, a bit of a late one. (Peter Farrant) Wednesday 26 November 2014
This morning 3 Sussex BC members (Garry Philpott, Neil Hulme and myself) joined 4 Murray Downland Trust members at Heyshott escarpment for foggy views and more clearance work at this prime Duke of Burgundy site. New volunteers always welcome at our Wed (sometimes Tues) am work parties, please contact me for details: knightct(at)yahoo.com. (Colin Knight murraydownlandtrust.blogspot.co.uk) Monday 24 November 2014 Crawley Down - on a sunny calm day but temperature only 7°C, after the weekend deluge just 1 Red Admiral seen in the garden. (Jonathan Ruff) Friday 21 November 2014
The 2014 butterfly season may be over (apart from the odd Red Admiral here and there) but it's been a busy few weeks for the Sussex branch. On 8th November we held our 2014 members afternoon at Oathall Community College. Around 80 members attended the event and enjoyed talks by Professor Maurice Moss and a round up of the 2014 butterfly season by Michael Blencowe. Chairman Nigel Symington highlighted the conservation work that we have undertaken throughout the year. It always amazes me that for a relatively small conservation group we manage to make a big impact for butterflies and moths in Sussex. Mike Mullis sold wild flowers and Jamie Burston ran a stall selling his fantastic artwork. This year we also welcomed Paul Fosterjohn who had a stall selling his popular limited edition enamel butterfly badges which raised more money for Sussex BC. Speaking of which the raffle this year surpassed its usual standards - quality books, prints, chocolates and booze - there were a number of prizes which were actually worth winning. And, thanks to the generosity of the attendees, we succeeded in raising over £200 . I noticed the framed picture of Michael Blencowe remained on the prize table until near the end though and, it appears, is a less desirable prize than a packet of cheese footballs. Thank you to everyone who helped out on the day with setting up / teas and coffees / cakes and thanks to everyone who came along. Money raised at such events is soon converted into on-the-ground conservation work to help our butterflies and moths. Tuesday 18 November 2014
Having been a Butterfly Sightings voyeur for quite a while, I thought I would let others know of my own sightings today. Crawley Down - at least 2 Red Admiral and 1 Peacock in bright sun on a calm day feeding on buddleia, erisymum, winter viburnum, mahonia and briefly winter honeysuckle. (Jonathan Ruff) Monday 17 November 2014
Most of the moths which turn up here on the window at this time of year are various shades of brown so it was unusual to see this one with traces of green and red. (Don't know what it is though) - appropriately, it's a Red-green Carpet, ed. (Jonathan Ruff) Saturday 15 November 2014 Crawley Down- 1 Red Admiral in the garden on an overcast damp morning, feeding briefly before flying off southwards. (Jonathan Ruff)
Red Admiral sunning itself on the parapet in back garden at High Salvington. (Peter Atkinson) Friday 14 November 2014 Thorney Island: One Clouded Yellow still on the wing this afternoon. (Barry Collins) Tuesday 11 November 2014
Last Wednesday and today I joined Murray Downland Trust members at Heyshott Escarpment for more conservation work on behalf of the Duke of Burgundy and the recently arrived Pearl-bordered Fritillary. BC member Garry Philpott also joined us last week. Today we beat an early retreat when the rains came! Our normal work parties are held on Wednesday mornings, but some Tuesdays are substituted so check with me if you would like to join us. The magnificent views are a bonus on these work parties. Information about Heyshott and the Murray Downland Trust can be viewed at murraydownlandtrust.blogspot.co.uk On sunny Sunday, in addition to the usual Red Admirals, I spotted a Brimstone patrolling a hedge near Findon. I also found the larva of the White Ermine moth and a green larva (Large Yellow Underwing? ed.) recently. I have spent time at Arundel WWT photographing and filming the kingfishers. (Colin Knight www.seapic.com) A Painted Lady in our East Dean garden (TV562984) this morning. (Carole Jode) Monday 10 November 2014 As the rain was pelting down this morning, Val pointed out another Beautiful Plume moth on the wall of our sun-lounge here in Hove, so I decided to have a closer look. I came across 6 altogether, 2 live and 4 dead. (John Heys) More news from Sunday 9 November: While we were doing our monthly wader counts on the southern end of the Island,we also recorded 2 Clouded Yellows and a very fresh looking Painted Lady nectaring on ivy. (Barry and Margaret Collins) Saw a Clouded Yellow in the afternoon at Langney Point fluttering around the bramble. (Jamie May) Sunday 9 November 2014
