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Halnaker Hill Farm
Hopefully, some of you may have already read or heard of the Halnaker Hill Farm BNG project, given the wide media coverage - e.g. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/oct/22/thousands-of-butterflies-surprise-experts-on-restored-west-sussex-farmland Although this project is not open to the public, it does demonstrate just how rapidly nature recovery can be achieved, via a number of different routes. When I look at the wide range of habitat restoration projects breaking out all over our county at the moment, including large-scale and ambitious ones (Mill Hill and Friston Gallops immediately spring to mind, but there are many more), I'm filled with optimism and hope for the future. (Neil Hulme, Halnaker Hill Farm)
Image by Paul Day
Many thanks to all who attended the first BC reserves conservation work party of the autumn on Sunday (next event 10.00 am on Sunday 8 November). We made rapid progress in bracken management and re-coppicing birch on Park Corner Heath. Pearl-bordered Fritillary, in particular, did very well here in 2026, with numbers doubling over the last couple of springs. With so much volunteer effort going into habitat management on the reserves, I'm hoping that this trend will continue into 2027. Paul Day's image shows: Front row (L-R); Debbie, Jason, Two-fires, Kate, Maya and Arturo Back row (L-R); Dave, Alan, me, JC, Gary, Helen, Roy, Helen, Richard, Paul and John. (Neil Hulme, Park Corner Heath)
Image by Paul Day
Hornet Robberfly pair - Washington Chalk Pits
Many thanks to all the BC and SDNPA volunteers who joined Penny Green (Wiston Estate ecologist), Fay (SDNPA ranger) and me on 22 October to continue the habitat restoration work at Washington Chalk Pits. Progress was rapid, and we meet here again at 10.00 am on 4 November in the car park below. As I'm now in report-writing mode, and having just digitised all my 2026 survey records from here, I'm now in a better position to assess the effectiveness of the work done by volunteers over the last couple of winters, and the impact made by cattle grazing courtesy of the Sussex Wildlife Trust animals (thank you, SWT); the results speak for themselves. Over surveys performed on 4.5, 16.5, 23.5, 15.7, 6.8 and 23.8, I counted 1515 butterflies of an incredible total of 35 species (this includes 10 counts of high priority species made during lightening visits on 30.5 and 18.8). The highlights include season-total counts of Duke of Burgundy (19; increasing), Grizzled Skipper (26), Dingy Skipper (74; first and second broods), Silver-spotted Skipper (18; recent colonist), Small Blue (33; increasing), Adonis Blue (23; recolonised the site in May 2026, following a lengthy absence), Chalk Hill Blue (162), Common Blue (256), Green Hairstreak (7), Wall (9), Small Heath (79) and Dark Green Fritillary (4). The timing of the cattle grazing has proven to be perfect; aside from the intention to spread Cowslip seed via their dung, which has worked even better than I predicted (assisting Duke of Burgundy), I was delighted to observe an unforeseen benefit during my visit on 23.8; the site has been colonised by the cowpat-dependent Hornet Robberfly. This rare (but increasing) species of predatory fly has clearly found Washington Chalk Pits to its liking. My count of 11 individuals (the first ever seen in this part of the Wiston Estate) is encouraging, and I suspect we will see the rapid formation of a nationally important colony here. Good news on the chalk grassland sites of the estate does not stop here. On 1.8 I counted an incredible 130 Silver-spotted Skipper on the north-facing slope of Chanctonbury Ring, with 33 in the area above the scrub pinch-point, and 97 below; this was my highest count of this species anywhere within the national park this year. The fact that this was on a fully north-facing slope is even more incredible, and a clear indication of our warming climate and the summer heat of the last two years; unthinkable just a couple of decades ago. (Neil Hulme, Washington Chalk Pits) - TQ127120
I was surprised but very pleased to see what I presume was the regular Humming-bird Hawk-moth in my garden in urban Brighton this morning despite last night wet and windy weather. It nearly always feeds on the shrubby salvias, particularly the cultivars Royal Bumble ( red ) and Nachtvlinden ( deep purple ) but visits lots of different flowering plants including the Abelia grandiflora shrub which has been in flower for weeks now. (Tessa Pawsey, Elm Grove, Brighton)
I like it when we are are informed about specific plants and shrubs as it helps us all decide on what to plant to attract these fascinating daytime moths. Martin K
We had another look around Thorney Island on Thursday before the storm Austen arrives overnight. We counted 28 Clouded Yellows most of these were on the southern end of the Island and 2 Red Admiral. There were also c2000 Dark-bellied Brent Geese in the harbour off Pilsey Sands. (Barry and Margaret Collins, Thorney Island) - SU760030
