Butterfly Conservation - Sussex Branch

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Saturday 31 October 2015

Trick or treat? Treat! This afternoon I had only 90 minutes to find a Halloween Long-tailed Blue for a group of friends who had taken the odds at Brighton Racecourse. After thoroughly searching the area of grassland to the NE of the TV mast for almost an hour, I finally found a female nectaring on Aster, near the bench/viewpoint to the SW. She moved to an area of longer grasses and low scrub to sunbathe in the afternoon sunshine, where she was soon attended by an ever growing crowd of admirers. Before she disappeared to roost, a dozen people had managed to enjoy her, including several who hadn't seen this species before. She had similar (but less extreme) markings to the aberrant individual I found at Lancing Station on 25.10.15. This is probably an environmentally driven phenomenon, produced by the relatively large diurnal temperature range experienced this far north at this time of year, during the larval/pupal transition period. (Neil Hulme)

Brimstone seen in the garden of the Fox goes Free at Charlton 13.45. (Colin Brooks)

While looking for Long-tailed Blues at Tide Mills, I saw a freshly hatched Common Blue and half a dozen Clouded Yellows. No Long-tailed Blues found. (Theresa Lux)

Just one Comma on Michaelmas Daisies at Bevendean today. (Geoff Stevens)

Just the two butterflies in the garden this afternoon but conveniently they were both sharing the same patch of ivy! (Bob Foreman, Lindfield)

Wednesday 28 October 2015

Following an unsuccessful search of several sites I found a beautiful, male Long-tailed Blue at Southwick Basin this afternoon, just east of the tall chimney. I was doubly pleased as I had offered to help find one for some senior Butterfly Conservation staff from Hampshire, and a friend from Dorset. Following a text alert they made the journey from Beeding Cement Works to Southwick, just in time to see it turn towards the sun and reveal the fabulous purplish blue colour of its upper side. The tails on this specimen were unusually short, but close examination proved them to be perfectly formed. When I looked at the images on my computer I noticed a drop of meconium fluid, suggesting that it had not long emerged. This might explain why a friend who had searched the site just before me had not noticed the butterfly, which may have still been drying off its wings. (Neil Hulme)

I took my 2 dogs for a walk to Mill Hill today as the weather was too good to miss. I began to think that even with the temperature close to 18ºC, after more than an hour I had not seen any butterflies only this day flying Silver Y moth.
I was about leave and 3 Clouded Yellows appeared (1 female and 2 males) and this Wall Brown. I was lucky to capture the CY briefly at rest catching a few rays. Not a great picture but considering it only settled for a few seconds before taking to the air again. They stayed in the area until the sun went in and then disappeared. (Dave Cook)

I paid a visit to the old cement works north of Shoreham for Long-tailed Blue today between 11.10am and 2.30pm. but none seen, but did see 1x female Meadow Brown, 1x Speckled Wood and 1x Clouded Yellow. I was joined by a chap from Swanage, and two chaps from Winchester. the chap from Swanage got a message to say there was a LBT seen at Southwick, so he shot off. I wonder if he saw it? (Peter Farrant)

Having seen nothing in the garden recently, or anywhere in Hove, it was nice to find a plume moth (I think Amblyptilia acanthadactyla, the Beautiful Plume) had come into our sun-lounge when we brought in the geraniums. Later today I went for a circular walk from Foredown Drive, Portslade to Shoreham Port at Fishersgate and back via Southwick and Portslade Old Village. There were no signs of any Long-tailed Blues by the port. The everlasting pea there has mostly died and there are very few green fronds and even less flower heads. The only butterfly I saw on the whole walk was a chewed up Red Admiral along the East/West Sussex border path by the allotments. (John & Val Heys)

News for Sunday 25 October:

On Friday 23rd I got a call that a freshly emerged female Long-tailed Blue (found by Neil Hulme) was showing at Beeding Cement Works in West Sussex. With the light fading fast, I decided to wait for better weather. Another call the following day confirmed it was still in the same spot, but the weather was still cloudy and cool, so I gambled on a further delay. Sunday 25th October dawned bright and sunny, so I set off on the 40 minute drive with high hopes. Arriving at 9.50am, I was greeted by the sight of a group of enthusiasts huddled around a patch of Everlasting Pea, pointing cameras.
The butterfly was still there and everyone was waiting for the hazy cloud to clear so that it would open its wings. It gave a brief show and then hopped onto the grass at 10.55. Shortly after, it flew up into a small tree where it basked for a while before it flew again and was lost from sight at 11.05.
At 11.07 a fresh male was found basking on Everlasting Pea just a few metres away on the roadside verge. At 11.40 it flew up to a higher perch and was finally lost from view when it flew again at midday.
I left the site at 2pm after adding a Small White, Red Admiral and Comma to the sightings list. (Vince Massimo)

Tuesday 27 October 2015

The Long-tailed Blue found by Mark Colvin on Monday at Tide Mills was still there for a short while Tuesday where it posed very nicely as it warmed up on some tall grass. More on Bobs Butterfly Blog . (Bob Eade)

Here is a link to footage covering European Swallowtail as covered by CBeebies on the show "Mr Bloom: Here and There" showing the young larva and the adult butterfly, starts at 04:35: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/cbeebies/episode/b04t6f9m/mr-bloom-here-and-there-series-2-18-ropewalk-community-garden. I was watching it with my two year old nephew! (Jamie Burston)

