2019 sightings

A visit today to the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam, reconfirmed that the charms of modern and contemporary art are largely wasted on me. I was however drawn to one item by the Mexican artist Carlos Amorales called Black Cloud which featured four rooms filled with thousands of paper cutouts of butterflies and moths. What it is all supposed to mean, of course, I cannot tell you. Happy New Year. (Jonathan Crawford)

I walked along the seafront at Lancing today in the hope of possibly seeing a butterfly. Nothing was on the wing, but I did discover two Large White pupae on the inside of a bike store (one looked a bit dead). The larvae undoubtedly came from Sea-kale plants which are growing nearby. (Vince Massimo)

Around 13:30 this afternoon while watching a Red Kite just south of Crawley,I was surprised to see a Red Admiral flyby and land nearby. (Alastair Gray)

My first thought was a Comma as well but we shall never know it for sure. A big "thank you" to Martin Kalaher for the quiz, I had fun trying to answer all the questions but once again I only reached the rank of the White Admiral. I guess I should put in some more effort to learn all the names of food plants...could be a New Year resolution :) (Istvan Radi)

Rather tatty Comma on ivy at a field edge near Steyning. (Pete Varkala)

A Red Admiral seen flying along Eastbourne Promenade TV607976 just after 11am today in full sunshine around 7c.
Chris & Mary Barnett also saw a Red Admiral today in their Seaford garden TV498998. (Carole & David Jode)

How about a Comma disturbed in hibernation for that mystery butterfly? Can't recall seeing one myself in the winter months - the last we saw was in September, but at least Commas are decidedly orange & they overwinter in adult form. The alternative is a Small Tortoiseshell, for similar if slightly less orange reasons. It's nice to imagine that it was even more exciting, but it probably wasn't! The pictures are the only Small Tortoiseshell we saw in our garden this year (2nd July) & a Comma, also in our garden (21 July). Happy Christmas & best wishes to everyone for the new year from Val & me. (John Heys)

With it being a gorgeous day for once, well, out of the wind anyway, I had a little search around High and Over. The 2nd tussock I looked in I found 2 Wall Brown larvae but then I didn't find any more except the one that I found on the 13th that was still doing well.
I was just about to give up when a Peacock flew past me, probably my final butterfly of 2019 and of course the decade.
In the tussocks there were several spiders active that will hopefully not find the larvae.
A smart Firecrest along Cradle Valley was good to see as was a Bumble Bee and a Shieldbug. (Bob Eade http://bobsbutterflies.blogspot.co.uk)

A Christmas mystery... I went for a walk at Beeding Brooks and while watching the geese enjoying the flooded fields a butterfly flew past me out of nowhere. Unfortunately it didn't land and I didn't get a a good look but it was definitely not a Red Admiral as it was clearly orange-ish colour. But looking at the "Last seen" dates, no orange butterfly should be around at this time so I will be haunted by this sighting for many days to come and I am not looking forward to the sleepless nights! Anyone could make a brave guess with regards the species? Thank you, and wishing a happy Christmas to All of you! And joining Tessa, I thank Jonathan for his efforts to keep the website going and making sure that all the sightings are published as quickly as possible! (Istvan Radi)

With thanks to all contributors, recorders, transect walkers, work party attendees, committee members and helpers, conservation partners and our wonderful webmaster. May Santa visit you all. (Neil Hulme)

No sightings just Thanks.
I wanted to say thank you to everyone who has contributed to these pages this year and in doing so increased my knowledge and pleasure in the butterflies of Sussex. They have sent me to new places to look for butterflies and and given me helpful tips in how to find butterflies and identify them better when I get there.
The standard of photography is wonderful. And of course huge thanks to our lovely Ed jnr for making it all possible. (Tessa Pawsey)

Continued (ben greenaway)

As autumn turns to winter Purple Emperor larvae start taking on their winter colours - it has been a pleasure and a privilege to follow them this far - fingers crossed the majority make it through the next few months unscathed - 30 on the books - no losses so far...... (ben greenaway)

Horsham, St Leonards Forest, a lucky sighting and photo of a Red Admiral around lunchtime today. (Patrick Moore)

The final pics (Martin Kalaher)

After this batch of photos, I promise not to send anymore. Each photo has a story to tell (of the butterfly kind!), which I thought might be of some interest. Before I begin I should perhaps qualify the comments that I made yesterday, regarding butterfly watching in the Paderne area of The Algarve. There are plenty of butterflies if you want to see Small Whites and Clouded Yellows but for most of the other species on offer a fair amount of legwork is required. I spent around 24 hours in the field, visiting all the best spots that I knew and still only achieved 35 species, with most of the butterfly colonies tiny, and I do mean tiny - often just one or two adults to be found on any given day. This brings me on to "hill-topping". I confess that I hadn't quite grasped what this means, until this year. Basically, it's where uncommon butterflies congregate for the purpose of mating; a bit like a lek, but without the numbers. A sun-exposed, sheltered spot is chosen and if you lucky enough to find a hill-topping location, then you are more-or-less guaranteed to find unusual butterfly species (but not necessarily the same ones) each time you visit. The meadow I found had a Two-tailed Pasha, Swallowtail, Ilex Hairstreak and Blue-spot Hairstreak. I'm not suggesting that any of these species are rare but they are difficult to find and photograph in this part of Portugal, so a hill-topping site is worth finding. Otherwise, the Wall and Silver-studded Blue were found by a river estuary (coming from Sussex, not a place I would expect to find them), and the Marsh Fritillary and False Baton Blue were on or beside hot, dry tracks. The Monarch was one of several and since they can always be found in a particular roadside meadow, there must be a well-established breeding colony there. (Martin Kalaher)

This moth turned up at the window in the rain in Crawley Down this evening. (Jon Ruff)

Many thanks to Mike Fearn & The Brighton Conservation Volunteers (BCV) and Richard Farran of the Sussex Branch for another highly productive day (17 December) on the BC reserves at East Hoathly. We cleared 'The Christmas Tree Glade' (see map) in Rowland Wood to provide more breeding habitat for the Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary and other species. Finishing well ahead of time, we then cut some south-facing scallops into the woodland edge at the eastern end of 'Big Beech Ride', where Pearl-bordered Fritillary females showed a liking for the area following their spring 2019 reintroduction. This was the last visit by BCV for the current management season and I'd like to thank them on behalf of all at BC Sussex for their invaluable assistance over the last few months. Happy Christmas to them all. (Neil Hulme)

Every couple of years or so, Mary and I join our friends in their villa in the Algarve. The location is west of Paderne, about 30 miles from the coast, and one might describe it as rural Algarve. As the naturalist in our party I get to choose the timing of the visit, which is usually the third week in April, co-coinciding with raptor migration through the Castre Verde region. This year I thought we might do something a bit different, by visiting in early May. The weather is usually settled by then and there was a chance of finding a few butterflies. For the first time I took my butterfly camera along to try my luck, and since I like the diminutive skipper family I will offer six photos of Lulworth Skipper, the commonest skipper in that area. Given the warm climate, thin soils and lovely flower meadows, one might expect to see butterflies by the thousand. Sadly, not so, for large swathes of the meadows are ploughed every year to reduce the risk of grassland fires. All the photos are male Lulworth Skipper, except the sixth photo, which is a rather worn female. (Martin Kalaher)

Red Admiral - Birdham (Jeremy Greenwood)

One very active Red Admiral in blustery conditions at Mill Lane, Rodmell, on Saturday 14th Dec. (Sue Cross and Dave Harris)

Whilst working in a friend's garden just south of Hollingbury Park, a Red Admiral settled for a few minutes on a sunny window-sill. As I went to grab the camera, it flew off. (Graeme Rolf https://www.flickr.com/photos/128321708@N03/albums/72157649396241380)

Whilst checking High and Over for the clearance work I want to do over the Winter I had a 30 minute search for Wall Brown larva and found a single one resting in a sheltered spot. An unknown moth larva also found as well as a baby frog hopper type and a large Bumble Bee also seen on the way up there. (Bob Eade http://bobsbutterflies.blogspot.co.uk)

While clearing out sheds prior to moving house ( we've gone all the way to Newick) I found two Peacocks hibernating on planks of wood in one of the sheds (Nigel Symington)

Birdham nr Chichester: Red Admiral at midday on its last legs (Jeremy Greenwood)

A quick search of a few small Blackthorn shrubs growing in the middle of one of the Warnham butterfly fields (TQ154340), and close to our transect route, produced several Brown Hairstreak eggs today including two 'double yolkers'. Great to find these as I did not see an adult Brown Hairstreak in the fields this year! Also, as our local farmers are currently blitzing most of the hedgerows along Warnham's country lanes at the moment, the Blackthorn in the butterfly fields is even more precious. The only problem is that soon we shall be flailing and removing vegetation from both fields to ensure we continue to provide good habitat for our Grizzled Skippers and Dingy Skippers. I shall need to find a way of marking all the Blackthorn bushes so that our excellent contractor can see and avoid them from his tractor cab! (David Bridges)

My thanks to Theresa, Helen, Andrea, Rosie, Colin, James, Richard, Richard, Gary, John, Ian, Ian, Mark, Keith and Bob for attending another highly productive conservation work party at Park Corner Heath on Sunday (8 December).
We initially split into two groups, with one completing this winter's coppicing and scrub/Bracken control on Parris Plateau, while the other worked in Mitchell's Ghyll, where additional flow retarding features and an access bridge were constructed. We all ended the day working in the copse which runs along the ghyll, where we completed thinning operations to allow more light through the canopy. It will now be much easier for butterflies to move through this lightly wooded area into surrounding parts of the Vert Wood complex. We have now completed all work on Park Corner Heath for this winter and will move to Rowland Wood in January.
All of the main rides, glades and other features on the reserves have now been given names; these can now be seen on the very smart reserves map which Bob Foreman designed and has now mounted on the main reserves noticeboard.
Although no butterflies were seen on the day, I was delighted to see a Kingfisher perched on Reedmace in the PCH pond; this was the first I've ever seen on our reserves. (Neil Hulme)

Yesterday at Barrington Road footpath in Worthing I saw a Red Admiral. This was just after 11.00am. It was in good condition, sunning itself on low nettle regrowth. It wasn't still around at 2.45pm when I passed that way again, even though it was still very bright. (John Heys)

A fast flying Red Admiral at High and Over today completed my target of seeing a butterfly in every month of 2019 in Sussex. A stunning Firecrest was also seen at High and Over on a perfect Winters day. (Bob Eade http://bobsbutterflies.blogspot.co.uk)

One & sometimes 2 Beautiful Plume moths are continuing to pop up at various times of the day & night (when I leave the lights on long enough) in our Hove sun-lounge. There's just one this morning. My Brother had a Red Admiral in his garden in East Preston on Friday. (John & Val Heys)

Yesterday (30 November) I visited Rewell Wood, to see how this winter's commercial and conservation activities are coming along. On the Norfolk Estate it's sometimes difficult to separate 'commercial' from 'conservation', as all commercial forestry operations are conducted with conservation in mind. I know of no better example of this in the UK.
With my five-year-old in tow (he did well to walk more than two miles in boggy conditions, but loves it in the woods) we first looked at the rolling programme of scalloping and ride-side mowing along the main W-E ride in the southern part of the wood. Many thanks to Simon Mockford and colleagues from the South Downs National Park Authority (and Volunteer Ranger Service) for the former. This bridleway is the best place for visitors to view the Pearl-bordered Fritillary each spring, negating the need to wander onto private land.
We then caught up with the current Sweet Chestnut coppice cuts (please keepwell clear of ongoing forestry operations). The brash is now being harvested for biomass, which reduces waste and significantly increases the area of fritillary breeding habitat per hectare. The sequence of commercial cuts is designed, as best as possible, to facilitate the movement of butterflies from year to year, further assisted by the programme of ride widening throughout the wood.
I'm now getting very excited about the prospects for a very large area (c.9 hectares) which has been open for many years, but recently replanted with conifer species and mixed broad-leaves (tubed). Working in close co-operation with the Estate (many thanks to Peter Knight, Mark Aldridge and Tony Hart), we have incorporated a pattern of unplanted areas, which will form wide woodland rides in the future. As the new plantation develops it will, for some years, provide additional breeding habitat for the Pearl-bordered Fritillary and many other species, including Grizzled and Dingy Skippers, Green Hairstreak and Small Copper (and birds such as Nightjar and Woodcock). Control of competing plants, while the trees become established, is already providing the perfect conditions for violets to flourish.
Elsewhere, ride widening continues, conducted by both contractors and the resident woodsman, Kenny, who is as much a part of the fabric of Rewell Wood as some of the mighty Beech.
I know of some of the estate's future plans, which will guarantee even further improvements for butterflies and other wildlife here, so last year's peak count of more than 300 Pearl-bordered Fritillary may be far from the best we'll see. I suspect that a well-hidden and small colony of Duke of Burgundy is likely to expand, having already spawned a new colony at the adjacent Fairmile Bottom, where excellent management by WSCC, assisted by the cattle of local farmer James Seller, is creating a real gem for butterflies, moths and orchids.
Working with so many enthusiastic partners sometimes makes the job of a conservationist rather easy, and always a pleasure. My thanks to everyone involved, past and present.. (Neil Hulme)
I think that is a DB 990 Selectomatic, probably the 1971 model, in the last picture.(Ed jnr)

This Peacock was tempted out of hibernation to enjoy the sunshine at Rowland Wood on Friday 29.11.19 (Nigel Kemp http://eastsussexwanderer.blogspot.co.uk)

Red Admiral looking for a roost at Shoreham Station level crossing today. (Jonathan Crawford)

A welcome relief to see some sunshine and about lunchtime a Red Admiral was flying around the wall garden at Nymans in Handcross. It was obviously enjoying being able to stretch it's wings for a while... (Martin Buck)

I like reading butterfly books. Maybe not cover-to-cover, but I like to dip in and out when the mood takes me. This morning I took delivery of Life Cycles of British & Irish Butterflies by Peter Eeles (I had intended going to the AGM to hear his talk, but a winter lurgy stopped me in my tracks). This book is truly exceptional and anyone who is at a loss to know what to buy this Christmas, order your copy now! In 20 years time when natural scientists look back at the books that opened our eyes to the wonders of the butterfly world this book will be in the top three (and The Butterflies of Sussex will be one of those three). We are lucky to have such talented naturalists, who can also write to such a high standard (the two talents do not always go together). (Martin Kalaher)

Thought I’d share some pics from an extremely wet Southwater. I’m currently monitoring a dozen or so Purple Emperor larvae - hoping to get that up to 20 next week. Some great hibernation spots, and some not so good! One pic of a cat still active on tues - I’m reliably informed that 26/11 is the latest record for an active cat. (Ben Greenaway)

A walk along the seafront at Lancing today produced three Painted Lady larvae (all 5th instars). Two were basking on their Mallow foodplant and the other was on a wall. The first one is the same individual seen moulting to 5th instar on 8th November. They have survived thus far because they are in very sheltered locations, but are unlikely to complete their development (particularly #2 which is clearly injured). There was also a 5th instar Small White larva and a Ruby Tiger caterpillar (also both on walls). The White may reach pupation if it's lucky, while the Ruby Tiger will go into hibernation. The temperature at the time was 11C in sunny conditions and all the larvae were taking the opportunity to get some warmth.
(Vince Massimo)

Red Admiral seen on Sunday afternoon in Horsham Town Centre at The Forum on the metal sculpture opposite TX Max. (janet Wilkes on behalf of Ginette Fuller)

Over the years I have spent a lot of time looking for Brown Hairstreak eggs and trying to fathom out what is about a certain location that interests the female to do a spot of egg-laying. The two obvious requirements are morning sunshine and shelter from the wind. So, east and south-facing hedgerows. One can find eggs on a north-facing hedgerow, provided the hedge is low in height and the Blackthorn is bathed in sunshine by mid-morning. Even west-facing hedges may have the occasional egg, but it does seem to be morning sunshine which is critical, which isn't surprising bearing how cold it can be in late April/early May. The freshly-emerged caterpillars need the external warmth of the sun to get going and then presumably the heat created by digestion is enough to sustain them for the rest of the day. I am not sure what is the balance between daytime versus night-time feeding but my suspicions are that in the early stages of development the warmth of the sun is very significant. My garden record stands at 85 eggs, including 45 in a 15 metre stretch of hedgerow. None of these eggs would have had any sunshine after 2.0 pm, and many of them no sun after 11.0 am. Now and for the next four-five weeks is a very good time to go searching. Clearly one can find the eggs well before now but it is easier once the leaves have dropped. Choose a fairly dull day as the eggs are not easily seen in brilliant winter sunshine. Once we are into January the emerging buds confuse the eye (my eyes at any rate), so now is the time to have a look. What prompted this post was the discovery of four eggs on a single self-seeded sapling. It is growing by a path and isn't the best place to have a Blackthorn shrub (those thorns are very sharp and destructive). The loppers were hovering when I thought I had better check it first, and sure enough four eggs followed (so it has a reprieve, for now). This is also an excuse to show the aberrant male Brown Hairstreak that appeared in the garden on August 1st this year. I have written a short article about this butterfly, and this article is likely to appear in one of the publications at some point. (Martin Kalaher)

Many thanks to the 13 hardy volunteers, including Mike Fearn & the Brighton Conservation Volunteers and our own Richard Farran, for braving the heavy rain to attend a work party on Park Corner Heath on Tuesday 26 November.
We split into two groups, with one continuing the coppicing and scrub control along the northern edge of Parris Plateau. The other group mimicked the work of Beavers, by building a series of dams and lodges along the stream ghyll using pre-cut timber and brash, following the felling of some dangerous, wind-blown trees. These water retention structures will improve the habitat for mosses, liverworts, fungi and Ferns. A little further 'thinning' of this woodland block is planned, to create new habitat for semi-shade-loving species such as White Admiral and Silver-washed Fritillary. The work will also increase the 'permeability' of this compartment, allowing the easier dispersal of butterflies, including the Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, into the adjacent (private) woodland, where much habitat improvement work has recently taken place.
With the assistance of Vert Wood Community Woodland, Fountain Forestry and some private owners, I believe that we can restore the fauna and flora of more than 100 hectares of the Vert complex to levels not seen for three or four decades. (Neil Hulme)

One Red Admiral snapped with my phone yesterday on the Downs south of Steyning. (Jonathan Crawford)

Too wet for me to be on my allotment so I've just read the new addition to the News section about this year at Park Heath Corner and the reserve. Really inspiring and an enjoyable read, thank you. (Tessa Pawsey )

Today we have had 2 Beautiful Plume moths in our sun lounge (Hove). The first to be spotted was on a nice new fluffy roller about to be used for painting our kitchen, which seemed an odd place to settle. (John & Val Heys)

We brought the geraniums from the garden into our sun-lounge in Hove about 10 days ago & for the last 3 or 4 days we've had a rather sedentary Beautiful Plume moth in there. From it's high up position we've been able to see the incredibly fine feathery bits under its wings. The only butterflies we've seen recently were "fakes" when we walked from Shoreham to Worthing last week - a guest house with a giant Red Admiral & a giant Small Tortoiseshell & a bus advert with a monarch & (I think) a plain tiger. We walked the path down to Litlington in April this year and it seemed quite butterfly friendly although we didn't notice any Wall Browns. Shame that it's been messed with. We did spot the brewery - designed with function rather than beauty in mind! (John & Val Heys)

No butterfly sightings to report during a circuit of my favourite Litlington walk on the Downs but we were a bit concerned to find that the farm track leading east from the site of the Long Man Brewery is being re-profiled. In the summer we normally see a few Wall Brown butterflies along it's sunken length, the bare flint and soil of the track being well sheltered by it's raised grassy banks. Now it has been solidly filled in and levelled off at the surrounding field height, the grassy banks scraped flat. Presumably this is to facilitate the use of the ever increasing size of farm machinery that farmers feel they have to use.
I found myself hoping that the track will sink again to provide shelter and that the birds foot trefoil and knapweeds will hang on long enough to re-emerge. Whether the Wall Browns will still be around then is a thought that worries me. It is only a short stretch of track which has been radically changed but as fragments of good habitat are all we have it seems to me that every fragment counts. (Tessa Pawsey)

Cheered by a quick visit from a Peacock butterfly as I sat having a cup of tea in the sunshine on my allotment in east Brighton today. (Tessa Pawsey)

On my way to the work party at Bevendean I saw a Humming-bird Hawk-moth in a private garden on Upper Bevendean Avenue (I have seen it written in 3 different ways so forgive me if this is not the correct way). (Istvan Radi)
You nailed it! (Ed jnr)

Our contractor, Ian Hampshire, has been hard at work in Rowland Wood over the last week, conducting the annual programme of ride and glade maintenance. This autumn, most of the rides and open areas have received a lighter touch, following the period of major restructuring in late 2017 and more intensive management over the winter of 2018/2019. However, several rides have been given a more thorough working over with the mulcher, as the log piles and trunks still lying around from much earlier operations have imposed an unrealistic burden of management by hand. Recent history has shown how rapidly these rides will recover. The ability to now manage all rides with a tractor will free vital volunteer time for fine tuning of the habitat.
The mulcher has also been used to open up the track down to Park Corner Heath, which has become increasingly shady and wet. It wasn't that many years ago that it was possible to drive a Morris Minor down to the old hut, but you'd need a rugged 4x4 to make the journey today. It will take a while to settle down, but the greatly increased penetration of sunlight will make the track (and new glades along its southern edge) highly suitable for White Admiral and Silver-washed Fritillary, as these areas once were.
Even more exciting is the work we have performed in Sandpit Wood, to the immediate south of the reserves, by kind permission of Fountain Forestry and the owner. Please remember that this area is private property, and out-of-bounds to our members and visitors. Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary has already penetrated the wider Vert Wood complex and numbers are set to grow, following the reconditioning of >0.75 km of rides.
I would like to thank Ian Hampshire, the manager and owner of Sandpit Wood, and all volunteers (BC and Brighton Conservation Volunteers) for their work and cooperation so far this winter. However, there is still much to do, so please come along to the next BC conservation work party on the reserves (8 December).
(Neil Hulme)

Monday 11th November A Red Admiral flying along the hedgerow in the Mid Morning Sun at Knepp. Also seen by Stephen Chandler. (Janet Wilkes)

With the temperature at 7 degrees this morning I was very surprised to see a Red Admiral battling against a strong wind in my Seaford garden. (Stuart Ridley)

Hove, 11.30am today - as we sat down inside for a late coffee a Red Admiral appeared outside the window and stayed long enough for me to get my little camera. Last week we had a look at the plans for the redevelopment of the HMRC site at Barrington Road Worthing & were pleased to see that the "green" stretch of Barrington Road is to due to remain a foot and cycle path. (John & Val Heys)

The urban side of Malthouse Lane. 1 mint-condition Red Admiral this morning in my friend's back garden. (Graeme Rolf https://www.flickr.com/photos/128321708@N03/albums/72157649396241380)

Glad to see a Red Admiral zig-zagging around in the breeze on my allotment in east Brighton today. (Tessa Pawsey)

And here's a picture of the entire group, minus the photographer, Theresa Turner. (Neil Hulme)

Many thanks to all 17 who turned out for the Remembrance Sunday conservation work party at Park Corner Heath, with our two-minutes period of reflection marked by a distant cannon. The team continued coppicing and clearing scrub along the northern edge of Parris Plateau, and we said farewell to a few more unwanted Turkey Oaks. Along with the 'regulars', it was great to see some new faces today. The impressive progress made can at least partly be attributed to the excellent cakes provided by Andrea and Carola - thank you. Wildlife included Brimstone, Red Admiral, Common Toad and a Goshawk (size suggested female), which is the first I've ever seen in East Sussex. (Neil Hulme)

Val, our younger daughter Ele & I did a walk starting at Upper Abbey Road by the Royal Sussex Hospital, heading north past Whitehawk Hill mast, going round the Brighton Borough Cemetery (north of Bear Road) & ending at the bus stop in Bevendean near Lewes Road. It was sunny nearly all the time but warmish only in sheltered spots. The one butterfly we saw was a Red Admiral flying near St John's RC School in Whitehawk Hill Road. Plenty of bees & wasps on some of the ivy in the cemetery - & four different coloured ladybirds on iron railings as we descended to Bevendean. As I couldn't snap a butterfly I hope I'm forgiven for a couple of ladybird pics. I don't recall seeing the orange ladybird before. The guide I found says it eats mildew. (John, Val & Ele Heys)

A walk along the seafront at Lancing today produced 3 Red Admirals. One was laying many eggs in a sheltered spot; one was on the beach and another was flying determinedly north (against the wind). I also found a 4th instar Painted Lady larva in its tent on Common Mallow, which had moulted to 5th instar a few hours later. The temperature during these observations was 9C in sunny conditions and with a cool northerly wind. (Vince Massimo)

A Peacock was seen in the car park at Pulborough Brooks visitor centre. The poor thing was barely able to fly. (Istvan Radi)

Hour or so wandering around Highdown, saw half a dozen Red Admirals sunning themselves. (John Holt)

Hat trick of Red Admirals on a circular walk taking in Houghton Forest, Slinden and Rewell Wood (where much coppicing was underway) (Chris and Helen Corrigan)

Three Red Admiral seen in beautiful sunshine at Eartham Wood today (7 November). Butterflies may have been in short supply, but autumnal colours were not. (Neil Hulme)

One Red Admiral seen flying around the Coati enclosure at Drusillas. (Jonathan Ruff)

It was such a lovely morning that I decided to hike over my local Storrington downland, to partake of some exercise and to see what birds were around; and for me, one female and two male Sparrowhawks, were the birding highlights. Apart from the birds there was also a minimum of eight Red Admirals, scattered all over the place, but with Common Ivy the common denominator. (Martin Kalaher)

I'm delighted to hear about Jamie Burston's well deserved award. He may still be young, but his disease-resistant elm tree legacy will outlive him. Congratulations, Jamie, and thank you on behalf of the White-letter Hairstreak. (Neil Hulme)

I am pleased to be able to tell you that Sussex branch member Jamie Burston has been chosen by Sussex Wildlife Trust to receive the 2019 'David Streeter Award for Natural History in Sussex', which is awarded to a an individual young person who has made an outstanding contribution to conservation or Natural history in Sussex. Jamie has been given the award in recognition of his work on the conservation of the White-letter Hairstreak. Congratulations Jamie.
(Ed jnr)

