Thursday 30 June 2011

Slopes above Butchers Hole CP, Friston Forest: I have been looking out for Chalkhill Blues this past week and today saw my first, very fresh one - only one, but hopefully hundreds/thousands soon! However, the most remarkable butterfly on the slopes at the moment is the Dark Green Fritillary. Past years, I would see 1-2 on the slopes at one time, but at the moment they are the most common butterfly, followed closely by the Marbled White, then Meadow Brown and Small Heath. Also saw 2 Small Coppers, 3 Small Skippers, one each: Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell and Painted Lady. Diplocks Wood: I am pretty sure the White-letter Hairstreak is emerging but havent got a clear enough view to say 100% for sure. (Susan Suleski)

Master at work; (above) Bob Eade with White-letter Hairstreak at his fingertips in the Cuckmere Valley. (Nigel Kemp)

At 6.30 a.m spotted my first Essex Skipper (above) on a field margin on the downslink at Henfield TQ204168. I checked the antennae carefully from different angles to check the under side tips were indeed black. (Richard Roebuck)

Cissbury Ring 9:00  11:40 Very sunny, becoming overcast. Walked inside the ditch, to avoid any wind.
A wonderful morning, full of butterflies, with buzzards and skylarks for company. Also heard a quail calling from 11:20  11:40.
Small Skipper 5, Essex Skipper 1, Unidentified Smessex Skippers (flying by too fast tell apart) 7, Large Skipper 11, Small White 5, unidentified Smallveined White 1, Green-veined White 2, Small Copper 10, Brown Argus (very fresh) 1, Red Admiral 2, Painted Lady (very worn) 1, Dark Green Fritillary 23, Meadow Brown 203, Ringlet 13, Small Heath 53, Marbled White 36, Cinnabar Moth 10. (Chris Skinner)

A quick return visit to the Chiddingfold area again this morning. Sadly, the Emperor didn't make an appearance whilst I was there, but with three other enthusiasts I did see a Dark Green Fritillary (above). It didn't seem to be bothered by us and our cameras, but it was frequently disturbed by some annoying Skippers. Fortunately, it kept returning to the same patch of thistles. (Andy Wilson)

Being in the right place at the right time at Botany Bay (above). (Steve East)

Met a friend (not a butterflier) on the sea front for a walk/chat/ice-cream and suggested we checked Holywell Retreat/Beach TV6096 for butterflies. It was sunny but blustery and we found a couple of Small Tortoiseshells in Helen Gardens, several Green-veined Whites along the path by St. Bedes, 2 Small Whites on sea kale on the beach, no Painted Ladies but 2 Naked Men :o !! Glad I didn't have my bins with me. Much more pleasant sight on the lavender back home for the second day running - a Hummingbird Hawkmoth (above). (Anna Grist)

A group of us found 3 Hummingbird Hawkmoths on paths leading to and from Kingley Vale today. Grid Refs SU819118, 824116 and 823105. (John Goodspeed)

News for Wednesday 29 June: Spent the morning at Southwater Woods. No Purple Emperor unfortunately, but still plenty of action, with White Admirals, Silver-washed Fritillaries, Ringlets, Purple Hairstreaks, Marbled Whites, Commas, Red Admirals, Small and Large Skippers and 100's of Meadow Browns putting on a great show. But something was wrong with one of the Silver-washed Frits - a closer look revealed... it was mating with... a Meadow Brown! Eventually the Silver-washed flew up into the trees, Meadow Brown still attached! Then onto Friston Forest Litlington Road end. Unfortunately, it was cloudier/cooler by then, but still saw several Dark Green Fritillaries, Marbled Whites and other common species. More surprising, perhaps, was the abundant Hummingbird Hawkmoths, 10+ seen in two hours (photos above). (Mark Bunch,Esther Hitchcock)

News for Tuesday 28 June: I joined forces with Matthew Oates in a hunt for new Sussex Emperor sites - new for us that is! In a quiet wood near Billingshurst we saw 3 male Purple Emperors, one of which came down to my bait, and then my finger. We may have seen more, but a fierce lightening storm brought a premature end to proceedings. A recently-emerged Speckled Wood patrolled the ride as we waited (photo of Neil by Matthew Oates). (Neil Hulme)

Recent news: Roundhill area of Brighton: on 26th my first White-letter Hairstreak in the garden in Belton Road with another dead on Ditchling Road nearby; unfortunately, also dead Scarlet Tiger moths at Richmond Road on 26th and on Lewes Road near Sainsburys on 27th. However, live day-time flying Scarlet Tigers at Ashdown Road on 27th and over garden on 28th.
Trapping on night of 26th-27th included an Elephant Hawkmoth, Scarlet Tiger, Silver Y and a Fern. (Jeremy Patterson)

Wednesday 29 June 2011

Another count of Small Tortoiseshells between Littlington and Alfriston produced a small increase in numbers to 33, most were at the Alfriston end. The Gatekeepers are now emerging in good numbers on only their 2nd day of being seen in this area. A very smart Essex Skipper (above) female was also seen. All this to the depressing noise of chain saws cutting down the elms that have succumbed to dutch elm disease. I would like to thank Dave, the manager of this area for The National Trust for agreeing to move the site for the fire away from a bramble bush that has been a nectaring source for the W L Hairstreaks in the area. (Bob Eade)