Clouded Yellow seen at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve whilst walking from Narrow Pit towards Oyster Creek. (Janet Wilkes)

Like others I have been travelling around the Long-tailed Blue sites searching for more emergences. Mark Colvin spotted a male at Newhaven on Monday and several of us were fortunate to see this specimen yesterday and today, when, due to the higher temperature and sun it finally flew off. We also spotted a Clouded Yellow and Red Admirals. (Colin Knight bit.ly/1KDzYWU)

My thanks to Mark Colvin for alerting me to the presence of a male and female Long-tailed Blue at Brighton Racecourse today. I arrived in time to see the male. Even Money that we see a November LTB here. Please do send your reports and images of Long-tailed Blues to the BC Sussex Sightings Page. I'm aware that some great photographs have been taken recently, including specimens which have not yet appeared on our website. (Neil Hulme)

Saw a late Peacock on my morning run around Abbots Wood. Then I went for a walk in the sunshine around Tide Mills for a couple of hours. No Blues but there were some of my favourite Clouded Yellows to make the drive worth while. I had several sightings and there were at least 2 individuals (as I saw them together), possibly as many as 6. Nothing else flying though. (Chris Hooker)

Birthday Butterflies. Fantastic walk today around Cissbury and the Monarchs Way on my birthday. Saw a Clouded Yellow (which had grey/white upper sides (inner wings), (helice?) (- looks good to me. ed.), you can just see this on the photo and was very obvious when it flew), Red Admiral, Brimstone and quite a few Comma. (Patrick Moore)

Monday 26 October 2015

A Red Admiral sat on my garden fence today in the brief sunshine in Horsham. (Patrick Moore)

Sunday 25 October 2015

While sitting to eat our sandwiches during a sunny circuilar walk round Castle Hill we had great views of two Small Coppers. One was very faded but one was bright and crisp and very obliging at staying still while we crept close for an admiring look. TQ377062. (Tessa Pawsey)

1x Humming-bird Hawk-moth at 12.39pm, flying and feeding from Red Valerian flowers overhanging a long wall along South Cliff, Eastbourne. then had alook around Whitebread Hole, but only saw 1x Small White. back along South Cliff, looking at masses of ivy when at 2.30pm detected 1x Holly Blue larva feeding on buds. (Peter Farrant)

A glorious day in every respect. The female Long-tailed Blue I found at Beeding Cement Works on Friday was still there this morning, entertaining a large crowd of admirers. I had to leave at 10.15 am to lead a Fritillaries for the Future work party in a private wood near Small Dole, supported by an enthusiastic group of South Downs Volunteer Rangers. Many thanks to Jean, Jill, Dean and Mark, who helped owners Pete and Sally cut a sizeable area of hazel coppice. In my absence, a freshly emerged male Long-tailed Blue was found at Beeding. Neither of the butterflies was seen after midday and I suspect they have headed south. On the way home I stopped off at a site I've been watching adjacent to Lancing Station. Just before 3 pm I found myself looking at two female Long-tailed Blues, sitting just a couple of metres apart. One of them was marked spectacularly over the rear wings, falling outside the normal range of variation. To see any Long-tailed Blue in the UK is a treat, but an aberrant specimen gives cause for celebration - so I will. (Neil Hulme)

The garden escape Michaelmas Daisies at Bevendean Down usually attract late butterflies but so far this autumn I have only seen one Red Admiral and that flew away as soon as I arrived this morning. Plenty of bees but nothing else. (Geoff Stevens)

Today I visited Roedale Valley Allotment, like I did the previous day to look for any Long-tailed Blues. I looked very thoroughly on and around surrounding plots where I know the pea to be growing. It wasn't to be, however it was a joy to see the rich colours of a Comma feeding briefly on Buddleia, also seen was a single Red Admiral and Large White freely flying across the allotment. (Jamie Burston)

I saw this Red Admiral sunning itself in my Lindfield garden this afternoon. (Jo Godbolt)

I visited Whitehawk Hill in the hope of finding a Long tailed Blue this morning. Having seen some there in 2013, there seemed very little Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea, but there were masses of the scarce Yellow Vetchling (Lathyrus aphaca) which is in the pea family. Small Copper and Red Admiral were the only butterflies noted in the area. (Peter Whitcomb)

Saturday 24 October 2015

The female Long-tailed Blue was again seen at the Beeding Cement Works site today, only stirring from its slumber when the cloud thinned and the sun threatened to break through. If visiting the site, please park 600 m to the north, in the layby to the west of the A283. All known Long-tailed Blue sites are well worth visiting when the sun shines tomorrow, and on any sunny days thereafter. (Neil Hulme)