Brown Hairstreak, female - Plumpton Lane, Plumpton - between 21st Sept - 20th Oct 2019
After moving into our new house on 13th September, I started seeing a female Brown Hairstreak on an almost daily basis when sunny, flying through our garden, often right past first floor window, often following the same route, and also once in trees in meadow behind our house. The photo I took on the first day (attached) is the only time I managed to see it settled. In hindsight I think I saw it flying at least one time before that date without being sure what it was. The last day it was seen was on 20th October at close range flying past french windows. (Nick Ostler)

We had a stroll around Goring / West Worthing this afternoon. At first it was very sunny, although only warmish in sheltered places. We didn't see anything until just before 3pm when I popped along to the Barrington Road footpath area where the grass & undergrowth on both sides of the path have recently been cut. I was rewarded with 3 Red Admirals, 2 on ivy and one on an evergreen leaf, all in good condition & sunning themselves. As I retraced my steps the sun went in, unsettling the last one which began to flutter and take a bit of nectar. Tomorrow redevelopment plans for the large HMRC site in Barrington Road are due to be on show at the Goring United Reformed Church from 2pm to 8pm & the developers are intending to submit a planning application for 296 new homes to Worthing Council in a few weeks time. I hope that the Barrington Road footpath will retain its relatively wild green status & not be shown as a new road, but I'm not holding my breath. HMRC are due to move out in March 2021. (John & Val Heys)

sun 14/07/2019. Snatt's Road, Uckfield. E,Sx. having found a Purple Emperor territory here in July 2018, so thought I'd pay another visit, the first on sun 30/06/2019 where a PE was briefly seen at 1.56pm. Thurs 04/07/2019 saw one at 3.18/ 3.43/ 3.47 and 4.02pm in territory. then on the sun 14th 3x PE seen including two chasing over territory, and a first for me at this site a male settled in oak wings flat open, which I managed to photograph at 3.14pm. these sightings were made between 2.12 and 4.05pm, intermittent sunshine. (Peter Farrant)

A male Brimstone and a Red Admiral in my Storrington garden today. (Martin Kalaher)

A Painted Lady on the seafront near Galley Hill. (Nicholas Turner)

In our back garden in Hove much of today - warmish, at times sunny, but no butterflies, just a single Beautiful Plume moth, disturbed from an area where I was picking up bits of rosemary trimmings. (John & Val Heys)

Speckled Wood during a sunny interlude. (Ian White)

Long-tailed Blue near the beach at Church Norton, the western side of Pagham Harbour, no B L Pea in sight ! Pictures by Sandra Hill. (Chris Janman)

At least one Peacock survived the bonfire night storm and seen in a Crowborough garden today! (Harvey Osler)

Birdham: Red Admirals still flying in what has been a bumper year here for this species (Jeremy Greenwood)

Late morning two Red Admirals were flying around Whillets Meadows by Weir Wood Reservoir,later a Speckled Wood was noted. (Alastair Gray)

As I wasn't in the mood for a proper walk I just popped down to the Pavilion Gardens in Brighton where I had a nice surprise. A small butterfly was flying around a plant and landed to feed. I couldn't get any closer without stepping across the fence and I only had my phone with me but I am pretty sure it is a Holly Blue! And thank you Tessa, after Google-ing your suggestion it does look like a Ruby Tiger. Would be nice to see and adult individual one day. (Istvan Radi)
We have had Holly Blues popping up in November on this website in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018, though none before then though late October butterflies were reported. The latest sighting is 16th November in 2016 and 2018. (Ed jnr)

Apologies for late notice - after the Bank Holiday weekend (25/08/2019) I forgot to send this in. Very excited to see this Brown Hairstreak in our Lewes suburban garden. It stayed for ten minutes mainly exploring a self seeded blackthorn 18" high. I didn't see any eggs at the time but will hunt over this one and others in the garden when the leaves fall. Planting native plants really does help! (Allewes)

I think Istvan's caterpillar is that of a Ruby Tiger moth. (Tessa Pawsey)

Yesterday (30/10) I saw two Red Admirals in Stanmer Park, Brighton. Today I went for a walk in Shoreham where I did not see any butterflies but found this caterpillar what I cannot identify. Any suggestions? Thank you (Istvan Radi)

Boo! (Neil Hulme)

sunday 27th october, Red Admiral x 2 on SDW on Rackham Hill near Amberley.
(Gillian Clifton)

Many thanks to Mike Fearn and the Brighton Conservation Volunteers, and BC's Richard Farran and Richard Bickers, for their magnificent efforts on our Park Corner Heath reserve yesterday (29 October). We continued coppicing small trees and clearing Bracken and scrub along the northern edge of Parris Plateau. Gorse was cut back to the south of the old hut site and several more invasive Turkey Oaks were felled. These pose a threat to both the open nature of the rare lowland heath habitat here, and our own native oaks. I was pleased to see that heather is now clearly spreading away from the main patch and some new growth was spotted in the NW corner of the reserve. There is no doubt that the ground flora is now improving in response to the more intensive management over recent years. Among the numerous species of fungi seen, were Fly Agaric, Shaggy Parasol and Hedgehog Fungus. (Neil Hulme)

Saturday 26th Garden, Newhaven - Comma, egging Red Admirals, Small White, Long-tailed Blue, male
Sunday 27th - Newhaven Cliffs - over a dozen Red Admirals coming in off the sea; one Small Copper. Site X - four Long-tailed Blues (2 males, 2 females); Garden - Peacock and at least five more Red Admirals heading north. Great to see the sun and blue sky for a change!
(Sue Cross and Dave Harris)

Butterfly records for Sunday 27th Oct at Thorney Island. Painted Lady 1, Red Admiral 12, Speckled Wood 1. (Barry and Margaret Collins )

sun 27/10/2019. Burgess Hill, W.Sx. after having a full English breakfast at the beefeater up the road, re-visited the Brown Hairstreak habitat in the Victoria Business Park on the corner of York Road and Charles Avenue, last time I was here on the 8th September counted 25x eggs in the car park of Energy and Carbon Management. today found 12x more BH eggs here. Total 37. Found 6x more BH eggs near stream area, total here 40x. a grand total of 77x BH eggs. 1x Red Admiral seen. Sarah didn't pick any blackberry's as they've all gone over now. (Peter Farrant)

Speckled Wood at Mill Hill (Jonathan Crawford)

Red Admiral seen at A27 railway bridge, Arundel at 11.15 (John Heys)

Having a walk on the ouse in pidinghoe, saw this Red Admiral on the church wall. J (John Holt)

The down side of having enjoyed a summer of downland butterflies is that now my walks on the downs feel as though they are lacking one of the layers of joy. However, today the Red Admirals tried to make up for this.
There was one flying wonkily up Elm Grove in Brighton at 7:30am, one as we crossed the A27 by Berwick Village, one just behind the village, two on Berwick railway station, one on Lewes railway station and four on an ivy hedge near my allotment in east Brighton at the end of the day, 10 altogether.
But the highlight was a Small Tortoiseshell basking on a sign at Berwick railway station. As I have only seen a handful of Small Tortoiseshells all summer I was really delighted to see this one. (Tessa Pawsey)

Red Admiral and Brimstone near Blackcap this morning (Ian Seccombe)

I just saw a Painted Lady at Shoreham-by-Sea train station. Presumably waiting for the 10:43 Victoria service. (Istvan Radi)

In the wind and drizzel there was a fresh-looking male Common Blue, must be a 3rd generation individual. I nearly trod on it whilst planting some plugs on a verge!
No nectar or blooms in the imedate vacinity
(Crispin Holloway)

Cissbury Ring.Nr the Metal Fenced Yew Tree. A Brimstone and 2 Red Admiral flying around in the midday sun on Tuesday.
(Janet Wilkes)

Two Red Admirals seen flying along the SDW near Kithurst Hill this afternoon. It was quite warm so I took my jumper off. I promptly lost the jumper (russet coloured) somewhere between the hill and Amberley. I would like it back if anyone spots it! (Ian Seccombe)

Val & I had a quick look down at Fishersgate / Shoreham Port opposite the power station this afternoon - I've included a picture for anyone who isn't familiar with the area. There didn't appear to be much everlasting pea still in flower. It was warm, sunny & windless, but after disturbing a rat & a few grasshoppers, the only butterflies we saw were a Small White & a Red Admiral. There were a couple of stonechats around too and a dragonfly. At the Barrington Road footpath in Worthing it wasn't very promising (the sun had temporarily gone in) until a flock of long-tailed tits disturbed a Red Admiral. We saw another Red Admiral a little further west where A259 Mulberry Lane becomes Goring Way. (John & Val Heys)

5 Red Admirals and a Peacock sunbathing on salvia and verbena at Nymans Gardens (Martin Buck)

Unsurprisingly, Butterfly numbers in the gardens of Herstmonceux Castle, were well down than on my last visit several weeks ago. Never the less, a very Fresh Red Admiral, several Peacocks and two Small Coppers were found. A surprise sighting was of a very fast, darting Humming-bird Hawk-moth. (Trevor Rapley)

A walk around Lancing Ring and south-east Steep Down was in calm sunny conditions but with a very heavy and persistent dew. Lancing station was graced by at least 2 Long-tailed Blue seen on the north side of the track as far west as you can see. Nice to meet Ben Greenaway again, though sadly he had to leave before we had spotted any L-tB. The supporting cast for the day was 14 Red Admiral, 6 Speckled Wood, 2 Clouded Yellow, 2 Brimstone and a Small White. (Lindsay Morris)

We had a look around Thorney Island this afternoon and recorded the following species. Painted Lady 2, Red Admiral 15, Peacock 1, Small White 3, there was also 200+ Harlequin Ladybirds around the church yard. (Barry and Margaret Collins )

Comma, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Peacock, a male Brimstone and quite a few dragonflies (some of them still mating) were the non-bird highlights of Pulborough Brooks reserve today. (Istvan Radi)

Took a stroll around Green Ridge today in the sunny weather. Saw maybe 10 Red Admiral, a Speckled Wood, a Large White or Female Brimstone (flew by too fast for ID) and this Peacock who settled on the Green Ridge board for posterity! (Harvey Osler)

Crowborough: There were actually 2 five minutes after this picture was taken (Lauren Noakes)

Over the weekend of 19th and 20th I was at Lancing where some Painted Lady larvae were still to be found (1x3rd instar, 2x4th instar and 2x5th instar) on Common Mallow, Tree Mallow and Burdock in sheltered locations. An adult was also seen flying eastwards along the beach on 19th. If the weather holds, the first adults from these could start emerging in early November. There were also six Red Admirals egg laying on nettles growing in the shelter of south-facing walls. On Sunday 20th the wind direction changed from a south-westerly to a northerly and I was surprised to see two Red Admirals coming in off the sea, despite having a headwind, and there were several more on the beach. I now see that this ties in with sightings made the same day at Newhaven and Seven Sisters which reported the same behaviour. Other observations were of two Ruby Tiger larvae on the same nettles the Red Admirals were using and four Large White larvae still feeding on Sea-kale. I will do a detailed check for pupae in November. (Vince Massimo)

Yesterday (20 October) I paid another visit to the Knepp Wildland, primarily to enjoy the deer rut. The Reds have now finished their business for the year and are no longer charging around or bellowing, but the Fallow are still going strong. There is plenty to see for those interested in fungi, including rarities associated with the ancient oaks in the Middle Block. Although common, I found a particularly nice example of Beefsteak Fungus. Butterfly interest was restricted to a single Red Admiral, which was busy laying eggs on nettles growing along the base of a south-facing hedgerow. I've also seen a few Peacock and Comma here in recent days. (Neil Hulme)

A lovely Red Admiral at Meadow Farm Gardens. RH201DF (Charles Langdale)

When the sun came out in Hove this morning I spent some time gardening & saw no butterflies. As soon as I had sat down to lunch a Small White flitted past the back doors. It stayed long enough for me to rush out & track it down with the camera. I went to watch Lewes FC v Cray Wanderers in the afternoon - brilliantly sunny at the Dripping Pan, a few flowers still available, but no butterflies & Lewes lost 2-3. There was an article in the Argus today about the proposed improvements at Valley Gardens in Brighton & I did spot 3 butterflies in the artist's seductive impression of how it will look. Not Monarchs & all are showing their undersides. Two are probably meant to be White-letter Hairstreaks although they have a distinct hint of Black Hairstreak. The third looks more like a small fritillary than anything else. It would be great if the landscape elements of the scheme could deliver all these! (John & Val Heys)

The warm sunny intervals today brought out at least 6 Red Admirals feasting on the plentifful overripe apples, and verbena, as well as a Speckled Wood and a Comma (Harvey Osler)

With the autumn sunshine on ivy today, in my Crawley garden there were at least 5 Red Admirals and a Speckled Wood. Hundreds of hoverflies and similar insects showing what a great resource ivy flowers are at this time of the year. (Anthony Bennett)

A Red Admiral flying, between the downpours, in our East Dean garden (TV562984) around 2pm today. (David Jode)

Horsham, St Leonards Forest one Small Copper sitting atop a Common Ragwort in the rain this afternoon. (Patrick Moore)

Knepp Wildland Deer Rut: Although butterfly sightings are on the wane, there's plenty of other exciting wildlife to enjoy in Sussex. In response to Ed jnr's request, here's some information about access for the deer rut https://knepp.co.uk/public-footpaths-bridleways
Please park in the walker's car park near New Barn Farm RH13 8NN at TQ152201 where there is a modest charge of £2 for the day. Please keep to public and permissive footpaths and bridleways and do not stray. The Red Deer rut has been underway for some time and the Fallow have now started. Please be aware that the Red Deer here are huge and potentially dangerous. Photographs should be taken at a safe distance and from a position where a refuge point can be easily reached. If you are causing the animals to move, you are too close. Both species can be found in the Southern and Middle Blocks, both of which can be accessed from the car park. Enjoy the rut but please ensure that the deer can be allowed to do their stuff undisturbed. (Neil Hulme)

Sheepcote Valley, Brighton - 20/09/2019: A bit late reporting this one as I've been away. I think this was my first sighting of a couple of Wall Browns this year? One looked very fresh, the other, not so. There was also a very faded & battered Painted Lady (Philip Booker)
Love the almost clearwing Painted Lady. Well worth the wait. (Ed jnr)

During a brief sunny period at Pulborough Brooks. 2 Speckled Wood flying around the trail. (Janet Wilkes)

Yesterday (15 October), while on the way to Knepp to enjoy the deer rut, I made a detour to Lancing Station, to see if the Long-tailed Blue is still flying here. Three very active males were present on the north side of the track, clearly visible through binoculars. (Neil Hulme)
More about the Deer rut please. (Ed jnr)

Horsham, St Leonards Forest sunshine between showers this afternoon bought out several Red Admiral and a single Speckled Wood, which I tried to photograph form all angles in case it's the last of the year. I always do this and have never quite understood why. (Patrick Moore)

Had just enough time in Lewes for a quick walk above the allotments at Malling Down. Hoped to see a few species but only a Red Admiral and Speckled Wood showed their presence. (Martin Buck)

In the briefest of sunny spells after the earlier rain, a couple of Red Admiral feasting on Ivy flower and a Small White nectaring in someone’s from garden. (David Cook)

In light drizzle this afternoon was surprised to see a Red Admiral flying around the reception building at Nymans Gardens. (Martin Buck)

This individual used the garden site as photographed over a period of three days in early August.
I cannot identify the species, I would like to know where its home location would normally be. (MARTIN SMITH)
That is a Painted Lady. You can read about their amazing long distance migration here.(Ed jnr)

We were sitting in our so-called sun lounge at around 11.30am this morning. Hove was beset by cloudy skies and a strong breeze, although it was quite mild & no longer drizzling. "There's a butterfly over near the buddleia!" says Val - and so there was - although it disappeared rapidly. A Red Admiral. (John & Val Heys)

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCMENT.
Dear friends of the Liz Williams Butterfly Haven,
due to issues beyond our control, we are having to cancel the management of the butterfly haven this Saturday 19th October.
Instead we hope to undertake the management in the new year.
We will keep you informed.
Best wishes
Dan Danahar (Dan Danahar)

Huge thanks to Andrea, Rosie, James (Colin had man-flu) and Jade (all the way from France), Helen, Richard F, Richard B, Gary, Bob, Jonathan (a.k.a Ed jnr.) on the brushcutter, and Ian (a.k.a. The Grim Reaper) on the scythe, for all their hard work on our Park Corner Heath reserve yesterday. We started coppicing a strip along the northern edge of the plateau and will continue work here on Sunday 10 November. A great deal of progress was made in creating breeding habitat for the Small Pearl-bordered and Pearl-bordered Fritillaries. Thanks to Andrea for cake. In the interim period, on Tuesday 29 October (10.15 start, same target area), there will be a work party with the Brighton Conservation Volunteers - all welcome. (Neil Hulme)

Cissbury Ring. Whilst waiting for Ring Ouzels on Thursday, a Red Admiral was flying around the iron fenced Yew Tree Nr the Flint Mines. An added Bonus to a successful morning. (Janet Wilkes)

A Red Admiral on the shed in my Bevendean garden this afternoon. (Geoff Stevens)

It was sunny but breezy in Lancing Ring chalk pit this morning. I thank the butterfly species who put in an appearance. 17 Red Admiral, singles of Common Blue, Comma, Peacock, Painted Lady, Speckled Wood, Large White. The last glowing embers of a long season that started in February and was never dull. Thanks to the butterfly folk I met this year and especially thanks to Jonathan Crawford for keeping the website a scrub-free butterfly wonderland. (Lindsay Morris)

RESERVES WORK PARTY, SUNDAY 13 OCTOBER 9.00 am: I hope to see many of you at the BC PCH reserve on Sunday, where we'll be starting the winter work programme for both PCH and Rowland Wood. After a brief safety talk I'll be outlining plans for the reserves for 19/20, including heavier operations by our forestry contractor Ian Hampshire, and work being conducted within the wider Vert Wood complex. This winter will be critical in ensuring that populations of both Small and Pearl-bordered Fritillary can become further established and start spreading into adjacent properties. We also hope to create the conditions for many other species to thrive, including more recent colonists such as Dingy Skipper, Wall Brown and Dark Green Fritillary. I'll be there until dusk, so please stay for as long as you can. (Neil Hulme)

A short, bright, and breezy walk on the Downs south of Charleston Farmhouse had a butterfly highlight of a dozen Red Admiral, probably more, on a fallen tree trunk clothed in ivy in full flower. The rich scent and beautiful sight was enough to lift one's spirits. Plenty of Ivy bees and hover flies and wasps also enjoying the Ivy's bounty. Later we walked along the edge of a field planted with phacelia, radish and sunflower, a picture of blue and white awash with cabbage whites, more Red Admirals and a few luxurious looking Peacock. (Tessa Pawsey)

In mainly sunny but breezy conditions this morning, and with a slight drop in temperature, Lancing Ring revealed 23 Red Admiral, 19 Speckled Wood, 4 Comma, 2 Wall Brown, 2 Common Blue, Small Copper, Peacock, Painted Lady, Large White. Steep Down added 2 Clouded Yellow and 4 Small White. (Lindsay Morris)

We did a fair amount of walking in Hove this morning on various chores, but saw no butterflies despite it being quite sunny & warm at times. This afternoon Val spotted a Small White (it might have been large) in Goring Road Worthing as we drove to collect our granddaughter. I had a quick look in Barrington Road footpath while we were waiting for her & came across one wind-blown Speckled Wood which briefly found a resting place in the sun. (John & Val Heys)

My thanks to Network Rail for allowing me access to the track-side at Lancing Station today (8 October). Before the company ecologist arrived, a small group of us enjoyed plenty of action through the security wire, with both males and females visible, and chases involving up to three adults. At least six were observed from the car park, with a further three further down the line to the west. As I expected, no freshly laid eggs could be found. However, the very first flower I picked, to demonstrate where the ova are usually placed, held an old eggshell. This was my first ever butterfly outing while dressed in day-glo orange and a hardhat. (Neil Hulme)

I have had garden Painted Lady and Red Admiral most days this October, with the addition of Comma both yesterday and today. It didn't pose on Bowles Mauve for very long but I did manage a photo. Over the years I have read (on this website) some solid recommendations for this Wall-flower and so I thought I would plant some this spring. During the summer and early autumn there would seem to be too many other distractions in the garden for butterflies to bother with BM but currently when the options are limited it is providing much needed nectar. (Martin Kalaher)

Mostly cloudy and cool at Wakehurst Place this lunchtime but when the sun made a brief appearance in the wall garden out popped a Painted Lady and Red Admiral. (Martin Buck)

In a short window in the weather this morning, Lancing Ring could only show me 26 Red Admiral, 7 Speckled Wood, 2 Wall Brown, Peacock, Common Blue. Yesterday, in an even shorter window, I saw a female Long-tailed Blue posing on pea flowers at Lancing Station, with a Small White the only other butterfly seen. Please build some high pressure over the UK to block off these depressions... (Lindsay Morris)

My pleas to spare some rampant Broad-leaved Everlasting-pea (liberally peppered with Long-tailed Blue eggs) from being cut back in a Lancing retirement home garden paid dividends today. I saw two Sussex-born females here, with possibly a third in flight. I then moved on to Lancing Station, where the action came thick and fast behind the security fencing. I eventually worked out that there were four females and two males present, although I suspect that might be on the conservative side. (Neil Hulme)

A whistle stop tour of Sussex today. Arriving at Newhaven at 10.30 for a quick wander gave me just a single White! Moving onto Whitehawk early afternoon gave me even less butterflies. Southwick saved the day though with 3 male Clouded Yellow, 2 Common Blue, a Small Copper, a Red Admiral, a selection of Whites (1 Large, several Small) and a surprise visit from a female Wall. (Paul Atkin)

Back to Horseshoe Plantation for one last visit in 2019. The weather was better than I could have expected, sunny with a brisk wind and the air temperature reaching 17 degrees centigrade at one point. On the east side of Belle Tout Wood is a very sheltered spot which held Brown Argus, Common Blue, Small Copper, Small Heath, Clouded Yellow, Red Admiral, Meadow Brown, Painted Lady, Small White and Speckled Wood. I think that's it this year for me. Looking forward to Spring 2020 in Sussex.
(Nicholas Turner)

A couple of hours at Whitehawk today yielded Speckled Wood, Comma, Large White, Red Admiral and a nice Painted Lady for myself and John W, but sadly no LTB's. Later, Southwick didn't disappoint. With two Clouded Yellow enjoyed by us and Jonathan. As well as Common Blue (M&F) and Small White. (Andrew Reekie)

Butterflies are in the news again today. Under the headline "Butterfly class for inmates" the Sun included a nice but anonymous picture of a Peacock butterfly captioned "jail wings....butterfly". (I think I was meant to draw from the article how terrible it is that prisoners at a jail in Cambridgeshire are being taught how to spot bees, butterflies & songbirds & grow fruit & veg, although the scheme seems a good idea to me.) Back to East Sussex:- Val & I have seen 4 Small Whites in our Hove back garden, all at different times, 2 Small Whites in Wish Park, 1 Small White by the beach at the west end of Western Esplanade, 1 Small White on the grassy bank above Basin Road South & 1 Small White on the bushes on the north side of Wellington Road Portslade. When our walk reached Vale Park Portslade it got more exciting - at least 4 very active Speckled Woods, plus 2 Red Admirals and another 3 Small Whites. (John & Val Heys)

Decent day for butterflies. In my Piltdown garden today, had a Peacock, multiple Red Admirals, mating Speckled Woods, a female Large White and an unconfirmed Holly Blue, plus numerous moths disturbed whilst mowing the lawn; can anyone identify this one, please? (Harvey Osler)
Colin Knight writes "Harvey Osler's moth looks like a Common Marbled Carpet (Dysstroma truncata) which is noted to be a highly variable species - the colour varies but the basic pattern remains the same." (Ed jnr)

A sunny breezy day in the Lancing Ring area and south-east lower slopes of Steep Down. 31 Red Admiral, 5 Speckled Wood, 3 Clouded Yellow, 3 Small White, 2 Wall Brown, 2 Common Blue, Small Copper, Painted Lady, Comma, Peacock, Silver Y. A walk through Lancing to the station turned up 6 Red Admiral, 3 Painted Lady, 2 Small White, Clouded Yellow, Large White. The finale was a bravura performance by minimum 5 Long-tailed Blue with both male & female wings open and wings closed and a towering dogfight amongst all the frenetic flying. All the action this afternoon (2-2.30) was north of the tracks roughly opposite the clothes recycling point (except the dogfight which was further west). 12 butterfly species for the day. (Lindsay Morris)

A Wall Brown on a brown wall. In Shoreham-by-Sea along the river on one of the wartime pillboxes. (OK, the wall was red but that wouldn't "rhyme"). On the seafront a few Red Admirals, one Peacock, a Small White, a Large White (or a large Small). A tail-less lizard and a complete one soaking up the sun. (Istvan Radi)
The lizard may have been a european Wall lizard which is an invasive species. There is a longstanding and stable population on Shoreham Beach (which used to be called Bungalow Town). More about the lizards here. (Ed jnr)

I met up with Andrew Reekie at Whitehawk Hill around noon to look for Long-tailed Blues. Unfortunately none were seen but we did see a lovely fresh Painted Lady. We then went on to Southwick Basin where we bumped into Jonathan Crawford and a couple of Clouded Yellows. When the sun went in for a bit they settled next to each other allowing some photos. (John Williams)

I visited Cissbury Ring around noon today in sunny but windy conditions, there were Red Admiral, Wall Brown, Meadow Brown, Common Blue, Speckled Wood, some very warn Small Copper, a Brimstone and a Small White also visiting the area. (Patrick Moore)

Mill Hill was warm but windy this morning. Small Coppers(2), Common Blue (3), Wall Brown (1), Small White (1), Speckled Wood (3), Meadow Brown (8), Peacock (1), Red Admiral (10). Later at Southwick Power station there were Lepidopterists (2) ,Clouded Yellows (2 M) and a Male Common Blue and his pretty wife. (Jonathan Crawford)

Climbing the sunny south-facing slope of Steyning Rifle Range this morning I had a brief encounter with a pretty fresh-looking female Wall Brown, presumably third brood? Also several pristine Red Admirals and a Comma enjoying the sunshine and what's left of the blackberry crop. (John Woodward)

Walked my spaniel from Newick to Barcombe and back this morning. On the outward leg i counted 12 Red Admiral and 11 Speckled Wood, plus a few common darters and a lizard. (Ian Seccombe)