News from the Butterfly haven: We have a new species at the Butterfly Haven, Brighton, observed for the first time today. Its the 22nd species, the Small Skipper (above, left). (Dan Danahar)

I visited Southwater Woods this morning, arriving just after 9 a.m. On the main east-west ride, there were dozens of Meadow Browns already active, plus a good number of Silver-washed Fritillaries dashing about. At the western end, in Madgelands Wood, there were also several White Admirals nectaring on bramble, although some of these are beginning to look rather tired now. In the meadows to the north of the woods, there were literally hundreds of Meadow Browns and a good number of Marbled Whites. I was also pleased to see a few Small Coppers here. At the corner of one field, there were some Purple Hairstreaks high in the Oak trees. Estimated numbers of sightings: Silver-washed Fritillary (25+), White Admiral (10), Comma (5), Red Admiral (2), Purple Hairstreak (5), Speckled Wood (5), Small Copper (3), Marbled White (25+), Large Skipper (10), Ringlet (10), Meadow Brown (hundreds)... but Purple Emperor (zero).
Frustrated, I drove to the Chiddingfold area, where I met several fellow enthusiasts and joined forces with one. After several hours, we eventually got lucky and had 3 sightings (possibly one duplicate, but we definitely saw 2 individuals on the wing at the same time). One came to ground at about 3 p.m. and I finally got my first decent photos of His Majesty (above). Unfortunately, the sun had gone in, so the purple isn't very evident, but it was a male in pristine condition. (Andy Wilson)

Popped into Botany Bay today and saw two Purple Emperors chasing at high level also saw 16 Silver-washed Fritillaries including a mating pair. Interestingly also saw a Dark Green Fritillary (above) which I understand are unusual at this site. (Mark Tutton)

Tuesday 28 June 2011

Seaford Head TQ9749 On a very hot morning before the rain and thunder came, we saw 20 + Marbled Whites nectaring on Bramble and Common Knapweed. Also on Bramble 20 Dark Green Fritillary. Numerous Meadows Brown, Large and Small Skippers, Small Heath and Large and Small Whites. In the Garden (TQ0769) this evening Hummingbird Hawkmoth. (Janet & Neville Richardson)

Just before the storms hit us, we spotted this White Admiral at Botany Bay which seems to have lost its stripes. (Maggie and Steve East)

Walking along the ride running east to west through Magdalen Wood at 9am today, one White Admiral near the gate and 2 Ringlets, plus what looked like two possible Purple Emperors in the canopy above the first crossroads; also in the Ash here one Purple Hairstreak high in the treetop. Further along the ride we saw Silver-washed Fritillaries, at least 2 more White Admirals, another possible Purple Hairstreak, 2 Large Skipper, 1 Marbled White, 2-3 Ringlet, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Speckled Wood, numerous Meadow Browns, 3-4 White sp., and 1 Red Admiral. Back at the car park, we were afforded excellent views (through binoculars) of a female Purple Hairstreak resting up in the treetop. Photos above and on my blog: http://mud-puddling.blogspot.com/. (Leigh Prevost)

Single Hummingbird Hawkmoths have been present daily in my garden in Edburton for about 10 days now but I suspect theres been some immigration as this evening there were 3 together on the Valerian. Yesterday, one was making the most of the warm evening and was still feeding at 9.45pm. Otherwise the best sightings in the garden have been a couple of Dark Green Fritillaries, Large Skipper and Marbled White. In the nearby wood the first Silver-washed Fritillary, White Admiral and Purple Hairstreak have appeared. Also, near the garden I recently found a huge number of Red Admiral caterpillars in a large patch of nettles and thistles but more interesting it also appeared to be a nursery for Harlequin Ladybirds with many larva and a few adults. (Tony Wilson)

News for Monday 27 June: Firstly, "thanks" to Leigh Prevost for writing-up the Sunday walk around Southwater Woods, and to the twenty five participants who I'm sure enjoyed the stunning meadows, woods and their butterflies. On Monday I met up with Matthew Oates to look at the Purple Emperors of Botany Bay, where three came to ground. Second brood Wood White are already on the wing here! More at http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=4065&start=420 (Neil Hulme)

More news for Monday 27 June: The Essex Skippers are out at that Butterfly haven and at Moulescoomb Primary school three White letter Hairstreaks were seen. (Dan Danahar)

More news for Monday 27 June: On a hot and humid morning, I noticed the first Hummingbird Hawkmoth of the year flying energetically around the vegetation at the top of Chanctonbury Drive, north Shoreham. The lower slopes of Mill Hill (north of Shoreham) hosted 15+ Marbled White Butterflies, 12+ Small Heaths, two Large Whites, at least four Meadow Browns, one Comma, one Burnet Moth and two Red Admirals (the latter at the southern steps). I only visited the lower slopes, but on the southern part of Mill Hill there were two more Marbled Whites, another Small Heath, a Yellow Shell Moth and a Cinnabar Moth. There were more sightings of Marbled Whites, but these were excluded as they were thought to be the same butterfly seen twice. (Andy Horton, http://www.glaucus.org.uk/Butterfly-list2011.html)