Friday 23 October 2015

Halloween is only a week away, and yet butterflies are still emerging in Sussex. If that isn't spooky enough, the fact that they are Long-tailed Blues surely must be! My confidence that we were still to enjoy a significant emergence of British LTBs was just beginning to wane, as temperatures dropped perilously close to the accepted kill-point last week. However, it seems that the colder snap may have delayed, rather than halted, the lifecycle. The next 7 - 10 days will tell us more. This afternoon, following a systematic search of Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea plants on which I have previously found eggs, I found another freshly emerged Long-tailed Blue at Beeding Cement Works. It never opened its wings, but from glimpses of the abdomen it was almost certainly a female insect. After making numerous phone calls, a long string of visitors were able to share in the excitement, including a friend who travelled up from Swanage! Dan Danahar delayed his end of term celebrations to film more footage for a Butterflies of the Biosphere grand finale. The sun is forecast to shine on Sunday, so this weekend will hopefully see more emerge. Based purely on my own, unproven theory, I suspect they are emerging and immediately heading south this year, unlike 2013, when day length and weather conditions allowed them to adopt a more colonial behavioural pattern (including mating), before leaving for an all-inclusive in the winter sun. X Factor, Strictly and The Apprentice may be firmly underway, but the butterfly season isn't finished yet. (Neil Hulme)

Tuesday 20 October 2015

Today at Climping beach a male Clouded Yellow raced by, a Red Admiral toured its territory and many Small Whites flitted around a field of brassicas. A bonus was a Short-eared Owl that flew from the hedgerow and settled in the middle of the field. Recently I found a small Drinker larva at Woods Mill, a Beautiful Plume and a late Adonis Blue at Mill Hill, a Painted Lady at Kemptown. Also a Holly Blue in Littlehampton in September. (Colin Knight www.seapic.com )

Monday 19 October 2015

Pulborough Brooks RSPB. Comma see in the Fattengates area of the Reserve during a brief sunny period. A very pleasant surprise. (Janet Wilkes)

Sunday 18 October 2015

We walked right round Thorney Island today from west to east and recorded the following species. 31 Small Whites, 1 Large White, 2 Red Admiral, 3 Small Copper and 2 Speckled Wood. (Barry and Margaret Collins)

A Comma and a Red Admiral in our East Dean garden (TV562984) during this morning's sunshine. (Carole & David Jode)

I managed a couple of walks in broken sunshine today around Tide Mills and Cuckmere Haven. A handful of butterflies were seen of 5 different species: Red Admiral (2), Large White, Small White, Comma and Small Copper (2). No Long-tailed Blues although I did spend an hour in the sun around the Pea plants late this morning hoping for success! I passed Neil as I left - hopefully he had more success. (Chris Hooker)

Saturday 17 October 2015

Today on a return walk from Roedale Valley Allotments, nearby the golf course club house I saw a smart looking Speckled Wood basking on a corrugated metal roof, making the most of the warmth, seen at (TQ31760777). I'm pleased to report that the infected elm tree previously mentioned was removed some time ago.
14 October 2015: At Beach House Park in Worthing my parents saw 1 male Large White, 1 Small White, 1 Red Admiral and 1 Comma. All seen together around (TQ15450272). 10 October 2015: A single Red Admiral was disturbed as I walked along side our Butterfly Plot at Roedale Valley Allotments.
9 October 2015: 1 Red Admiral settled and remained underneath Ivy in my Grandma's garden in Hove, as seen by my parents.
19 September 2015: A visit to Beachy Head produced 2 Large White and a single Painted Lady, a lovely surprise which was seen at (TV58829559). (Jamie, Jeff & Gail Burston)

Friday 16 October 2015

Caught the bus to Selsey Bill and walked from Seal Road to the Bill House and recorded 1 Clouded Yellow, 1 Red Admiral and 2 Small White. (Barry Collins)

Wednesday 14 October 2015

I was fortunate to see a beautiful Speckled Wood sunning itself on the concrete road surface in Plymouth Avenue, Bevendean at midday today. (Sarah Stevens)

Tuesday 13 October 2015

Today in our back garden (New Church Road, Hove) there was a nice Speckled Wood, despite the cold breeze. (John & Val Heys)

Sunday 11 October 2015

A huge thank you to the enthusiastic team who turned out for today's work party on our Park Corner Heath reserve. What we lacked in numbers was more than compensated for by our Carola-cake-fuelled efficiency in clearing small trees and scrub near the stream. Meanwhile, Bob was attacking the bracken with his trusty mower, which will in future be used both in winter and summer to control the vigorous growth which has developed in recent years. The volume of work required to get the reserves into perfect condition for Fritillaries for the Future will necessitate more than the usual half-a-dozen work parties each winter, so please keep an eye on the website for the announcement of those planned in addition to the regular timetable. Every man/woman day of effort will be essential in reaching our goal. (Neil Hulme)

Positively balmy weather for October! In the shirt-sleeved sunshine there were still frequent butterflies of nine species fluttering about. Predictably Small Whites and Red Admirals led the way, but there were five Clouded Yellows on Mill Hill and a female Adonis Blue at Upper Beeding. (Andy Horton, Adur Butterfly & Large Moth List)

This Humming-bird Hawk-moth spent a few minutes on Erisymum, followed by about half an hour sunning itself on a wall, the first time I have seen one at rest. Only 1 female Large White in the garden, the heavy rain for three days earlier in the week has taken its toll of butterfly numbers. (Jonathan Ruff)