When the first Meadow Browns emerge ,summer has arrived. The males are normally quite plain. My sightings are around 28th June. Although they are common, fresh females do have a unique beauty especially early in the their season. Although there is a lot of normal variation I spotted some rather unusual specimens, locally to me in Ashington. These examples could all be seen from a distance and sort of just leapt out at me when i saw them. The first pic for comparison is a fresh nicely marked typical female. The second is the most beautiful Meadow Brown I have ever seen and has been confirmed as Maniola jurtina ab.postfulvosa. The darkness of the nettles made her stand out like a beacon. The third is a very pale female confirmed as Maniola jurtina ab.brigitta . This picture was taken at 07.10 a.m in natural sunlight . I assume the angle of both the sunlight and the butterfly created this slightly surreal effect . I only took one picture and she was gone. In all honesty the pictures do not do them justice as the reality was far more impressive. My great thanks to Colin Pratt for confirming the description of these rather beautiful Meadow Browns .
(Richard Roebuck)

For the record: Mill Hill mostly gloomy. Painted Lady (2), Small Copper (2), Peacock (1), Red Admiral (1). There were three Meadow Browns, on of which was mint. (Jonathan Crawford)

You all need to read a decent paper as The Guardian butterfly reporter is none other than Patrick Barkham and he always gets the correct pictures and information (Keith Alexander)
Indeed. However I don't think it is the place of this website say which papers are decent. It is much simpler (and more fun) to point out the converse. Many years ago when I was starting out in business a wise old client of mine advised me that "you can never overestimate the laziness of journalists". And I was thinking about that this morning. Here is another example. According to the Daily Mail in the orange box on this page from 2016 "GIANT PANDA NO LONGER EXTINCT". That's a relief, but how did we miss them dying out? (Ed jnr)

The only butterflies Val & I have seen today were in the newspapers in connection with the State of Nature Report. It was great to see our 3 regular papers picking up on the report - they all had quite big features on it. Unfortunately the Sun's illustration of a British butterfly in decline was a Monarch, while the i mentioned the Red Admiral was up in numbers but illustrated it with a Small Tortoiseshell. Only the Mirror came out with flying colours - a picture of a declining High Brown Fritillary which looks to my not very experienced eye to be really what it claims to be. Gold star to their picture researchers!
(John & Val Heys)
Thanks for the reviews. What I noticed was how the report disappeared from the front pages of the major news websites in a matter of hours. The Daily Mail website has a page where they have shoehorned in a video entitled "Rare butterflies spotted across the UK for the first time since 2009" which features Painted Ladies, as if some how that ameliorates the current plight featured in the report. The Express website, probably due to the absence of celebrities, do not feature the report at all. They do have a section called "Nature" which appears to be entirely devoted to spiders. They know what their readers are interested in. The Sun online has an info graphic which features a Monarch as their representative Butterfly whilst Moths are illustrated by a Speckled Wood. I want to scream. (Ed jnr)

I had planned to end up at Tidemills today, but as I pulled into the car park at High and Over, in bright sunshine, I could see from there that Tidemills was under grey gloom and the wind speed had increased. It was therefore a great surprise to see upwards of twenty fresh Red Admirals busy nectaring on Ivy blossom at High and Over. As I walked towards the steps three Wall Browns could be seen, but all were worn. In the meadow I encountered a lively, fresh, Peacock which did settle as the weather deteriorated. On the way back to the car a Speckled Wood, still in reasonable condition was found. (Trevor Rapley)

In the 20 minutes of sun this morning in Lancing Ring Chalk Pit I saw most of the butterflies seen on my walk round the local area. But the best was seen later under leaden skies at Lancing & Sompting Cemetery - a mint female Brown Argus. Fabulous! The rest was 40 Red Admiral, 8 Speckled Wood, 2 Common Blue, 2 Peacock, Painted Lady. (Lindsay Morris)

A bright walk yesterday from Birling Gap to Eastbourne yielded 8 Red Admiral, 2 Clouded Yellow, a few whites and a wonderful exhibition ( free! ) of David Nash's wood sculptures at the Towner Gallery. (Tessa Pawsey )

Yesterday (1 October) I visited Pagham Beach, where Chris Janman recently discovered a couple of Long-tailed Blue (LTB) on Broad-leaved Everlasting-pea growing in front of the seafront bungalows. There's a lot of pea and some Broom (alternative foodplant), so I suspect there have been far more LTBs here than those reported. I found a mint condition female resting on Bramble, but failed to get a photograph before she was whisked away in the wind. I also saw a male in flight on several occasions.
Today I started quite early at Whitehawk Hill TV mast and was soon joined by Mark Wagstaff from Hampshire. While we were chatting a male LTB suddenly appeared from its roosting spot beneath a Bramble leaf, but it remained inactive until the temperature reached about 14 degrees after midday. By this time a large crowd of admirers were on-site. After losing track of it for a while (when they shift they really do move!), more people arrived and it was relocated by Mark Bunch from Essex. Colin Whitehead and his wife (visiting from Edinburgh) reported seeing five LTB at Lancing Station the previous day, so I headed there.
I spotted my quarry immediately upon arrival, seeing three in all. One, a Sussex-born male, cleared the fence and spent about ten minutes on the rough ground to the north of the track. However, when the sunshine returned it flew off before giving me the open-wing shot I was hoping for. Another great day with hopefully more to follow. (Neil Hulme)

A Red Admiral appeared in my south-facing Seaford garden just before 9 am and as it got warmer 2 Painted Ladies arrived spending most of the day either feeding on Verbena Bonariensis flowers or resting on my patio. A couple of Large Whites and a few Small Whites were seen and a Common Blue which was, later, sleeping on a Perennial Salvia flower as it got darker. A Humming-bird Hawk-moth whizzed in, fed for a while before whizzing away (Stuart Ridley)

On a cold but sunny morning there was a very fresh looking Speckled Wood flying around in my Bevendean garden. Later in the afternoon when the sun had gone there was a Comma firmly anchored to the garden bench. (Geoff Stevens)

Single male Long-tailed Blue (Lampides boeticus) seen at the Transmitting Station this morning. First found by Neil Hulme. (John Wiltshire)

A lovely sunny day with a total of 12 butterfly species and 2 Silver Y. Lancing Ring & SE Steep Down had 29 Red Admiral, 16 Speckled Wood, 5 Peacock, 5 male Common Blue, 4 male Wall Brown, 3 Clouded Yellow, 3 Small Copper, Comma, Painted Lady, Large White, a few Small White. Finished the day at Lancing Station (many thanks to Nick Moll of London for the lift) where we met with Neil Hulme and saw a male Long-tailed Blue wings closed, wings open and furiously flying to the north of the tracks. Neil seems to be everywhere at once - is there more than one Neil Hulme?! T’would be no bad thing... (Lindsay Morris)

I spent an hour at Horseshoe Plantation in glorious sunshine after all of the recent foul weather, unless you're a duck. I was hoping to see my first Clouded Yellow of the season and I was in luck also 8 Meadow Brown, 5 Common Blue, 6 Small Copper, 2 Large White plus a few dragonflies and many Swallows and Martins gathering for their migration. (Howard wood)

A Wall Brown briefly landed on our Rockery in the sunshine yesterday afternoon in Isfield. They seem to turn up, about every 18 months or so. It would seem they can persist in very low numbers in this area.15 years ago we would see them reliably, albeit in low numbers, from May through to early November. (Graham Parris)

Members might be interested in seeing this Garden Spider with its unidentified prey, found in our garden this afternoon. Over two hours the prey was gradually reduced in size until it was no more. The spider however didn't seem to be any fatter. (Douglas Neve)

Today in between the showers it has been very warm in our back garden in Hove, if rather breezy, but only a single Large White has visited us. On the subject of climate change, we've been in Edinburgh for a few days. Most frequently seen by us were Speckled Woods. When the Millennium Atlas of Butterflies was published they were not to be seen anywhere near there. The Atlas also described Commas as vagrants, just beginning to crop up in Scotland. On Saturday, I came across two at the same time near Arthur's Seat. In July & August 2019 the only Small Tortoiseshell we've seen anywhere in Sussex was in our garden (credit to Gerald the Park Keeper for his more nettly park) early in June. In 1977 my Brother & I walked from Amberley to Eastbourne between 26th & 30th July. The first entry in my log for all 5 days is "Small Tortoiseshells". (John & Val Heys)

Lancing Ring was warm enough out of the strong breeze for 11 Red Admiral, 5 Small White, 2 Common Blue male, 2 Speckled Wood, Wall Brown male, Small Copper, Peacock, Large White. Also a Humming-bird Hawk-moth and 2 Silver Y. 2 Clouded Yellow at Steep Down. Back to butterfly species in double figures tomorrow maybe? (Lindsay Morris)

Dodging the showers I managed to spend 3-4 hours in the garden today and once in a while had a look at the Michaelmas Daisies to see if there were any nectaring butterflies. There were two Painted Ladies, two Small Whites, one Red Admiral and one Speckled Wood. I'm not sure I have recorded Painted Lady in October before? Also not sure if I have seen a Humming-bird Hawk-moth, but I did today - nectaring on the daisies but only for a few seconds. (Martin Kalaher)

Today (30 September) a thinning of the cloud cover was sufficient to persuade me to try Whitehawk Hill for Long-tailed Blues (LTBs). Five others had the same idea, travelling from as far afield as Essex and Scotland! The sun eventually broke through, but none of the late wave primary immigrants, which have been seen here regularly since 10 September, made an appearance; they may have run out of steam during the recent spell of poor weather. After a prolonged search for roosting butterflies on the flower-heads and scrub in both the lekking areas (either side of the TV mast), I changed tactics and started to methodically search the pea plants. When I eventually found a pristine male, I was relieved that Trevor Rapley was still on site, but felt rather bad that all the long distance Travellers had departed! I have high hopes for Wednesday onward. (Neil Hulme)

Tortoiseshells and Long-tails: Ed jnr is right to say that I think climate change is responsible for the demise of the Small Tortoiseshell in SE England.
The phenology of this species has hurtled forward by an unprecedented three-and-a-half weeks over twenty years (at least in Sussex), which I suspect has led to an increasingly high proportion of the first brood (the progeny of over-wintering adults) going on to produce a second brood, with correspondingly fewer going into early hibernation (historically a risk spreading strategy). This second brood appears to be falling foul of desiccated nettle-beds in our warmer summers, such as 2018.
I believe that a string of hot summers will prove disastrous for the species in our region. However, rearguard actions are likely to be fought following cooler, damper summers, so it's the longer term trend which is most worrying.
Following last year's drought, I have seen far more Long-tailed Blues in 2019 than I have Small Tortoiseshells. In the 1970s this would have been considered unthinkable. Exciting as Long-tailed Blues are, we should be very worried.
And thanks to all transect walkers from me too. (Neil Hulme)

A very brief weather window saw me out on Lancing Ring & Chalk Pit looking primarily for L-tB, but alas none was to be seen. Common Blue mating, 18 Red Admiral, 10 Speckled Wood, 4 Wall Brown, 3 Painted Lady, Green-veined White, Peacock, Comma, Large White, Small White. Hopefully some sun, albeit cooler, later in the week? (Lindsay Morris)

Yesterday I had a brief wander round Highdown Gardens in Worthing with a friend and her son. We saw at least 4 Red Admirals, 6 Whites, one Peacock and one Painted Lady. I think I spotted some everlasting pea but no blue butterflies.
Today was quite lean on the butterfly front. I visited Pulborough Brooks and in between showers managed to see 3 Speckled Woods and 4 dragonflies. (katrina watson)

The Long-tailed Blue pupae shown on yesterday's listing has now emerged as a butterfly. (Douglas Neve)

Have just downloaded photos from my camera including this Small Copper (ab. extensa) on 12th September in Burwash, East Sussex. (Nigel Kemp http://eastsussexwanderer.blogspot.co.uk)

A windy couple of hours up Whitehawk Hill this morning found one male Long-tailed Blue plus a Wall Brown and a few each of Speckled Wood and Small White. (Stephen Riggs)

The attached image shows a Long-tailed Blue pupae. This taken today at the Newhaven residence of B.C. member, Dave Harris. (Douglas Neve)

In the parts of Lancing Ring sheltered from the 40mph wind I found 11 butterfly species. 21 Red Admiral, 17 Speckled Wood, 10 Wall Brown, 8 Small White, 4 Large White, 3 Small Copper, 3 Painted Lady, 2 Peacock, 2 Common Blue, Holly Blue, Comma. Also 6 Clouded Yellow at Steep Down. Unfortunately, despite the best and extended efforts of Chris Corrigan and Paul & Gillian from Surrey, no L-tB could be found. Nice to meet you all anyway! (Lindsay Morris)

After a brief view of a Long-tailed Blue at Pagham on Tuesday, i returned today in sunshine and managed to see probably two individuals. (Chris Janman)

First ever Clouded Yellow in my Rusting garden.BN16 3RA (Roger Parsons)

No cricket in Hove today. The sky has been Grey nearly all day & the wind blowing constantly. Those were the conditions when Val went into sun lounge this morning to hang up some washing. But her eye was caught by a Red Admiral & a Painted Lady on the wing by our buddleia. As she watched they flew away & haven't returned. (John & Val Heys)

Unknown caterpillar
now a chrysalis (Rich Bulgin)
Vince Massimo informs us that the caterpillar is a Comma and no longer unknown. Neil Hulme also pointed out that the Comma was from Hertfordshire, possibly the South. (Ed jnr)

There's a patch of everlasting pea over a front garden fence along Victoria Road in Portslade which is brilliantly in flower - no hint of anything on it this morning. It was sunny in Hove around 1.30pm &, as I went out to look at a Small White in the back garden, a Red Admiral passed me & settled out of sight at the end of the garden, but I managed to find it without scaring it off. Over in Worthing an hour later Val & I saw another Small White & a Speckled Wood in Barrington Road footpath. (John & Val Heys)

An unexpected but welcome break from the foul weather this afternoon (24 September) prompted both Lindsay Morris and me to visit Lancing Ring. We decided to spread our efforts, with him heading for the far side of the wooded summit and me staying to search the chalk pit to the east of the car park.
Fortunately, Lindsay had made a short detour to pick up his mobile, as it wasn't more than about 20 minutes before I found a Sussex-born female Long-tailed Blue. I was delighted that he got back in time to see it, as it was his sighting of a male LTB yesterday which had led me here - thanks, Lindsay! While photographing her, another LTB whizzed past me, but I never relocated it and couldn't determine its sex.
There were plenty of other butterflies on show, including at least half-a-dozen Wall, mostly in pristine condition. We watched a brief but successful courtship and pairing. I went home satisfied that we had made the most of this short weather window. (Neil Hulme)

"In the South Downs National Park of Sussex, on the trail of the Long-tailed Blue” is the furthest I have got with my parody of the Laurel & Hardy song. Luckily I bumped into Neil Hulme at Lancing Ring chalk pit this afternoon and he duly worked his magic by turning up a very fresh female. "That's another fine butterfly you've put me onto." Also 14 Wall Brown seen in a very limited search, including a mating pair. Post-Equinox butterflying rocks! (Lindsay Morris)

On Monday (23 September) I visited a site on the outskirts of Newhaven, to search for Long-tailed Blue. The strong breeze seemed to be suppressing activity, with the five individuals seen being below expectations. However, I did photograph a smart Sussex-born male. A dash to Whitehawk Hill TV mast, to beat the rapidly collapsing weather, was a little too late, but I did briefly see one of the five reported (late wave immigrant) males, before the dark clouds rolled in. (Neil Hulme)

A walk at Lullington Heath produced Small Copper, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Wall Brown, Common Blue, Comma, Red Admiral, Small White, Large White and Meadow Brown. (Istvan Radi)

The last match of the cricket season started at the County Ground in Hove this morning. There were a few sunny intervals in the morning which produced 2 Red Admirals, a Small White & quite a close encounter with a Large White, all up at the top of the members' stand. Then bad light stopped butterflies & eventually play for the day. (John & Val Heys)

The summer was disappearing before my eyes as I arrived in Shoreham-by-Sea at midday today. On the way to Mill Hill I saw Small White, Red Admirals, Peacock, and Speckled Woods; not sure about a couple of little silvery blue ones though. Quite a lot of Small Whites, Meadow Browns, and Small Heaths on Mill Hill. Passed up an opportunity to photograph a fresh Common Blue to get one of at least three or four Walls; and passed up a colourful Wall to photograph the latest Chalk Hill Blue I've seen. My latest sighting had been on Malling Down on 14th September years ago, and I really didn't expect a fairly fresh one at the Equinox. The Walls, Meadow Browns, Common Blues, and Small Coppers seem to be on to their third broods.
Again, there was one Clouded Yellow that evaded me nicely. Probably the same one that gave me the runaround last month until it settled for the night.
There were still Meadow Browns out in the rain as I left. (Neil C)

On my first visit to Whitehawk hill three weeks ago I had instant success with three Long-tailed Blues in an hour. Since then I have been there three times without success, mainly to do with the weather. Today however I had success in spades, with about five LTB'S performing, and saw ' Wall Brown ' type dogfights on many occasions. One male in particular was very keen to defend his patch from intruders, and always returned to the same small area having seen off a rival. Another nice surprise was a very fresh, female, Speckled Wood. A great day until the weather started to close in. (Trevor Rapley)

Unpromising conditions this morning, and neither I nor David Cook & Mark Jones (the latter a rare migrant from Bucks) could find the Lancing Ring Long-tailed Blue. However, much to my delight I found a fresh looking male in the chalk pit, which is to the east of the car park road. It was in a sheltered spot near the eastern extreme of the pit area, just resting on some grass for a few minutes at 13.30hrs. Sadly I had done the transect earlier and didn't see it! Almost makes you feel like cheating! Before the rain came, I also saw 15 Speckled Wood, 9 Red Admiral, 7 Wall Brown, 2 Small Copper, 2 Painted Lady, Peacock, Large White and a few Small White. (Lindsay Morris)
Well if you did cheat on the transect you would definitely get a visit from the butterfly police. (Ed jnr)

This Tomato Moth caterpillar was caught eating one of my outdoor tomatoes this morning. (Douglas Neve)

Saturday (21 September) saw the start of the largest ever hatch of Long-tailed Blue on British soil. Some sites cannot be reported as they are on inaccessible private land, while there is some sensitivity over others, as this species has a habit of breeding in private gardens and allotments; we must be respectful when congregating in urban areas. However, there can be little doubt that everyone who wishes to see this species will have the opportunity to do so over the next few weeks. LTBs should appear at all the sites where it was seen in 2013 and 2015, and many others - just look for the pea! I'm aware of at least 50 individuals flying in Sussex on Saturday and that number is likely to increase. We are currently seeing a mix of Sussex-born butterflies and late arrival primary immigrants, some of which are still laying eggs. (Neil Hulme)

Spent 6 hours yesterday at Whitehawk Hill in the warm sun but with a slight breeze. Many visitors coming and going to see the Long-tailed Blues. The usual spot by the allotments was a little disappointing with only one fleetingly flying past. But on the other side of the mast, just down the hill in a sheltered corner, near the current Travellers (who by the way seem very pleasant) we spotted between 6-10 Long-tailed Blues with in the area (mainly males from what we could identify). All seemed very active chasing eachother up into the air and then landing to take a rest in the heat, although they didn’t seem to be interested in nectering, I did manage to catch just one feeding briefly on a dandelion. A few were reported to be slightly tatty but many were in fairly good condition. I also discovered one with lighter blue markings on the wings which I’m unsure weather they are unusual or not. All visitors and butterfly hunters went home with smiles on their faces. (Kirsty Gibbs)

On Saturday I decided to visit Mill Hill before the promised incoming weather wipes out the remaining butterflies and I was not disappointed. Walking up from Shoreham I first checked the green area just before the bridge what goes over the A27 and here I found 3 Wall Brown, at least 5 Red Admiral, a couple of Speckled Wood and a Long-tailed Blue. This latter one landed in a really awkward position on Bramble and this is the only photo I managed before it took off. I waited about 10 minutes but I did not see it to return so I walked over to Mill Hill. Lots of Small and Large White flying around but the bottom part is still home to a good number of Adonis Blue, Common Blue and Small Heath. Along the middle path a few Small Copper, Brown Argus, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Comma and one Clouded Yellow. An Adder crossing the middle path was a great bonus and a very welcome sight! (Istvan Radi)

Sitting out a lot in the garden yesterday (Saturday) recuperating I saw Small Whites coming & going constantly with a lesser number of Large Whites. Much earlier Val had seen 4 Red Admirals, but only 1 Painted Lady. Apart from 1 Red Admiral, I missed them. However we were both outside to see our 12th Hove back garden butterfly species of the year - a Clouded Yellow which moved rapidly from north to south without stopping. A few minutes later a Speckled Wood passed between us, also without stopping, on a west to east flight path. (John & Val Heys)

Hi John...regarding your moth it could perhaps be a Bloxworth Snout. It's the right time for them and without being personal it appears to have a prominent schnozz.. (Martin Buck)

I would like to thank Melanie Pond for identifying my mystery moth as a Dusky Thorn. (Douglas Neve)

Around 1pm this afternoon in warm sunny weather a Female Brown Hairstreak was watched egg laying in Whillet’s Meadow,East Sussex.Could be the individual Seen last week which was also well worn,only second Site Record this summer. (Alastair Gray)

Walking through Markstakes Common early this morning I was astonished to see a male White Admiral in mint condition (so astonished I didn't get a photograph) basking on the ground. I've never seen one here in September before. Presumably a second brood individual. (Ian Seccombe)

Yesterday, we are still getting reasonable numbers of Red Admirals (4), Painted Ladies (3) & Small Whites plus the odd Large White & another Humming-bird Hawk-moth on our back garden buddleia in Hove. Again a single Painted Lady was left sunning itself on the fence at 6pm & we waited to see when it would take off for shelter but our experiment was nullified by a squirrel running on top of the fence which caused it to fly away. Between 3pm & 5pm I visited Southwick Hill - Val let me off the shopping. Despite it being a bit late in the day I saw 10 Small Whites, 3 Large Whites, 6 Speckled Woods, 1 Red Admiral, 7 Meadow Browns (2 mating), 5 Small Coppers & at least 4 wall butterflies. My first wall butterfly was on the east side of the summit as I made my way up & the others were all on the narrow path on the west of the site which has an ideal surface for them. They were as tricky to photo as usual. I hope the chap I had a good chat about butterflies has connected with his youth by finding this website. (John & Val Heys)

Can you tell me what it is? (John Holt)

I'm still seeing plenty of Large and Small Whites and there seems to have been a sudden increase in the numbers of Red Admirals in the last week. I was also a little surprised to see two Wall Browns yesterday, one pretty battered and one which looks like a new generation? Similarly with a couple of Painted Ladies. (Philip Booker)

Went for our usual toddle up the Adur, a couple of whites, a couple of Red Admirals. Got home to find this?. J. (John Holt Y)

The butterflies are starting to fizzle out! No big numbers at Mill Hill but highlights included 2 Clouded Yellows, 2 Brown Argus, a Wall Brown and a tatty Chalkhill Blue. (Chris Corrigan)

We were joking this morning about the tiny patch of everlasting pea just down the road from us in Broadwater and whether it would be possible to get the inevitable Long-tailed Blue (fat chance) on the house list. This afternoon, on our way out for a walk on the Downs, we checked it and after a wait of almost 3 seconds a nice fresh one turned up. (It turns out it is possible to get it on the house list with a pair of binoculars and some imagination.) (Mike & Karen Galtry)

Douglas Neve's mystery moth is a male Dusky Thorn (Melanie Pond)

In strong sun, but with a nagging breeze, the north side of Lancing Ring and the eastern edge of Steep Down didn't let me down with 15 butterfly species. Best was a male Long-tailed Blue in the same place as 2 have already been seen hilltopping this summer. This was a new boy with no damage at all. He was only seen briefly at midday and couldn't be relocated in the following hour. The lucerne on the lower southern slopes of Steep Down had a single helice Clouded Yellow amongst at least 5 seen. 15 Wall Brown was a good count considering the limited area covered today. Common Blue, Speckled Wood, Small Copper, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Peacock, Comma, Small Heath, Brown Argus, Meadow Brown, Large White, Small White made up the full cast. A visit to Lancing Station resulted in distant views of at least 2, maybe up to 4, Long-tailed Blue from 3.40pm. Also present was true butterfly royalty in the form of Neil Hulme! Oh happy day! (Lindsay Morris)

Can anyone help identify this caterpillar, please? My friend spotted it in her garden in Hangleton on 2nd September and watched for around 15 minutes while it covered itself in soil. (Lesley Daniell)
Toby Ludlow informs us that the mystery caterpillar, posted on the website today, is a Toadflax Brocade (Calophasia lunula). (Ed jnr)

I found these two moths in my trap this morning. The one with delta shaped wings is a Box Tree Moth, one of two found in the trap, which was probably attracted by the 16 Box trees growing in our garden. I have yet to find damage caused by the larvae of this species though. I have been unable to identify the other moth and would be grateful if this could be identified. (Douglas Neve)

On 18th September I visited Kingley Vale (SU8210) where the temperature reached 18°C. Despite the good weather the numbers of butterflies seen was low and with Autumn approaching the decrease is unway. Several Small Whites were seen with a single worn Meadow Brown still clinging on. Totals: Small White 11, Meadow Brown 1, Small Heath 1, Red Admiral 3. (Roy Symonds)

In our back garden in Hove, 4 Red Admirals, 2 Painted Ladies & a few Small Whites plus a moth (Yellow Shell, I think) & a moth wing (Garden Tiger?). The last out in the setting sun was a Painted Lady on the fence, there at 6pm & gone a minute later. In the morning we walked the "undercliff" Shoreham Port route from Church Road Portslade to the Southwick Lock Gates & saw Small Whites, Large Whites, 3 or 4 Red Admirals, a Comma, 3 Speckled Woods, 2 Clouded Yellows, 2 or 3 Common Blues, a Small Copper, a Brown Argus & something brown-orange nearly the size of a small Speckled Wood which didn't settle. There's a fair amount of everlasting pea in flower but we saw no hint of anything on or near them. I was interested to see the comment about wall butterflies on Southwick Hill as I had been thinking of going there again. We used to live not too far away in Portslade, but the few times we went it was rather short on butterflies. I have turned up an entry in my records for 31 May 1982 which has wall butterflies & whites in the plural plus a single blue & a single Small Heath. Not much of a return when we had a 5 year & a 2 year old in tow but it does suggest a long link with the walls. (John & Val Heys)