News for Sunday 26 June: Four White-letter Hairstreak flying high in the tree canopy at the northern end of Hollingbury Park (TQ317 077), Brighton. Also, Comma, Red Admiral, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper. (Caroline Clarke)

More news for Sunday 26 June: Southwater Woods has been a fruitful hunting ground recently. On Sunday I arrived after Neil's walk and met several BC friends including Maggie and Steve, who is a good spotter and pointed out a mating pair of Ringlets and an Essex Skipper. Other sightings were a pair of courting Green-veined Whites, Small Skippers, Marble Whites, Meadow Browns, a Common Blue, Commas, Silver-washed Fritillaries, White Admirals, Speckled Woods and a soaring Purple Emperor (photos above). (Colin Knight www.seapic.com)

Recent news:
Wednesday 22 June: Meadow near Hadlow down in terrible weather.
9 Meadow Browns @ TQ528256.
6 Meadow Browns @ TQ528257.
Thursday 23 June: Another meadow better weather.
2 Meadow Brown and 1 Red Admiral both @ TQ534260.
2 Meadow Brown @ TQ536259.
1 Speckled Wood @ TQ533260.
3 Meadow Browns @ TQ534261.
7 Meadow Browns @ TQ526263.
25 Meadow Browns @ TQ537263.
Friday 24 June: Plumpton Dormouse surveying.
1 Larger Skipper and 4 Meadow Browns both @ TQ365186. Woodland ride.
3 Speckled Woods @TQ366186.
4 Meadow Browns @ TQ367189.
1 Speckled Wood and 4 Meadow Browns all @ TQ368188.
Saturday 25 June: Plumpton.
11 Meadow Browns @ TQ358165.
1 Speckled Wood @ TQ356165.
1 Red Admiral @ TQ357163.
2 Large Skippers, 1 Meadow Brown and 2 Small Whites all @ TQ358163.
8 Meadow Browns and 1 Tortoiseshell all @ TQ359162.
1 Speckled Wood @ TQ360163.
1 Meadow Brown @ TQ362164.
Sunday 26 June:
2 Large Whites, 1 Meadow Brown @ TQ362164.
3 Meadow Browns @ TQ359165.
3 Meadow Browns @ TQ358165.
3 Meadow Browns @ TQ357166.
2 Meadow Browns @ TQ356166.
1 Speckled Wood @ TQ356165.
1 Large White @ TQ360165.
1 Large Slipper @ TQ361164.
Monday 27 June: Plumpton.
1 Red Admiral @ TQ361164.
2 Marbled Whites @ TQ353159. My first of the year.
6 Large Whites @ TQ355160.
4 Meadow Browns @ TQ358165.
2 Small White and 1 Small Tortoiseshell all @ TQ361164.
Tuesday 28 June: Plumpton. Poor weather.
1 Marbled White @ TQ356166.
1 Small Tortoiseshell @ TQ363164.
(Jon Wood)

Monday 27 June 2011

Today I went back to Hollingbury park to look for White-letter Hairstreak, Whilst there I saw two Red Admirals, three Meadow Browns, one Large Skipper and suprisingly one Silver-washed Fritillary. I went back to the same spot as yesturday, finding three White-letter Hairstreaks in flight chasing each other, I saw two at eye level, and on and off single and double sightings of White-letter Hairstreak, down feeding on bramble. So in total a definate three White-letter Hairstreaks were seen, with a possible three too six individuals, but with possible, double countings (photos above). (Jamie Burston)

I managed to sneak out to Friston Forest today and what a joy! Lots of butterflies just laying there waiting to be photographed, including my first sightings of the year of easily 50 Dark Green Fritillary. Also seen were a handful of Marbled White (also my first sighting of the year), a couple of Small Tortoiseshell, a few Large Skipper, a couple Red Admiral and one Comma (photos above). (Nick Linazasoro)

At 6.30 a.m Hummingbird Hawkmoth 1, Red Admiral 5, Ringlets 3, Comma 2, Meadow Browns 8. TQ2016. at 8.30 Mill Hill top car park vicinity, Painted Lady 1, Hummingbird Hawkmoth 2. and finally - TQ212121 Marbled Whites 4. The above pic sums up the weekend - masses of butterflies - only the skipper was stationary. TQ211240 field surrounded by woods, 2 Meadow Browns, one Comma, one Large White but surprisingly this field was dominated by Small Skippers 25 plus.