Early this morning I took the dogs for a walk between Coldwatham and Watersfield. There were lots of mallard, widgeon, teal and a few snipe on the ponds of The Sussex Wildlife nature reserve. At the other side of Watersfield on a south facing hedgerow there was an amazing procession of hundreds of Hornets. On the way back a few dragonflies were seen and numerous Commas feeding on rotting blackberries. I had some admin work to do at home but was aware of what may be happening in the garden. A Red Admiral arrived and settled in my paperwork ashes bonfire collecting minerals. At 13.48 I spotted an elderly female Brown Hairstreak, perhaps the same one I had seen on the 9th of October. She was flitting around pretty high up in Bullace plants that are protruding above quite a high bramble canopy. Anyway as she was far out of reach I had to use an aluminium step ladder to get some pics. The air temp was about 14 degrees and in the sun about 17 degrees, normally way below Brown Hairstreak conditions. Any way she flitted around high up and perhaps difficult to ascertain any egg laying. Eventually she flew up high beyond a 15 ft. Sloe hedge and eventually up 30 feet around an Ash tree. I found her again at about 15:30 gently flying across some tall sloes. As she flew over a small section of blackberries at 15:34 she was attacked by a male Comma and driven out of sight. This was really odd as both a male and female Comma have been in the garden for over a week feeding relentlessly on rotting blackberries building up there winter reserves prior to hibernation and there has been no aggressive behaviour. So perhaps unusual behaviour. So I have a couple of pics of a worn female Brown Hairstreak but also a pic of her surveying her realm, perhaps one of the last Brown Hairstreaks of this year. Also included is the male and female commas as soon they will disappear to hibernate. (Richard Roebuck)

I went on a quick walk from Horsham to St Leonards Forest via Turf Plain this afternoon in the sunshine and saw two Red Admirals, a Large White, three Comma and countless falling leaves that I thought were butterflies! (Patrick Moore)

Saturday 10 October 2015

No luck on Long-tailed Blues for me at the Beeding site on Saturday but there were three Red Admirals, four Commas and six Small Whites present. (Bart Ives)

Friday 9 October 2015

Probable Long-tailed Blue seen at Tide Mills this afternoon judging from colour, size, habitat and flight. It was in the large area of everlasting pea between the river and the industrial estate. (Chris Hooker)

Seen at several sites in Crawley today were a total of 5 Speckled Woods and 2 Red Admirals. One of the Admirals was egglaying. Yesterday, at Tilgate park, a Small Copper in exactly the same spot as when first seen on 30th September. (Vince Massimo)

At 2.45 today I spotted my fourth garden Brown Hairstreak of the season. Initially she was flitting fairly slowly around a white flowering fuscia before briefly sun bathing on a dead thistle. She was in very good condition with no tears in her wings. Eventually she flew across the garden up and over the Bullace hedge/tree and across the higher slow hedge undergrowth behind. She then arrived about 30 foot up an Ash tree again gently flying around but very clear to see. Great to see late in the season and perhaps my garden colony, although small, does use the adjacent Ash trees as a master tree/meeting place. So perhaps, despite the pretty cool night temperatures at the moment, I may get another chance to see her on Saturday as the weather looks promising. Alas I didn't have a camera with me at the time.
I participated in the "Grow Wild" Scheme for planting a packet of seeds of wild flowers and duly sowed them in a corner of my veg patch. Unfortunately I sowed the seeds slightly late and as I have a lot of clay, it was possibly too dry, so nothing germinated. Anyway I now have a lovely display of autumn, early summer flowers oops! I suspect Jamie Burston will make a better job in managing his allotment patch for butterfly wild flowers.
Also worth a mention at 6.15 I noticed a lot of bat activity suffice to say not far off twilight there were 3 assumed Pipistrelle bats hawking over the garden. Lots of feeding activity despite temp of about 7°C and dropping. But more interestingly there were active pursuits by two individuals on a regular basis. Something I haven't seen before. But I am sure someone will know exactly what's going on? (Richard Roebuck)

Thursday 8 October 2015

Following a lengthy hiatus I located another British born Long-tailed Blue at 2 pm on Thursday, at Beeding Cement Works. I flushed it from the clump of Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea beside the tarmac area, as soon as I got out of the car. Luckily it didn't fly more than a couple of metres, and the mixed weather conditions worked in my favour. Several times it opened its stunningly beautiful wings, revealing that it was a male. I have seen quite a few British Long-tailed Blues now, but this was my first male in perfect condition. During a warmer period it moved to the central clump of ivy, where it sunbathed on some clematis leaves. At 3 pm it launched an attack on a passing Comma, and accelerated away so rapidly that I immediately lost sight of it. The males of this species make the Duke of Burgundy and Small Copper look quite slow! If you visit this site please do not block the track up to the houses (there is really only room for one car to park here). Parking can be found in the layby a few hundred metres further north, on the left-hand side. Please do not walk up the private track which serves these houses. Please do not trespass over the private garden to the left of the track. I still believe that the main emergence of British Long-tailed Blues is yet to begin, but the forecast of a big freeze next week may yet spoil the party. (Neil Hulme)
Editor's note: Shoreham Cement Works Beeding Quarry is a designated Local Geological Site (LGS) and there have been plans submitted for its redevelopment. I suspect Long-tailed Blues weren't been taken into account while these plans were being formulated - more information here: geodiversitysussex.org.uk/news.php. On the same website, there's a detailed account of the geology of Shoreham Cement Works here: geodiversitysussex.org.uk/siteText.php?gridSq=TQ2008. ed.