Had a stroll around Mill Hill, pretty quiet initially on the butterfly front with just a few Small Heath and Meadow Browns seen. As it warmed up, i managed to find 3 Wall Browns which showed nicely. Whilst watching these 2 blue butterflies flew past pretty quickly chasing each other. I managed to get a fairly good view as they went past and appeared very small and Greyish in appearance and i was convinced they were Long-tailed Blues, unfortunatley they did not land but having seen this species abroad i cannot think what else they could be. This was by the car park taking the gravel path to the right towards the road in front of the small wooded area. The butterflies flew towards the road. Worth checking out if in the area (Nick Bond)

Today (19 September) I visited Thundersbarrow Hill, where Patrick Moore found a Sussex-born male Long-tailed Blue yesterday. I later found out that, after a long walk, I had stopped just 200 metres short of where I needed to be! However, compensation came on my return journey, when I found a late wave immigrant LTB (male) in the scrubby compartment at Southwick Hill, nearly a kilometre away (TQ236078). I suspect that the species has been breeding on Common Gorse up here, and further searches may prove fruitful over the coming weeks.
Also seen were Wall Brown (14), Small Copper (4), Brown Argus (3), Clouded Yellow (1), numerous Speckled Wood (many in pristine condition) and a few Small Heath, Painted Lady and Red Admiral. (Neil Hulme)

Yesterday I visited Whitehawk Hill in the morning. Arrived about 9.30 and stayed till 11.30 it was rather chilly and breezy and nearer 11am only saw a couple of flighty Long-tailed Blues briefly that didn’t land or seem to settle, possibly the same butterfly.
So today I got there at 10am and by 10.15 one flew past and landed in the grass. My only chance of a photo. Again possibly the same one, returned, landed, opened its wings and in a flash it was gone. Afterwards it flew past a couple of times but again reluctant to settle possibly due to the breeze although less breezy there this morning and slightly warmer too. (Kirsty Gibbs)

Egg laying second generation White Admiral at Middleton Common, Ditchling this lunchtime. Surprisingly she was selecting honeysuckle in the open canopy near the tops of the mature sloe fringing a meadow rather than the more usual dappled or dense woodland shade. (Dave Harris)
If she is egg-laying it means there must be at least one more there to find. (Ed jnr)

Walked along SDW from Devils Dyke to the YHA at Truleigh then back to Poynings via Edburton and the paths to the north. There was a cool breeze on most of the SDW that meant butterflies were at a premium. Spotted Small Heath, Small White, Small Copper, Red Admiral then Speckled Wood, Large White and Meadow Brown on the lower slopes. Plenty of bird life with wheatears flitting from fence post to fence post..surprisingly only a couple of Red Admirals at the Sussex Prairie Garden on the way home. (Martin Buck)

A fantastic walk to day from Saddlescombe-Benfield Hill LNR-Southwick Hill-Truleigh Hill and Devils Dyke-return. Some great surprises amongst the 16 species seen. Plenty Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood and Small White spread throughout the route. Brown Argus mainly on the wide verge of Dyke Road, along with Small Copper, Small Heath and Red Admiral. Benfield Hill provided stunning flower banks for Common Blue and others.
The first surprise was spotting 6 Wall Brown on Southwick Hill, I've not seen them here before. The second immediately followed; a Long-tailed Blue between Southwick and Thundersbarrow Hills. Patrolling the path and stopping all to briefly to nectar. I took quite a few closed wing photos but only managed one poor picture with open wings before it seemed to disappear. The third surprise was a helice Clouded Yellow around half a mile further up the path towards Truleigh Hill.
Also seen were Peacock, Comma, Large White, a Green-veined White and a single Chalk Hill Blue near Devils Dyke. What a great day out. (Patrick Moore)

At last I managed to get in to the Small Copper festival on this day of glorious weather. Walking along the track to the north of Lullington Heath we came across about 8 Small Coppers, mostly very frisky and combative, with each other and with the accompanying Meadow Brown. We also saw a very smart male Common Blue. All along today's route the flowering ivy was buzzing with beautiful neat Ivy Bees, Colletes hederae, and adorned with Red Admirals. Later at our regular lunch spot, the tiny but beautiful fragment of chalk grassland overlooking Cranedown Bottom we saw female Common Blue along with a male Brimstone. There was also a dense aggregation of the nest tunnels of the Ivy Bees on the dry bank. Along with numerous Small Heath we saw our last Small Copper at the head of Deep Dene. A wonderful butterfly day rounded off with a swim in the crystal clear sea at Bishopstone on the way back to Brighton. (Tessa Pawsey)

4 Clouded Yellow in the meadow opposite Shooters Bottom just before Noon in full sunshine. This is a regular Autumn site for this species. (TV575958). Also a tatty Wall Brown in our East Dean garden (TV562984) around 2pm.
(Carole & David Jode)

At least 30 Red Admiral nectaring on Ivy flowers on the path between Crowlink hamlet and the dewpond on the seward side (TV540972). Full sunshine - hardly any wind. (Carole & David Jode)

Did the Anchor Bottom transect this afternoon - numbers dwindling, but pleased to find a Small Copper and a Clouded Yellow - plus another of the latter off the transect route. Full list: Adonis Blue - 10, Brown Argus -1, Clouded Yellow - 1, Meadow Brown - 28, Small Copper - 1, Small Heath - 18, Small White - 3. Also 3 Wheatear and a family party of 6 Stonechats on the fenceline to the SD Way. (Ray Baker)

Yesterday (17 September) I watched a female Long-tailed Blue through the security fence at Lancing Station. From her quite good (but chipped) condition, determined through binoculars, I suspect she represents one of the late wave primary immigrants seen in Sussex since 10 September. She appeared to be laying many eggs, very quickly, so there's a chance that some LTBs will still be emerging at the start of November, assuming the weather is kind. (Neil Hulme)

It was so warm & sheltered in our buddleia bush corner this morning that it seemed like being in a butterfly house as Red Admirals, Painted Ladies & whites fluttered fearlessly around us. St one stage there were 7 Red Admirals, 3 Painted Ladies, 3 Small Whites, a Large White & a humming-bird hawk moth. One of the Painted Ladies was fairly whole but almost Grey with age. I got very close to one on the patio - it kept flapping it's wings so one picture has the head & body nicely in focus but the wings blurred with motion. We left Hove for Worthing in the afternoon - we only saw whites there & a single Speckled Wood in Browning Road. (John & Val Heys)

We've had many moths visit our balcony since the amazing Clifden Nonpareil on 1st September. New species were a Delicate (Mythimna vitellina), a Horse Chestnut Leaf Miner (Cameraria ohridella) plus Red Underwings on 14th & 17th. I found the rascal eating our geranium leaves - a Cabbage Moth larva. The Poplar Hawk-moth larvae are still growing though diminished in number - I counted just 5 yesterday. (Colin Knight https://colinknight.blogspot.com/2019/09/littlehampton-moths.html)

Yesterday, despite sore tonsils and a temperature, I visited Whitehawk Hill TV mast. I had the site to myself, which is unsurprising given that the weather had caved in. However, I saw four butterflies, all of which were Long-tailed Blue, including a mating pair! My account is too long for our Sightings Page, but can be read in full in my UK Butterflies diary here http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=148090#p148090 (Neil Hulme http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=148090#p148090)

Up and around Cissbury from Lyons Farm was a cloudless wonderland for 15 butterfly species. 90 Small Heath, 90 Meadow Brown, 57 Small Copper, 24 Speckled Wood, 11 Adonis Blue, 10 Common Blue, 7 Red Admiral, 6 Wall Brown, 4 Brown Argus, 2 Holly Blue, 2 Painted Lady, Clouded Yellow, Brown Hairstreak, Comma. Small White was the only white identified. (Lindsay Morris)

My first ever visit to SWT Woods Mill today was rather quiet but that is what I expected. During my short walk I saw 5-6 Comma, 4 Small Heath, 1 Small Copper, 3 Speckled Wood, 2 Red Admiral, 2 Brown Hairstreak and a number of "whites". Dragonflies were also still present. And now back to reading the Newsletter and Martin Kalaher's very enjoyable account of the season. Thanks for both! (Istvan Radi)

Three topical photos: First two Long-tailed Blue pupa and pre-pupal larva rescued from snail - ravaged pea. Last is the start and end stage of a butterfly horror story for the Large White. (Pete Varnham)

Another successful hunt for the Brown Hairstreak (two individuals seen and photographed), this time along a public footpath off Bishopstone Lane, Goddards Green. Also seen: Speckled Wood, Small White, Green-veined White, Comma, Red Admiral, Meadow Brown and Small Heath.
(Harvey Osler)

Some shots from East Sussex taken during the past couple of weeks, around Alfriston, Lullington Heath and Friston Forest. I saw variously Small White, Large White, Comma, Adonis Blue, Common Blue, Chalk Hill Blue, Small Copper, Small Heath, Speckled Wood, Brimstone, Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Peacock, Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper. And on Sunday the undoubted highlight, a fresh Clouded Yellow helice at Lullington Heath. (Andrew Reekie)

Around 11.40am today in Hove it got sunnier than expected & our buddleia was proving attractive. However, the balance of power has shifted. Only 2 Painted Ladies, one faded, the other quite bright, but at the same time 7 Red Admirals. Also 2 Small Whites & a Large White. By 2pm it had been quite overcast for an hour, but several Red Admirals & a Painted Lady were still nectaring. We were in London for the Kew Gardens 10k run on Saturday - as usual the gardens were rather disappointing for butterflies - a few Small Whites & even less Red Admirals. It was noticeable in London that the Painted Lady boom has either finished or never really happened - we didn't see any at all. (John & Val Heys)

In the gloom this afternoon a lone Long-tailed Blue put in a brief appearance above the perennial sweet pea close to Lancing railway station. On returning home I found a beautiful but totally unwelcome Boxworm Moth in my garden. Curses. (Lindsay Morris)

sun 15/09/1019. a walk from Markstakes Lane over fields to Tutts Farm and back into Markstakes via Ridgelanda Lane produced 5x Browm Hairstreak eggs, the hedge at Tutts farm has at some point been cut back, I'm hoping the 6x BH egg found last year completed there life cycles?. and 3x eggs in Ridgelands Lane, Chailey. these eggs are six miles from the West Sussex border at Burgess Hill. oh yes and Sarah's still picking, this time 2lb 1oz of blackberry's, (Peter Farrant)

Hummingbird hawk-moth spotted on our Verbena. Hastings East Sussex (David Walton)

Walk around the the boats, recreation ground over the Norfolk bridge, Shoreham saw, large/Small Whites, a Peacock a Red Admiral and then this hummingbird hawk moth. J (John Holt)

Newhaven Tidemills on Sunday produced dozens of Large White and Small White and a single but fresh female Clouded Yellow at the far end by the caravan park. (David Cook)

A repeat walk yesterday (15th) of my Birling Gap-Beachy Head circuit of the 10th - again a still day of even warmer cloudless sunshine. Apart from the Small Heaths and Red Admirals, a notable depletion in numbers of all the other species encountered last Tuesday - except for Clouded Yellows; four sightings over the headland and probably another dozen individuals speeding over the large field of lucerne south of Cornish Farm. Single sightings of Brown Argus (see photo) and Wall Brown were two additions to Tuesday's list. (Nicholas Moll)

Surprised to find at least two Humming-bird Hawk-moths in my central Brighton garden active at 06.30 on an overcast morning when it was barely light. Glimpsed also a Red Admiral starting its day. (Tim Squire)

I saw Wall Brown, Small Heath, Red Admiral, Holly Blue, Small and Large White on a brief visit to High and Over this afternoon. As usual the Walls were extremely vigilant and very difficult to approach. (John Williams)

After Friday’s four hour vigil which produced only three glimpses, I was in luck today with two male Long-tailed Blues seen within five minutes of arrival late afternoon today. One conveniently posed on the single remaining - and fading - Everlasting Pea! Thanks Catrina for the encouragement to persist. Nice to see a Spotted Flycatcher too. (David Walsh)

Circular walk via Hope Gap and Harry’s Bush with Stephen and Tim Willmoth produced 2 Clouded Yellow, 2 Small White, 5+ Large White, 4+ Small Copper, 3 Brown Argus,6+ Common Blue, 1 Comma, 5+ Red Admiral, 2 Speckled Wood, 3 Meadow Brown and 5+ Small Heath. (David Walsh)

What a fine day but could be one of the last of summer? The usual suspects in my garden hanging in there: Painted Lady (down to 1), Red Admiral, Comma, numerous Large Whites and Small Whites, Speckled Wood and 2 Small Coppers. (Harvey Osler)

An afternoon trip to Whitehawk Hill yielded 2 Long-tailed Blues but only one stopped for a photo. It was a pleasure to meet David and many thanks for showing me the flycatcher. (katrina watson)

Today I visited the little gem that is Medley Bottom. There are still a few Common Blues and good number of Meadow Brown and Small Heath and Small Whites everywhere. I did manage to find nine Small Copper, but I think it was too hot for them as most of them were nectaring with their wings closed. I was a bit distracted by the tremendous raptor activity. South Stoke was dry and there were only a few Commas, Red Admirals and Peacocks (plus the ubiquitous Small White). (Jonathan Crawford)

After finding our first Brown Hairstreak in the Whillet's Meadow,(Weir Wood Reservoir) last year,I've been searching the same area for the last month with no joy.Then today thinking I'd seen yet another vapour Month fly by,which then landed on some Blackthorn.I investigated and to my amazement it was a female Brown Hairstreak.we have perfect habitat here which will be managed to try and enlarge the small colony we have. (Alastair Gray)

On the reclaimed field on the south eastern lower slope of Steep Down (it was once a landfill site) were a minimum of 8 Clouded Yellow, showing great interest in the lucerne. Also there, a Humming-bird Hawkmoth. If this wonderful weather keeps up, then these summery treats will keep on a-comin‘! (Lindsay Morris)

Site X: Today Sue Cross, Pete Varnham and I saw several newly emerged Long Tailed Blues with evidence of courtship and fresh and recent egg - laying. Presumably these are the progeny of butterflies that arrived in late July or very early August `under the radar`. (Dave Harris)

I spent a very pleasant afternoon at Cissbury Ring listening to Test Match Special and hunting for butterflies. I saw Meadow Brown, Wall, Small Heath, Red Admiral, Small Copper and a lovely fresh Adonis Blue. (John Williams)

Glorious weather up and around Lancing Ring & Steep Down enticed out 17 butterfly species. Amongst which were - 93 Red Admiral, 20 Small Heath, 13 Meadow Brown, 7 Adonis Blue, 6 Wall Brown, 6 Common Blue, 4 Clouded Yellow, 4 Painted Lady, 3 Speckled Wood, 2 Brown Argus, 2 Comma, Holly Blue, Chalk Hill Blue, Peacock, Small Copper. Also a Humming-bird Hawk-moth and a Wasp Spider in my garden. (Lindsay Morris)

I did the transect at Mill Hill. It was a bit like visiting the ruins of a great empire with disorder and decay everywhere. I love this time of year. There were still butterflies, mainly at the bottom of the hill. I can't give you numbers because the UKBM system is down (more disorder and decay) but butterflies seen include Adonis Blue, Common Blue, Chalk Hill Blue, Brimstone, Small Copper, Small White, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown and Small Heath. Outside the transect there were Peacock, Comma and several Painted Ladies.
After that I went to Cissbury and a walk around the outer ramparts brought a further 17 very flighty Small Coppers and some more Adonis Blues. I also saw a 2 Clouded Yellows, a pair of Wall Browns and John Williams who apprised me of the cricket score. (Jonathan Crawford)

Small Copper on a Sedum Flower Head. First ever sighting in our garden. (Howard Mitchell)

While having a break from gardening this afternoon 8 Painted Ladies were, at the same time, nectaring on on two Verbena Bonariensis plants. There still seem to be a lot Ladies about in Seaford. Also visiting were several Large and Small Whites and a number of Red Admirals. (Stuart Ridley)
I wonder if anly of the Ladies featured in the Seaford set film "Hope Gap" starring Annette Benning which was released (to mixed reviews) this week. (Ed jnr)

I didn't think the camera would came out again this season but when a female Brown Hairstreak presented itself, well what could I do? I've never seen one nectaring on Michaelmas Daisy before and I've never had a September garden record before. There have been 12 species in the past two days - Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Brown Hairstreak, Small Copper, Common Blue (m&f), Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Peacock, Comma, Speckled Wood and Meadow Brown. The Common Blue female was egg-laying. (Martin Kalaher)

Brown Hairstreak still active at Burgess Hill Business Park on Friday 13/09, with one reasonably fresh female making a trip down to sit briefly on bramble at the northern end of the Charles Avenue parkland, plus what was very probably a second seen flying across the grass and up into an oak tree. The northern end of this area is obviously the favoured spot for egglaying, but we were interested to find a single egg on the taller blackthorn at the far southern end. Also seen: Red Admiral 1; Large White 2; Small White 3/4. (PS I hope the sign on the edge of the parkland bit about a new office development for which planning permission's been given doesn't relate to the parkland itself. I couldn't see anything relevant for Charles Avenue on the Mid-Sussex council website and I see from the Satellite view that there's a vacant site behind the parkland, on the corner of Victoria Road, so hopefully the permission relates to this. Does anyone know?) (M Thomas)

There were also many Small Coppers present at Herstmonceux Castle this afternoon.
(Trevor Rapley)

On a sunny afternoon with my good friend Anna Bulbrook, the lower Cuckmere east side was alive with 12 butterflies species including 54 Small Heath, 33 Common Blue, 30 Small Copper, 23 Meadow Brown, 15 Adonis Blue, 7 Wall Brown, 2 Clouded Yellow, 2 Brown Argus. Earlier, and in cloudy conditions, Newhaven Tidemills had been disappointing, but the days total of 14 butterfly species was very satisfactory. (Lindsay Morris)

A four hour stint this afternoon produced three brief sightings of a single Long-tailed Blue close to the allotments near the mast. Also in the area 1 female Adonis Blue - on Everlasting Pea! - as well as 1 Wall Brown, 1 Clouded Yellow, 1 Speckled Wood, 3 Small Heath, 2 Painted Lady, 5 Red Admiral, numerous Large and Small White and 1+ Green-veined White. Other observers reported Brown Argus, Meadow Brown and Small Copper nearby. (David Walsh)

This afternoon I visited the gardens of Herstmonceux Castle, hoping to find some of
the' Summer spectaculars' of the butterfly world.
I was treated to the sight of several very fresh Peacocks, several Commas, and a Painted Lady.
Unfortunately no Small Tortoiseshells were seen. There also many Large and Small Whites,
many of which were fresh. (Trevor Rapley)

One hour wait in the sun at Whitehawk Hill TV tower, rewarded by this solitary LT Blue at 13.00 hrs. (John Ward)

Male Adonis Blue on the slope above the Youth Hostel by the south downs way path going towards Alfriston (Bill Eldridge)

A brief slightly sunny warm spell in Hove at around 11.00am this morning was enough to tempt out 2 Red Admirals, 3 Painted Ladies & 2 Small Whites in our back garden. By school collecting time in Worthing it was cooler & breezier - only the occasional Small White on the wing. (John & Val Heys)

Lured down from London by the weather, I had six hours in glorious sunshine, setting off from Birling Gap at 10.30 on the 10th and getting as far as Whitebread Hollow before returning via Long Down. Multitudes of Large Whites, Small Whites and Small Heaths; moderate numbers of Meadow Browns and Common Blues (the latter rather patchy); 19 Painted Ladies, a dozen plus Red Admirals, 7 Small Coppers, half a dozen Speckled Woods, 2 Clouded Yellows, 1 Silver-spotted Skipper, 1 Gatekeeper, 1 Peacock. (Nicholas Moll)

A window in my kitchen looks over a window box of 'Busy Lizzies'. Beyond that is my rear garden.
This morning at 8.30 I was amazed to see a moth probing the blossoms for nectar , Checking on your website, it was either a Humming-bird Hawk-moth or a bee hawk moth.
Fantastic!! (Sydney Wass)

As Val & I walked down the steps out of the Cuckmere Inn at Exceat, we decided to abandon going for a walk as it was raining again. At that moment we disturbed a Painted Lady still out nectaring on buddleia. It flew off & returned a couple of times until the rain came on a little heavier, when it gave up. We went home too. (John & Val Heys)

A few photos from my little walk yesterday on Mill Hill. Was a lovely day for Butterflies, although a lot are looking quite tatty now. 1 Peacock 1 Painted Lady, 1 to 5 Large White, Small Copper, Adonis Blue, Chalkhill Blue, Green Vein White and more than 5 Common Blue, Meadow Brown. (Jenny Hodgkins )

Dull and windy in the woods around Horsham today, but that didn't stop Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Small White, Common Blue, Speckled Wood and me from enjoying them. I found one Speckled Wood without the normal dapples and despite a minor panic on both our counts, me with camera settings and it with survival instincts, managed a few photos. What a beautiful creature. (Patrick Moore)

27 species of moths have visited our balcony since August 28th. The prize was the rare Clifden Nonpariel which appeared on September 1. Last year we had one on August 28th. A Red Underwing arrived on September 10th. Last year we had one on September 4th. The latest one has some strange black markings on one wing. Cabbage Moth larvae like the geranium leaves on the balcony. The Poplar Hawk-moth larvae are growing well. At 16 days old some are 14mm long compared to their hatching length of 9mm, and are much fatter. (Colin Knight https://colinknight.blogspot.com/2019/09/clifden-nonpariel-red-underwing-and.html)

During our wildlife survey at Clayton Farm, Washington we recorded; 4 x red darters, 1 x club tailed dragonfly, 2 x Commas, 1 x Small Copper, 6 x Small Heath, 7 x Large White, 5 x Meadow Brown (Peter Chase)

Nothing had been on the wing when I went for the papers around 8am in rather cool sunshine. By 9.20am Hove had warmed up & we thought it might be worth checking the buddleia out the back before we went into town. Even from the sun lounge we could see butterflies fluttering all over. We counted 7 Painted Ladies, 3 Red Admirals, 2 Small Whites & 1 Large White, total 13 - as far as I can recall the most butterflies we've ever seen in the garden all at the same time. It seemed they'd just got active & were fuelling up to roam around, as there were only a few around when we returned at lunchtime. (John & Val Heys)

I took this video in my garden yesterday and posted it on youtube (Richard https://youtu.be/QwMISOEDbeA)

A bright sunny morning in Seaford today and 7 Painted Ladies, most of which were in good condition, were feeding on the flowers of Verbena Bonariensis plants. A few Large Whites and Red Admirals, and singles of Meadow Brown and Comma visited my south facing garden. A Humming-bird Hawk-moth spent a few minutes feeding on the flowers of my Ceratostigma bush. (Stuart Ridley)

Finally spotted my first Clouded Yellow of the year immediately followed by two more at Hope Gap on Seaford Head. Also spotted on our walk from Seaford to Cuckmere were Small Heath (loads), several Red Admirals, lots of Large Whites and Small Whites all along the route, Painted Ladies, Common Blue, Meadow Brown and a brand new Wall Brown. And the sun shone all day; glorious. (Martin Buck)

Did the Mill Hill transect this afternoon - usual suspects seen in modest numbers, but pleased to find this Wasp Spider. (Ray Baker)

A very productive morning was spent at High and Over.
About eight third brood male Wall Browns were seen, plus a mating pair.
Also many Red Admirals were enjoying the abundant Ivy blossom.
Singles of Comma, Brown Argus and Holly Blue were seen. (Trevor Rapley)

Went for a walk along the canal near Pett Level this morning, lots of Painted Ladies, a Small Copper, Small Heath, Red Admiral and a Green Veined White amongst all the Small and Large ones which was nice as I hadn't ever seen one before (oscar pratley crighton)

Brighton racecourse: finally managed a visit to see the Long-tailed Blues, only saw two, one very tatty the other in pic was in good condition, they both came to feed on the only everlasting pea flower on one of the 3 clumps of plant (DAVID LONG)

A dozen species seen around Lancing Ring and the old North Lancing churchyard and cemeteries on a glorious afternoon. 99 Red Admiral, nearly all on flowering ivy. Those flying gave no discernible direction of migration. 20 Speckled Wood, 11 Painted Lady, 8 Small Copper, 4 Wall Brown, 2 Common Blue, 2 Comma, 2 Small Heath, Brown Argus (very fresh) and only one Meadow Brown. Also a Humming-bird Hawk-moth and a couple of Silver Y. (Lindsay Morris)
I expect the Red Admirals can't decide whether to stay or go. Probably best if we give them an extension until they make up their mind what the best thing to do is. (Ed jnr)

Brighton Whitehawk Hill: Small White x 2, Large White x 4, Painted Lady x 1, Green-veined White x 2, Wall x1 Small Heath x 7 Long-tailed Blue x 3 (David Phillips)

After half an hour of waiting in good conditions by a row of promising blackthorn bushes near Burgess Hill Cemetery, with sightings of Red Admiral, Large and Small White, Speckled Wood and an unidentified blue (probably a Holly Blue) I was just resigning myself to another failed attempt, when a slightly worn female Brown Hairstreak put on a good show; she seemed to be exhibiting egg-laying behaviour, crawling down blackthorn stems to suitable shoots but I couldn’t find any of those “conspicuous white eggs” – must taking my reading glasses with me in future. (Harvey Osler)

Just got back from a walk up the Adur, these plus some Speckled Woods, Painted Lady's. J (John Holt)

Here in Hove, we were sitting in our sun lounge today listening to quite heavy rain beating on the roof when Val said "there's a Red Admiral" but it had flown off before I could see it. Val thinks it was roosting somewhere up in or behind the gutter when the rain began to seep in to its hiding place, so it had to move away despite the conditions. (John & Val Heys)

Painted Ladies were still coming in off the sea at Lancing yesterday (8th September). I noted five egg laying just behind the beach (on Mallow). There were also seven Red Admirals flying determinedly northwards. Four in Shoreham and three others coming in off the sea at Lancing without stopping. This supports Patrick Moore's report from nearby Littlehampton. However, just inland and to the west, at Cissbury Ring, Neil Hulme observed a southerly migration of individuals. (Vince Massimo)

sun 08/09/2019. corner of Charles Ave. and York Road, Victoria Business Park, Burgess Hill. W.Sx. what a beautiful day, sun's out, what more could you want. well counted 25x more Brown Hairstreak eggs, that's 59 in total so far including last weeks 34x eggs. In the Energy & Carbon Management car park counted 15x more BH eggs, total now 26x eggs. 21 of those along south facing hedge, not only that between 12.11an and 12.57pm saw and photographed 4x female adult BH's along this same hedge, each one laying an egg. and 1x female BH seen at 11.57am on blackthorn in fleabane area near stream. 5x BH in an hour. while I was doing this Sarah picked 1lb 8oz of blackberry's. (Peter Farrant)