Sunday 26 June: Near Downs link, Marbled Whites 11, Small Skippers 6, Small Tortoiseshells 2. TQ203172. At Woodmancote 30 plus Marbled Whites a large colony, Small Skippers 25 plus, Large Skippers, 5 Meadow Browns numerous, Commas 3, Red Admiral 1, Hummingbird Hawkmoth 1 TQ242141. Wiston TQ1416 Silver-washed Fritillary 8, White Admiral 3, Purple Hairstreak 2, Marbled Whites 5, Small Skipper 3, Large Skipper 5, Green-veined White 2, Ringlets 10, Meadow Browns numerous, Large White 1, Common Blue (pristine) 1. At TQ236131, pritine Small Copper, Purple Hairstreak, Marbled White 2, Meadow Browns 5, one tatty Speckled Wood. (30 plus spp in the moth trap including 5 Elephant Hawks a rather late Cockchafer and bits of a male Stag beetle outside, sparrows?). (Richard Roebuck)

Southwater Woods 09.30 to 12.15 much of the time in the pleasant company of Susie. Very Hot and Very Sunny. Species seen and approx numbers:
Meadow Brown Hundreds
Silver-washed Fritillary circa 60
White Admiral circa 20
Whites, Small and a few Large circa 20
Marbled White circa 15
Small Skipper 8
Red Admiral 6
Speckled Wood 6
Ringlet 4
Small Tortoiseshell 3
Comma 2
Purple Hairstreak 2 (Susie with better eyesight saw around 5 more)
Large Skipper 2
Wall Brown 1
Purple Emperor 1 (As I walked through the gate, the Emperor glided down to give my purple shirt the once over and soared back into the canopy).
All the butterflies were reluctant to settle for long in the heat. (Mark Senior)

My moth trap over the weekend at RSPB Pulborough Brooks yielded over 200 moths and 30 different species  the highlights included Eyed, Poplar and Elephant Hawkmoths, Rosy Footman, Buff-tip, Buff Arches, Beautiful Hook-tip, a Lackey and a Shark. Most numerous were Dark Arches and Large Yellow Underwings. Still trying to get to grips with the micros, taking on a couple of challenges each time I trap  this time several Bramble Shoot Moths and Catoptria pinella. Weve also got some fabulous, fat, Mullein moth caterpillars in the visitor centre courtyard. In terms of butterflies around the reserve at the moment we've seen Meadow Browns aplenty, plus Large Skippers, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral and the first of our Ringlets. I also saw one White Admiral (on the woodland/heathland trail) and one Marbled White (over the car park) yesterday  we only get a handful of sightings of these two species each year.
On my way home, a hold up on the Shoreham flyover (A283/A27 roundabout) gave me time to butterfly spot from the car  Meadow Browns, a couple of Large Skippers, 3 Marbled Whites and several burnet moths. (Anna Allum, RSPB Pulborough Brooks Nature Reserve)

News for Sunday 26 June: I went for a stroll around the northern half of one of the "mystery tetrads", Graffham Common (SU9218). The north-eastern square consists mainly of coniferous woodland with a dense bracken undergrowth, on a poor light Lower Greensand soil. There were very few nectar sources for butterflies and I saw only a few Meadow Browns bobbing about. I was beginning to think that I wouldn't see anything else at all, but at one clearing that had some bramble flowers, I disturbed a White Admiral, which then proceeded to flit around very restlessly for several minutes. There were also a couple of Large Skippers at this location. I later saw one more White Admiral, also nectaring on bramble, but no other woodland species. The north-western square has an unwooded area marked on the map as Selham Common, which in fact is a large meadow with horses grazing on it. It was full of, guess what... Meadow Browns, but nothing else. Overall, this was a rather disappointing expedition from a butterfly point of view, but it's a nice area for a walk. (Andy Wilson)

More news for Sunday 26 June: Having spotted the White-letter Hairstreak in the field near where I live on the cold Saturday I looked a bit harder than usual on the hot Sunday morning. I saw 1 nectaring on bramble and another 3 flying high. I have looked many times around the edge of the field as I was sure they would be there but never seen them before. They certainly can be very easily overlooked. (Bob Eade)

News for Saturday 25 June: The photo above was taken at 4.40pm on Saturday 25 June 2011. (Juliet and Chris Moore)

Sunday 26 June 2011

A visit to Broadwater Warren near Tunbridge Wells resulted in 10 Meadow Brown, 5 Speckled Wood, 1 Large Skipper, 1 Large White, 2 White Admiral and (for the first sighting in my life, at the age of 58!) a male Purple Emperor - which was active for a good 15 minutes at ground level at about 12.30 pm. (Rob Thomas)

On the Southwater Safari led by Neil Hulme today, a total of 14 species seen. In no particular order: Purple Emperor (3), Purple Hairstreak (2 very brief), White Admiral (3-4), Comma (1), Ringlet (2), Meadow Brown (many!), Holly Blue (1), Green-veined White (4-5), Silver-washed Fritillary, Marbled White, Large Skipper (4), Speckled Wood. Also seen by the group but not me, 1 Red Admiral and 1 Small Tortoiseshell. Thanks Neil for yet another fantastic trip and for imparting your knowledge. After a very brief glimpse of an individual Purple Emperor, flying powerfully through the canopy, we were lucky enough to see 2 males jostling for territory over the car park. I hope one day to see this fine butterfly resting but a fleeting glimpse will keep me satisfied until then.
Many of the butterflies too distant for photos but did manage to get one of this rather obliging male Large Skipper Ochlodes venatus (above). Please also see my blog: http://mud-puddling.blogspot.com/ (Leigh Prevost)