A handful of Clouded Yellow in the lower Cuckmere Valley (TV521978) around Noon today. (David Jode)

Sunday 4 October 2015

A short walk round the top of Mill Hill produced 3 Wall Browns, 3 Meadow Browns and 2 Small Heaths.
On the subject of parasitoid inchneumon flies I have a photo of one I took in 2009 at Rewell woods, my identification book never suggested they were scarce in Sussex, so I just filed it away. Make that 5 and maybe the first! (Paul Day)

Two Clouded Yellows and numerous Small Whites at Medmerry west side this afternoon. (Bart Ives)

Saturday 3 October 2015

Sorry about the poor photo quality folks, but great news as this depicts our Sussex Branch Chairman, Nigel Symington, accepting the National Nature Award during the PEA awards ceremony at the Brighton Centre, on Saturday night for our national Charity, Butterfly Conservation, in Martin Warren's absence. Well done BC! (Dan Danahar )

A nice addition to my central Worthing garden butterfly list, as a fresh looking Clouded Yellow powered northwards over my garage roof early this afternoon. More please! (Neil Hulme)

I was fortunate enough to catch the best of today's sunshine when I walked around Cradle Valley and the Comp, and followed that with a lap of Cuckmere Haven. And, as a result, I saw 9 species of butterfly. The Comp produced Large White (2), Speckled Wood (2) and Red Admiral (3). But Cuckmere Haven along the eastern slope was where the real action was going on. Here I found Large White (2), Small White (10+), Common Blue (3), Small Heath (10+), Meadow Brown (10+), Small Copper (10+) and Clouded Yellow (10+). (Chris Hooker)

Red Admirals seem to like flying around Chichester railway station. There were 3 or 4 at about 1pm today and in June last year we saw 3 there. (John & Val Heys)

Recent news:

Just to say I found a Clifden Nonpareil in my mothtrap at Coopers Farm, Chiddingly in the morning on Monday September 28th. (Robin Symington)

Tuesday 29 September 2015

Seen today near Ifield Wood munching a clover flower head, saw five more in the clump of clover, I think they are of the Knot Grass moth. (I agree. ed.) (David Long)

A brief visit to Beeding Cement Works to check for Long-tailed Blues failed to locate any, but I was delighted to find half a dozen Red Admirals feasting on ivy flowers. Some looked so fresh that they must have emerged very recently. Those keen to see the Long-tailed Blue might have to wait a little longer, as I suspect the majority will emerge from the second week of October onwards. However, a few are already on the wing and I saw one behind railway security fencing at Lancing on Saturday 26 October. My thanks go to Paul Fosterjohn for producing the fabulous Pearl-bordered Fritillary badges in support of my Fritillaries for the Future project. (Neil Hulme)

I found this walking along the pavement of Taunton Rd Bevendean this morning, I think it is either a Small Elephant Hawk-moth or Elephant Hawk-moth? (it's the latter - ed.) (Geoff Stevens)

Sunday 27 September 2015

Today on our Butterfly Plot we had a work party to clear the remaining dense vegetation. A huge thank you must go the attendees. (Photo above left to right: Indi Danahar, Jamie Burston, Russ Howarth, Dan Danahar and Nigel Symington). It was hard physical work, ever made easier by tools lent to us by Russ who is the allotment chairman. After removing the vegetation we took one last effort to remove the topsoil, as we did so we finally hit the beginnings of chalk. Small Copper so far this year had avoided me on my survey walks on Roedale Valley Allotments, you can imagine how pleasing it was when this beautiful individual landed for a moment at our feet on the Butterfly Plot, this now brings the total species of butterfly seen on site to 21. Fantastic progress, what a transformation to the plot, your help was truly appreciated. I additionally saw 1 Comma, 1 Red Admiral, 3 Small White and 1 Large White cross our plot. Keep an eye out for the timetable for future work parties, soon to be posted onto the sightings page. (Jamie Burston)

A short walk in St Leonards forest today produced, Red Admiral, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Comma and Large White. (Speckled Wood photo taken 20/9 St Leonards Forest, I rather like it so wanted to share). (Patrick Moore)

Saturday 26 September 2015

Third brood Wall (male) sighted at TQ642101 (Pevensey Levels) on 26/9/15. (Nigel Kemp)

Today I had a stall at Roedale Valley Allotments during an apple pressing event, in wonderful sunshine. I met plot holders and the general public showcasing the plans for our "Butterfly Plot". The event was a great success, it was great to show people the variety of butterfly species, 20 in total which have been seen on site during this single summer period. I also used the opportunity to show people the larval foodplants used by the Butterflies we hope to attract to our Butterfly Plot. I also printed out a sign up sheet asking plot owners if they would like to plant Wild Carrot, Wild Fennel or Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea to entice European Swallowtail and Long-tailed Blue onto the site. In total 12 people put their names down, all wanting all three species of plant, fantastic news and this even included an individual from Lower Roedale Allotments. With a potential sighting last year of a European Swallowtail on the allotment in Bevendean, it all seems very hopeful. Regarding Long-tailed Blues, it was pleasing to hear a few individuals already had Everlasting Pea varieties on their plots. Thanks must go to Amos for including me, it was a fantastic day spent with friends. Additional thanks to Neil Hulme and Colin Knight for providing me with their wonderful photos, they really made the difference. (Jamie Burston)

2 fresh looking Common Blues and 1 Small White and a Speckled Wood at Bevendean Down mid day today. (Geoff Stevens)