What a lovely morning! I timed this month's work party just right. Coming between two downpours we enjoyed blue skies and sunshine as we continued our coppicing operation on the Park Corner Heath part of our reserve. The busy team of volunteers hacked and sawed their way through an area on the northern edge of the reserve and opened up a lot of ground to the sun. There were plenty of violets hidden in there and we're hoping this area will be favoured by the Pearl-bordered Fritillaries which have recently returned to our reserve. The only butterflies seen today were a few Red Admirals also enjoying the sun. Clare - who was clearing out the drainage ditch - found this Leech. We're still uncertain on the i.d. of this species. Jess Durkota commented: "It can be difficult to identify Leeches based on shape (they can look quite different if they've recently fed and that one looks a bit...full) - as with leeches it's all about eye placement. Definitely not a Glossiphonid - could be an Erpob but is really quite large! The shape (particularly with the tapering to the sucker in the back) isn't far off a Medicinal Leech but they tend to have stripes....". So far the thinking is a possible Horse Leech. Anyway - aside from the Leech i.d. dilemmas we also enjoyed some of Carolla's lovely ginger cake and Keith's fairy cakes. Thanks to everyone who helped out today - Gary, Teresa, Dave, Nigel, Mike, John, Ian, Alan, Robert, John, Clare, Keith and Mark. The next work party here will be on the second Sunday in December. (Michael Blencowe) Thought you might be interested in my sighting of a Clouded Yellow feeding on dandelions in South Harting today. (John Redmayne)
2 lovely Red Admirals and 1 very battered Comma between Lancing Ring and Coombes on the Downs this afternoon. (Chris Corrigan)
Another visit to a site in the vicinity of the New Moon PH in Crawley produced 2 Red Admirals and a Speckled Wood (most likely some of the same individuals seen there on 4th November). (Vince Massimo)
Returned to Cuckmere Haven this afternoon as we were promised sunshine. And when the sun came out, so did the Clouded Yellows. There was plenty of activity near the pill boxes with at least 6 individuals present. (Chris Hooker) Two Clouded Yellows flitting about low to the short chalk grassland of Hogtrough Bottom at the edge of Bevendean, north east Brighton, in the warm sunshine this lunchtime. They were constantly landing and seemed to be egg laying. They seemed to be favouring the area where the horseshoe vetch is usually abundant but there are lots of other legumes in this area. (Tessa Pawsey) Red Admiral and Clouded Yellow at Alciston and up to 3 Small Tortoiseshells hibernating in house there. (Michael Hawkins) Crawley Down - 1 Peacock in the garden, attracted to buddleia. (Jonathan Ruff) Saturday 8 November 2014 Just a quick glimpsr of a Red Admiral flying past my lounge window @ TV49519981 (Roy Neeve) Friday 7 November 2014 Crawley Down - just 1 Red Admiral today in the breezy conditions feeding on buddleia. (Jonathan Ruff) A Red Admiral joined me under a tree in Lewes today as I was sheltering from a heavy shower! I was really surprised to see it considering how cold, wet and windy it was! (Chris Hooker) News from last month: On Friday the 31st October, I was in the Clapham Woods area of West Sussex. I had 3 sightings of Red Admiral, 3 of Peacock (possibly of the same specimen seen more than once), one Painted Lady, and one female Brimstone - all these in flight. (At my lunch spot, sitting on a stile in the woods, I was repeatedly flicking off ladybirds). And at Patching Farm, one Painted Lady settling and feeding on Ivy flowers. Thursday 6 November 2014 A Red Admiral was resting on the south-facing wall of my Seaford bungalow in the early morning sunshine as another flew rapidly past. Later on a Painted Lady was on the wall before nectaring on Verbena bonariensis. It was around for at least another couple of hours alternating between basking and nectaring. (Stuart Ridley) A Red Admiral flying at speed parallel with the railway line at Greatham Brooks reserve this morning. (Chris Skinner) News from the distant past (October):
Thought you might be interested in this sighting: 18/10/14 - Wall on main ride in Friston Forest (TV5314099935) (Stephanie Miles) Tuesday 4 November 2014
On Tuesday, on the way to check the sheep I saw a Humming-bird Hawk-moth on the Verbena bonariensis in my neighbours garden in Plymouth Avenue.
