Sussex Branch

Thank goodness for rare sunny spells and shrubs with many spellings, just a Small White and Green-veined White seen today near a muddy Nuthurst. (Patrick Moore , Nuthurst ) - TQ1926

A similar walk to the previous day, but conditions were not so favourable. Despite this, several species seen, including a male Brimstone, that had woken up for a little flutter. That put my total species for the weekend in the H/O area to 15. (Bob Eade, High and Over)

Brown Hairstreak, videoed in the garden - a rather worn one. Seen again in flight, today 1st October. (Nick Ostler, Plumpton Lane)

While visiting my father we made a trip to Old Bosham where during a fine autumnal afternoon, we recorded a good variety of species feeding on a Buddleia in the Holy Trinity Church yard. Here the following were recorded, Large White 2, Small White 6, Comma 2, Peacock 1 and Red Admiral 1. (Richard Symonds, Holy Trinity Church, Bosham Quay) - SU804038

Some more time in the garden, preparing it for winter. I spotted a Peacock on the Michaelmas Daisies and raced for the camera. It didn't stay long but I managed one photo. My wife visited a friend today (who also lives in Storrington) and she had four Peacocks on her Buddleia. It's a species that has been rather scarce in my own garden. Today, I also had Small White, Large White and a single Meadow Brown. (Martin Kalaher, Storrington wildlife garden) - TQ082140

A lovely fresh third brood Common Blue on Chantry Hill today. A single Meadow Brown too. (Chris Corrigan, Chantry Hill)

It was 14°C, mostly sunny and with hardly a breeze for a walk from Findon Valley up and around Cissbury Ring. I was amazed to see fourteen butterfly species. 33 Meadow Brown, 12 Small Copper, 7 Small White, 6 Wall, 6 Red Admiral, 6 Common Blue, 4 Small Heath, 4 Speckled Wood, 2 Large White, Painted Lady, Comma, Brown Argus, Peacock. It was a pleasure to bump into local nature enthusiast Mike Galtry, especially when a female Brown Hairstreak landed at our feet! (Lindsay Morris, Cissbury Ring area)

Lovely Small Copper ab. caeruleopunctata in SE Billingshurst this afternoon (Alan Birch, Billingshurst) - TQ093252

The temperature in the shade was 10°c as we started a walk around Castle Hill and Standean Bottom (back of Woodingdean), but bright sun and little wind made it feel almost balmy as we walked. The first butterfly sightings were 3 very fresh looking Wall Brown, followed by 3 equally fresh looking Peacock basking in the sun on the path. It was good to see 4 Common Blue, along with 2 Brown Argus and a jewel of a solitary Small Copper. 2 Small Heath, 9 Meadow Brown, 2 Small White and a pair of Speckled Wood. At the start of the week I’d seen a solitary tatty Chalk Hill Blue here but none at all today. We also saw 3 Kestrel, 2 Common Buzzard 4 Stonechat, 2 Chiffchaff and at least 15 Swallows skimming the hill sides. Not bad after so much wind, rain and hail over the last few days! (Graham Hubbard, Castle Hill NNR Woodingdean)

With all the poor weather in recent days, I was beginning to think I wouldn't manage to get a 3rd brood Wall Brown count in, on my usual 4 mile circuit. However, today the conditions were near perfect, maybe a little cool in some places, but the sheltered spots were great. The count as usual started and ended at High and Over, with a large loop along the top to Greenway and returning along the bottom path. As it happens, the bottom path is not so productive for the 3rd brood, as over winter it is mostly in shadow, but at High and Over itself, as well as the Comp path, numbers were pretty good and I ended up with a satisfying 40 Wall Brown seen. Lots of females were also seen, especially at High and Over. Including the Wall Brown an impressive 14 species were seen. A single Holly Blue at High and Over was perhaps the most surprising. Two Clouded Yellow at High and Over too. Other species were Common Blue, Brown Argus, Comma, Red Admiral, Peacock, Small and Large White, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Meadow Brown and around 7 Small Copper. (Bob Eade, High and Over)