Friday 25 September 2015

My father, Roy Symonds reports the following sightings from Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve (SU8209) on 25th September. Brimstone 5F, Small White 4, Meadow Brown 6, Speckled Wood 2, Red Admiral 1.
At Inham's Lane, West Stoke (SU835089) Small White 2. (Richard Symonds)

A picture of an Angle Shades moth that I disturbed while cutting our wild-flower meadow today at Gay Street near Pulborough (TQ0719). (Chris Page)

Wednesday 23 September 2015

Looked unsuccessfully (it did cloud over as soon as I arrived though!) for Long-tailed Blues on the north side of Shoreham Docks at lunchtime. But I did find a rather out of place Speckled Wood, a few Small Whites, a few Silver Y moths a helice Clouded Yellow. (Lindsay Morris)

Sunday 20 September 2015

We have several large clumps of Michaelmas Daisies in the garden that usually attract large numbers of butterflies at this time of the year, but not this year. We have had one or two Large and Small Whites, two Brimstones and one Red Admiral, with a Speckled Wood elsewhere in the garden. However we did have a Humming-bird Hawk-moth today checking the Potentilla (I think it did nectar briefly) and then equally briefly it did feed on the Michaelmas. This must be the 8th or 9th sighting of the Hawk-moth in the garden this year, far more than ever before. I suspect 4-5 different individuals in total. Mary had two Small Heath in Parham Park today. (Mary and Martin Kalaher, Storrington)

2 Painted Lady nectaring in our East Dean garden (TV562984) at 10am. One fresh - One tatty. (Carole & David Jode)

I found this Death's-head Hawk-moth caterpillar here in my allotment in Arundel, Sussex. As you can see from the pictures it was quite a size! You could quite clearly here it munching!! (Stephen Kane)

My third visit to Victoria Business Park, Burgess Hill for Brown Hairstreak. Saw 4x Brown Hairstreak all females at 12.26/12.41/1.23/1.59pm. The second Brown Hairstreak I saw lay 2x eggs, one on a very young blackthorn (see photo) On second visit (Sunday 6/9/2015) counted 4x eggs, two seen being laid. 2x Brown Hairstreak females seen at 1.36 and 1.39pm the first one had its face buried in an over ripe blackberry for ages. Later while waiting for our order to be served at the Beefeater Grill just along the road, we were sat outside, when at 3.18pm a Brown Hairstreak flew by our table, I shot up from chair and followed it as it headed into car park I saw it settle on rose bush, wings open, it was a female. but before I could get photo it flew up along flower border, where I lost sight of it. that was unexpected. Over the three visits the height range of eggs laid was between 9 inches to 9 ft (2.74m). (Peter Farrant)

Today I ventured to new pastures. I started next door to Lewes Prison and kept climbing and climbing and climbing and ended up right on top of an area called Black Cap. The views up here are possibly the best in Sussex.
I didn't expect to see many butterflies and indeed I didn't, just the occasional Large White, Small White, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Small Heath and a few very fast flyers that I couldn't identify.
I was very fortunate in having two wild deer standing watching me for about ten minutes. It was the closest I have even been to wild deer, only about 20 feet away. I also saw a little lizard and Buzzards and some rare birds.
Fantastic afternoon. (Nick Linazasoro)

A Clouded Yellow at Applesham Farm. Pair of Small Coppers North Lancing Chalk Pit, with Meadow Brown and Peacock bringing the weekend tally to 14 butterfly species, 11 of them in the very small area of the chalk pit itself. Fingers crossed for the predicted Indian Summer! (Lindsay Morris)

Saturday 19 September 2015

The emergence of British Long-tailed Blues is now underway and could continue until mid October. This morning I found two recently emerged females at Newhaven Tide Mills, one of which hung around long enough for a few other enthusiasts to arrive and share this exciting event. I'm confident that many more will emerge on Sussex soil over the next few weeks. More at www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=104179#p104179 (Neil Hulme)

North Lancing Chalkpit had 8 species of butterfly and a Humming-bird Hawk-moth. Pristine and best were Small Copper, Painted Lady and about 10 Red Admirals. In the field behind was a Clouded Yellow and the walk to Steep Down got the day's total to 12 species of butterfly with one Blue so decrepit I was unable to be sure what it was. (Lindsay Morris)

Crawley Down - numbers increasing in garden now. Today, 7 Red Admiral, 3 Painted Lady, 1 Comma, 3 Large White and 3 Small White nectaring in sunshine on buddleia. (Jonathan Ruff)

Today I walked around the Cissbury area and along the Monarchs Way. There were quite a few Small Heath and Speckled Wood as well as Meadow Brown, Small Copper, Comma, Small and Large White, Common Blue (1), Brimstone, Peacock and Red Admiral (1). There were hundreds of Swallows and Martins flying around Canada Bottom for about 10 minutes before heading south, an amazing sight. (Patrick Moore)

Mary Allan sent in these great pictures of a Death's-head Hawk-moth caterpillar which is doing well in her garden in East Preston.
It was first discovered after it was accidentally trodden on - but it proved indestructable and has been happily munching and growing. (Michael Blencowe)

Thursday 17 September 2015

Trapped this Convolvulus Hawk-moth in my garden at North Portslade on 17th September - first one I have ever trapped here. As you can see my eldest daughter enjoyed it at much as me! (Darryl Perry)