5 Red Admirals and a male Speckled Wood seen in the vicinity of the New Moon PH, Crawley. (Vince Massimo) There was still a Clouded Yellow on Shoreham beach today as well as 13 Red Admirals around the Adur, many of which were heading south. Also two mating Common Darters. (Tony Wilson) Crawley Down - just 1 Red Admiral seen today, feeding on winter flowering Viburnum. (Jonathan Ruff) Sunday 2 November 2014 The Beautiful Plume moth which was in our sun lounge in Hove on 23 October is still there. I had to rescue from inside the house a few days ago and I'm surprised such a frail looking thing has survived so long. However we've had no butterflies at all in the garden despite the hot weather. Congratulation to Hulmes on the new baby, which presumably means Neil won't have time to check out "The Duke of Burgundy" at the Brighton Film Festival. With a title like that I had to see what it was all about and yes, it's possible that our favourite Dukes might have a small part in it. One of the lead characters is described in the festival programme as a butterfly professor, but it looks like the content is rather spicy and very much for adults. (John Heys) Saturday 1 November 2014
I'm pleased and very proud to announce the birth of Jacob Marcus Hulme on 30th October. Although five weeks early he weighed a respectable 6 pounds and was allowed home on Halloween. His homecoming was marked by the appearance of 4 Red Admiral, 1 Holly Blue, 1 Painted Lady, and 1 Comma in our Worthing back garden, the latter two species making their first appearances here this year. The Red Admiral and Comma were still visiting the Fatsia japonica and ivy flowers today (1st November). I suspect that we will be seeing plenty more November records this year. (Neil Hulme) Two Clouded Yellows flying east on the top of Chantry Hill this morning. Also three Red Admirals. (Chris Skinner) Crawley Down - 1 Peacock and 1 Red Admiral feeding in the garden on Viburnum. Elsewhere in the village, 1 Clouded Yellow and another Red Admiral. (Jonathan Ruff) A Red Admiral still flitting about in our garden on the 1st of November at Priory Road Langney Eastbourne. (Roger Ryder) Friday 31 October 2014 At least 2, and possibly 3, Speckled Woods on the wing and looking very fresh and pristine in Woodbourne Meadow woods, Brighton. I had thought at the time that this seemed unusually late. Having just checked the 'First and Last' dates on this site it would seem that I was right! The latest date shown for Sussex is 16th October. (Philip Thompson) Clouded Yellow Preston Park near cricket ground, 16:00. (anon)
We took a stroll around Pulborough Brooks on the 'Hottest Halloween in History'. It wasn't just us enjoying the heat. This Brimstone was patrolling a hedgerow on a sheltered corner of the reserve. This is the latest I have ever seen a Brimstone. It was almost 22 degrees in Brighton on Halloween. Now that's what I call scary. (Michael Blencowe)
In my garden in Langney Eastbourne TQ625025. 1 female Holly Blue, 1 Red Admiral. (Roy Wells)
This year we decided to add Dahlias to our garden list and purchased 3 sets of tubers in what was advertised as "the Butterfly Collection" by a well known gardening website. All 3 plants have been a huge success attracting a succession of bees, hoverflies and yes, butterflies as well. My father, Roy Symonds reports the following sightings from Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve (SU8210) where the temperature reached 19°C. Brimstone 1M 2F, Small White 1 and Red Admiral 9. (Richard Symonds) Had a good look around Thorney Island today, while enjoying this fantastic sunny and warm weather and recorded the following species: Red Admiral 11, Comma 1, Clouded Yellow 20 one of which was a helice. (Barry Collins)
If you walk enough and keep your eyes open just occasionally the unexpected happens and, for me, today was one of those days. I decided to walk around Cuckmere Haven this afternoon partly because I thought I might see a late butterfly and partly because I knew there would be an ice cream van there! Ice cream purchased and immediately a Red Admiral flew past so all aims achieved! I made my way out towards the beach along the river and saw another Red Admiral and a Clouded Yellow; this was getting good! On the edge of the salt marsh just before the beach I disturbed a small butterfly which turned out to be a Common Blue; it was in good condition and was a real surprise. It just couldn't get any better... could it? Walking across the beach to the east cliffs I was intercepted by another 3 Red Admirals (making 5 in total). And then the extraordinary started. I walked back along the east side of the valley on or just above the foot of the slope and started to see Clouded Yellows. By the time I had got back to the road crossing I had counted 20 including 1 helice form and at one stage I had 5 in view with 3 spiralling up together. A great day in the very warm late October sun and by far the most Clouded Yellows that I have seen in a day! The only frustration was disturbing a