Cricket at Hove washed out 2 days in a row. I didn't see any butterflies either but Val who stayed in Worthing yesterday saw one Large White / Small White. Martin's Michaelmas Daisies took me back to my youth in Eastbourne. My parents had 2 clumps one quite pink like Martin's and one more purple. They were both more exciting versions than the basic which self seeds, spreads easily and can be a nuisance. They would regularly attract Small Tortoiseshells and Red Admirals. Southover Grange Gardens near Lewes station used to have a big collection of different Michaelmas Daisies - maybe still has. (John Heys, West Worthing)

Despite the showers there were at least 6 individual Wall Browns spotted at Herstmonceux Castle Gardens yesterday. I haven't seen that many here before. I also saw a few whites, 4 Peacocks, 2 Red Admirals, and 2 Small Coppers, looking a bit shabby now. (Maria Dixon, Herstmonceux Castle gardens)

Despite the horrendous weather with very high winds and heavy rain, during the odd interlude I did see a couple of Wall Brown, 1m 1f and 2 Speckled Wood and a single Small White along the Comp path. Resilience shown by these butterflies!! (Bob Eade, The Comp)

There were only a few minutes of sunshine in Storrington today but it was enough to encourage a Red Admiral on the Michaelmas Daisies. I don't know what this variety is called ( a friend gave me some, a few years ago) but it is great value as it provides nectar throughout September and sometimes October, as well. It is a good height for taking photos, and so a bonus. I still have Small White and Large White in the garden but not much else. Pics 3 and 4 were taken yesterday. (Martin Kalaher, Storrington wildlife garden) - TQ082140

We were delivering a misdirected letter to a nearby road around 1pm. Despite the unremitting gloom, a Speckled Wood was nosing around low down. Needless to say, it was Val who spotted it first. (John Heys, West Worthing) - TQ131025

Apart from a few stray Large Whites / Small Whites, I did see a nice Beautiful Plume which I disturbed from a geranium in our back garden. (John Heys, West Worthing) - TQ131025

We’ve left some of the lavender for it! (Chris Todman, Po20 7sr)

Today (23rd) I went for an afternoon walk of a couple of miles on private land north of Wiston ,total of 21 butterflies seen. Seven each of Comma and Red Admiral, four Speckled Wood and single examples of Small Heath Large White and Small White. With the wind and patchy sun was grateful for anything. (David Broxham, Wiston)

It became sunny and warm if rather windy in our back garden. While I had lunch, first a Large White appeared, then a Speckled Wood & finally a Red Admiral. A dragonfly parked near me too - my phone picture wasn't good enough for me to be sure of its identity. Later I disturbed a plume moth which settled on the green waste bin near a Green Shieldbug. I think its a Common Plume or possibly a Twin-spot Plume. The Speckled Wood was too easily put to flight for a decent picture. My "best" shows it in the side my one of my anti-fox devices (an old margarine tub with a good sprinkling of vinegar which a slug is creeping up to investigate. Maybe the Speckled Wood was attracted by the vinegar, or maybe the element of shelter, or both. (John Heys, West Worthing) - TQ131025

Firstly a belated thank you to all involved in upgrading the website and keeping it going. We are all indebted to your time and expertise. Today things really seemed to be winding down on a walk around parts of Lancing Ring, as is only to be expected post Equinox. It was 17°C and mostly sunny. 15 Speckled Wood, 8 Red Admiral, 3 Wall, 2 Peacock, Comma, Brimstone, Common Blue. Large White and Small White noted but not counted. Also Humming-bird Hawk-moth and Silver Y. Of the 25 female Wasp Spiders in my garden only two are still on their webs. (Lindsay Morris, Lancing Ring area)

A member made contact to tell me about a "fresh-looking male Long-tailed Blue" seen on 21st September. So, the occasional one is being recorded in Sussex. Location not revealed as concerns over possible trampling of the larval foodplants. (Martin Kalaher, Storrington wildlife garden)

Another stroll along the Comp path this afternoon, in less than ideal conditions. On the circuit however from home and back 12 Wall Brown were seen, including 4 females. I stopped and had a quick check on the Wall Brown ova I saw on Friday, and was pleased to see 6 in the same spot today. The area is a culvert that has been cut to get rid of the water that blocks the path in a wet winter. On the side of the culvert is some grass roots, and the eggs are generally laid on them. (Bob Eade, The Comp)