Today I saw two dog fighting male Speckled Woods and a single male Small White seen flying near Stanmer Organics, Stanmer Park in Brighton. (Jamie Burston)

Tuesday 15 September 2015

Today between the extreme gusts and on the occasion the sun shone I observed 1 Small Heath, seeming to be lost as it flew into the front garden then over my next door neighbour's roof, later returning a second time. Additionally in the back garden I saw 1 Red Admiral and 1 Small White.
Back to my Purple Hairstreak Species Champion duties. I can report that after meeting up and talking with my friend, Eve Andrews from East Hoathly, that after previously giving her identification pointer, she got back to me to say that approximately 6 Purple Hairstreaks were flying on the 1st September 2015. Observed around the Oak canopy, these on trees growing all around her house, private land. I asked her for any additional information and she said that they never seemed to come far down from the canopy, flying in groups. A brilliant piece of information regarding the butterfly's Sussex flight period. (Jamie Burston)

Saturday 12 September 2015

A Humming-bird Hawk-moth paid a brief but very welcome visit to the Verbena bonariensis in the garden this morning. (Bob Foreman, Lindfield)

Friday 11 September 2015

1 Humming-bird Hawk-moth seen briefly nectaring along Brighton Marina at (TQ34030304). (Jamie & Jeff Burston)

St Leonards Forest produced a Common Blue as well as Speckled Wood, Red Admiral, Comma, Meadow Brown, Peacock and Brimstone. (Patrick Moore)

On Friday I teamed up with Branch Chair Nigel Symington to look for Long-tailed Blues. Within minutes we struck lucky at Brighton Racecourse, where I found a colony in 2013. We located a second male shortly afterwards, but drew a blank at the other venues we searched. Both of the butterflies had seen better days, but who cares, every Long-tailed Blue is a cause for celebration! There is good cause to believe that we will shortly be treated to the emergence of a British brood, so keep your eyes on the pea from next week onwards. More at www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=4065&start=2120#p103939 (Neil Hulme)

A great day out on the Downs with Neil Hulme yesterday looking for Everlasting Pea and the butterfly that uses it as its food plant, the Long-tailed Blue. We found a couple of rather beaten up males near the end of the Brighton racecourse. They were flying in their usual skittery fashion, and nectaring vigorously on the pea flowers, but gave us the chance of this shot which shows how their 'tail' and the eye spots on the hind end of the wing would easily confuse a predator to think that the hind end of the butterfly was in fact its front. (Nigel Symington)

Thursday 10 September 2015

Sitting outside The Tiger pub at East Dean near Eastbourn on Thursday 10th September at about 2.00 pm (a lovely summer day), I saw a Swallowtail fly past at a height of about 15 feet, presumably of the gorganus sub species. I hope that this information is useful to you. (David Evans)

A follow-up to my 9 September email, I saw another Brown Hairstreak on the blackthorn in our hedge today at Gay Street, near Pulborough (TQ0719) but it was too quick for my camera! It was a different one to the one I saw on Tuesday as that one was a bit tattered and this one was near perfect. Just wondering if two different Brown Hairstreaks in three days is enough for me to hope a small colony is getting established here - probably not. (Chris Page)

I visited Lower Beeding Churchyard today and watched a Holly Blue refueling on heather, there was also plenty of Speckled Wood, Brimstone and a Comma to be seen. (Patrick Moore)

Wednesday 9 September 2015

Great to see a Clouded Yellow Butterfly along by the Railway Track Glyne Gap Bexhill. (Janet Richardson)

Tuesday 8 September 2015

You know with butterfly spotting you have good days and bad days? Well today was a good day for me, no it was a very good day! I spotted a Brown Hairstreak, only the second one I have seen here. The first was last year but I didn't have my camera with me, but yesterday I did, see above.
After we created our one acre wild-flower meadow near Pulborough (TQ0719) in 2011 I planted a mixed native hedge around two of the sides. I increased the percentage of blackthorn in the mix in the hope it would attract the Brown Hairstreak as I had never seen one. The hedge has now grown to between four and five feet tall and last year (18 August) I spotted a Brown Hairstreak resting on the blackthorn. Was it laying eggs I wondered? Despite a very detailed search of all the blackthorn in the winter after the leaves had fallen, I couldn't find any eggs. Yesterday, while giving the hedge a mild prune, I spotted a Brown Hairstreak flitting between the hawthorn and blackthorn up and down the hedge for quite some time. I will give the blackthorn another close examination for eggs this winter. (Chris Page)

I walked in St Leonards Forest today after a break of several weeks, there is still quite a few butterfly species to be seen but numbers are now tailing off. Seen were Holly Blue, plenty of Speckled Wood, Peacock, Meadow Brown, Small Cooper, Brimstone, Large White, Gatekeeper (1), Green-veined White and Comma. (Patrick Moore)

Travelled over from Dover and was greeted by this very confiding young lady at Steyning yesterday morning, Neil also photographed her with his group. More on my blog kearsney birder. (Phil Smith)