I just made an unplanned detour as the sun came out and I spotted a Wasp Spider at Annington Sewer and a worn Brown Hairstreak Butterfly in Castle Lane Park, Bramber. (Andy Horton https://www.glaucus.org.uk/Butterfly-list2019.html)

I didn't make any accurate counts during my visit to Cissbury Ring on Sunday (8 September), but I saw about 30 Small Copper and at least 20 male Adonis Blue, some of the latter in areas where I haven't seen the species for many years. Other highlights included a female Brown Hairstreak and a steady stream of Red Admirals heading south.
This site is rapidly attaining some of its former glory (I spent many hours here in my youth) thanks to the excellent management in recent years by the National Trust. The combination of pony grazing, cattle grazing (eastern compartment) and scrub control is likely to bring even greater rewards over the next few years. (Neil Hulme)

At around 10.30am this morning in our back garden in Hove there were 5 different types of butterfly (nearly as good as it gets for us) - 4 Painted Ladies, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Large White, 1 Speckled Wood & a few Small Whites. In the front garden I disturbed a moth - I think it's a rather faded Large Yellow Underwing. On an afternoon walk from Palmeira Lawn, Hove to the Marina, we saw one Painted Lady at Palmeira Lawn & another near the massed motorbikes & sideshows celebrating the London to Brighton Motorbike ride in Madeira Drive. Otherwise it was all Small Whites. Back at home, in the setting sun at 5.50pm, a single Painted Lady was basking on the concrete path we built about 30 years ago. (John & Val Heys)

At least 15 Painted Ladies, mostly badly worn.Also several Common Blues, Small Coppers and Red Admirals in good condition. Numerous Whites and a Wheatear. (John Gilbert)

A fabulous afternoon of calm sunshine up and around Lancing Ring & Steep Down was adorned by 15 butterfly species. 50 Small Heath, 19 Red Admiral, 14 Meadow Brown, 10 Painted Lady, 9 Speckled Wood, 8 Holly Blue, 5 Adonis Blue, 4 Wall Brown, 4 Common Blue, 2 Comma, 2 Brown Argus, Peacock, Green-veined White. More Large Whites than recently and many Small Whites. (Lindsay Morris)

Nursing a bad cold I only managed to get round half of Friston Gallops before my parking ticket expired. I did manage to find 21 Small Copper. I have a modus operandi for finding them there. I look for areas where Small Heath are active and then focus on the yellow flowers, which this butterfly seems to have a preference for. If they are not on the flowers they can often be seen near by. Once disturbed they normally return to the same location, rather than disappear over the hedge and into the next county like some species do. Also seen were Brown Argus, Meadow Brown, Small White, Large White, Red Admiral, Common Blue, Comma, Adonis Blue and a single Painted Lady and a late Chalk Hill Blue. (Jonathan Crawford)

A very nice family walk along Littlehampton West Beach around midday following the outgoing tide line and back along the dune line was notable because we all counted at least 9 Red Admirals seemingly coming in of the sea. They all charged across the drying sand and landed on the pebbles only to take off again when approached. We also spotted Painted Lady, Common Blue, Holly Blue, plenty Small White, a Small Copper and a Comma. (Patrick Moore)

On a walk at Beachy Head from Went Hill to Belle Tout followed by a visit to Shooters' Bottom, in the rather chilly though bright conditions this morning (Sunday), I saw 11 butterfly species: singles of Adonis Blue and Clouded Yellow; three Small Coppers; small numbers of Red Admirals, Common Blues, Meadow Browns, Painted Ladies, Large Whites and Speckled Woods; and good numbers of Small Heaths and Small Whites. One of the latter provided a meal for a Whinchat at Shooters' Bottom. (Simon Linington)

Possible Painted Lady noticed in large front garden - seen on yellow flowering weeds and then flying off in very deliberate fashion. (pat webb)

On honeysuckle in my town garden, a Humming-bird Hawk-moth feeding in full noonday sun. Of course he escaped photographic capture. (Christine Burgess)

Not a Sussex sighting, but as I was on a trip to St Andrews today thought i’d record that on a buddleia in town I saw a host of Red Admirals and a pristine Painted Lady. (Harvey Osler)

Six Small Copper seen at Cissbury this morning under largely cloudy skies accompanied by a stiff breeze. Glad to see Adonis Blues dotted about the site. A great testament to the grazing regime and conservation strategy introduced by the National Trust in the past few years. (Jonathan Crawford)

In our back garden in Hove this morning around 10.00am, 4 Painted Ladies, 1 Red Admiral & a Small White. At Parham House near Storrington, this afternoon, Small Whites, a Large White, a Green-veined White, 2 Small Coppers, a Painted Lady, at least half a dozen Red Admirals, a Comma, 2 Small Heaths & 2 Meadow Browns. (John & Val Heys)

Went for a quick walk over Combe Valley in Bexhill. Managed to see at least 9 species, which makes a nice change from the usual fare in the garden. Common Blue, males and females, Small and Large Whites, Small Heaths, about 7 Small Coppers, a Red Admiral at a glance, Speckled Woods and a Clouded Yellow flew over but didn't settle for a picture. A couple of Painted Ladies still hanging around too. (oscar pratley crighton)

Down Cuckmere Haven this afternoon I saw my first Clouded Yellow of the year, at long last, as well as a Small Copper ab. radiata. There was also a White Stork that had probably come from Knepp Estate. (Bob Eade http://bobsbutterflies.blogspot.co.uk)

Had a bit of time today and for a change of scenery and headed to Mill Hill. Plenty flying today with Adonis Blue, Chalk Hill Blue, Common Blue, Brown Argus, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Small Heath, Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Peacock, Meadow Brown, Small Copper, Speckled Wood and the highlight for me, a nice fresh Clouded Yellow. (David Cook)

There were more Speckled Wood than every other species put together in St Leonards Forest, Horsham this afternoon. There were also quite a few Green-veined White, one with really yellow hind wings which I failed to photograph as it kept moving and being blown by the wind until finally heading into a Silver Birch probably to roost. There were also Brimstone, Meadow Brown, Small White, Small Heath, Comma and singles of Red Admiral, Common Blue and Large White. (Patrick Moore)

Adonis Blue just taken now, with my iPhone. The Liz Williams Butterfly Haven just keeps on giving. Please come at 10:00hrs on Saturday 19th October to help manage the site, if you have the time to spare. (Dr Dan Danahar)

3rd brood Wall Brown building slowly at High and Over with 1 female and 2 males showing this morning. Also one tatty 2nd brood male still flying.
Several Adonis Blue, Silver-spotted Skipper, Common Blue, Chalk Hill Blue and some fresh Brown Argus. Meadow Brown hanging on and many Small Heath also on the wing. (Bob Eade http://bobsbutterflies.blogspot.co.uk)

Inspired by Jonathan Crawford's recommendation a few days ago we included Friston Gallops in our Litlington based walk today and agree that it is a delightful place. Sadly we did'nt see any butterflies which were small, beautiful and coppery but we did enjoy watching a female Adonis Blue egg laying on horseshoe vetch deep in the grass.
We also saw Speckled Wood, male Adonis Blue, male and female Common Blue, lots of Whites, Meadow Brown, Small Heath, Red Admiral and Painted Lady despite it being a bit breezy. (Tessa Pawsey)

Plenty of butterflies at Nymans Gardens. Small Tortoiseshell on the summer borders, Red Admirals, Small Whites and Painted Ladies in various spots all enjoying the sun.. (Martin Buck)

After this mornings rain I returned for a quick walk along 3 Blackthorn hedge lines at Batchelors Farm and between 12.48 and 13.09 found 3 Brown Hairstreak laying profusely. I have to admit that I, along with many others, felt that this year was not a good year for this species but today my sightings restored my confidence that, although they had a slow start, things were returning to normal.
The Conservation work that Burgess Hill Town Council have adopted at this location, is paying dividends now and they should be complimented on their continued efforts to help this butterfly flourish. (David Cook)

After many hours of hunting, I finally managed to get to double figures with sightings of Brown Hairstreak, with egg laying females at Ditchling Common and Batchelors Farm (Burgess Hill). Both were pretty battle scarred from wrestling their way through the Blackthorn to lay their eggs. And on the back garden Buddleia, my favourite moth, a Brimstone Moth. (David Cook)

I've posted a few times before and consider myself fairly knowledgeable with my butterfly identification. I went round to my daughter's in the north harbour at Eastbourne last Friday and saw the largest butterfly that I have ever seen in the UK flying around outside her house until it flew off towards the harbour. It was certainly larger than a 'large' Red Admiral although colouring whilst in flight was kind of similar. The only butterfly that I could relate it to would be a Camberwell Beauty, but having never seen one of these anyway it's difficult to be certain and again I don't know if these have been sighted before in East Sussex. Any ideas would be appreciated. (Jamie May)

Migrant Painted Ladies were still coming in off the sea today at Lancing. Some were laying eggs as soon as they made landfall on the beach, or just behind it. There was also lots of evidence of earlier egg laying activity, with larvae at various stages of development (including a pale form of the 5th instar) on plants growing in the shingle. (Vince Massimo)

The Poplar Hawk-moth larvae are chomping through the willow and poplar leaves and developing a lovely pattern on day 6 since they hatched. We still have many moth species attracted to the balcony light. (Colin Knight http://www.seapic.com)

Half hour walk around Nymans produced these two, they seem in good nic. J. (John Holt)

When the sun came out this morning at Lancing Ring, Small White,Clouded Yellow( helice ), Small Copper, Speckled Wood & unidentified Blue (not LTB). (John Ward)

We were sad to hear of the passing of John Holloway at the weekend. John has been a great supporter of butterfly recording and conservation in Sussex. John lived at his home 'Benallan' at Kingston nr Lewes for the last 50 years and turned the chalk slopes of Benallan's garden, into a mini-butterfly reserve and recorded an impressive 38 species there. One infamous visitor to Benallan was the Geranium Bronze - you can read about John's encounter with this exotic species on page 266 of 'The Butterflies of Sussex'. John took on the Malling Down butterfly transect from 1986 until 1996 passing it on to his son, Crispin, who continues the survey today. It's one of the longest running butterfly surveys in Sussex. Despite mobility issues John still joined Crispin on the survey until 2013 and, with the aid of his scooter, was still able to enjoy butterflies at High and Over and Abbot's Wood in recent years. (Michael Blencowe)

While looking around Thorney Island for raptors etc. We recorded the following butterflies Clouded Yellow 7, Painted Lady 10+ also still good numbers of Small Heath and Common Blue on the wing. (Barry and Margaret Collins )

In Hove this morning 4 Painted Ladies on the buddleia in our back garden, 3 faded and one fresh. We fancied some town walking away from the scruffiness of Brighton & Hove, so hopped on buses to Lewes. Southover Grange Park is looking pretty good - plenty of flowers still & some wild bits - also 3 Speckled Woods, 2 Painted Ladies, 2 Large Whites & many Small Whites. Then we went up to Lewes castle - plenty more Small Whites & 2 Holly Blues. Another stage of the "improvements" at Old Steine in Brighton have begun. Our return bus got a bit clogged up on the way back as the east side is being made two way, I think. Best avoid being in any type of motor vehicle anywhere near there for a couple of years if possible! If the central walkway ends up anything like as good as the one at Bournemouth, that will be great, but I wouldn't take a bet on it. (John & Val Heys)

I'm really sorry Ed jnr, but I saw a Gatekeeper in St Leonards Forest, Horsham this lunchtime, I did take a photo but its pretty poor. There were quite a few species about including Common Blue, Brown Argus, Comma, Small Heath and a Large White to name a few. There was also a Meadow Brown with a seemingly very large eye, see photo. (Patrick Moore)

Up and around Cissbury Ring in sun at first but then turning breezy and more cloudy. Only 12 butterfly species, but some good numbers still. 208 Small Heath, 129 Meadow Brown, 14 Speckled Wood, 13`Adonis Blue, 11 Painted Lady, 10 Common Blue, 8 Brown Argus, 6 Small Copper. Perhaps most memorable was the hugely fearsome Robber Fly Asilus crabroniformis with unfortunate prey. Couldn't find any Wall Brown or Brown Hairstreak, nor any L-tB hilltopping! (Lindsay Morris)

sun 01/09/2019. on the corner of Charles Ave. and York Road, Victoria Business Park. Burgess Hill. W.Sx. found 34x Brown Hairstreak Eggs between 11.55am and 2.12pm. found 3x eggs on the first blackthorn stem searched, so that was a good start. 9x eggs along path by steam, 7x on mound slope, the top is getting very overgrown, so haven't searched yet. the best was 9x eggs found close together on stem in car park of Energy & Carbon Management, I didn't search the other blackthorns there. that's for another day. oh and Sarah picked 2lb 8oz of blackberry's. yes its that time of year again, doesn't time fly. (Peter Farrant)

Around 11am while chatting with Nigel Driver at the West End Car Park at Weir Wood Reservoir,we noticed a large pale butterfly flying with a Large White. As it came nearer we managed to get our bins on it and couldn’t believe we were looking at a Swallowtail Butterfly. It then flew towards us over the Hedge and through the car park before being lost to sight. Who knows if it was a migrant but it was definitely in a hurry. (Alastair Gray)
I bet I know a man who does! Sods law that I added Swallowtail to the "last sightings" yesterday and now one pops up. (Ed jnr)

After last week's failed attempt this morning I paid a quick visit to Whitehawk Hill in the hope of finding a Long-tailed Blue butterfly. But instead of me finding them they came to greet me as soon as I arrived just before 10am well before I managed to switch my camera on. A few minutes later I did find the two (presumably) males as they were chasing each other just to then land only a meter apart again. They posed long enough for a few photos before taking to the air again and flying high up. The spot looks like there was a party or something over the weekend as the grass is all down like when people sit/sleep on it but these two did not seem to mind it as they seemed to prefer the Bramble. Also present a few Meadow Brown, Small Heath, Painted Lady and plenty of "whites". (Istvan Radi)

After returning from South America yesterday, I couldn't resist a sneak view of the Liz Williams butterfly haven. There, during a five minute visit I saw two male Adonis Blues - see the iPhone image attached. This is quite remarkable given that the site is so overgrown!
Now, this leads me to management, the site is in desperate need of some help. Brush cutting and burning would only take one day and I'm planning on doing this during a weekend in October. So, I would be grateful if there are any individuals who would be willing to give up their time to help. If we had 15+ people I think we could do the work in half a day. If you are prepared to help could you perhaps contact me via Dan@Bignature.co.uk.
Thanx Dan (Dr Dan Danahar)

On our circular walk from Canada barn past the burgh , we did observe one Small Tortoiseshell on 1st September along with numerous whites, small or GVW and around 20 Painted Ladies (David Macdonald)

If it's a good moth evening I leave the balcony light on all night and often get some interesting visitors overnight. This morning I was delighted to welcome a Clifden Nonpareil to the fold. Last year we had one on August 28. (Colin Knight http://www.seapic.com)

Lancing Ring in patchy sun had a third brood male Wall Brown today and a Humming-bird Hawk-moth. Only 11 butterfly species identified. Shameful. I apologise!
(Lindsay Morris)
That's OK, though you did record 16 Species on September 1st 2018 and 20 by September 2nd 2017, so showing a clear decline since the referendum vote. Probably won't be worth you going up there next year. Still we have had 21 Sussex born butterfly species sighted today, and I think we are only missing Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell of the "common butterflies", though these are sadly not so common any more. There might be a few other species knocking about such as a late Small Blue. Still not bad for September.
Adonis Blue
Brimstone
Brown Argus,
Brown Hairstreak
Chalk Hill Blue
Clouded Yellow
Comma
Common Blue
Essex Skipper
Green-veined White
Holly Blue
Large White
Meadow Brown
Painted Lady
Red Admiral
Silver-spotted Skipper
Small Copper
Small Heath
Small White
Speckled Wood
Wall Brown
(Ed jnr)

Ten species seen at Kithurst flower meadow this afternoon: Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Painted Lady, Adonis Blue, Chalk Hill Blue, Brown Argus, Holly Blue, Small White, Large White and a lovely fresh Comma golden in the September sun. I'm not sure if the second picture is a female Adonis or Chalk Hill Blue. (John Williams)

The views west form Cissbury Ring this afternoon were magnificent; Chichester Cathedral, the IOW, Spinnaker Tower, Ports Down and even the chimneys of Fawley refinery next to the New Forest were clear. I'm sure however that the 15 butterfly species that I found took little or no notice of the distant views. There were Common Blue, Adonis Blue and Chalk Hill Blue, Small White, Green-veined White and a Large White joined by Brown Argus, Meadow Brown, Small Heath and Painted Lady. Also a Brown Hairstreak, Small Copper, Brimstone, Speckled Wood and a single Clouded Yellow. Superb. (Patrick Moore)

Humming-bird Hawk-moth briefly visited my Brighton patio this afternoon. (katrina watson)

A couple of really tatty Wall Brown were joined today by a fresh 3rd brood at High and Over. This is a day later than the 3rd brood started in 2017 and 5 days earlier than 2018. With the warm weather over the past couple of weeks I was expecting to see signs today.
There was also some busy egg laying going on by some Silver-spotted Skippers and Meadow Brown. Reasonable numbers too of Adonis Blue in the area. (Bob Eade http://bobsbutterflies.blogspot.co.uk)

At Friston Gallops this morning to see my favourite butterfly, the Small Copper. It was quite easy going early but got harder as the wind picked up. I saw 13 in all, which ranged from very tatty to newly emerged. I am guessing all these would all be be the tail end of the second brood. There can be few places for butterflies better than Friston at the end of summer. Other species seen were Speckled Wood, Brown Argus, Adonis Blue, Chalk Hill Blue, Common Blue, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Meadow Brown, Small Heath, Red Admiral, the ubiquitous Painted Lady and a very aged and decrepit skipper which I presumed was an Essex Skipper. (Jonathan Crawford)

Am sure this is a Brown Argus seen in my front garden on Friday afternoon. A very lively little thing! (Angela Bogie)
You are correct. You can see the "8" quite clearly on the third picture. Now please let it go. (Ed jnr)

Could anyone please confirm if this is indeed, a Brown Argus? (Philip Booker)
Neil Hulme informs me "Philip Booker’s butterfly is a female Common Blue. There is no ‘colon marking’ near the leading edge of the hindwing, and the white rim of a spot can just be seen, in a position closer than halfway towards the body on the forewing. These things are easier to point to than describe, but there’s plenty of information on differentiating between these species in ‘The Butterflies of Sussex’." (Ed jnr)

I have a long-tailed story to tell. It started on August 21st when the Poplar Hawk-moth laid eggs in the container I used to show the kids at the Halewick Park, Lancing event (see previous post). There were over 20 eggs. I added willow leaves to the container so that the larva would have something to eat when they hatched, which they duly did on 28th. They were slim 9mm miniatures of the large Hawk-moth larvae we are used to seeing, with characteristic long tails. They ate part of their egg, then whizzed about the container but didn't feed on the leaves. I was worried, and added some weeping willow leaves. Then some goat willow. Finally they were feeding on all 3 varieties. I added some poplar leaves for good measure, and these went down very well. So far so good, my little ones seem content with drying leaves and are growing - 10mm now, a 10% increase in a few days! Not looking forward to their school and teenage years, when they will be demanding more space and more food... Moths have continued to flock to our balcony light including a female Orange Swift, a Chinese Character and a Cypress Pug (full details on my blog). (Colin Knight http://www.seapic.com)

I went along to Whitehawk Hill this morning to see the celebrity Long-tailed Blues for myself. In an hour, starting at 9am, three LTB's were located, varying from pretty good condition to thoroughly worn. All were found easily in one small, heavily trampled area. Amazingly these LTB's have frequented this small area for a week, maybe more. There were visitors from Essex and Swindon enjoying the spectacle too, good to meet you all !. (Trevor Rapley)

I finally got round to visiting Whitehawk Hill in Brighton today. It's only a mile from where I live so I had no excuse! I saw three Long-tailed Blues, unfortunately the two that I got pictures of were very tatty. It was also a pleasure to meet Joanne from Brighton and the lady from Aylesbury (John Williams)

fri 30/08/2019, Whitehawk Hill, Brighton, E.Sx. managed to take the right grassy path to site and noticed the trampled grass, which is always a giveaway, but nobody about. it wasn't long before first male LTB was seen at 11.33am, I was soon joined by a chap and his wife en route to Bristol from Madeira, they got some photos. Katrina joined the party, and over the next hour or so we managed to see two more LTB, the third at 12.20pm. there were quite a few vertical dogfights, high into the sky until out of sight, the first male usually returning to the same area. the last time I'd seen a LTB was in 2013 at Southwick basin but only a distant sighting, so it was really nice to get close and get some decent photos, and in good company too. (Peter Farrant)

Anchor Bottom still producing good sightings. Adonis Blues were the stars, but also Painted Ladies including one on a cow pat, plenty of Gatekeepers, Small Heaths and one Clouded Yellow. On the way through the alley Commas, Red Admirals and Whites. Autumn Ladies Tresses and Gentians a real treat up there. (Simon Buck)

As trailed by Lindsay, a picture of the guaranteed non-knackered Long-tailed Blue at Lancing Ring. (Mike & Karen Galtry http://mikegaltry.co.uk/blog/)

2 or 3 Painted Ladies were around in our back garden in Hove whenever it was sunny & sometimes when it wasn't. The Small Whites were in evidence almost constantly. Several times three got together & were whirling round & round in an upward spiral. We popped into St Leonard's churchyard again. Saw what must have been the same 2 Red Admirals as they were on the same two gravestones as yesterday. We were a little earlier today & it was a bit less breezy which probably explains why we also spotted 2 Meadow Browns which were not flying yesterday. (John & Val Heys)

About 4 pm today in a light breeze and sun I could not locate the knackered Long-tailed Blue at Lancing Ring (last seen by me on Wednesday). Imagine my huge surprise when walking a dozen yards further towards Steep Down revealed Mike and Karen Galtry with a L-tB of their very own, a reasonably fresh looking male. It posed for a few seconds, but an hour or so later had not returned. Mike got an excellent open winged photo which will appear on his eponymous blog. (Lindsay Morris)

There were still 10 butterfly species in my garden today, with Small White (10) and Large White (5) the main players. A nice-looking male Common Blue came along. It appeared to have abnormally translucent wings for the dots and circles of the underparts could be seen clearly from above. (Martin Kalaher)

I went to Whitehawk Hill this lunchtime. It was a pleasure to see Peter Farrant there who was photographing a Long-tailed Blue when I arrived. We saw three flying together at one point so at least three are still there. (Katrina Watson)

Although the male Long-tailed Blues at the Whitehawk Hill TV mast were still performing well yesterday (29 August), I suspect that the majority of the primary migrants we are likely to see have now arrived, and the majority of eggs have now been laid. On several occasions yesterday, three males were in sight at the same time, but subsequent examination of my images proved that four were present (not all shown). It is certainly worth visiting them this weekend, but by next weekend I suspect that numbers will have dropped off, and they'll all be looking as ragged as some of the old boys already are. (Neil Hulme)

A thorough search of Hammonds Ridge Meadow and The Burial Ground in Burgess Hill today produced just one Brown Hairstreak. Plenty of Small Whites and a few very fresh Comma and a couple of Small Copper were also seen. (David Good Cook)

Very pleased to identify a Long-tailed Blue on the north side of the train tracks from Asda carpark at Lancing railway station. Seemed to be of a male colouration through my bins and perched above the perennial peas in two areas a few feet apart, defending against any fly-by Small White. Directly over the tracks opposite the clothing and shoe banks. A Holly Blue also around. Then on to Southwick Basin, but only a Clouded Yellow for excitement. Shoreham Cement Works gave me a tantalising glimpse of something that looked right for L-tB, but no further sightings. 32 Painted Lady for the day and a brief visit to Anchor Bottom ended with a least 2 Clouded Yellow and at least 7 lepidopterists (the latter smashing the site record for me!). (Lindsay Morris)

I spotted a Long-tailed Blue in my garden in Bexhill last week, only saw 1 female feeding on lavender. (Sophie Streeter)

I went to several sites in Hove today and saw:-
(1) St Andrews Church (near Tescos) on buddleia: 8 Painted Ladies, 3 Red Admirals & 2 Small Whites at 10am.
(2) Benfield Valley (near Sainsbury's) from Old Shoreham Road to Hangleton Lane after 4pm: 1 Comma (in the same place as where I saw one on 24 July & it looked as if it might have been around that long), 1 Meadow Brown (a poor haul considering the amount of grassy wasteland north of the superstore), fair numbers of Small Whites, 6 Red Admirals (on buddleia near Hangleton Lane), 1 rather distant Large White (on same buddleia), 1 Speckled Wood (in same area) & 2 Painted Ladies. The photos are all from Benfield Valley.
(3) St Leonard's churchyard around 5pm: Small Whites, 3 Red Admirals & 1 Painted Lady. (John Heys)

A quick late afternoon walk in St Leonards Forest Horsham, produced a few Meadow Brown, plentiful Small White including a really small example, Speckled Wood, Common Blue, Painted Lady, a Brimstone and a Red Admiral. (Patrick Moore)

During a walk today in the Friston Forest area of the South Downs, it was a surprise to encounter this poor old male Silver-washed Fritillary, who looked well past his sell-by date. Other species seen were Painted Lady (dozens of them), Common Blue, Brown Argus, Meadow Brown, Small Heath and lots of Whites. (Andy Wilson)

Selsey seafront early afternoon. Lots of Small White, 10 Painted Lady, 4 Red Admiral, 2 Clouded Yellow at last ! (Ian Thomas)

Early activity in our Hove back garden, sunny but cool. Before 9.00am 5 Painted Ladies & 1 Red Admiral. The Michaelmas daisy & devilsbit scabious are being visited as well as the buddleia. (John & Val Heys)

Yesterday morning (28/8) in the sunny interval between the early quite heavy rain & the later lighter rain we had 6 Painted Ladies around our buddleia in Hove - more than at any time previously. BBC Radio Sussex's Neil Pringle was mentioning the Long-tailed Blues this morning (29/8) & asking listeners to text in their butterfly experiences. (I've not heard any responses yet.) (John Heys)

This morning I was interviewed by BBC South East's Yvette Austin, together with BC Sussex Branch members Kirsty Gibbs and Dave Cook, for a news article on the Long-tailed Blue (available for a short while at https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m00080y8/south-east-today-evening-news-28082019 starting 20:04). Unfortunately a few facts (including Dave's surname) got scrambled, but I was pleased with the amount of airtime we were given. In a few weeks time these old warriors will be replaced by shiny new Sussex-born LTBs.
(Neil Hulme https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m00080y8/south-east-today-evening-news-28082019)

