28 June 2026

Queen of Spain Fritillary

Chalkhill Blue

Small Skipper

Report Details

This morning I headed to the Fairmile Bottom area for a quick walk before heading to Stoke Bottom for another, followed by a quick visit to Marlpost Wood on the way home. I managed 27 species of which the most exciting was a Queen of Spain Fritillary in Stoke Bottom. There were also Chalk Hill Blue. The others are as follows; Marbled White, Large White, Small White, Small Copper, Small Heath, Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Common Blue, DGF, Gatekeeper, Essex Skipper, Brimstone, Clouded Yellow, Comma, Brown Argus, Purple Emperor, Purple Hairstreak and finally a White Admiral. What a great day out.

Reporter: Patrick Moore
Location: Stoke Bottom — TQ0411

Reviewer Comments

Wow, and wow a few more times! 27 butterfly species recorded on the same day, in June, is amazing. A Queen of Spain (in great condition) seen in June is a fantastic record. Perhaps we should have another look at the recent Friston Forest "mystery fritillary", just to be sure? Anyway, what is abundantly clear, is that with a 100% Queen of Spain, in Sussex, right now, there could be (and probably are) a few more. For the past 10 years, the average first sighting date for Chalk Hill Blue was July 4th (range June 24th - July 16th). That's 46 butterfly species recorded, in Sussex, this year, so far (and it is still only June!). Martin K