Sunday 6 September 2015

Following our report plus photo of Long-tailed Blue in Hotham Park, Bognor Regis, on Saturday 5 Sept, we can report that the next day 6 Sept an individual (possibly the same one) remained in the same rich planting of lavender and other late summer flowers.
Either the same butterfly or a different one was on lavender on the University of Chichester Bognor Regis campus - just over the road from the park - this same morning.
For good measure, a Clouded Yellow also passed through. (Joseph Reavey and Duncan Reavey)

Having been out of the county for the past fortnight it was nice to get out for a walk this afternoon. I walked from Friston to Crowlink and then back via Butts Brow. Butterflies were generally thin on the ground apart from around Friston gallops where there was plenty of activity. In the end I managed to find 13 species which was a lot more than I had expected. They were: Common Blue, Holly Blue, Chalkhill Blue, Adonis Blue, Large White, Small White, Meadow Brown, Small Heath, Speckled Wood, Brown Argus, Red Admiral, Painted Lady and perhaps the biggest surprise, an Essex Skipper. (Chris Hooker)

Crawley Down - A Humming-bird Hawk-moth feeding at dusk on both Buddleia davidii and Buddleia Beijing. It was chased by a bat as darkness fell but I think it got away. Also during the day 3 Red Admiral, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Meadow Brown and numerous Large White and Small White. (Jonathan Ruff)

Went for a leisurely stroll around High & Over and saw Painted Lady, Chalkhill Blue, Red Admiral, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Small White and Large White. Not very exciting set of butterflies but the views were as ever breathtaking. (Nick Linazasoro)

6 September 2015: 1 Red Admiral and 1 Humming-bird Hawk-moth in my Hollingbury back garden. At Roedale Valley Allotments I saw the following on plot 71/b, 1 Small White, 1 Speckled Wood, 1 Meadow Brown and the addition of a basking Common Lizard, I'm involved in plans to manage this plot and add several larval foodplants to encourage nearby species onto the site. In addition I saw 2 Large Whites and 3 Small Whites when I was on the move.
5 September 2015: At Roedale Valley Allotments I saw a single Red Admiral. Pointed out by the owner of one plot, Alan, I observed 20+ Large White caterpillars feeding on the remains of Broccoli, one individual caught my attention as I saw it reach the top of a waste bin, it was clearly in the process of finding a location to pupate. Towards the bottom end of the allotments I was asked over to look at eggs which had been laid on a Verbena stem. I failed to identify them, any ideas? Myself and Russ would be interested to know.
3 September 2015: In my Hollingbury back garden I was pleased to see 2 Red Admirals, 1 Speckled Wood, 3 Large White, 1 Small White, 1 Small Tortoiseshell and 1 (Red Admiral sized) Painted Lady making the most of the brief warmth.
28 August 2015: At a site just to the side of Ditchling Road (TQ323085) I saw 2 male and 1 female Speckled Wood, 1 male and 2 female Meadow Brown, 5 male and 2 female Common Blue, 1 female Holly Blue and a single Large White. Moving onto the roadside verge along Ditchling Road I only counted 1 male Large White and 1 male Common Blue, this representing the damage caused by cutting the verge, sad to see the decimated wildflowers, included would have been Kidney Vetch. I was hoping to search for signs of Small Blue being present but nothing was left to look at! On a positive note I was pleased to find two second brood Wall Brown males, seen like previous years around the stone shelter, an area by the Hill Fort. (Jamie Burston)

Saturday 5 September 2015

We are very pleased to report our first Long-tailed Blue feeding on lavender in Hotham Park, Bognor Regis on a dull Saturday 5th September. We only had an old phone to take the pic but at least this is evidence it was a genuine sighting... (Joseph Reavey (age 11 - 45th butterfly species recorded in Britain since starting in July 2014))

Photo of a Blue Underwing (Clifden Nonpareil) found today at the RSPB Wealden office at Sham Farm imdustrial estate near Eridge. (Nick Feledziak)

Friday 4 September 2015

Vestal in moth trap in North Portslade garden on 4th September. (Darryl Perry)

Wednesday 2 September 2015

I'm a recent new member and have this year familiarised myself with British Butterflies here in Burgess Hill, primarily as a result of the national count during July and August. I managed to record and photograph quite a few with my iPhone. The Brown Hairstreak shots above were taken this morning on the bridge south of Burgess Hill train station (in sight of the water tower). (Dave Cook)

Tuesday 1 September 2015

The Brown Hairstreaks on the Steyning Downland Scheme Rifle Range site are now performing consistently well. Today I met up with Dan Danahar to help him obtain some more footage for his Butterflies of the Biosphere YouTube video series. From 11.30 am to 1.30 pm we saw a total of 8 female Brown Hairstreaks, two of which were still in good condition. As is the case in most years, as the visitor numbers drop away the hairstreaks come out to play! I suspect that some females are yet to lay their first egg. (Neil Hulme)

A morning of sunshine with the Brown Hairstreaks presented eight females at the Rifle Range today. Mr Hulme found five and I found the remaining three! Much jollity was had by us both. (Dan Danahar)

We walked to the area by the A259 opposite Southwick power station to see if there was any sign of Long-tailed Blues, as they were there in 2013. Plenty of everlasting pea in flower, quite warm and sunny, but no sign of our target. However, at the base of the slope in the spot where we've seen them before, there were at least 4 male Common Blues and one female. Fair numbers of Whites everywhere on our walk & those that lingered long enough to be identified were Small rather than Large. (John & Val Heys)

Earlier Sightings