Mill Hill - Shoreham-by-Sea.
I arrived late afternoon, having forgone the possibility of the Long-tailed Blue at Hove as time was against me.
Found the Holly Blue being courted on the ivy on the opposite side of the motorway. These were much more compliant towards the camera than the Holly Blues I saw along the same track a month ago. Pretty sure I glimpsed a Wall at the far end of the hill in the farmer's field, but no chance of a photo. The Clouded Yellow gave me the runaround for the best part of an hour before settling down at about 7pm. Chasing it on the slope did, however, allow a good view of late Swifts, and also a Wheatear.
P.S. Sorry about the angle of the first two. Is there any way to rectify this? (Neil Coleman )

A very enjoyable morning was spent at a now well know hill overlooking Brighton ticking off species number 62 on British soil and my first ever Long-tailed Blue (LTB). 3 males are still active, picking fights with each other and any other innocent butterfly that had the audacity to pass within striking distance. Only the tattiest of the 3 sat for any time, possibly enforced retirement! Also present were a number of very fresh Painted Lady, Small Heath, Speckled Wood, various Whites (mostly Small), Common Blue, Red Admiral and several familiar faces plus a local BBC news team. I then moved onto Tidemills for an hour where I found 2 hatched eggs and what I'm presuming is a LTB larval borehole into a developing pod, plus oodles more Painted Lady and Red Admiral (Paul Atkin)

Ever since the end of June, when the Painted Lady influx started, I have been looking for eggs, but with very limited success. As of 22rd August I had found 1 egg on Thistle and 10 on Common Mallow, all of these being on the coast in Lancing. On 23rd August I inspected a small Mallow plant in my newly evolving seaside garden in Lancing and found 57 eggs in various stages of development, some hatching during the morning. This isolated plant is only the size of a large dinner plate and is growing in the shelter of a south-facing wall, with some good nectar sources nearby (where small numbers of Painted Ladies have been seen to congregate daily), which may explain the concentration of eggs on the plant. Egg numbers were seen to increase during the day and by the 26th August there were 80 eggs, with several more hatchings. I am still monitoring things, but there seems to be a high level of predation of the new larvae. Later that weekend I found 6 more eggs on Mallow and 1 on Burdock, but nothing approaching the concentration on my plant. (Vince Massimo)

Whilst carrying out tree survey on fenced off tree planted area counted seven plus Painted Ladies and numerous other butterflies (Peter Chase)

Heather and I did the Anchor Bottom transect yesterday afternoon (hot!!) and quite good numbers : Adonis Blue - 151, Meadow Brown -138, Small Heath - 32, Common Blue - 9, Brown Argus - 8, Clouded Yellow - 5, Small White - 4, Chalk Hill Blue - 3, Painted Lady - 2, plus singles of Red Admiral and Small Tortoiseshell. Lots of other insects off-transect including at least another 5 Clouded Yellow sightings, so seemed quite frenetic.... I had been hoping to keep an eye out for bird migrants in the bushes, but so busy counting that I only managed a couple of Wheatears. (Ray Baker)

I’m struggling with this worn individual butterfly,I think it may be a hairstreak of some sort ,any ideas (Mike collins )
Purple Hairstreak (Ed jnr)

This image of a Common Blue was taken early this morning on the Downs just above Willingdon. (Douglas Neve)

Another good day with the Long-tailed Blue in Sussex; I managed to see eight individual adults (5m, 3f) at four locations. First up was the Lancing Ring male (TQ17960661) discovered by Lindsay Morris. I then moved on to Whitehawk Hill TV mast, where three males are still present. I took lunch in an undisclosed public house, which had at least 30 eggs on a couple of pea plants in the beer garden (scampi & chips with a Long-tailed Blue side salad in late September). Next on my hit list was Rowland Wood, where a male was located close to the Big Beech. I finished the day at Lancing Station, where three females are still pumping out eggs. (Neil Hulme)

At Whitehawk Hill today still at least 3 Long-tailed Blues, very flighty in the heat but settling once in a while. Earlier in the morning there was also Pied Flycatcher and Redstart showing well and also great views of a Sparrow Hawk hunting low. (Anthony Bennett)

Leaving our back garden buddleia in Hove guarded by 3 Painted Ladies & a few Small Whites, we headed far east to Bodiam, hoping to see a few butterflies incidentally while we enjoyed the castle & its holiday activities for children. The usual Small Whites were around & Val spotted one Meadow Brown while we were having lunch. In one of the towers there were notices about bats & I excitedly called Val & our granddaughter in to see a dark shape flitting around in the gloom. Then it passed through a shaft of light & was revealed as a Peacock butterfly, the first I've seen for ages. Whether it was trying to find a hibernation spot or escape into the baking heat we didn't discover. So no photos from Bodiam, but back home the Painted Ladies had increased to 4, 2 of them very fine specimens, & the Small Whites were still here & there. (John & Val Heys)

sat 24/08/2019. 3x Silver-spotted Skippers and 92x Autumn Ladies Tresses at Whitebread Hole near Eastbourne. sun 25/08/2019. 1x Clouded Yellow helice at Seaford Head, at Tide Mills found 6x Long-tailed Blue Eggs between 1.38 and 2.17pm all on unopened flowers. Returned to Tide Mills on mon 26/08/2019 and found a further 6x LTB eggs between 11.11am and 12,26pm a total of twelve, all on unopened flowers, two eggs had hatched since and another was being nibbled, no adults seen though. oh and my last sighting of Purple Emperor was on tue 06/08/2019 in an East Sussex wood. (Peter Farrant)

Went on guided Wildlife Trust event to Rowlands Wood and Park Corner Heath. We were led by Michael Blencowe who was incredibly informative. Along the way we spotted at least 15 different species including Common Blues, Small Whites and Small Heaths. A singular Brimstone, Small Skipper, and one Red Admiral on the way out. The stars of the show were the two Small Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries still quite happy to be out in the warm weather. (oscar pratley crighton)

A single and very battered Long-tailed Blue seen at Legal & General office in Hove within a wildflower area containing everlasting pea. (Darryl Perry)

Walking the Downslink south from Copsale to West Grinstead Station. 1 Brown Hairstreak on Buckthorn south of Copsale and another flying over the path near the West Grinstead Station sign and disappearing deep into the buckthorn. I had hoped to see more during this 3 hour walk. Has if anyone else has had any success at other sites on the Downslink? (Janet Wilkes)

While walking the dog at dusk just near the Church of the Good Shepherd on Dyke Road, Brighton, I came upon a buddleia that had about 15 -20 Silver Y moths buzzing round it. Wonderful sight and also breakfast/supper for the common pipistrelle bat that I now see almost every night. (Sylvia Davidson)

I was filled with joy yesterday afternoon to watch a female Chalk Hill Blue egg laying on the horse shoe vetch "lawn" I grew from seed a couple of years ago. She did'nt lay many eggs during her two visits to the patch. My Whitehawk hill allotment in east Brighton is on the edge of downland so maybe not too much of a surprise but watching her neat beauty through my binoculars felt such a privilege. (Tessa pawsey)

Val & I have managed a proper butterfly walk at last. We started at Mill Hill, walked the footpath through Old Erringham Farm & the road to the east (top) end of Anchor Bottom, along the south slope & back to Mill Hill via the north slope & the road. At Mill Hill we saw plenty of Adonis Blue, Small Whites & Small Heaths, a few Common Blue, Meadow Browns, Painted Ladies, a couple of battered chalkhill blues, a Brown Argus, a Gatekeeper & a lizard. Where the path enters the wooded area there were 2 Speckled Woods. Beyond, on the farmland footpath, we saw plenty of Small Heaths & Small Whites, a few Meadow Browns & Painted Ladies & 1 Comma. In Anchor Bottom & Dacre Gardens we saw much the same as at Mill Hill plus a Holly Blue, a Red Admiral & on our way back 2 Clouded Yellows on the north slope (facing south), which was also a-flutter with Adonis Blues. We found the autumn ladies tresses towards the top of the north side where the grass was a little greener than on the steeper slopes. I discovered back home that our camera doesn't like them - it won't focus on their paleness. At Hove in the back garden, our current regulars - Small Whites & Painted Ladies (3) - were in evidence as we sat recovering in the shade of the apple tree. (John & Val Heys)

A mating pair of Small Tortoiseshell was a surprise in our East Dean garden (TV562984) today. Over the past week or so we have had a constant stream of Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Large and Small Whites, mostly nectaring on Buddleia. Also, the occasional Small Copper, Small Heath, Comma, and Meadow Brown. We are now at 17 species for the year plus Jersey Tiger and Humming-bird Hawk-moth.
Unfortunately nothing has ventured near our Everlasting Pea! (Carole & David Jode)

A selection of photos from Kithurst Hill flower meadow this afternoon. I saw Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Chalk Hill Blue, Common Blue, Brown Argus, Brimstone, and hundreds of Small Whites. I also saw the first Adonis Blue I have ever seen at this site. (John Williams)

Another sunny day in Seaford and several of Painted Ladies visited my south facing garden so it looks like another influx. At one point this afternoon there were 7, mainly feeding on Verbena Bonariensis but others just whizzed through. I noticed that some were slightly smaller than usual. Large numbers of Small Whites appeared as did 2 Small Heath, 2 Meadow Brown with singles of Red Admiral and Common Blue. (Stuart Ridley)

Surprised to see a female Brown Hairstreak alight briefly on a front garden Brick wall on the corner of Sheridan Road and Beaumont Road in suburban Worthing. TQ149040 (Andrew Wood)

Set off early this morning to do the walk from Hassocks station to Wolstonbury Hill. Having missed every recent opportunity to see Brown Hairstreak I planned to try a couple of places I thought might just yield one. There were plentiful Large White, Small White and Meadow Brown on the path to Clayton, plus lots of huge wasp spiders in the meadow next to Butcher's wood. Once on the hill itself there were Chalk Hill Blue, Small Heath, Common Blue, Silver-spotted Skipper and lots more Meadow Brown. The flowers on top of the hill are spectacular, more round-headed rampion than I have ever seen in one place. My first place to try for Brown Hairstreak, a hedge at the base of the hill on the way to the dew pond, was unsuccessful. So headed back to Hassocks (after a stop at the pub) and tried another hedge - this is a hedge along the meadow between Butcher's Wood and Lag Wood, which is almost pure blackthorn. I was just about giving up when in the last section of the hedge, an orange blob suddenly appeared and there she was - a Brown Hairstreak. She hung around for a few photos and then was off. (Sylvia Davidson)

In our Shoreham garden 7 Painted Ladies and a Hummingbird Hawk Moth. Migration in action! Does anyone know where exactly the Long-tailed Blue is hanging out on Lancing Ring? I think I must be the only butterfly enthusiast who has failed to see one judging by all the sighting!! (Chris and Helen Corrigan)

Spent over 2 hours here in the heat spotting Speckled Wood x 3, Painted Lady x16, Small Heath x 54, Holly Blue x3, Small White x12, Meadow Brown x32, Clouded Yellow x1, Adonis Blue x33, chalkhill blue x14, Red Admiral x3,Comma x1, Common Blue x2, brown Argos x1. Moths were treble var x1, mint moth x1. (David Gower)

Spent 2 hours here but no luck with Brown Hairstreak although others reported one. Did see Small White x 5, Speckled Wood x3, Small Heath x12, Painted Lady x 4, Meadow Brown x 9, Common Blue x2, Large White x 3 & Silver Y x1. (David gower)

The Long-tailed Blue was in the same place as yesterday on Lancing Ring. A Clouded Yellow was on Steep Down. Amongst the 16 species of butterfly seen, Small Heath building up towards three figures. (Lindsay Morris)

Can’t say how overwhelmed I was this morning to see my first ever Long Tailed Blue at Whitehawk Hill. I could Barely keep my camera still as was so excited. The colours look rather faded in the sunshine but still beauties to see. A very happy sight. (Kirsty Gibbs)

At Thorney Island this afternoon we had at least 5 Clouded Yellows. (Barry and Margaret Collins )

After attending the successful foray led by Richard Roebuck to Steyning (I'm the owner of Hector the Leonberger) a trip up to Mill Hill gave Common Blue, Adonis Blue, Chalk Hill Blue, Meadow Brown, Small Heath, Small Tortoiseshell, Small White, Painted Lady and about six Silver-spotted Skippers. Heading back to my home in Devon on the 25th I stopped at Kithurst Meadow where the list was Common Blue, Adonis Blue, Chalk Hill Blue, Brown Argus, Holly Blue, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Small White, Large White, Brimstone, Red Admiral, Painted Lady and a single female Brown Hairstreak. Back in Devon now and I'm suffering from a severe case of chalk downland envy! (Rob Bogue)

The warm windless evenings have brought some interesting moths to the balcony light the past few days: Common Wainscot, Elbow-stripe Grass-veneer, Garden Carpet, Light Emerald, Mother of Pearl, Small Dusty Wave, Bright-line Brown-eye, Cabbage Moth, Common Plume, Elder Pearl, Lime-speck Pug, Marbled Green, Pearl Veneer, Rusty Dot Pearl, Shuttle-shaped Dart, Willow Beauty plus a new one: Orange Swift. (Colin Knight http://www.seapic.com)

I Joined other enthusiasts to day at Whitehawk Hill yesterday morning and and got a record shot of a long tailed Blue - minus the tails alas Also saw a Clouded Yellow . On my arrival at Manor Hill TQ331045 I walked up the grass verge and a huge grasshopper landed in front of me - my camera was in my ruck sack It was the same size as a locust and then immediately took flight up into a tree . It was very similar as any you would see in Europe Grey brown in colour and when they take flight , look like a small bird , at least four inches wingspan , old money - clearly Whitehawk Hill has the potential
to hold a few secrets of the weird and wonderful that may turn up from the continent.
(Richard Roebuck)

Early August weather had been awful for Brown Hairstreaks and i hadn't seen any until last Wednesday but, i was optimistic today due to the current run of warm weather. Weather conditions on saturday were perfect, very warm and still. For the 40 enthusiasts and one delightful Leonberger called Hector attended . They had travelled from far and wide and patience and great team effort paid off .

After about 11.15 the first female was spotted . Everyone had excellent views of several females literally within a foot at eye level and observation of egg laying and views of a freshly laid egg.
We saw 5 in a localised area along the reserve fenced area - often on the older Dexter nibbled blackthorns . Just as we were departing there were two females flying together just above the grass level. Having just come down from an Ash tree below the kissing gate . It was now hot , they didn't land and gradually headed back to the shade by the footpath fence. I was pretty sure these were both newly emerged as they didn't go to the blackthorns . All the Brown Hairstreak females we saw were in good condition despite the odd nick in the wings .

So in total 7 females were recorded , in quite a localised area ,in about 1 and 3/4 hrs , a record for recent walks here. No doubt there would have been many others across the whole site . So for anyone wishing to see female Brown Hairstreaks its a good time to go to the Steyning rifle Range between 11.15 and 01.00 and look along the fence line by the reserve area at the bottom of the slope . No doubt Blackthorn areas at Burgess Hill and Ditchling Common may also be worth a visit now . Many thanks to Mathew Thomas and the Steyning Downland team for excellent management of the reserve.
(Richard Roebuck)

Although the weather seems great now, it's not been so good for most butterflies over the last 3 weeks. Only Small Whites are really thriving. We had 6 in/near our garden in Hove at the same time yesterday which is probably a species record for us. On Saturday, we saw plenty of Small Whites in our travels around the City, but otherwise only a single Red Admiral in our garden, a single Common Blue at St Leonards Churchyard and a single Holly Blue as we travelled back from East Moulsecoomb on the bus from Albion's dismal defeat at the Amex. (John & Val Heys)

Been to Anchor Bottom for as long as I could stand the sun over the last two days. Originally went for Autumn Ladies Tresses and Gentians, successful on both counts. Really good butterfly action. Lots of Adonis Blue, the most numerous butterfly up there, although unphotogenic! Two Clouded Yellows travelling through, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Painted Lady, Red Admiral all enjoying the heat. (Simon Buck)

Many thanks to the reserve ranger, for pointing us in the right direction (and for showing us the Autumn Lady's Tresses orchids). The sighting of two Long-tailed Blues near the transmitter mast made the long trip from Essex well worthwhile. Other species in the nature reserve itself were: Meadow Brown, Common Blue, Small White, Green-veined White, Small Copper, Brown Argus, Chalk Hill Blue, Small Heath, Red Admiral, Adonis Blue, Painted Lady. (Alan Waddoups)

Slow going again at Steyning rifle range today. In the end I had 5 sightings of Brown Hairstreak, although possibly only 3 distinct butterflies. I also saw a faded Small Copper, a few Meadow Browns and various miscellaneous whites. I enjoyed the company of the 3 people who had come down from Essex to see the Brown Hairstreak, and it's a shame that the site isn't rewarding long distance visitors with the amount of sightings that it used to. (John Williams)

Went on a Butterfly Conservation organised event to Green Ridge. Found a singular Brown Hairstreak which I had aimed to see which was really nice. Just one Brown Argus spotted, along with Common Blues and a lovely fresh Small Copper. A great day had. (oscar pratley crighton)

Roasting in the sun up around Lancing Ring was my 36th species for this site - a rather battered male Long-tailed Blue. It was on the main bridlepath immediately to the west of the main wood defending it's favoured grass stems against all comers. Frustratingly it had a couple of dogfights with similar blue butterflies, but a further definite identification was not forthcoming. Fifteen other butterfly species seen including 2 Clouded Yellow and a Brown Hairstreak. (Lindsay Morris)

18 people joined me for our 'Late Summer Butterflies of Green Ridge' guided walk in Brighton & Hove this morning. The heat of the day made things interesting, however we managed to see a range of target species. We saw Common Blue, Small Copper, Brown Argus, Small Heath, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Small White, Large White, Painted Lady, Comma and Red Admiral alongside a possible Holly Blue. There was excitement when a female Brown Hairstreak was spotted low to the ground, which proceeded to make its way along the Blackthorn hedgerow, laying eggs, walking about and resting in the shade, providing some great views. It was lovely to see new and familiar faces, to those that made a donation, thank you! (Jamie Burston)

Eureka! While sat in our Barcombe Cross garden late lunchtime today (Sunday), I saw a small dark butterfly land on some Pyracantha and was amazed to see that its under-wings were orange - a female Brown Hairstreak. Presumably the Pyracantha is similar enough to blackthorn. The hairstreak was continually on the move but posed sufficiently to allow me (eventually) to get the camera into focus. Although it had a hole in its right fore-wing showing the orange patch on the opposite upper-wing, it would be churlish to complain having recently spent many unsuccessful hours looking in suitable blackthorn / ash habitat locally. One was seen by Nick L on nearby Knowlands Farm last autumn so perhaps they're gradually spreading east. Unfortunately, many of our local ash trees are on the way out. Also in the garden this morning were two Painted Ladies and a Small Tortoiseshell. (Simon Linington)

At Whitehawk Hill near the transmission station next to Brighton race course. Saw about 4 Long-tailed Blue! There were quite a few Small Heath and Small Whites my attention was all on the Long-tailed Blues 😎 (Jenny Hodgkins)

This Poplar Hawk Moth was found in my moth trap this morning. (Douglas Neve)

I attended an event at Halewick Park, Lancing on behalf of Butterfly Conservation Sussex on Wednesday. It was for kids and plenty of families turned up and I had plenty of interest at my stand where I advised where they could find information about butterfly gardening, butterfly walks and where to see them. I directed them to our wonderful website and "The Butterflies of Sussex by M.Blencowe and N.Hulme" which many of them looked at. I conducted a couple of walks in the adjacent meadow, but it is not a butterfly friendly meadow and we only saw a Painted Lady, Small Whites and a Common Blue. The kids enjoyed seeing the Poplar Hawk moth which arrived on our balcony the previous evening, complete with the eggs she had laid in the container. She has now flown from the balcony and is hopefully laying eggs on a poplar or willow. I called in at Beeding cement works and found a tiny Pea Moth (Cydia nigricana) on an Everlasting Pea flower and Cochylimorpha species moths (9mm long) on the Everlasting Pea. Afterwards I visited Woods Mill and was delighted to find a Willow Emerald Damselfly for the first time. There were plenty of Ruddy Darters flying. (Colin Knight http://www.seapic.com)

Went to guided walk over High and over this morning. Saw the three main blues, Adonis Blue, Common Blue and Chalkhill Blues in good numbers, though the Chalkhills were looking tired at this stage. Also saw a couple of Silver Spotted Skippers. (oscar pratley crighton)

Managed to locate the LTB eggs Neil found on the 20th in Steyning this morning. I guess the owners might become very confused by the sudden celebrity of their little garden. However the most interesting thing we saw today was a creature gingerly crossing the path to Mouse Lane. It took a moment to realise that it was a grey squirrel with a large bird in its mouth. Beatrix Potter didn't write about that. (Jonathan Crawford)

This morning I drove over to Southwick. I had not been there long when I was joined by Lindsay Morris.We spent the morning patrolling the site, neither of us could believe how quiet it was on the butterfly front. Small Whites were quite abundant, but only three Common Blues were seen, and no Clouded Yellows, although we met someone who had seen a Clouded Yellow yesterday. Some relief was found by the fuel tanks, where the Buddleia was host to in excess of a dozen Painted Ladies, and a very fresh Red Admiral. Some of the fresh Painted Ladies were noticeably smaller than usual, being about the size of a Small Tortoiseshell. Great to meet Lindsay again!. (Trevor Rapley)

A correction on the Long-tailed Blue seen in my garden, yesterday. I asked Neil for guidance on its sex and it is a male (which is perhaps why I cannot find any eggs on the Everlasting Sweet Pea!). My thanks to Neil. Otherwise, the Painted Lady that I was photographing when I was distracted by the blue and an obliging male Brimstone today. (Martin Kalaher)

An enjoyable if hot walk from Steyning to Chanctonbury and back yielded many butterflies but no definite sightings of hairstreaks. There were many Painted Ladies especially on the SDW East of Chanctonbury and a Small Tortoiseshell by the trig point. Also Wall Brown, Small Skipper, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Meadow Brown, Small Heath, Speckled Wood, Small White and Large White. And one possibly two redstarts near the blue hose over the stile at the rifle range. (Martin Buck)

Having failed to locate Long-tailed Blue at Lancing (only probable of each sex), Southwick Basin (with Trevor Rapley) and Beeding Cement Works (a rare sighting of Pete Varkala), I finished up at Anchor Bottom where I was rewarded with a pair of mating Clouded Yellow and two others trying to get in on the act. About 60 Adonis Blue males and about 10 females amongst a total of 14 butterfly species seen today. Beware! There are now two Wasp Spiders in my garden! (Lindsay Morris)

In my Father's garden in Pound Hill, Crawley his Large White buddleia bush has proved very attractive to Painted Lady butterflies during the last 3 weeks. There have been at least 6 and today there were 4+ despite the number of flowers been much reduced. I finally got round to taking some pictures. A fresh Speckled Wood also settled briefly on the bush. Also bit of a late sighting but 3 weeks ago there was also a Small Tortoiseshell on the bush. (Anthony Bennett)

Photos of cinerea Meadow Brown we found at Thorney Island on 20th Aug to Colin Pratt yesterday. There was also another one there yesterday (22 Aug) (Barry Collins)

Spent Two hours at the Steyning Rifle range site with Colin Mount between 11.30am and 1.30pm today. Very quiet until 12.35 when we saw our first Brown Hairstreak and total increased to four females by 1pm when it went quiet again. (Keith Cutting )

A Silver-washed Fritillary in the grounds of the Blue Idol Quaker Meeting House at Coolham.. Also seen Speckled Wood and Gatekeepers. (Janet Wilkes)

RSPB Pulborough Brooks. An egg laying Brown Hairstreak on Blackthorn Nr Winpenny Hide. (Janet Wilkes)

My final day out with Will Langdon, before he returned to Somerset, turned out to be an epic. We started off at a site in Brighton where there is no public access, after being invited along by our generous host. We immediately made contact with male Long-tailed Blues (LTBs) as they clashed and performed their characteristic vertical jousts, reminiscent of the Duke of Burgundy. It wasn't long before we were treated to a chase of three.
We then performed an egg count over three areas where Broad-leaved Everlasting-pea (BLEP) was growing, finishing with a total of 54 ova. Just before leaving, I decided to check a different part of the site, where we again saw three male LTBs in combat.
Our next port of call was the meadow near the TV mast at Whitehawk Hill, although I didn't hold out much hope of success, as the BLEP has been heavily grazed. However, we found a further three male LTBs here, bringing the day's tally to nine. (Neil Hulme)

We spent a lot of the day in Surrey, but before we left we saw in our garden in Hove 2 Painted Ladies, several Small Whites and a Red Admiral with some rather odd rear wing damage which made it look like it had Streamers. (The Small White pictured was actually at Hatchlands Park in Surrey, included as its kin in our garden have not been cooperating for pictures recently.) (John & Val Heys)

Photos from Kithurst Meadow on Tuesday August 20th (Denise Diston)

7 Painted Ladies were in my Seaford garden for the most part of the morning. In the afternoon several Whites, 2 Small Heath and singles of Common Blue, Holly Blue and Red Admiral were also seen.. (Stuart Ridley)

Whilst out looking for the elusive Brown Hairstreak, I spotted yet another nice-looking Painted Lady and thought I might just as well take some more photos, when a blue butterfly landed right next to me - and you've guessed it, I immediately abandoned the PL. I knew more-or-less straightaway that this blue butterfly was not a Common Blue or a Holly Blue, and so at this time of the year there are not too many other options. A quick look of the underparts confirmed the ID - a Long-tailed Blue! Around 10 years whilst on holiday with friends in Portugal I saw about a dozen blue butterflies, nectaring on a garden shrub. Having no European ID book with me I memorised the pattern and back in Blighty I identified the butterflies as Long-tailed Blues. The underside pattern is etched in my brain. Something that caught my attention today was that most of the time whilst nectaring it had its wings partially open (with Holly Blue its almost never and even with Common Blue it is unusual). It also likes Purple Loosestrife, which my garden bees enjoy but are largely ignored by most of the butterflies, except for Holly Blue. I believe this butterfly is a female. It is very faded but does appear to be purple inner third and faded brown outer two thirds. There are also two fairly prominent spots by the non-existent tail. Since we have a fair amount of Everlasting Pea I must keep checking the flower heads (I have not seen any eggs, as yet). This species is new to my Storrington garden and it takes me to 32 species for the season (a garden record) and a cumulative total of 35 butterfly species. (Martin Kalaher)