Val & I were out a bit later in the morning travelling to Chichester & dodged the rain. It was improving as we caught a train at Angmering station. 2 Red Admirals were on buddleia overlooking the platform. After being absolutely gripped by "The Spy Who Came in from the Cold" (new as a stage play), we were leaving Angmering station at around 5:45 pm. Under some road-side trees we caught sight of 2 butterflies looking for a roost - both Speckled Woods. (John Heys, Angmering)

Members of Warnham Wild Bunch were sighted today in the Warnham Butterfly Fields in pouring rain! The occasion was the first work party of the 2024/25 winter. Amazingly a Brown Hairstreak was also spotted flying briefly during a torrential downpour! Sussex BC members are always welcome to visit the Butterfly Fields and to join our work parties. Our next three work parties take place on Tuesday 22 October, Saturday 16 November and Tuesday 10 December (all 9.30-12.30, except on the 10th when it is 10am til 1pm). Contact David Bridges for more information (mobile 07840 871755). (David Bridges, Warnham Butterfly Fields) - TQ153339

Val & I have been on holiday up north - Lake District, Newcastle, Hadrian's Wall, Carlisle, Skipton, Howarth - a lot of places in a short time. We've had good weather & visited some promising habitats, seeing a smattering of Large Whites, Small Whites, Speckled Woods & Red Admirals + one Peacock. On our return to West Worthing around 4.45pm today, it was still warm enough for us to see a few Small Whites, Large Whites and, in our back garden, a Speckled Wood. I didn't get a picture of it, so here's one taken near Beatrix Potter's cottage high above Windermere - much paler than the specimen in our garden just now. Enjoying the re-vamped website - in particular it was easier to look at the sightings pages on my phone as I didn't need to turn it on it's side to be able to read the entries & see the pictures well. Thanks for all the hard work. (John Heys, West Worthing) - TQ131025

Wall Browns from Herstmonceux Castle. Seen over two days 18th and today 20th. There doesn't seem to be a large colony there and they are widely scattered. (Trevor Rapley, Herstmonceux Castle.)

I found this butterfly in the afternoon, on our window. (Aldona Butler, Telscombe Cliffs )

It was nice to bump into a handful of fellow enthusiasts from Surrey in Lancing Ring chalkpit, lured there by the possibility of Long-tailed Blue! It was sunny and warm, if a bit too breezy, and my walk around Lancing Ring turned up thirteen butterfly species. 23 Red Admiral, 10 Wall, 7 Speckled Wood, 4 Common Blue, 2 Brown Argus, 2 Comma, 2 female Brimstone, 2 Peacock, Small Copper, Small Heath, Meadow Brown. Small White and Large White present but not counted. (Lindsay Morris, Lancing Ring area)

For a fourth day this week there has been a Gatekeeper flying in the afternoon sun in my back garden in Three Bridges which seems rather late. (Andrew Guest, Three Bridges, Crawley)

The 3rd brood Wall Brown, have until this week been pretty restricted to areas that have traditionally had the 3rd brood, even before recent years when they have spread further. On Monday for instance, there were plenty at High and Over, but very few in the surrounding area, with only a single one along The Comp path. By today however, as I entered The Comp path, that runs along the back of the Seaford Golf Course, I stumbled straight into a mating pair. Another 100 metres along, I saw a female Wall Brown take flight from low down amongst the grasses, in a scrape to aid drainage away from the path. It was obvious she was in egg laying mode, so I looked through the binoculars at the spot and immediately saw 2 eggs. Only one of them probably was laid by her as only one of them had the greenish tinge that newly laid eggs have. 45 minutes later I returned along the same part of the path, and she was still egg laying. I saw her go into a tussock and leave an egg behind, so hopefully she has left plenty along The Comp. (Bob Eade, The Comp)

We had two fabulous days at Pulborough Brook RSPB reserve. We saw 15 species of butterflies over the two days. The highlight was undoubtedly two female Brown Hairstreaks (our first ever),. Also seen a single Brimstone, Common Blue and Small Heath, with plenty of Small Coppers, Meadow Brown, Peacock, Painted Lady, Comma, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper, Red Admiral, Large, Small and Green-veined White. (Debbie and Dave Alston, Pulborough Brooks)