Recent sightings in Sussex
Butterflies in August
Despite the poor weather towards the end of July, butterflies this summer have been appearing early. We have seen all of the native Sussex butterflies so any first sightings this month will be delightfully exotic. This month we may see an influx of migrants from the continent. As well as Clouded Yellows we will be hoping to see more Long-tailed Blue, seen in 2013 and 2015 and 2016, as well as this year. So keep an eye out for their food plant, the everlasting pea.
We have possibly already seen the last Silver-studded Blues of 2017, which means that the The Ashdown Forest Silver-studded Blue Project has drawn to a close for this year. I should like to thank everyone who sent in sightings and took part in the “Ashdown Forest Silver-studded Blue Hunt”. The information collected is important for the conservation of this species and we hope to continue the project in 2018.
Ed jnr
Visited Cuckmere Haven this afternoon and, despite a strong wind and the odd shower, plenty of butterflies were flying. Meadow Brown were the most numerous but there were also several Adonis Blue (which I can't recall seeing here before), Chalk Hill Blue, Common Blue and Small Heath. (Chris Hooker)
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On Tuesday night our balcony visitors included Poplar Bent-wing (Phyllocnistis unipunctella), Brimstone Moth (Opisthograptis luteolata), Garden Grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella), Langmaid's Yellow Underwing (Noctua janthina), Blastobasis vittata, Marbled Beauty (Bryophila domestica), Light Brown Apple Moth (Epiphyas postvittana), Square-Spot Rustic (Xestia xanthographa), Silver Y ( Autographa gamma).
On Wednesday I visited Anchor Bottom and saw plenty of Adonis Blues, including four on badger scat, plus Meadow Browns, Common Blues, Speckled Wood, Common Carpet (Epirrhoe alternate), Small Purple and Gold (Pyrausta aurata). (Colin Knight)
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Popped into Park Corner Heath and saw four Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries. Saw a fifth in Rowlands wood. (Jonathan Crawford)
Went to Park Corner Heath on the 15th and saw 4/5 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries by the shed but none in Rowland Wood. A couple of egg laying females and this very nice female. (Dave Cook)
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My Mill Hill transect was completed this morning before the heavens opened at midday: Adonis Blue 71, Brown Argus, Chalk Hill Blue 2, Common Blue 3, Green-veined White, Meadow Brown 72, Small Heath 31. I had 3 sightings of Silver-spotted Skippers at the top of the hill, all on thistle, plus a female Migrant Hawker. (Colin Knight)
Clifden Nonpareil outside our back doors this morning. Apologies for poor photograph. (Richard Pulley)