smaller pale butterfly that I couldn't catch up with (it chose to fly up a steep slope - very clever tactic!). My initial thought was Wall but that really would only be a guess. (Chris Hooker) Crawley Down - on a glorious afternoon just 1 Small Tortoiseshell in pristine condition in the garden, feeding on Erisymum. The number of garden sightings here throughout October is down by over 60% compared to 2013 and 75% compared to 2012. (Jonathan Ruff) Still the odd Clouded Yellow along the coast here. One at the West Wittering car park today and one yesterday at Bracklesham Barn playing fields. (Derek Lee) In the warm sunshine at Wakehurst Place a female Clouded Yellow helice variant was feeding on the flowers outside the Millennium Seed Bank while a Small Tortoiseshell flew over. (Bob North) News for Thursday 30 October (and beyond): Greetings from British Columbia. My brother John Tatum, who lives in Kemp Town, Brighton, has just told me that he saw a Red Admiral in Kemptown on October 30, so I thought I'd pass it on. (Jeremy Tatum) Red Admiral in Hailsham Country Park and a Clouded Yellow at Arlington Reservoir. Also saw 2 other butterflies during the day but couldn't get a positive identification on either. (Chris Hooker) Around eight o'clock this morning a fairly tatty Painted Lady, only the second one I have seen this year, alighted on a Verbena boneriensis plant in my Seaford garden. A couple of hours later another appeared, with a slightly damaged wing, and stayed for a considerable time. I was very surprised when a third, in pristine condition flew in who also found the Verbena plants. A Red Admiral came in the early afternoon followed later by a pristine Clouded Yellow. Glad I decided to stay at home and attend to the garden. (Stuart Ridley)
The other day a neighbour, Ann Walsh, popped round to see how Pen was doing. Whilst here she mentioned that when she was on a walk on September 20th she saw a very odd creature near Seaford Head. She described it as about the length of her finger, a bit yellowish and it looked like it had a sort of willie on the end!! After a bit of working out it was decided it was a Hawk-moth larva. Fortunately she had taken a photo which she got to me only this week. Imagine my surprise, shock, and all sorts of other things when it turned out to be a Death's-head Hawk-moth larva. Colin Pratt informs me this is the only Sussex record this year. If only I had seen it!! (Bob Eade) Thursday 30 October 2014 On a warm and sunny morning with a light breeze several Red Admirals and a Peacock were seen flying at various heights near the cliffs between Crowlink and the Cuckmere estuary. 2 Clouded Yellows were flying southwards down the Cuckmere Valley. (Stuart Ridley) Crawley down - Despite the ideal conditions just 1 Red Admiral seen in the garden today, with only one antenna but feeding quite happily for long periods on Erisymum. (Jonathan Ruff) This morning we had a Red Admiral in our small back garden just flitting about and this afternoon we saw another on some 'Old Man's Beard' plant at Sovereign harbour. (Roger Ryder) Tuesday 28 October 2014 We had a walk around Thorney Deeps during the afternoon and recorded the following species: Clouded Yellow 2 one of which was a female helice, Red Admiral 7, Comma 2, Peacock 1, Common Darter 4, Migrant Hawker 2. (Barry and Margaret Collins)
3 Red Admiral, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Peacock, 1 Little Owl and a whole load of rutting Fallow Deer at Petworth Park today. (Neil Hulme & Colin Knight) Walking past a trackside verge today, at Coldwaltham, was surprised to see a Red Admiral egg-laying on the fresh regrowth of some recently-cut nettles. She appeared to ignore large stands of tall growth, concentrating on plants that were approximately 8cms high, and placing each egg just underneath the two top leaves of each shoot. There were no other butterflies nearby, although there were plenty of other extensive nettle patches about. (Chris Skinner) Crawley Down - no garden butterflies despite the sunshine, continuing the poor autumn here, but 1 Silver Y feeding on dahlia. (Jonathan Ruff) Monday 27 October 2014 Firstly, I'd like to thank everyone who has sent me "get well soon" messages over the last few weeks. I'm back on my feet but it will be a while before I'm 100%. This morning (27th October) I visited Beachy Head, where a very pretty Red-breasted Flycatcher has been drawing crowds for a few days now. While driving across the Cuckmere Valley approximately a dozen Red Admirals crossed the road in front of me, all heading south in a determined manner. While waiting for the RBF to show, I watched another 3 Red Admirals and 2 Painted Ladies hurrying along in the same direction. Other butterflies seen included 2 Clouded Yellows (1 helice) and a Wall. As I arrived back home in Worthing another helice flew across my front garden. (Neil Hulme) Whilst watching the Red-breasted Flycatcher this morning that has been frequenting a patch of scrub on Beachy Head known as the old Trapping Area, a Clouded Yellow flew by and an immaculate Painted Lady settled on a twig to sunbathe; fortunately the Flycatcher didn't see it. (Chris Skinner) With Summer refusing to end, we`re still running a transect at Castle Hill LNR, Newhaven, and today spotted 8 butterfly species in warm sunshine:-
