16 June 2026

Report Details
Saw just 5 White-letter Hairstreaks in Hollingbury Park, all high up and in the trees near the bus shelter. Nothing on the other side but it looks like plenty of thistle and hemp will flower soon. Drew a blank in Surrenden Road where strimming was happening and nothing in Preston Drove or Pavilion Gardens. But it's early days. Relocated to Rottingdean where I saw at least one fresh Dark Green Fritillary (beacon hill) and a single Essex Skipper on the coast path. The surprise is I have yet to see a small skip! More fresh Painted Lady than you can shake a proverbial stick at, plus Small Heath, Holly Blue, Common Blue, fresh Comma, Red Admiral, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Large White and Speckled Wood

Reporter: Martin Buck
Location: Hollingbury and Rottingdean

Reviewer Comments
The average "first sighting date" for Essex Skipper over the past 10 years was June 24th (range June 17th - July 1st). In the website years since 2006 there has been just one earlier record, on 14/06/2011.   Martin K