A surprise find in my moth trap last night was a Purple Hairstreak (Keith Alexander)

Today our family took advantage of the RHS Open Gardens scheme and visited the hidden gem of Follers Manor in Alfriston. I took the camera to take photos of the flowers and somehow managed to photgraph an endangered battered but lovely White-Letter Hairstreak - I'm not sure that I've ever seen one before! Also spotted were several Meadow Brown, Large White and a Red Admiral. We also saw a dragonfly and damselfly depositing the next generation in the pond. Lovely garden and weather and enjoyable afternoon (photos above). (Nick, Sharon, James & Toby Linazasoro)

Today I went to Hollinbury park, Brighton, I saw one Green-veined White, two Red Admirals, five Meadow Browns, one Small Tortoiseshell and one White-letter Hairstreak, which was down on bramble, finding it toward the top end of the park, close to Hollingbury golf course. (Jamie Burston)

Lancing Rings 12 - 2pm very hot and sunny. Approx. numbers seen:
Meadow Brown 70
Marbled White 25
Red Admiral 14
Small Skipper 12
Small White 10
Large Skipper 6
Small Tortoiseshell 5
Large White 3
Ringlet 2
Gatekeeper 2
Dark Green Fritillary 1 possibly a 2nd (a very fleeting glimpse)
Common Blue 1
Surprisingly no Speckled Wood. (Mark Senior)

Visited Cissbury Ring today for for a short walk for the first time since early June. The number of species was not high but it was good to see 40 + Dark Green Fritillaries - some still emerging. Marbled Whites were also there but I only noticed c 15. 1 Small Blue, 2 Common Blues, a few Large Skippers and lots of Small Heaths and Meadow Browns made up most of the supporting cast. Also 2 Forester moths there.
In the moth trap last night a varied selection, but migrants thin on the ground. However 2 new species for the garden - Golden Plusia and Green Arches - were nice to see. (Mike Snelling)

We had our first Gatekeeper of the year at Thorney Island (SU752024) this afternoon, and a Hummingbird Hawkmoth flew east along the shoreline, at the southern end of Thorney Island at SU762012.
Marbled White records at Thorney Island today:
7 at SU759037
6 at SU765034
3 at SU762023
6 at SU752025
8 at SU756045
(Barry and Margaret Collins)

On an evening walk, saw first Gatekeeper of my butterfly year. (Graham Parris Isfield)

News for Saturday 25 June: I visited Cissbury Ring on Saturday, arriving at 4.30 just as the sun started to come out. This time I managed to find the Marbled Whites and Dark Green Fritillaries, around the south-eastern side of the ring (last time I made the mistake of walking around the north side and seeing very little). The Dark Green Fritillaries were very lively at first but had settled down considerably by the time I left, at about 6.30. Also I saw Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Small Heath, Small Copper, a very faded Common Blue, Green-veined White, and Small and Large Skipper (photos above). (John Williams)

Saturday 25 June 2011

Just been for a long walk to Littlington, Alfriston and back over the hills and in the cool temperature hardly saw anything. I was nearly home when I spotted a small butterfly sheltering in the long grass. On closer inspection I found it was a White-letter Hairstreak. Map ref. TQ5009 0045. (Bob Eade)

News for Friday 24 June: One Essex Skipper (above) on Nore Down near West Marden in West Sussex SU774130. Also, plenty of Marbled Whites (Brian Fellows)

More news for Friday 24 June: Hummingbird Hawkmoth in our Steyning garden on one of our Buddleia bushes... hovering for about two minutes around bush. (David Geoghegan)

Friday 24 June 2011

Ventured down to woods off Spithandle lane, late this afternoon and it immediately became overcast and chilly in the wind. Finally I saw my first Silver-washed Fritillary of the year here which looked pristine. Also newly emerged Ringlets 6, in super condition, Green-veined Whites 3, White Admirals 3, Commas 3,Large Skippers 6, Red Admiral 1, Large White 1. TQ1615 (photos above). (Richard Roebuck)

At least 12 Marbled Whites seen on the Rifle Range this morning (TQ 164113). Also lots of Meadow Brown, 6 Ringlets & a mating pair of Green-veined Whites (above). No Blues to be found. (Pete Varkala)

A single Painted Lady, my first this year, nectaring with 5 Small Tortoiseshells and several Meadow Browns on thistles near to Lodge Farm, Keymer at TQ318139 (Malcolm Le Grys)

I went to Friston Forest above Butchershole today to try to get photos of Dark Green Fritillaries. The weather was better than the last few days but still a rather cool wind. However, I found two sheltered locations where there were several nectaring on Knapweed and Bramble (above). Also saw Meadow Brown and Marbled White (too numerous to count), Comma (1), Red Admiral (2), Speckled Wood (2) and a solitary male Large White. (Andy Wilson)