Clouded Yellow on Rough Hawkbit
Clouded Yellow on Devilsbit Scabious
As for pic 2
As for pic 2
My new meadow for chalk-loving plants is coming along nicely and with all this heavy rain the roots will be well-watered. In the past few days I have been weeding around the new plants to give them the best possible chance of survival. I will maintain a very short sward for this new meadow, trying to mimic the best of the short turf of Chantry Hill. I don't reckon to lose any plants but at least two small Horseshoe Vetch have succumbed. Mr Mole may have had something to do with this. He was very annoying for awhile as he was burrowing under and disturbing many of the new plants. Anyway, the gardening has annoyed my neck and so I won't be doing any heavy duty gardening until it is better. A poorly neck doesn't stop a walk over the Amberley Downs and I spent a couple of hours there. Species seen: 26 Clouded Yellows, 1 male Common Blue, 1 Small Copper and 1 egg-laying Red Admiral. The breeding colony of Clouded Yellows is still very active. Photographing them wasn't easy, but I persevered. (Martin Kalaher, Amberley Downs) - TQ045120
my Clouded Yellow at 2:55 pm
Val's first Clouded Yellow
Val's 3rd Clouded Yellow
Speckled Wood, at 3:40 pm
As we drove over the railway near Goring station, Val spotted a Small White, so we dropped in on the stretch of shingle between the Sailing Club and George V Avenue. The sun was out but the wind quite strong. Luckily it was bright enough that the Clouded Yellows were settled but hadn't hidden away entirely. I saw the first one and Val then got her eye in and found 4 more. Back home we had some bulbs to plant and Val disturbed a Speckled Wood which hung around for a bit - the first butterfly we've noticed in our garden since 28 September (also Speckled Wood). (John Heys, Goring) - TQ125019
A walk from north east Sompting to Lyons Farm Broadwater was a bit breezy but warm enough and mostly sunny. 24 Clouded Yellow, 6 Red Admiral, 5 Small White, 2 Holly Blue, 2 Small Copper, Painted Lady, Speckled Wood, 3 Silver Y, Humming-bird Hawk-moth. The season is stretching until it inevitably snaps! (Lindsay Morris5, Sompting)
Still plenty to find, especially by the coast. 24 Clouded Yellows is a fabulous count for October 22nd. Martin K
The lull before the storm in Worthing. Beautiful sunshine around lunchtime so went for my usual walk down to the seafront and along past the yacht club. Was not sure i would see anything but it seems the Clouded Yellow year has not yet closed as i spotted 4 amongst the valerian plants. I hope they manage to hunker down somewhere soon. (dave broxham, Worthing yacht club) - TQ125019
Dave, I'm sure these long-distance travellers can cope with a bit of wind and rain. You will have to go and check them out when the storm is over. Martin K
Coppicing Blackthorn
First Female of the season
Last Female of the season
This season has not been as good for Brown Hairstreaks as previous years at the Steyning Downland Scheme, Brown Hairstreak reserve. Figures for this years Brown Hairstreaks are Maximum number seen on one visit 7. Total number seen 68. visits 24. First sighting 17th of July Last sighting 25th of September. For Comparison 2025 numbers were Maximum seen 31. Total number seen 140. visits 13. First sighting 28th of July. last sighting 24th of August. 2024 numbers were Maximum seen 14. Total number 70. visits 12. First sighting 11th of August. last sighting 19th of September. These are my sightings, the 31 seen last year were with Neil Hulme and his brother Mark. Most of other sightings were just me. Also the time spent at the visits varied between all day with Neil Hulme to half hour visits this year after carrying out butterfly surveys of other areas of Rifle range. (Paul Day, Steyning downland scheme, Brown Hairstreak reserve)
Paul, it would be interesting to compare the figures for the past 5-10 years, if these figures are available. Seven Brown Hairstreaks in one visit and 68 sightings in total (albeit over 24 visits) are decent numbers. One of the problems we have is that last year was "spectacular" and these years don't come around too often. If we look at another hairstreak species, Green Hairstreak, at Chantry Hill, for this year compared to 2025, I would estimate peak daily numbers of 35-40 (2026) vs 300-500 (in 2025). A peak daily count of 35-40 tells us there is a strong colony, but 300-500 was a county record and I suspect a UK record. The figures next year will be interesting, after two years of hot summers and drought. Our native shrubs seemed to cope with this year's weather and providing we have plenty of winter rain, I think those species that rely on native shrubs will do OK. In truth, Green Hairstreak lays its eggs on such a wide variety of plants that is is likely to do reasonably well in any conditions. Martin K