I saw a Clouded Yellow this morning 27th of October at Tanbridge near Sovereign Harbour, Eastbourne as I was walking to Asda and a Red Admiral in a sunny position at Langney, Eastbourne, East Sussex.(Roger Ryder) Crawley Down - in the garden today 1 Comma on Erisymum and 1 Peacock sunning itself on the grass. Both in pristine condition, suggesting recent emergence. Autumn butterfly numbers are well down here on previous years, maybe the forecast of mild weather for the next few days will boost numbers. (Jonathan Ruff)
A Clouded Yellow in good condition at Hope Gap, Seaford today. (Mike Kerry) Butterflies seen this morning on this lovely Autumn day; A Red Admiral was flying in Hailsham Country Park before 9am today. I then saw 2 more Red Admirals in the woods at Broadstone Warren this afternoon. (Chris Hooker) We did a walk from Withdean down to central Brighton today taking in several more rural paths and Preston Park. Despite the sunshine the only butterflies we saw were 4 or 5 Red Admirals, all on the new Northern Greenway. This runs from New England Road to Stroudley Road following the old railway line to Brighton station's former goods depot. The council has done a good job with this - it looks promising for wildlife. (John & Val Heys) Recent news:
Thought you might be interested in this moth which we found on the window pane in the door of the Tiger Inn, East Dean, as we were about to enter for a bite to eat. I think it is a Four-spotted Footman, Lithosia quadra. An unexpected find at this time of year I thought! (A. G. Major) The mild weather continues. I recently took University of Sussex student Piotr Szota around the hedgerows of Hassocks to teach him the ancient skill of Brown Hairstreak egg hunting. Piotr is undertaking a project investigating egg-laying site preference for this elusive butterfly. Those of us leaving Fittleworth Church yesterday morning - Sunday 26th October - were met by a group of young children who had just found "this exciting butterfly" perched on a piece of grass in the church yard. It was brought to me for identification and transferred to the palm of my hand where the warmth caused it to open its wings and fly off. It was a male Common Blue in perfect condition if a little on the small side. My guess would be that it was the progeny of a second brood that had benefited from the hot September to complete a full life-cycle in record time. Any other suggestions? (David Connell) Saturday 25 October 2014
Carol and I were out walking in the Wilmington area yesterday and came across an ovipositing Red Admiral. I wasn't quick enough to get a photo of her actually laying but here is an ovum. It will be interesting to return to the site in December to see if there are any larvae about. We saw at least a dozen more Red Admirals and a Clouded Yellow. We also came across this male Purse-web Spider (Atypus affinis) on the hunt, not for prey but looking for a female web. Autumn is their breeding season and is usually the only time you will find males above ground. (Nigel Kemp) Friday 24 October 2014 In the brief sunshine that we had this morning there was a Clouded Yellow flying around our garden in Blackstone (TQ242162) briefly stopping to feed on mayweed and mustard. But the bigger surprise was a Wall Brown feeding on abelia. We recorded the first one in the garden this year on 22nd May so a period of five months between the first and last. I should also add that the last sighting of the Brown Hairstreak that I reported earlier in the month was on 10th October. Can we hope for some more settled conditions and warmth to keep the surprises coming? (Pauline Batchelor)
It may be raining outside but once we've started putting the geraniums back in the sun-lounge for the winter the odd plume moth turns up. I think this one (on 23/10/14) is a Beautiful Plume rather than a Brindled Plume. I hope the editor will put me right if necessary - looks good to me. ed. (John & Val Heys) Thursday 23 October 2014
While searching for hibernating Herald moths this evening we also found around 10 Vanessids roosting up in our garage. Interestingly, the butterflies were maintaining a body temperature 3 or 4 degrees above the ambient temperature in the building as the thermal image above shows. We are going to have a look over the weekend to see if this is something they maintain all the time, or if they cool down overnight before warming up during the day with the increase in temperature in the building. (Dave and Pen Green) High Beeches Garden, a Clouded Yellow on Centaurea nigra, the first I have seen here. (Sarah Bray) News for Sunday 19 October: Sorry a bit late (it's never too late! ed.), but I saw a lovely Clouded Yellow on my allotment (Steyning Rublees allotments. near Rifle Range) last