A couple of hours spent at Rowland Wood and Park Corner Heath this morning, produced 4 Speckled Wood, 5 Painted Lady, 1 Peacock, 1 Red Admiral, 10 Meadow Brown, 50+ Small Heath, 3 Gatekeeper, 10+ Common Blue, 20+ Small White, 2 Large White and 2 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary and a pair of Wellington Boots. I was surprised to see the worn fritillaries and the newish boots. I have hung the boots on the back of gate. There are many dragonflies here at present and there are also thousands of grasshoppers. (Howard Wood)

Had a wander round the Steyning Rifle Range area this lunchtime.... Fairly slow going on the Brown Hairstreak front, and an hour or so of diligent searching only led to 2 definite sightings (each egg-laying females) and 2 further possibles. Other sightings included: Painted Ladies, Small and Large Whites, Brimstone, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Brown Argus and Small Heath. Blues were Common Blue, Holly Blue and a single male Adonis.... not sure if this latter species are often seen at the Rifle Range? - a first for me anyhow, although I don't go there very often! (Ray Baker)

I visited the Downs above Willingdon this morning and took this image of a Common Blue on Devil's bit Scabious at about 06.30 hrs. (Douglas Neve)

Another great day (21 August) spent in the company of Will Langdon. We started by looking at some nice Broad-leaved Everlasting-pea (BLEP) plants in a communal garden in Lancing, where I found Long-tailed Blue (LTB) ova in 2015. A far-from-thorough search produced 15 LTB eggs. We then moved to Lancing Station to observe the vast stands of BLEP through the security fence around a supermarket car park, using binoculars. We agreed to masquerade as trainspotters, to avoid being labelled as social outcasts/anoraks/weirdos, and I think we got away with it. Despite being frustratingly remote from our quarry, we got rather excited, as we could clearly see three female LTBs frenetically laying eggs; I suspect there are hundreds of ova present here, or there soon will be. A male LTB was also briefly present, as were several Holly Blues.
PLEASE NOTE: the accompanying image was taken through a gap in the security fence and there is absolutely no access to the BLEP plants on this site.
Searches for adults and eggs at Southwick Basin and Brighton Royal Pavilion were unsuccessful, but the species may well turn up at these locations in the next week or two. (Neil Hulme)

I walked for an hour today at Mill Hill (11:20-12:20) There was a Red Admiral in the car park around the Stinging nettles. I saw many Painted Ladies 30+ Red Admirals x 12, Brimstones x2 males, lots of blues on the slope there, about 3 different ones, a few Brown Argus, probably 60 of the whites , large, and small. 7 Speckled Woods, lots of browns about still too! 1 Peacock, I’d hoped I’d see a Clouded Yellow, Small Tortoiseshells and even a Brown Hairstreak if really lucky! But I wasn’t. Still lovely out on the downs. In the Afternoon I rode to Shoreham from Hove and up the old railway line and onto Steyning. Considering the amount of habitat including buddleia I thought numbers of butterfly’s were poor, probably saw a dozen Red Admirals and 2 dozen Painted Ladies with Whites, not many browns or blues. (Mike Church)

Whilst walking the south downs this morning found a long tailed blue near the trig point on chanctonbury hill. (Mark swann)

A surprisingly cloudy start at the burial ground in burgess hill yielded nothing for the first half hour but slightly lighter skies brought out Meadow Browns, a Common Blue and amazingly small Brown Argus. There were also a few Speckled Woods. When the sun emerged I found an Ash with several Brown Hairstreaks, it's about 50 yards south of the Emily temple statue. Not far from here I came across Trevor but don't think he was any more successful in getting any photos. Later not far from the barn saw a bright new Peacock and several Gatekeepers. (Martin Buck)

A few Painted Ladies were in my garden early this morning but in the afternoon there were 8 at the same time that were either feeding on Verbena Bonariensis and Buddleia flowers or resting in the sunny spots. Looks as if large numbers are arriving this year. Also seen were several Whites, 2 Small Heath and single Holly Blue and Common Blue and a Humming bird Hawk Moth. (Stuart Ridley)

A lovely eight mile circular walk from the car park at the top of Firle Bostal with my friend Joan Wilkes started cloudy but ended sunny. The first butterfly highlights were about ten Wall Brown, mainly male, at the western end of The Comp ( little genuflect to Bob Eade here ). As Bob has noted on this website before the damage done to the track by large farm machinery is a bit brutal.
Then on to Stump Bottom just north east of Denton where we had a lovely time chasing blue butterflies with our binoculars. A mixture of Adonis males, Chalkhill blue, male and female, Common Blue and lots of feisty Brown Argus giving chase to most things. Most of the adonis were up a little footpath up the steepish western slope. The carline thistle are just coming into flower and provided chances for us to watch the butterflies when still. I have a soft spot for the diminutive purple flowers of Autumn gentian which were starting to open on the site. We did'nt see anyone else for the happy hour or so we spent in Stump Bottom.
(Tessa Pawsey)

Today, 21st August, I went to Newhaven Tidemills to find some LTB eggs (an adult would have been a nice Brucie bonus but didn’t materialise). Within 5 minutes of arriving I found my first one and a twenty minute browse of the small amount of pea that’s within reach (most of it is clambering over bramble) I wracked up a total of 9. Not much else was flying, some Small Heath, a few Painted Lady, Red Admirals, Common Blues, Small and GV White, Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown. I also took a wander over to Newhaven Fort where it was much the same selection of butterflies plus the addition of a single Wall. If you go looking for eggs, beware I found some others which to the naked eye look like LTB but on closer inspection are smooth and oval. Presumably a moth of some sort?

Yesterday (20th August) I visited Southwick Harbour where between 15 and 20 Painted Lady were gorging on the Buddleja at the far end. At least 2 Clouded Yellow also appeared when it warmed up. Small Whites and Red Admirals were also present plus a single Common Blue. No LTB eggs were found on the Everlasting pea. I then moved on to Mill Hill where Adonis Blue were putting on a good show amongst the usual selection of late august hangers on. There were also good numbers of fresh Small Heath here. A walk along the footpath around the horse field on the south side of the bypass yielded good numbers of Holly Blue, mostly females laying eggs like it was going out of fashion!
(Paul Atkin)

In reference to John Smith's mystery moth seen at Amberley.
I believe this is a Scorpion Fly - Panorpa sp.
(Ian Tamon)

Can you tell me what it is? . (John Holt)
Colin Knight has identified it as Light Brown Apple Moth, Epiphyas postvittana (Ed jnr)

Although the total garden butterfly count decreases by the day, the variety is still good with 13 species recorded today. Most are in a very worn state but a Painted Lady (of the 19th) and a Small Tortoiseshell (today) were both in good shape. (Martin Kalaher)

A crisp Speckled Wood ( late brood female?) , and on the Fleabane in Rowland Wood five Painted Lady-all brightly coloured individuals except one faded & worn ( would this be a migrant?) (Colin Boyd)

Ashington: Nice sunny and hot to day and I had a gut feel at 12.05, but not for food. Immediately I spotted a Female Brown Hairstreak sat on a Horseradish leaf . An exciting hour of Brown Hairstreak behaviour and much egg laying on the garden blackthorns by three!! feisty female Brown Hairstreaks . Fantastic
(Richard Roebuck)

While on holiday I saw what I suppose to be a clearwing moth while on a walk near Amberley. I would be grateful if you could confirm that this is the case and if so which species. (John Smith)

Red Admiral in Colchester (Leslie Harbottle)

I sat outside around 8.50am to have breakfast. At 9.10am a Small White appeared and settled on foliage . Within a minute 2 Painted Ladies appeared and settled in the sun on a white painted wall conveniently near the buddleia on which they are now nectaring. (John Heys)

I spent today (20 August) with Will Langdon from Somerset, who is visiting Sussex for a few days. We didn't see everything on our wish list, but we did see some good stuff which wasn't on it.
Our first stop was a private area on the Wiston Estate, which didn't yield the rare moths we were after, but did produce four Brown Hairstreak.
Just before heading up to Steyning Rifle Range, I recalled seeing a Broad-leaved Everlasting-pea plant in a private garden nearby. A quick check from the pavement revealed three Long-tailed Blue eggs.
We finished the day at Anchor Bottom, where Autumn Lady's-tresses are now flowering in abundance. Adonis Blue numbers were modest, but I suspect that the second brood is still far from peak here, with just one female seen. Will then spotted what for me was the highlight of the day - a mating pair of Hornet Robberfly. (Neil Hulme)

4 Painted Ladies on the buddleia in our garden in Hove this morning was a good sign. Painted Ladies turned up at the County Cricket ground too, half a dozen at least & around the same number of Small Whites + something much darker, probably a Peacock. I managed to get a picture of a Painted Lady in the south garden at the cricket ground, on lavender. (John Heys)

This afternoon we had a very striking Meadow Brown variation called cinerea on the southern end of Thorney Island. The same colour as the one seen by by Neil Hulme at Washington in 2012.See page 285 in Colin Pratt book Butterflies and Moths of Sussex Volume 4. (Barry and Margaret Collins)

I visited the Tide Mills at Newhaven today where I met David Cook who kindly showed me a Long-tailed Blue egg. I saw a kingfisher fly along the creek. I then went to the Fort and saw my first Jersey Tiger moth nectaring on buddleia with Painted Ladies. Also a mating pair of Common Blues. Other butterflies seen: Speckled Wood, Red Admiral, Small Heath, Small White, Small Tortoiseshell, Meadow Brown. At Beeding Cement works I saw a Kentish Conch ( Cochylimorpha alternana). (Colin Knight http://www.seapic.com)

It's a truth universally acknowledged that a man suffers from a cold more than his wife! So holding onto that thought I made a short circuit of Malling Down for a bit of R & R and enjoyed the butterflies and wild flowers, both in good numbers. In no particular order saw Speckled Wood, Large White, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Adonis Blue , Chalk Hill Blue, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Silver-spotted Skipper, Meadow Brown, Small Heath, Brimstone, Gatekeeper, Small Copper. And a Humming-bird Hawk-moth ond the Buddlia near the end. Also it was a pleasure to meet and chat to Sylvia about all things butterflies. (Martin Buck)

Wandered the Slindon Estate this morning most butterflies looking worn now except for some fairly fresh looking Red Admiral and Painted Lady. Still plenty of Meadow Brown,Speckled Wood,Brown Argus,Common Blue,Small Copper,Small White,Large White,I was surprised to see a late Large Skipper. (Barry Sketchley)

Can someone please explain where the everlasting broad leaved pea is. Spent some time this morning hoping to see the long tailed blue without success, at the Newhaven Tide mills site. (Mr Robert Ludman)

Due to all the weather we have been having recently I hadn't managed to do the 2nd part (August) part of the Wider Butterfly Survey until today. Nothing startling seen, it was a case of everything looking a bit tired, including the surveyor!! I was a little surprised to find 4 Silver-washed Fritillaries still hanging on as well as an extremely ragged Ringlet. However, the biggest surprise was a Large Skipper, the only skipper seen on the survey. A small number of Wall Brown were also good to see. (Bob Eade http://bobsbutterflies.blogspot.co.uk)

What a sight, 20 or so Painted Lady's in one bush in a front garden on Shoreham beach. (John Holt)

In my garden yesterday Trotton Can you identify please? (Jean Bone)
That's a female Silver-washed Fritillary. (Ed jnr)

Southwick : This female Brown Hairstreaks wings were in a terrible condition, but the creature had considerable strength and vitality and still flew surprisingly well. (Howard Mitchell)

Sunny much of the day at Sussex county Cricket Ground, but we realised why we were seeing no butterflies when we emerged from the sheltered area we were sitting in to find a pretty constant strong wind blowing. Eventually we did see a mint moth on the lavender in the ground-staffs' little garden at the north end and a weary Small White being blown around in the north west garden. Nothing on the buddleia - nor on ours at home. (Sussex are well on top against Middlesex & may even win tomorrow.) (John & Val Heys)

Yay! Third time lucky, managed to see my first and only (for today) Brown Hairstreak. Steyning Downland Scheme, Rifle Range about midday.
Not much else around today was a bit wet and windy. Couple of whites but they didn’t stop long enough for me to identify and a few Meadow Brown. (Jenny Hodgkins)

Did the Mill Hill transect yesterday lunchtime.... nothing unexpected, but good numbers I thought, particularly in a strong and chilly breeze and only occasional bursts of watery sunshine. It's an ill-wind though, as many insects - particularly Adonis Blues - were basking open-winged, presumably try to gain what heat they could out of the autumn sunshine, so unusually co-operative subjects for photography.

Numbers :Adonis Blue 132, Brown Argus 1, Chalk Hill Blue 28, Common Blue 5, Meadow Brown 122, Painted Lady 8, Small Heath 32, Small White 23, Speckled Wood 2. (Ray Baker)

Some Adonis Blues feeling amorous despite a very strong wind at Malling Down, Lewes this afternoon. (John Williams)

Solitary female Brown Hairstreak in St Andrews churchyard, Didling. (Clare Doherty)
Don't you just love English place names! "Didling is really out of the way, on Bugshill Lane, the dusty old back road between Bepton and Treyford in the shadow of the South Downs." Is there any more evocative poetry or opening line to a novel? And the unrestored church looks magnificent. What a lucky hairstreak to have found its way there. (Ed jnr)

A visit to Deep Dean this morning turned rather unpleasant due to the rain so after finding one Grayling I didn't hang around any longer. Between showers Meadow Brown, Chalk Hill Blue, Adonis Blue, Painted Lady and Small Heath were active briefly. (Istvan Radi)

A search for Long-tailed Blue (LTB) eggs yesterday (18 August) produced mixed results. Newhaven Tidemills was hard going, but I eventually found three ova on the abundant Broad-leaved Everlasting-pea (BLEP), much of which is in perfect condition for egg-laying. I suspect that the recent very windy weather and exposed nature of the site has discouraged any incoming LTBs from hanging around for too long here. However, that may change this week, with a return to more suitable weather conditions; I'm hoping that more butterflies will make the crossing. A sheltered site within the town was more productive, with nine eggs found (thanks, Dave, Sue and Pete) and probably many more present. I also found several boreholes which looked like good candidates for where hatched larvae have entered the flowers to feed.
A visit to Whitehawk Hill (potentially the best LTB site in Sussex) was disappointing. Unfortunately the key compartment had been grazed from mid June to late July, removing the BLEP (and more 'appropriate' chalk grassland wildflowers) at a critical time. I also visited Beeding Cement Works, where two more eggs were found.
(Neil Hulme)

We have had 1-2 Painted Lady butterflies daily since late July and yesterday we had 3! I live in Portslade. They came to the front garden where there are two Buddleia bushes. R (Sally Milne)

A bit windy up on Southwick Hill today but lovely to see a Small Tortoiseshell along with Adonis Blue, Brown Argus, Silver-spotted Skipper. Also spotted but I have not included all photos; Wall Brown, plenty of Chalk Hill Blue, Meadow Brown, Small Heath. (Jenny Hodgkins)

Painted Lady 21; Small White 7; Gatekeeper 3; Meadow Brown 13; Large White 4; Small Heath 4; Common Blue 7; Chalk Hill Blue 4; Large Skipper 1; Wall 1; Speckled Wood 2; Red Admiral 3; Brown Argus 2.
I walked for approximately 1 hour along the paths from Butts Brow towards Eastbourne Youth Hostel. (David Beer)

To accompany Jonathan Crawford's report from day at Deep Dean, the two Grayling we saw, plus a Silver-spotted Skipper egg laying and the resulting egg, followed by another, found by chance in the same area. Back at home a Painted Lady in my Brighton front garden. (Jamie Burston)

Three Painted Ladies spent most of the afternoon either resting on my lawn or feeding on Buddleia and Verbena Bonariensis flowers between bouts of rushing about my, and adjacent gardens. Also seen were a number of White butterflies, and singles of Holy Blue, Wall, and a nice surprise, a Clouded Yellow. Not bad for a windy but bright day in Seaford. (Stuart Ridley)

Super excited to spot this Long-tailed blue at Rowlands Wood this morning. (Annie Irving )

Selsey seafront this morning [ sunday 18th] 60+ Small White, 7 Painted Lady, 5 Red Admiral, 1 Gatekeeper, 3 Common Blue . (Ian Thomas)

Outside Front of Bungalow in Friars Oak Road Hassocks (John Kearvill)

It seems that the Brown Hairstreak is having a really bad year at Steyning rifle range. I have now spent 11 hours there (on 3 separate occasions) and only seen one. I wonder if this is the culprit, munching away at prime Hairstreak habitat. I did at least see a nice fresh Painted Lady. (John Williams)

Jamie Burston and I managed to find two Grayling on Deep Dean despite conditions that were verging on the atrocious, and got thoroughly soaked for our trouble. Also seen were Chalk Hill Blue, Adonis Blue and Common Blue and good numbers of Silver-spotted Skippers, plus the usual suspects.
After disappointment at the Rifle Range yesterday I detoured on the journey home to Burgess Hill burial ground. Here, not for the first time, I saw a Brown Hairstreak whilst parking the car in a brief moment of sunshine. It was a tatty female but was soon joined by a more splendid companion. This was my 45th Sussex species of the year (including our honorary Wood Whites).
My second detour, inspired by Dave Harris's post this morning, was to the power station at Southwick. Sadly I could find no eggs on the everlasting pea and every blue I chased down in the windy conditions was a common one. A small yellow moth caught my eye as I was observing Small Whites chasing one another. It was less than half their size, no bigger than a Common Blue. A close inspection showed it to be a tiny Clouded Yellow, my 46th species of the year. Stealing the scene at the power station were the Painted Ladies, who being strong flyers shrugged off the conditions. (Jonathan Crawford)

More...
(Dave Harris)

Following Neil Hulme`s suggestion that it might be a good idea to get out and check the Everlasting Pea locally, Sue Cross, Pete Varnham and I did just that today. We checked out four sites and on two of these were rewarded with some great views of both fresh and hatched Long Tailed Blue eggs. There was even a tatty male nectaring on some pea in the garden on the return from the trip. Thanks for the tip, Neil - most appreciated. Some photos attached courtesy of Pete. (Dave Harris)

Painted Ladies are certainly enjoying the rockery and patio in our Storrington back garden. The sun went in enabling me to count 12 of them this afternoon, whilst they pressed themselves flat against the stones. As the sun came back out, one by one they drifted back up to the buddlehia. Also, Red Admiral, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Small and Large Whites (Denise Diston)

I spent four hours at Steyning rifle range today without seeing any Brown Hairstreaks, the highlights being the company of Andrew, Trevor and Denise and a nice fresh Meadow Brown. I then went onto Kithurst Hill flower meadow, where I saw Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Small Heath, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Chalkhill Blue, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, and a faded Large Skipper. (John Williams)

Chanced upon this female Brown Hairstreak this afternoon taking nectar on mint plants in our Woodingdean garden. A first for us and the garden. She spent 40 minutes at least,(from when we first found her), very thoroughly going over each flower on one mint stem,
Constantly moving and changing her position in the strong breeze. Then she rose, circled once and flew away. I can’t think where the nearest Blackthorn is around here. (Graham Hubbard, Joan Wilkes)

Just one Brown Hairstreak seen at Steyning today in less than ideal weather conditions, found by Trevor. Speckled Wood, Common Blue, Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Holly Blue, Small Heath, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, a couple of Whites and a lovely fresh Comma were also spotted. A shout out to Trevor, John, Denise & hubby, Jonathan and Max the dog. (Andrew Reekie)

I spent more time in the garden trying to see Brown Hairstreak and Clouded Yellow but without any success. There were 12 butterfly species and the pick had to be Painted Lady. There was also a rather gruesome Wasp Spider, trapping rather too many Grasshoppers - but that's nature for you. (Martin Kalaher)

On 15th August I visited Kingley Vale (SU8210) where the weather was a little windy and the temperature reached 20.5°C. Some tree felling work is due to take place shortly. Gatekeepers and Small Whites were common, but the windy conditions may have kept numbers of other species low. Totals: Brimstone 1M, Large White 7, Small White 18, Common Blue 4M, Holly Blue 1, Gatekeeper 16, Meadow Brown 5, Small Heath 3, Red Admiral 1, Silver-washed Fritillary 1F. (Roy Symonds)

Brown Hairstreak. I went to hang out washing in the garden and spotted a newly hatched Brown Hairstreak on a white daisy. I am reporting this because I have read in the Butterflies of Sussex Atlas that I am in an area where they are not found. This is North Horsham RH12 6BX No picture because I was not expecting to see this, and had no camera to hand. (Gill Shepherd)

We've had plenty of moths attracted to our balcony light when the evenings have been warm and still, including the first Lime-speck Pugs of the year. A walk through Rewell Woods on 15th gave me the first Small Birch Bell I have seen (Epinotia ramella f. costana). It was difficult to identify at first as it differs considerably from the usual form, but the excellent illustrations by Richard Lewington in the Field Guide to Micromoths of GB & Ireland (Sterling & Parsons) pinpointed it. The buddleia attracted Painted Ladies, Red Admirals and Brimstones. There were plenty of Common Darters by and on the path. During a walk round Woods Mill yesterday I spotted a 5th instar Comma larva on a nettle. (Colin Knight http://www.seapic.com)

further to yesterdays sighting one of the photo's caught her egg laying (DAVE PALMER)

Steyning Downland Scheme. Thursday butterfly count from the Chalk Pit and around the nearby downs. Small White 6, Brimstone 2, Brown Argus 14 (the highlight!), Common Blue 10, Red Admiral 3, Painted Lady 4, Silver-washed Fritillary 2 (not seen regularly here, so pleased with the sighting), Speckled Wood 4, Gatekeeper 8 (most of these looking old), Meadow Brown 16, Ringlet 2, Small Heath 2.
(Simon Buck)

We saw so many butterflies at Herstmonceux Castle gardens yesterday. I was hoping to finally see a Small Tortoiseshell and wasn’t disappointed! We saw at least 5! In the mix were a Brown Argus and Silver-washed Fritillary. Painted Ladies, Red Admirals, Peacocks also abounded on the Buddleia bushes in the scented garden and in the wildflower meadow we saw Small Heaths and so many blues. A Wall Brown was spotted just outside the wooded area. (Maria)

Fortuitous circumstances on Tuesday (13 August) led to the discovery of three Long-tailed Blue (LTB) eggs on one of the Broad-leaved Everlasting-pea (BLEP) plants in my Worthing garden. Having noted an impressive BLEP plant tumbling over a garden wall on the way to my son's pre-school, about 600 metres from my house, I set off for a discreet look, and could see two LTB ova from the pavement. We are undoubtedly enjoying a significant influx of this species and all of the Sussex sites which have produced this species in 2013 and 2015 are worth searching, NOW!
Today (15 August) I visited the BC Park Corner Heath & Rowland Wood reserves. Highlights included two second brood Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, a photogenic Holly Blue (seen laying eggs on heather), some very blue female Common Blue, a Painted Lady caterpillar, and the stunning scenery we've created here!
A later visit to Cissbury Ring produced 20 - 25 Silver-spotted Skipper (now on the wane), 2 male Adonis Blue and a female Brown Hairstreak. (Neil Hulme)

The Windover Hill, Deep Dean area today produced eleven species in sunny but windy conditions. Grayling (4m,2f) being my favourite. Adonis Blue at Deep Dean were rather surprising I've not seen them here before. Plenty of Meadow Brown, Silver-spotted Skipper and Chalk Hill Blue, slightly less numbers of Wall Brown, with the occasional Painted Lady, Gatekeeper and Small White. Only single Small Heath and DGF. Great views and lovely to share with others, best wishes to you all. (Patrick Moore)

A lovely day at Steyning Rifle Range and Mill Hill. Quite bowled over by the number of Adonis Blue butterflies at Mill Hill. Will be on the train to Manchester tomorrow morning. (Nicholas Turner)

A walk up Chantry Hill Lane for a couple of hours up on a windy Chantry Hill revealed a Dark Green Fritillary. Chalk Hill Blues, Common Blue, Brown Argus, Small White, Painted Ladies, Red Admiral, Small Heaths, Meadow Browns, Gatekeepers and Speckled Wood (Denise Diston)

I recorded 14 butterfly species in the garden today, a tidy number for the time of year. For me, the highlight was a very fresh-looking Comma but the six Painted Lady came a close second. A Humming-bird Hawk-moth nectared on Buddleia mid-morning and another (or the same individual) was seen in the afternoon. A Red Admiral and a Common Blue were seen laying eggs. (Martin Kalaher)

A walk in the very good company of Anna Bulbrook from Lewes to Blackcap via Ashcombe Bottom. Highlights among the 13 butterfly species were a Brown Hairstreak on Hemp Agrimony to the west of the racecourse, 6 Silver-spotted Skipper on a steep west facing bank at the south-east of Ashcombe, 39 Common Blue, 9 Brown Argus, 4 Wall Brown, 11 Painted Lady, 5 Brimstone. (Lindsay Morris)

Saw most of the big players, Red Admirals, Painted Ladies, star of the show was definitely the three or four Small Tortoiseshells flying around. So happy. All taken at Herstmonceux gardens. (oscar pratley crighton)

Many thanks to Sussex Eye Hospital, who've been sorting out my naughty right eye since February. I can at last see in 3D again which should help the butterfly spotting a bit. The Painted Ladies were taking full advantage of the buddleia in our Hove back garden today. At most there were four - 3 bright new + one a bit older. Small Whites were around too, both in our garden & in Wish Park where we saw a further two Painted Ladies. St Leonards Churchyard had at least two Common Blues, a Gatekeeper & 3 Meadow Browns + Small Whites. As someone born in Yorkshire with Aberdonian relatives via Val, I tend to feel that Unst is really true north - very few butterflies there. I'd love to be able to see Gatekeepers when we visit our Aberdeen but at least they have Meadow Browns. Maybe the Northern Brown Argus would be the best denoter of "up north" as it has north in its name? We've never quite managed to see one yet, just missing out by a week in County Durham last year. (John & Val Heys)

whilst searching for Brown Hairstreak I came across this (female ? ) Queen of Spain Fritilliary on the path south of Round Down just before the bracken (SU 80170 17201). It returned a couple of times to the path to bask around 13:45 then flew further south into bracken and did not return for the next hour at least. (Peter Gammage)
I have had a request from a certain Neil Hulme "We want more ... in better condition please". (Ed jnr)

Tidemills, Newhaven: Long Tailed Blue (F) on everlasting pea 1200 today (Dave Palmer)

Had an unusual sighting in my Steyning garden this morning - a female Brown Hairstreak, which looked like it was feeding on an over-ripe apple! A new species for the garden and a little unexpected, as quite some way from the rifle-range stronghold, and no real suitable habitat to hand, but I'm not complaining! This brings my garden list up to 25 species, which is pretty pleasing, as this is only our 2nd Summer in the property, and really only the first for our embryonic wildlife garden.

