Sussex Branch

Brown Argus on the parched grasses

Small heath acrobatically perched

Small heath on the over ripe blackberries

Backlit small copper, not sure of the plant

Today i visited Findon cricket club and took the opportunity to climb up the hill behind the club house. Plenty to see when the sun was out, mostly Meadow Brown, Small Heath and Common Blue but also a few whites at least one of which was a green veined. Also singles of Brown Argus, Small Copper, Holly Blue and Clouded Yellow. Great views from the bench near the top over the downs to cissbury and chanctonbury rings but there were a few wasps chewing on the bench to make paper for their nests so beware before sitting down! (David Broxham, Findon cricket club)

Mint moth, Common Purple and Gold

Rather distant Small Copper

Common Blue

Vine's Rustic moth (Google says)

Today was a big contrast to yesterday in our back garden. Before 10:30am Val saw 2 Painted Ladies and a Red Admiral, which were around all day, also Small Whites in and out and a Hummingbird Hawk-moth. When I was there in the afternoon, a Clouded Yellow passed through heading north and a Small Copper spent 5 minutes on the Buddleia. They were the 18th and 19th species in our garden in 2026 with the Small Copper being a first in our 6 years here. Then the first Large White for ages came, paused on the buddleia and headed north. Just after, a bright orange butterfly went through, heading north too speedily for identification. More likely a Comma than a Q of S Fritillary, although Commas usually pause or come back later, which this didn't. However, no obvious flash of a silver-spotted underside. Not done yet, a male Common Blue and a female appeared from nowhere and spent time in the wild bit of lawn. A Vine's Rustic moth and a Common Purple and Gold mint moth plus a few dragonflies made up the day's tally. (John Heys, West Worthing) - TQ131025

Loads of female Common Blues about, but also Brown Argus, which I’m thinking this is.

Adonis

I’m making this Common Blue

Female Common Blue looking moody.

Had a look in the section from the Steyning Chalk Pit and up high, for the Downland Scheme. There were Chalkhill, Adonis, Common and Argus Blues. Always a tricky id situation, but hopefully I’m ok. Also a Clouded Yellow, several Small Heath and Meadow Browns. Very little nectar up there, some Hemp-agrimony for the butterflies and blackberries for the spotters. (Simon Buck, Steyning Downs)

I walked the extended Centurion Way lunch time, to see the great work that has been done to restore the former Singleton station platforms, which have laid untouched since the 1930’s. To my total surprise there were many “blues” on site mating as well as other butterflies. Seeking some tranquility, I did not take my phone, so therefore no pictures. I am not a butterfly expert, so therefore the site needs a visit from one of your followers. I just wanted to give you a heads up. (Brian Fitch, The old Singleton railway station on Centurion Way, West Dean.)

We spent a glorious morning at Anchor Bottom amongst the 100's of Adonis Blues. We did though come across this Clouded Yellow which was almost white so we think it is likely an Helice. But it was very small compared to the other Clouded Yellows and we wondered if it was a Pale Clouded Yellow. Please could you confirm the ID. Many thanks (Howard and Penny Smith, Anchor Bottom) - TQ205095

Bee on Devilsbit scabious

Hoverfly (?) on same

Val and I have been in Wiltshire for a few days. Apart from Small Whites, very quiet on the butterfly front. I was hoping our back garden might be more interesting, but just a couple of Small Whites passed through. My only photos were a bee and (I think) some sort of hoverfly. Hopefully Martin knows what they are. The cut price rather unhappy-looking fennel plant we bought last year and nursed back to health has done very well despite the drought. I remain over-optimistically hopeful of a continental visitor. (John Heys, West Worthing) - TQ131025

Female Common Blue

Female Common Blue

Female Common Blue, having a rest

Yesterday evening, I had roosting third brood Common Blue and Brown Argus in the garden meadows, and so I thought I might have half a chance at some photography this morning. The weather was not kindly but I did manage just three, half decent photos. Currently, I have both second and third brood Common Blues. The second image would have been lovely, had she obliged and opened her wings. Astonishing colours that I could see, naked eye. The underside of the third image, shows us how beautiful these insects, are. (Martin Kalaher, Storrington wildlife garden) - TQ082140

Male Queen of Spain Fritillary

Underside of Queen of Spain Fritillary

I had a lovely walk with Bob around our local patch today. Despite the fact it was partly cloudy and windy, we were seeing a lot of butterflies, including some lovely fresh Brown Argus and Adonis Blue. We also had a fabulous male Clouded Yellow and a male Holly Blue both posing nicely for us. What I was really hoping to see was a Queen of Spain Fritillary, though I knew it was highly unlikely as there haven't been any sightings this year in East Sussex that we're aware of. I've seen all the butterfly species in the UK now, but this is one species I've never seen before. Recently we'd tried, but failed, to see the one Patrick had found a short while back at Stoke Bottom. Today, on our walk, we almost didn't go the extra distance to Greenway. As we reached it, Bob surprised me by saying that he could see this area being good for Queen of Spain Fritillary, so suggested I keep an eye open. Well, you can imagine how thrilled I was when I spotted a fritillary sitting on the path less than 5 minutes later! I quickly looked at it through my bins and couldn't believe my eyes. With its black spots and squarer hindwings, I was sure it was a male Queen of Spain Fritillary, but I didn't believe it until Bob confirmed it was one. It didn't linger for too long, but it returned about 5 minutes later and gave me a lovely view of its underside. Then it was gone. We hung around for quite a while but to no avail, so reluctantly we walked further south. Amazingly, we spotted the same one again, 30 minutes after the last time we'd seen it. This time it hung around for just under 10 minutes. Wonderful! It was the highlight of my day - the month! It was an even bigger bonus that we found one ourselves and in East Sussex! The funny thing is, I almost didn't take my camera out today - thank goodness I did! I was very grateful for this wonderful opportunity to see a species I've wanted to see for a few years now. (Lisa Saw, Greenway Bottom)

Holly Blue at roost.

Holly Blue waking up.

Clouded Yellow at roost.

Clouded Yellow on Knapweed.

A fabulous walk in various weather conditions with Lisa Saw. A superb Holly Blue got the session going on Greenway Bank, with the sun going in the butterfly settled to roost, but then, as the sun reappeared he opened up. Shortly after Lisa had the spot of the day, but I will leave it to her to post her own report. Several Clouded Yellow were also seen, one of which we saw just as heavy clouds appeared and this butterfly too prepared to go to roost. However, later with the clouds thinning slightly he started to nectar on the Knapweed. We also saw the largest ever Wasp Spider and the smallest ever Green-veined White. Brown Argus were also very evident. (Bob Eade, Greenway area)

Green-veined White

Clouded Yellow

Autumnal Small Copper

Common Blue

It was rather dull in St Leonards Forest, Horsham this afternoon, only Clouded Yellow, Meadow Brown, Small White, Green-veined White, Small Copper and Common Blue putting in an appearance. (Patrick Moore, Horsham St Leonards Forest) - TQ2130