Sunday. As ever, it was flying very fast and did not stop, but it had noticeably black edges to the tips of its wings. Not seen that before. Any ideas? (surely just normal Clouded Yellow markings...) (Roger Brown) Wednesday 22 October 2014 Lancing Ring to Cissbury Ring on a cloudy Wednesday afternoon saw four Red Admirals braving the chilly breeze. (Lindsay Morris) Monday 20 October 2014 Unfortunately I've been confined to bed for a while with pneumonia, so little in the way of activity to report. However, on 20 October I spotted a third brood Holly Blue male, busily patrolling my back garden hedge in central Worthing. A couple of Red Admiral were also seen feeding on the flowering ivy. (Neil Hulme) Up to 8 Clouded Yellow on the wing at Castle Water, Rye along with similar number of Red Admiral. A fresh looking Small Copper also from the hide. (Bob Eade) 3 Red Admirals nectaring on ivy and a Clouded Yellow at Alciston. (Michael Hawkins)
On Sunday I spotted a Clouded Yellow near Findon, then on the path up to Cissbury Ring on the northern side I saw a few Speckled Woods in good condition. Today at Climping Gap a Clouded Yellow flew along the edge of a field by the beach and a Speckled Wood sunned itself on a leaf. Six Red Admirals appeared, two flew out to sea and one flew in the opposite direction. (Colin Knight www.seapic.com) Yesterday we saw one Red Admiral in the centre of Ditchling and 5 at Wakehurst Place. I also disturbed 2 small and one medium sized moth while I was gardening but they escaped too quickly for identification. Today there was one Red Admiral in our back garden in Hove. (John & Val Heys) Just back from walk on Lewes Downs where I was surprised to see a Clouded Yellow. Just shows how warm it has been today. Sunday 19 October 2014
I went looking for mushrooms this morning at Wiston as it was nice and warm and the recent wet weather should have contributed to fruiting. I was walking along a bridleway when I saw a Red Admiral and then another three sunbathing together on the muddy ground. Apart from the sunny spot I thought it was slightly odd why they were all together. I also saw a couple of Speckled Woods as well. So I thought I would watch for a while. One of them took off and flew pretty slowly to a nearby oak and landed on the trunk a couple of feet from the ground. It then proceeded to walk vertically downwards to the base. On investigation I found more Red Admirals a slug and two rather stupefied hornets. It was a sap run right at the base. I saw other Red Admirals flying up wind, again landing on the trunk. Clearly they could smell the fermenting sap. Indeed apart from a slight discoloration of the bark there was nothing that obvious present until I put my finger on a really wet residue which smelt just like fermenting plums and it was quite strong and obvious. At one point there were seven Red Admirals feeding next to each other. An interesting sighting at this time of year as was one of the Parasol Mushrooms I found. The cap was slightly smaller than a dinner plate! I also found a species of mushroom, that I have never seen before, which resembled chocolate buttons. (Richard Roebuck) Saturday 18 October 2014
After a summer in which the only whites in my garden (TQ432232) have been Small Whites, I was delighted to visit my vegetable patch today and find a host of Large White caterpillars. Just don't ask for cabbage if you come here for dinner! (Nigel Symington) A very tatty Clouded Yellow (helice form) in Friston Forest this morning and a Red Admiral in Hailsham Country Park this afternoon. Also a Peacock flying around in Lewes last Thursday. (Chris Hooker) Friday 17 October 2014 Still a few butterflies on the wing at Thorney Island,they included: Clouded Yellow 1, Comma 2, Speckled Wood 1, Red Admiral 3. I also counted 214 Harlequin Ladybirds in the church yard. (Barry Collins) Thursday 16 October 2014 In our East Dean garden (TV562984) today;
Yesterday in our back garden in Hove it was cool and damp but I did disturb a Light Brown Apple Moth. Today in the sunshine Val saw a Red Admiral in central Hove. Weve just come back from Venice where we were reminded of the Sussex Geranium Bronzes. We first saw them in Spain about 20 years ago. Now they have reached north-east Italy and were around in small numbers virtually everywhere in the Venetian lagoon. We even saw one right in the middle of the Rialto Bridge while we were crossing the Grand Canal. We saw other butterflies too as it was a good deal warmer there. Anyone wanting an escape from the historical sites to see butterflies should try the island of Torcello. The very ancient church is the obvious reason for a visit (and well worth seeing) but the island is sparsely populated and there's a lot of vegetation with scope for wildlife. We spotted at least 7 different types of butterfly around, the most fleeting being a Langs Short-tailed Blue and the most photogenic the Geranium Bronze in the picture. (John & Val Heys)