Then did the Anchor Bottom transect, with the bulk of sightings being Meadow Browns, but also 25 Adonis Blues, a couple of lingering Chalkhills, 9 Painted Ladies, 3 Walls, 4 Small Heaths and a couple of Brown Argus. Surprise sighting was a very pale Clouded Yellow - so pale that when I first saw it distantly, I assumed it was a White - with virtually white upper-wings and a very heavy black margin... so presumably helice. (Ray Baker)

On 13th August I paid a visit to Houghton Forest where the weather was hazy sunshine. My walk took 2.5 hours following a circular path. Still many Silver-washed Fritillarys were on the wing with only a handful of Meadow Browns seen as they gradually reach the end of their flight season. A total of eight Painted Ladys were seen busy feeding on Hemp Agrimony flowers. My totals were: Small White 9, Green-veined White 2, Gatekeeper 8, Meadow Brown 4, Speckled Wood 1, Painted Lady 8, Peacock 1, Red Admiral 3, Silver-washed Fritillary 20M 19F. (Roy Symonds)

A Purple Hairstreak was feeding around the apple trees in my Barcombe garden on Tuesday. Like quite a few of the butterflies now it was looking rather weary, tatty and past its best (but then the butterfly looking back towards me probably held a similar view). By way of contrast, there were several incredibly smart-looking Painted Ladies seen on a subsequent walk around the Knowlands Farm area to the north of Barcombe. Additionally on the walk, in fairly bright conditions, were: moderate numbers of Small White, Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown; several Common Blues, Small Heaths and Speckled Woods; two each of Brown Argus, Small Copper and Red Admiral; and singles of Brimstone (a male), Peacock, Silver-washed Fritillary (a very worn individual), Comma and Wall Brown. The latter seems to be really quite a scarce species in the area. (Simon Linington)

Butterfly/Dragonfly walk yesterday, Painted Lady, walls, Meadow Brown, some beautiful damsels. (John Holt)

Saw plenty of butterflies on Ditchling Common but sadly no Brown Hairstreak. Colourful Painted Lady's, bright Common Blues, Small Skipper, Meadow Brown, a tiny Gatekeeper amongst many, Small Coppers, Small Heaths, Small White, Red Admiral, Speckled Woods and loads of dragonflies. (Martin Buck)

A particularly slack turn around for my visit to Mill Hill last week.... But anyway, worth it for sheer numbers of species; Silver-spotted Skipper, Small, Large and Green Veined White, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Small Copper, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Chalk Hill Blue, Adonis Blue, Wall Brown, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Red Admiral, Peacock, Painted Lady.
I feel I must comment on a remark of our valuable editor regarding the Gatekeeper "If some one from up north (and I mean well beyond Croyden) saw one it would make their day. (Ed jnr)". I live in Yorkshire, a part of the country considered by most people who aren't Scottish to be in the North. We have plenty Gatekeepers and do not need to specifically cherish those of Sussex (though the ones knocking around in my mothers garden were a great pleasure to me!) (Rolf F)
I live in Sussex and once was working in Airdrie in Scotland where a group of local staff were excited about heading "down south" for the weekend. "Where?" I enquired. "Blackpool!" they replied. It is all relative in this United Kingdom. You can see the Gatekeeper distribution map here. There is a clear divide between north and south. Perhaps we should use Gatekeeper distribution as our definition for these two cardinal points. (Ed jnr)

Went out into our 25x40ft Storrington garden early this afternoon. Delighted to find 10 Painted Ladies nectaring on the buddlehia in-between sunning themselves on our rockery and patio. Also Comma, Red Admiral, Meadow Brown, Large White, Small White (Denise Diston)

During the afternoon we decided to have a good look around Thorney Island. Species of note were Clouded Yellow 3 our first this year, Painted Lady 32, Small White c1000+. (Barry and Margaret Collins )

A visit to the Liz Williams butterfly haven this morning in bright sunny conditions produced a staggering number of Painted Lady plus Common Blue, Brown Argus, Small White and Meadow Brown and Chalk Hill Blue. The rather aged Painted Lady was seen egg laying. (David Cook)

Lancing Ring in mostly sun hosted 14 butterfly species, the highlight being 2 Brown Hairstreak. A first for my garden was a magnificent Wasp Spider in the marjoram, and a Humming-bird Hawk-moth was also present. Can't believe it is mid-August and I haven't seen a Clouded Yellow yet this year. Never satisfied...! (Lindsay Morris)

Headed over to Malling Down in hopes of seeing the last brood of the Adonis Blue, as I came to butterflies late this year. Within moments of arriving I spotted one. I continued further where I found a Small Blue, at least 2 Painted Ladies, Common Blue, Brown Argus, Silver Spotted Skipper relaxing in the next field over. On my way out I passed a buddleia which had an array of species including 2 Red Admirals and a Silver-washed Fritillary. (oscar pratley crighton)

On 11th August I visited Stansted Forest where the weather was cloudy but with some sunny spells, the temperature was 19°C. I walked through the woodland paths before walking the length of the wide ride where most species were seen. Totals: Small White 10, Green-veined White 2, Common Blue 2M, Gatekeeper 8, Meadow Brown 14, Speckled Wood 1, Silver-washed Fritillary 4. (Roy Symonds)

I spent a few more hours in the garden but didn't manage any further views of Brown Hairstreak. I am gratified to see a website photo showing Brown Hairstreak nectaring on Wild Carrot. In my garden I only ever see BH on Hemp Agrimony and once that goes over I don't expect to see any more hairstreaks. Wild carrot grows rather too well in my garden and I tend to pull out most of it but having seen Ben's photo maybe I will leave more of it alone (or at least the ones that appear close to the hedge). There were at least 11 butterfly species in the garden today but with a rapidly plummeting total count. The only very fresh butterfly was a female Meadow Brown which I thought was a bit of a stunner. (Martin Kalaher)

Hello. We’re BC members trying to get to grips with moth id. In our the trap in the garden last Saturday were these two moths. Can anyone help with identifying them please? Many thanks. (Matt Farmer)

A good selection in the garden yesterday in Bracklesham . On the buddleia several Painted Ladies, Red Admirals and Commas. In the long grass a pair of Common Blues, a Brown Argus plus fading Meadow Browns and Gatekeepers. However the absolute highlight was spotted by my daughter who pointed out a “nice blue butterfly“ on some flowering tuberous pea. I immediately dashed indoors to grab my net and managed to catch a Long-tailed Blue. Apparently the second record for Sussex this year and definitely a new one for the garden. (Derek Lee)

For one reason or another i’ve done very little butterflying since peak emperor time, but today I did at least manage to do the Big Butterfly Count with my daughters at a rarely visited area of scrub on the edge of Brighton. Numbers were modest with the welcome exception of Brown Hairstreak (not on the chart of course), which seem to be doing very well - 4 individuals seen nectaring in a little over 20 mins on site. Eggs were hard to find at this site over winter, so I can only imagine that sites such as Ditchling Common, where eggs were plentiful (enabling me to monitor many larvae right up until they disappeared to pupate around mid June), must be performing very well? The closest i’ve managed to Ditchling was a quick op at the Princess Royal on Tues where a lovely fresh Brown Hairstreak fluttered into the car park - only adding to my sense that the area must be knee deep in them.

No stunning abs (that really was something Martin), but I include the poor phone pics for the record. (Ben Greenaway)

I took so many photos in St Leonards Forest, Horsham today that the internet probably isn't big enough to cope if I posted them. There were many Meadow Browns, Speckled Wood and Gatekeeper with a few rather worn looking Ringlet and Silver-washed Fritillary. Fresh Large Skipper were joined by older Small Skipper with Common Blue, Holly Blue and Brown Argus. Whites identified were Green-veined White and Small White. There were also Peacock, Red Admiral, Comma and Brimstone. Only a single Painted Lady completes the list. What a great afternoon. (Patrick Moore)

On 9 August, our Sussex Branch, Butterfly Plot on Roedale Valley Allotments in Brighton, produced the following whilst conducting a Big Butterfly Count: 1 Small Copper, 2 Small White, 5 Large White, 1 Speckled Wood, 1 Meadow Brown and 1 Red Admiral. Included were to two extra special species seen on the Butterfly Plot, my first ever sighting of a (single) male Chalk Hill Blue and 3 Brown Argus, a special species for me to see on the plot, as it was the first ever butterfly I saw on the plot when I first took it on! (Jamie Burston)

It was quite windy with heavy showers at times at Thorney Island today but we still managed to see quite a few butterflies. Species of note were Small White 450, Holly Blue 14, Painted Lady 8. (Barry and Margaret Collins )

This moth caterpillar seen today by a friend in Burgess Hill. (Jon Ruff)

The day after I saw the white Gatekeeper in my small back garden 9/8/19 it returned to feed on the marjoram and I took this shot of the underwings with the wings folded. Since the windy weather I haven't seen it again. I didn't receive any feedback so I presume they are common and not worth reporting. (Roger Martin)

I spent four hours at Steyning rifle range today, and saw just one Brown Hairstreak, which was spotted by Andew Reekie. The weather was breezy and cool with only intermittent sun shine. (John Williams)

I spent a couple of hours at Park Corner Heath / Rowland wood this afternoon. I saw 3 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries (all at Park Corner Heath), one Silver- Washed Fritillary, 3 Painted Ladies, one Common Blue, one Red Admiral and lots of Gatekeepers. (katrina watson)

Another couple of hours in the garden but no sign of any Brown Hairstreaks. A Painted Lady was obliging as was a Purple Hairstreak (seen on 12 consecutive days). There were many Small Whites flitting around. (Martin Kalaher)

Sitting on the path by the Adur Shoreham cement works. These, Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshell. (John Holt)

Visited Anchor Bottom yesterday under exceptionally blustery conditions. It was interesting to see two kestrels sitting on the ground like pigeons. We did not expect to see any butterflies so were surprised to find a Small White, a female Wall Brown, a Red Admiral, two Painted Ladies and more than a dozen Meadow Browns. (Jonathan Crawford)

Only a daft butterfly would be out today (bound to be one somewhere), but yesterday we did see the female Common Blue hanging around in our Hove back garden again & a Meadow Brown in Wish Park, Hove. (John & Val Heys)

On 7 August we had a new moth visitor on the balcony, a Tree-lichen Beauty (Cryphia algae) plus six regulars. (Colin Knight http://www.seapic.com)

During visits to Steyning Downland on 6 and 9 August I saw Cinnabar larvae, Gatekeepers, Meadow Browns, Yellow Shell, Common Footman, Common Nettle-taps, many Horse Chestnut Leaf Miners on nettles by a Chestnut tree covered in brown leaves by the path. Many juvenile common lizards were on mole and ant hills, also a Blue-tailed Damselfly cleaning itself on a nettle. In the enclosed prunus area I spotted a tiny moth, 2mm long, dancing around on a bullace leaf. It is a Stigmella species but there are many which look identical. Scrubland Pigmy (Stigmella plagicolella) has prunus as its foodplant so it may be this. (Colin Knight http://www.seapic.com)

With impeccable timing, as I prepare to head back to Manchester, the second brood Adonis Blue appeared at Horseshoe Plantation today (two males). They were constantly buffeted by the burgeoning wind and are probably in for a bit of a shock tomorrow. With a worn Dingy Skipper and Small Blue there was a return to early summer feeling. Wall Brown also here but proving tricky to photograph. (Nicholas Turner)

After around 16 hours of patient observation I eventually managed to see another aberrant Brown Hairstreak, this one a female. I was up my stepladder ( I seem to live up there at the moment) when this very interesting butterfly flew towards me. Even from 7-10 metres away I was getting excited and then it landed on some Dogwood, 5-6 feet from where I was perched. Naked eye at 5-6 feet it seemed to have the same (or very similar) markings as the male, seen on August 1st. It then opened its wings for 7- 8 seconds revealing a beautiful dark chocolate sheen with large orange/gold patches on the fore-wings. It appeared to be in such fine condition that I rather suspect it emerged today. Then a gust of wind threw it off balance and away it went, not to be re-located. Otherwise both Silver-washed Fritillary and Dark Green Fritillary. I've never seen both of these in the garden on the same day. Purple Hairstreak, now seen for the 10th consecutive day and also seen feeding on Blackthorn, and I assume feeding on honeydew. I couldn't find any aphids, so that got me confused. Also mating Common Blue and a nice Ruddy Darter. (Martin Kalaher)

Hi, can you tell me what it is? (John Holt)
It is a Mint Moth (Ed jnr)

On Thursday (8 August) I spent most of the day at the Park Corner Heath & Rowland Wood reserves, waiting for the grey cloud to lift. However, there was periodically sufficient sunshine to get things moving, particularly later in the afternoon. Highlights of the day were two Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary (one on each reserve), a male Wall Brown (a rare sight in woodland) and the currently ubiquitous Painted Lady. (Neil Hulme)

Visited Kingley Vale (SU8210) today where the weather was overcast with brief sunny spells and temperature was 19°C. There were a few butterflies in flight, others were found at rest. Totals: Small White 5, Common Blue 3M, Gatekeeper 2, Meadow Brown 22, Ringlet 2, Small Heath 3, Red Admiral 1. (Roy Symonds)

Small Heath, Adonis Blue and Chalkhill Blue at Mill Hill this evening. The Chalk Hill Blue underside is an abberation I believe. (John Williams)

It was a pleasure to bump into Istvan on Windover Hill today and most enjoyable searching for Grayling. We managed to find 12 (6 m, 5f and 1 that flew away before I could read its name tag). All were towards the top bush line of Deep Dean. Unfortunately the rain set in rather earlier than forecast and we decamped earlier than planned. (Patrick Moore)

Saw this beauty at Birling Gap today 8th August 2019 (Pete Mills)

A walk up and around Lancing Ring & Steep Down in equal sun and cloud produced my first 2 Brown Hairstreak of the season, both on Hemp Agrimony. Also 50 Wall Brown, 43 Chalk Hill Blue, 25 Common Blue, 35 Small Heath, 15 Red Admiral, 11 Painted Lady, 7 Comma, 3 Peacock, 9 Speckled Wood, 3 Brown Argus amongst 14 butterfly species. (Lindsay Morris)

The weather was slightly disappointing for the Rowland Wood / Park Corner Heath transect walk this morning - it started out bright but by the end was distinctly overcast. Highlights were a single Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary, a Wall, 3 Silver-washed Fritillary. Other species : Common Blue, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Ringlet, Meadow Brown and just short of 100 Gatekeeper. And an impressive Wasp Sider on the heath. (Richard Farran)

1 Small Tortoiseshell! That makes two this summer. We had a round walk from Bignor, up the hill and back down again, so covering a variety of habitats. Plenty of Gatekeepers keeping us company all the way around. Small T S encountered on a lane near the top, but wasn’t photogenic. 4 Common Blues, 6 Silver-washed Fritillaries, 8 Commas, 2 Peacock, 4 Red Admiral, several Small and Large Whites, 3 Brimstones. Plenty of dragonfly including one flying overhead with a captured butterfly in its grip. (Simon Buck )

I saw this white Gatekeeper in my back garden at 4 Seawaves Close, East Preston, Littlehampton, West Sussex, about 1645 today.
I've never seen one before; are they more common than I thought? (Roger Martin)

I had a very enjoyable afternoon at Rowland Wood, the highlights being three very fresh Painted Ladies and a very blue female Common Blue. Later in Park Corner Heath a single male Small Pearl was being observed by Neil Hulme and Dick from Seaford. Despite my best efforts no SPBF images were obtained. (Trevor Rapley)

Val & I did our August WCBS survey of Balcombe (TQ3030) this morning. We were let down by the weather forecasts on TV last night which said sunny morning and cloudy afternoon. The reverse has been the case as we've been basking in the sun in our garden in Hove this afternoon. Whereas in July we saw over 370 butterflies in Balcombe, today in warm, fairly still & occasionally sunny conditions we saw 35. These were 17 Gatekeepers, 7 Meadow Browns, 3 Speckled Woods, 4 Red Admirals, 1 Peacock, 1 Comma, 1 Large White & 1 Small Copper. We also saw a violet helleborine which was exciting as we've not seen one before. Our garden has done better today considering nothing is ever very plentiful in it - six different species (best this year, I think) - 3 Small Whites at the same time, 2 Holly Blues at the same time, 1 Gatekeeper, 1 Red Admiral, 1 fresh Painted Lady, and a nice female Common Blue which was very interested in our scabious / birdsfoot trefoil area as well as the rather dead marjoram flowers in the picture. (The Gatekeeper prefers the marjoram still fully in flower.) (John & Val Heys)

At last a day off when the forecast was encouraging enough to set out on a butterfly-hunt so I headed to Deep Dean. I parked at Wilmington car park and once on the footpath I straight away saw a few Wall Browns and unidentified blues. Getting closer to the Long Man diversity and numbers increased: Meadow Browns, Gatekeepers, Chalk Hill Blues and Common Blues all put in an appearance. I think the Meadow Brown could be an ab. illumunata? Approaching the hill top I stopped to photograph some CHBs, a very fresh looking Painted Lady and a Small Copper when I had the pleasure to meet Patrick Moore. Soon we saw half a Dark Green Fritillary nectaring on something and being quite flighty despite missing most of his wings. At Deep Dean itself Patrick kept finding Graylings one after an other and I am sure he will submit a detailed report so I just want to say a big thank you to him once again, especially for pointing out the Grayling egg to me! Plenty of Silver-spotted Skippers to be seen as well as a couple of more fritillaries. What I have noticed today was the lack of Wasp Spiders compared to last summer (probably due to the grazing and lack of long grass). (Istvan Radi)

Warnham LNR. My first Brown Hairstreak of the season on nettles near the Woodpecker Hide. (Janet Wilkes)

On Tues 6th walked around Rewel Wood to see what the Buddleja may have attracted, there were many Painted Lady,6 on one bush, some Red Admiral and Peacock many Silver-washed Fritillary,1 or 2 Comma, plenty of Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper.
A Blood Vein and Dingy Footman moths. (Barry Sketchley)

I was looking out of my lounge window in sunny Seaford at 7.50 am today when 4 Painted Ladies were feeding in the Buddleia flowers. It seems that they are still coming in. (Stuart Ridley)

Two part day. Morning at Nymans where there were two bright Painted Ladies , a Comma, Small White and Large White just on one patch of the tall verbena. Then at Wakehurst in the afternoon where there was a bright Holly Blue and Red Admiral in the wall garden.

In reply to the moth question earlier today then I think it is a mint moth which is also partial to salvia/sage. (Martin Buck)

I travelled over to Birling Gap this afternoon. I saw one lonely Marbled White, lots of Chalk Hill Blues, Common Blues, Small Coppers, a few Brown Argus, a Brimstone, Speckled Woods, Gatekeepers,but the jewels among these (for me at least) were the new species that I hadn't yet photographed this year or had seen at all, a Small Blue, Wall Browns, Silver-spotted Skipper and an old Dingy Skipper. Someone there was kind enough to show me around and where and when to see the species here. Lovely :) (oscar pratley crighton)

I have spent at least 12 hours wandering around the garden this week, in an attempt to see the aberrant Brown Hairstreak but without any success. What I did see today in the late afternoon was a very nice Small Tortoiseshell (almost as rare!). As I was clearing out a blocked drain, at the time, I didn't have too much time for taking photos. Also some some female Common Blues, that always intrigue me. There has been 4-5 Painted Ladies over the past week, some in good condition and some not ( so some locally-born but some not). The second generation Holly Blue have been more numerous this year than ever before. Purple Hairstreak seen every day, for the past eight days. (Martin Kalaher)

Today along westerly path on the Adur in Shoreham, Common Blue, Peacock, Red Admiral, Painted Lady. Can you tell me what the moth is. John Holt (John Holt)

Chalk path from Goodwood to Lavant this morning Good number of Chalkhill Blue 35 + also 6 Painted Lady, 6 Small White, 8 Common Blue and good numbers of Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown. (Ian Thomas)

We have been away in Herefordshire - no chance of any Camberwells there but we did find a friendly Comma which wanted to help with the map reading. I discovered my sweaty hands were also rather attractive to the exotic species at the Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo (near Symonds Yat). Back to normal life today. It was quite breezy but generally sunny & warm in Hove. While we were shopping in central Hove Val saw a Red Admiral & a Holly Blue & we both saw several Small Whites. In our back garden I saw more Small Whites, a Holly Blue, a Painted Lady & (our 11th garden species of the year) a Speckled Wood. A lot of sawing noises were coming from Wish park, so I popped round hoping it wasn't an elm tree coming down. It wasn't, and I had the added bonus of seeing a male Common Blue & a Meadow Brown on the west side of the butterfly bank plus a few more Small Whites. In the 3 or 4 years it has been present, the butterfly bank has had few butterflies on or near it - hopefully this is changing as it becomes more mature. (John & Val Heys)

My first Silver Spotted Skipper found at Mill Hill NR near Shoreham. I saw about 3 in all. Plus a couple of photos of Painted Ladies enjoying the sun. I know it’s not a butterfly but also saw this fabulous looking wasp spider. (Jenny Hodgkins)

On Saturday I visited Cissbury Ring and met Mavis who was also pursuing the Silver-spotted Skippers. I saw 6, including a courting pair, plus 6 Painted Ladies, a female Common Blue, Small Heaths, Meadow Browns, Brimstones, courting Chalk Hill Blues, Gatekeepers, Small Skippers and a Red Twin-spot Carpet moth. (Colin Knight http://www.seapic.com)

I was very pleased to see a female Wall Brown on my allotment on Whitehawk Hill Road in east Brighton today. Also to have plenty of time to watch a bright and beautiful Painted Lady nectaring on alliums through my binoculars, like glorious stained glass.
Also watched an Emperor dragonfly chew it's way through a honeybee, not so pretty! (Tessa Pawsey)

Today I spent 2 hours from 11.00 - 13.00 looking for Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary at Park Corner Heath. I manged to find four, three of which I photographed. Their smaller size compared to the spring brood seemed to enhance the exquisite beauty of this butterfly. As I was leaving I found it easier to locate them (maybe I had my 'eye in' by then) but I suspect there were more that I missed. When I got home I read the relevant section in Blencowe/Hulme to remind myself of the recent history of this butterfly and how privileged I was to see a butterfly that was very recently declared extinct in Sussex in 2014. I live in Manchester but visit Sussex frequently to keep an eye on my elderly Mum. The Sussex Butterfly Conservation website and work of the volunteers is simply unrivalled in the UK (but I am sure you have heard this many times before). (Nicholas Turner)

My first Brown Hairstreak of the year was found today at Steyning. (Trevor Rapley)

Walk around Harting Down Good Numbers of Small Heath, Painted Lady, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper ( pride of sussex it is !) plus Common Blue, Red Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Small White, Speckled Wood, Small Copper, Small Skipper. Despite being mostly overcast and windy (Ian Thomas)

Late morning at Highdown produced this Brimstone and this moth?. Numerous great whites, Peacock, Red Admiral, chalk blue, coppas. Up on the downs Speckled Woods, Meadow Browns. All in an hour or so. (John Holt)

Did the Anchor Bottom transect this morning - not ideal conditions with only intermittent sun and a stiff breeze, but pleased to see 3 Silver-spotted Skippers. Mainly Meadow Browns counted, but also Wall Brown, Common Blue and Chalk Hill Blue, Painted Lady and Small Heath. (Ray Baker)

Roosting Chalkhill and Adonis Blue at Mill Hill this evening. Also seen: Wall Brown, Meadow Brown, Small Heath, Painted Lady, Common Blue, Brown Argus. Photography was tricky in the stiff breeze. (John Williams)

Painted Lady on buddleia bushes behind Park Cameras warehouse in York Road, Burgess Hill. (Roy Ticehurst)

Just over the border into Hampshire last Saturday 3 August I was leading a butterfly walk for Chichester Harbour Conservancy at Sandy Point LNR (south-east tip of Hayling Island) when I spotted this male Chalk Hill Blue (picture 1 with a dead flower head of Sea Pink partially obscuring the right wing and old flower heads of Rat's-tail Fescue to its right). Sandy Point LNR is a coastal heathland site with no Horseshoe Vetch. In the entry for Chalk Hill Blue on this website is the statement 'the occasional male is prone to wander and may be seen far away from the nearest breeding site'. So where did he come from? The Isle of Wight? There have been south-westerly winds. Portsdown Hill, Portsmouth? Oxenbourne Down at Queen Elizabeth Country Park? Or maybe Levin Down? In which case he would be a Sussex butterfly after all! (John Arnott)

I was surprised and delighted to see a Purple Emperor in the Garden where I work in Turners Hill , this afternoon. We do have some good habit for them and have had sighting for a number of years but I thought I had missed my chance of seeing one in the garden this year. When I got back home there was Small Cooper feeding on the Marjoram under the Buddleia, which a first for garden at home. (Tom Parker)

We had a walk around our allotted Steyning Downland Scheme butterfly survey area yesterday, taking in the Steyning Chalk Pit and nearby downs. The grazing seems to be giving the long-time swamped plant life a boost and the progress is starting to look good. No majorly exciting sightings but providing steady reasonable numbers of butterflies. Small and Large Whites, a few Small Coppers, lots of Gatekeepers, Marbled Whites, Meadow Browns, Ringlet, Small Heath, Red Admiral, 30 Common Blue, 12 Wall Browns, 3 Brown Argus. Just back from Norfolk where Hemp Agrimony seems a major nectar source, Sussex seems to have plenty, but underutilised, maybe our marjoram is first choice? Hopefully I have my Argus v Common Blue correct? (Simon Buck)

Yesterday morning I visited Woods Mill for about an hour and a half in the hope of seeing and photographing different species of butterflies, however saw only a few Gatekeepers. I did however see several Banded Demoiselles in courtship mode. (Douglas Neve)
"saw only a few Gatekeepers...". Gatekeepers are the pride of the Sussex countryside and no praise is sufficient for these beautiful little butterflies. If some one from up north (and I mean well beyond Croyden) saw one it would make their day. (Ed jnr)

Can some one please tell me the best place to see Adonis Blues if you leave near Hastings? Email web@sussex-butterflies.org.uk. (Ed jnr)