A morning off coincided with some sunshine so I decided to check out one of the unrecorded tetrads (see suitcase above). I headed across to Gay Street near Billingshurst. I wasn't too sure what to find in this largely agricultural tetrad and focussed my recording on an area of woodland in the SW corner - Woodshill Copse. So many woods in Sussex are dark and abandoned - so I was pleased to find this one in a healthy condition - wide rideas and areas of clearfell made this site fantastic for butterflies and other wildlife. The place was full of Silver-washed Fritillaries - there were over 40 all along the rides along with White Admirals, Red Admiral, Purple Hairstreak, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Green-veined White, Comma, Speckled Wood and a Hummingbird Hawk-moth. Management here looks set to improve this habitat for the future - I'll certainly be back (photos above). (Michael Blencowe)

I have been trying to do my annual Small Tortoiseshell count between Littlington and Alfriston for some time now but the wind has been too high. With better weather predicted I set off today to but find that there was still a stiff breeze blowing along the river. The nettles and thistles were also less than in recent years, possibly due to over winter flooding. I counted just 28 Small Tortoiseshell which was still quite impressive, but was well down on what I was hoping as last year it was nearly 60!!
If I get another chance I will have another go in hopefully calmer conditions. (Bob Eade)

Details of two transects walked yesterday and today at Bedelands Farm, Burgess Hill, Species seen;
Thursday 23rd June,
Small Skipper, (1)
Large Skipper, (3)
Small Copper, (1)
Comma, (1)
Speckled Wood, (1)
Meadow Brown, (168)
Total, 175 butterflies, 6 species.
Friday 24th June,
Small Skipper, (2)
Large Skipper, (4)
Common Blue, (1)
Red Admiral, (2)
Comma (1),
Meadow Brown, (442)
Total, 452 butterflies, 6 species. (David Pyle)

Recent news: We ran a moth trap last week (June 3rd) in Rowland Wood and caught 10+ Rannoch Loopers - making it the 3rd commonest moth in a very varied catch which included Festoon, Cream-spot Tiger and Lime Hawkmoth. The weather was perfect for moth trapping on the following Friday (June 10th) so we hastily set up some traps in Rowland Wood. Not long after we fired up the generators a torrential downpour started and we raced back to the traps to turn them off and pack them away. Despite this brief trapping session we still caught 6 Rannoch Loopers - it was the second commonest moth of the night behind Brown Silver-lines! (Michael Blencowe)

Friday 10 June 2011

Whilst walking the South downs way at Beachy head this morning I found a freshly emerged Marbled White, still pumping its wings up. TV 592 959 (Jeremy Burgess)

Today went for an all too brief visit to Park Corner Heath. I wasn't disapointed as I saw around 6 Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary, 4 Large Skipper, one Large White, two Meadow Brown, one Comma (that amazingly was being chased by a much smaller Large Skipper!), two very large blue dragonflies and as far as I can remember my first encounter with a Green Tiger Beetle. (Nick Linazasoro)

On Thursday I visited Cissbury Ring. Its always a pleasure to enjoy the views and plentiful life on this Iron Age fort. Heavy black cloud and light drizzle forced me to take cover under the trees at the south side where I was rewarded by seeing two Tree Creepers and a pair of Greater Spotted Woodpeckers. The butterfly action was mostly in the ditch on the south side where an Adonis Blue insisted on posing beautifully many times. He was disturbed by Common Blues and a worn Brown Argus. On Friday I returned and heard cuckoos and because of the wind all the action was in the wooded part of the ditch. A pristine Red Admiral posed, plus a beautiful female Common Blue. I also saw two worn Green Hairsteaks. There was also many Large Skippers plus a blue demoiselle. Both days I saw dozens of Meadow Browns and Small Heaths. (Colin Knight www.seapic.com)

In Edburton, my first Hummingbird Hawk Moth of the year feeding on valerian - hopefully it will be a good year as they were numerous In Charente and the Loire while I was on holiday last week. Also a Painted Lady on the valerian but few other butterflies in the garden, just 2 - 3 Small Tortoiseshells and a couple of Meadow Browns. As I write this the first Small Elephant Hawk Moths are arriving on the same valerian plants just outside my window (Tony Wilson)

On slopes above Butcher's Hole CP: it was not a very inviting day for butterflies but I saw lots of feisty Small Heaths and fresh Meadow Browns as a wandered on the slopes. Also, 2 very battered Common Blues, 4 Small Tortoiseshells, 7 bright Large Skippers each guarding about a 1.5 metre square of bramble "hedge" and 2 more in another area of bramble, and what I am pretty sure was a fast moving Dark Green Fritillary. (Susan Suleski)

News for Wednesday 8 June: Large skipper - 2, TV562957, Horseshoe Plantation. Meadow Brown - 1, TV562957 Horseshoe Plantation, 2, TV562964, Eastbourne Downland. Common Blue - 1, TV562957, Horseshoe Plantation, 1, TV560959, Birling Gap. Dark Green Fritillary - 3, TV562964, Eastbourne Downland. Small Heath - 4, TV560959, Birling Gap, 2, TV562964, Eastbourne Downland, 1, TV559969, Eastbourne Downland. Small Tortoiseshell - 1, TV563960, Eastbourne Downland, 3, TV562964, Eastbourne Downland. Red Admiral - 1, TV559969, Eastbourne Downland. (David Jode)