On Wednesday morning I joined Murray Downland Trust members at Heyshott for a conservation work party. This morning I visited Cissbury Ring to see a Ring Ouzel at the female yew tree on the western flank. I saw a helice form of the Clouded Yellow flying from the rifle range so I believe it had just flown in from the sea. I counted 34 Fox Moth larvae of various sizes along a path, one of which was eating a bramble leaf. (Colin Knight www.seapic.com) News for Saturday 12 October:
It was great to be back out in the woods for the first work party of the year on our reserve at Park Corner Heath on Sunday. The rain held off - in fact it was so mild that we were soon down to our t-shirts. The work today was to clear an area of birch that was last felled around 1994. This has opened up a new area of the reserve which we now intend to keep open permanently to encourage foodplants and nectar sources for butterflies and moths. Thanks to everyone who came along - Mark, Gary, Ian, Keith, John (with his broken hand), Jeff, John, Dave, Bob and Lucy. We're back at Park Corner on November 9th. I may also be doing some work there next Tuesday afternoon - if you're interested in coming along for 2 hours (2-4) let me know (Michael Blencowe, sussexgrayling@aol.com) Saturday 11 October 2014 Along Shoreham beach today there were 5 Clouded Yellows and 2 Red Admirals along with lots of Wall Lizards on the south facing garden walls. (Tony Wilson) In between heavy showers, a very worn Painted Lady, later joined by a Red Admiral, visited the still flowering Verbena in my Bexhill back garden. What a great butterfly magnet this plant is! (Colin West)
Four species of butterfly visited the garden this afternoon, Large and Small White, Red Admiral and Comma. The latter two competing with vast numbers of bees, wasps and hover-flies for the ivy flowers, the whites though, seem only to be interested in the Verbena bonariensis. (Bob Foreman, Lindfield) During a sunny period between very heavy showers a Humming-bird Hawk-moth was nectaring on Verbena bonariensis while a fairly tatty Large White flew across my garden in Seaford. Later, in the afternoon a Peacock flew swiftly past. (Stuart Ridley) Friday 10 October 2014 Seen today in Eastbourne; 3 Red Admiral nectaring on ivy in Waitrose car park (TV599995). 2 Red Admiral and 1 Clouded Yellow in Princes Park (TQ6200). (Carole & David Jode) As butterfly sightings start to slow down, here are a few links to blogs Ive posted on the South Downs National Park Forum, providing a brief retrospective look at what has been a generally good summer. Thursday 9 October 2014 In the cleared corridor under the pylons in Highwoods reserve in Bexhill a male Clouded Yellow this windy afternoon. A nice start for my new bins! also two Red Admirals sunning on the path. (Colin West) Wednesday 8 October 2014
During the brief spells of sunshine between showers this afternoon, two Red Admirals cavorted around my back garden, occasionally settling on my Fatsia japonica. With my ivy still to flower, I'm hoping they will become regular visitors over the next few weeks. (Neil Hulme) 1 Red Admiral visited my Hollingbury back garden. (Jamie Burston) Spotted a Red Admiral basking on a fence post catching some late afternoon sunshine at Woods Mill today. (Bob Foreman) Sunday 5 October 2014 Today Val saw a Small White in Tescos car park, Church Road, Hove, which doesnt sound very exciting except that whites seemed to have entirely disappeared from Hove about 2 weeks ago. (John & Val Heys) Pottering around Pevensey Levels mile north of the castle, we saw about twenty Clouded Yellows. I stopped counting at a dozen. We also saw quite a few Red Admirals (Atalantas to my Dutch wife) and a solitary Small Copper. (Jonathan Crawford)
Taking advantage of an away fixture for my son's team I spent mid morning in Fernhurst (SU 90193 28329). I was rewarded with at least four Red Admiral, several Speckled Wood and four Small Copper. A good result for butterflies not necessarily reflected by the result in the football. (Paul Fosterjohn) Speckled Wood, Red Admiral, Large White, and 1 Wall. Lewes (TQ411101) (Louise Holloway) Kingston near Lewes (TQ391086) 2 Comma, 4 Red Admiral, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Speckled Wood & 1 Large White. Around Lancing Ring on Sunday afternoon were half a dozen each of Wall Brown and Red Admiral, singles of Common Blue and Speckled Wood and a couple of White (sp.). Better than yesterday when I saw no butterflies at all! (Lindsay Morris) A sunny and warm morning at Seaford Head today produced a surprising number of butterflies: 5 Clouded Yellow, 17 Red Admiral, 1 Large White, 12 tatty Common Blue, 5 worn Small Copper, 2 Speckled Wood, 1 Meadow Brown and 3 Wall Brown (one appeared to be egg-laying). (Polly Mair) We did a recce of Selsey West Sands this afternoon and recorded the following species: Clouded Yellow 4, Red Admiral 8, Large White 2, Small White 4.(Barry and Margaret Collins) News for Saturday 4 October:
For the last week we were convinced we had been seeing a Brown Hairstreak in our garden in Blackstone (TQ242162) and on 2nd it settled just long enough to get a very quick record shot. It was also seen on 3rd and 4th October flying around the garden but not stopping. This brings the total species seen in our garden this year to 26. (Pauline Batchelor) News for Thursday 2 October: A freshly emerged Brown Argus, Kingston near Lewes (TQ391086). A 3rd generation? (Louise Holloway) News for Wednesday 1 October:
Last Wednesday morning I joined Mark Colvin and members of the Murray Downland Trust at Heyshott escarpment for the first conservation work party of the season. The views were outstanding as usual and a bonus was finding a Snout moth (Hypena proboscidalis). (Colin Knight www.seapic.com) Saturday 4 October 2014 Amazed to see a Red Admiral wing its way across the Orchards Car Park in Haywards Heath this afternoon, the temperature was 13°C and it was pouring with rain. (Bob Foreman) Friday 3 October 2014 In unusually perfect conditions for Crowlink TV5397/TV5497 saw a total of six Clouded Yellow this afternoon plus two Common Blue and one a.n. other! On arriving home in East Dean TV562984 our first garden Clouded Yellow of the year passed through. (David Jode)
Many thanks to the editor for identifying the Rusty-dot Pearl which isn't in any of my books ( - always happy to help!). In our back garden in Hove today (3/10/14) a Red Admiral appeared at the window as I was having breakfast and a Speckled Wood when I was outside having lunch. We then went for a walk on Ditchling Common to celebrate the last hot day of the year. We saw 7 or 8 Speckled Woods and maybe 20 Small Coppers, both types fairly evenly divided between the east and the west sides of the B2112. At the north end of the common (on the west side of the B road) these were supplemented by a Common Blue and a restless Clouded Yellow. At the south end (east side of the B road) as we returned to the car park we disturbed 2 Red Admirals. However, the butterflies were a bit eclipsed by the sight of a frog leaping madly towards us, which seemed unusual until we caught glimpses of what was probably a grass snake hunting it down. The snake melted away on our approach so the frog survived. (John & Val Heys) Recent news: My father, Roy Symonds reported that he visited Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve (SU8210) on 2nd October. He reports the following sightings where the temperature was 19°C; Large White 4, Small White 3, Meadow Brown 3, Speckled Wood 1 and Red Admiral 1. (Richard Symonds) Butterflies definitely thin on the ground but my lunchtime walks have thrown up a few individuals in the warm sunshine. Thursday 2 October 2014 I thought I'd better have a look around my local patch at Thorney Island before this fantastic weather changes and recorded the following species. Clouded Yellow 15, Red Admiral 8, Common Blue 2, Small Copper 2, Small White 26, Speckled Wood 12 and several Common Darter. (Barry Collins) This afternoon it was very warm again in our garden in Hove. I think Ive solved the mystery of yesterdays briefly glimpsed butterfly or moth. From much the same area of snowberry and ivy as I dislodged it then, a blue flew up and settled in the sun on the top of our elder tree. Although its very late in the season, it must have been a Holly Blue as it behaved like one and was in their favourite part of the garden. The Common Blues have been at the other end where there is some long grass and birds foot trefoil. My only other sighting was of a Light Brown Apple Moth. (John Heys) Wednesday 1 October 2014 Nigel Kemp and I visited Pevensey Levels today to see if we could find any 3rd brood Wall Brown there following a good 2nd brood on this site. We were more than pleased to find 4 females with 2 egg laying on the Wall we saw another 9 species including fresh Small Tortoiseshell. Once again the Wall Brown are having their best 3rd brood for many a year and any reports are welcome. (Bob Eade)
Yesterday (30/9/14) in our garden in Hove it was so warm as I trimmed the lawn edges that I took the temperature. At grass level in the sun it was 32C and 26C at standing height. The moth in the picture landed on the lawn mower. As Ive totally failed to identify it, I would be interested to know what it is (It's a Rusty-dot Pearl, Udea ferrugalis. ed.). I also saw something a bit larger & quite dark (probably a moth although it flew more like a butterfly) while I was pruning but it disappeared too quickly for identification. Today (1/10/14) in Worthing we saw a (large?) White at the Steyne and Val saw a Red Admiral and 2 Speckled Woods in Homefield Park. (John & Val Heys) We walked from the Mill House at Selsey to Sidlesham Ferry via Ham viewpoint which over looks the Medmerry the new RSPB reserve and then along the footpath passed the Water Treatment Plant, and recorded the following species. Clouded Yellow 6, Small White 5, Speckled Wood 10, Red Admiral 7. (Barry and Margaret Collins) Recent news:
Here is a back log of important sightings across the month of September - 
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