Thursday 9 June 2011

Hour and a half spent today at a sunny but breezy Lancing Rings. The meadows were all disappointingly devoid of butterflies but the more sheltered rides especially near the pond were a better story. Seen:
Red Admiral circa 15 all pristine presumably locally hatched.
Small Tortoiseshell circa 12 mostly pristine specimens but 2 were very old and worn from the previous generation.
Large Skipper circa 10.
Meadow Browns circa 8 belying their names as they were all in the rides.
Speckled Woods circa 6 condition varying from pristine to very worn.
Common Blue only 2 very worn.
Single examples of Large and Small White, Small Skipper and a recently hatched hutchinsoni Comma which was in exactly the same place I 1st saw it when I returned an hour later.
Most butterflies of all species were nectaring on bramble. (Mark Senior)

Hummingbird Hawk Moth sighted in garden in East Grinstead 8.15am. (Clive Wills)

News for Wednesday 8 June:Maggie and I had an exciting morning with Silver-studded Blues at Iping Common on Wednesday. The female has lost her orange spots! Neil tells me that this is an example of an aberration (photos above). (Steve East)

Wednesday 8 June 2011

A rather battered Small Copper (above) was sheltering from the wind at Church Norton this morning.

Went late evening to Woods off Spithandle Lane, saw numerous Large Skippers, a couple of Green-veined Whites and Speckled Woods and also 3 pristine Commas (above) one of which appeared to be a hutchinsoni. (Richard Roebuck)

7 White Admiral, 4 Silver-washed Frtitillary and 2 Wood White (last of spring brood), wood near Plaistow. (Margaret Hibbard)

Escaping the wind in Friston Forest paid off with several Dark Green Fritillaries showing well nectaring on bramble flowers. Also seen were Large Skipper, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Small Tortoiseshell, Small Heath, Common Blue and Red Admiral. Also my first Hummingbird Hawk Moth of the year that settled several times on the path (photos above). (Bob Eade)

Yesterday I travelled to Somerset to see Large Blues - story at http://colinknight.blogspot.com/2011/06/large-blues-at-collard-hill.html (Colin Knight)

Tuesday 7 June 2011

Well, it took about 45 minutes to even find any Silver Studded Blues at Iping Common which was very frustrating with the reports coming in to the web site. However, it was cool and breezy. Eventually I found a couple and on approaching a male I almost trod on a female adder that hissed loudly at me and even got into striking position!! After swiftly moving on, both me and the adder, I then came accross more butterflies sheltering in the heather avoiding the cold and then the rain shower. I was almost on the point of giving up when the clouds broke up briefly. Suddenly the blues were everywhere, some faded but some still very fresh. Well worth the drive over. (Bob Eade)

I had an early morning walk around Cissbury ring and found the following, Common Blue (lots) Small Heath (lots), Small Copper (tatty) Grizzled Skipper (tattier), Dingy Skipper good condition, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Brown Argus (2) Small Blue (1), Adonis Blue (1), Meadow Brown loads, Cinnabar moths (lots) Mullein moth caterpillars, Speckled Yellow moth, Common Heath, a large female adder, a spectacular, resting, female Emperor Dragonfly and lastly two pristine Dark Green Fritillaries (none on the plateau at the moment). Marvellous. (Richard Roebuck)

Small Tortoiseshell - 1, TV560983, East Dean. 1, TV562985, East Dean. 1, TV561985, East Dean. (Cassie Jode)

Painted Lady flew northwards through the garden today, four days ago saw first Silver Y. More migrants to follow? (Graham Parris, Isfield)

I had a day off today so Susan Suleski joined me in exploring pastures new around Charleston and Firle, TQ4806, as requested by Michael. It was a blustery but sunny day and we set off from Alciston walking along a good path past Tilton Wood, through Charleston Farm and under Firle Tower spotting Meadow Brown 1, Small Tortoiseshell 4 and Large Skipper 1. After lunch in the grounds of Firle Place we headed south and back along Comp Lane at the foot of Firle Beacon. It was a bit more sheltered here and we found Speckled Wood 1, Small White 1, Common Blue 8, Small Blue 6, Small Heath 4 and another pristine Large Skipper. This was a delightful circuit in the south half of the tetrad and we intend to return over the summer. (Anna Grist)

Markstakes... Reptile survey:
1 Meadow Brown @ TQ399182.
3 Meadow Browns @ TQ399178.
1 Speckled Wood, 2 Meadow Browns @ TQ397177.
2 Meadow Browns @ TQ397178.
2 Meadow Browns @ TQ396178.
3 Meadow Browns @ TQ397179.
1 Speckled Wood @ TQ398179.
1 Speckled Wood @ TQ397180.
Plumpton meadow survey... 2 Small heaths, 3 Meadow Browns, 2 Small Skippers, 1 Common Blue all @ TQ366166.
2 Meadow Browns @ TQ356165.
2 Small Skippers @ TQ355164.
2 Small Skippers @ TQ354163.
3 Meadow Browns @ TQ358165.
and... Saturday 4 June:
1 Small Skipper @ TQ361164.
(John Wood)

Monday 6 June 2011

I also caught a Rannoch Looper in the moth trap last night in Henfield. (Richard Roebuck)

Having seen a number of reports of Rannoch Looper over the last couple of years (and noting that Jake Everitt had 9 the other night!) it was nice to finally trap a couple in my garden moth trap, in Hailsham, last night - The trap contained a female which presumably attracted this male (above) which was found outside. (Chris Ball)

News for Saturday 4 June: TQ11638 28764 Elmhurst Farm, Five Oaks Road, Billingshurst, West Sussex: 8 Small Tortoiseshell, 10+ Meadow Brown, 20+ Large Skipper. (Susie Milbank)

News for Wednesday 1 June: Visited Itchingfield churchyard and saw 4 Small Tortoiseshells. I have not seen these here before but they were on the plethora of Ox-eye daisies. No Blues and Skippers here though. They seemed to be on the lower flora next door in the adjoining field and here there were 5 Common Blues, a Small Skipper, Small Copper, Large White and 3 Meadow Browns. 4 Speckled Woods in the wood in between the two locations (photos above). (John Coxon)
Apologies for the delay in posting this sighting, I have just found it in my spam folder. ed.

Sunday 5 June 2011

Attendees at Saturday's Park Corner Heath and Rowland Wood Open Day (above). (Michael Blencowe)

Finally trapped the first Rannoch Looper for Pagham Harbour last night. (Ivan Lang)

A White-letter Hairstreak seen on Preston Drove, Brighton on Sunday 5 June. (Jeremy Patterson)

Silver-studded Blues were showing up in spite of overcast and drizzle at Iping Common today. Plus two slow-worms. (Colin Knight www.seapic.com)

I have previously mentioned the Hollingbury, Brighton, habitat restoration scheme devised by Ben Kimpton (Ecologist from Lewes). His consultancy was set the task of dealing with a very large amount of chalk, produced from excavations to allow for the construction of warehouse space. Their client was keen to keep the chalk on site and so from what I can gather, Ben designed a tiered mound that maintained the structural integrity of the chalk and thus helped to keep it safe from slippage. The mound faces a south westerly aspect and in many ways is superficially similar to the design of the Butterfly Haven. As far as I am aware there was no intentional design reference to the ecological engineering concept originally described by Morris et al in 1994 and its use of topography to manipulate micro-climate at ground level. However, Ben's design has made a fabulous contribution to local Small Blue habitat and on Thursday 2nd June, I visited the site with Ben and one of his colleagues.
At the Butterfly Haven I have been very happy with maximum daily counts of 36 Small Blues but was entirely unprepared for the numbers to be seen on the Hollingbury site. We made counts and estimated between 800 to 1000 individuals, which must make this one of the most abundant sites for Small Blues in Sussex. One clear difference between the Hollingbury site and the Butterfly Haven is that the former is constructed from pure chalk, whilst the later is formed from subsoil and chalk. Furthermore, whilst both sites were seeded with Emoorsgate Chalk and Limestone seed mix, only the Butterfly Haven was planted with wildflower plugs. I believe that these two factors have lead to the butterfly haven having a far denser vegetation and consequently the temperature of the two sites seemed very different, the Hollingbury site being very much warmer than the Butterfly Haven. This is clearly advantageous for the Small Blue at Hollingbury. However, this site does not boast the range of species recorded from the butterfly haven. Clearly there are some very useful lessons to be learnt for future habitat restoration projects and a mosaic of conditions found in both of these sites could be very valuable for rare downland early successional butterfly species. Ben tells me that management for the Hollingbury site has now been taken over by Brighton & Hove City Council and the site is open to public access. Enter at TQ 32196 09106 and walk to the mound at TQ 32275 09210.
As an aside, whilst walking thorough the Small Blues at Hollingbury I was struck by how surprisingly blue they looked in flight. As can be seen from the photo of a specimen taken in the Booth Museum there is very little blue on the wings of even the males and I guess its the contrast between the bright white chalk background and their grey undersides, that makes them look blue (photos above). (Dan Danahar)

Yesterday's Action for Small Blue gathering in Warwickshire provided (among other things) details of key management techniques for this declining species. If you wish to have an informal summary of the day's events please get in touch (01273 515762). Due to non - availability of a suitable receptor site I have about 50 spare Anthyllis plugs free to a good home. These are not from local stock, so please plant well away from any native Sussex Kidney Vetch. Many thanks to Warwickshire Branch and the other BC attendees and speakers for a thoroughly informative day's session and field visit.
On the way home at the perimeter of the small new BP petrol station (Southbound M23), several large Orange Tip caterpillars on Garlic Mustard that had avoided the flail, and some fresh young Small Tortoiseshell caterpillars that had avoided both the flail, and the traffic! (David Harris)

News for Saturday 4 June: I have an allotment plot at the northernmost edge of Portslade which has a small area of grassland next to it.
I have seen Common Blues so far this year but the highlight for me was a Small Blue seen on Saturday - a first for me!
Also Large White, Burnet Companion & Speckled Yellow. (Darryl Perry)

Saturday 4 June 2011

It was our open day at Park Corner Heath today - over 50 people attended walks throughout the day - despite the wind there was plenty to see - and it was Fritillary madness in there! The Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries were extremely active in the heat and Margaret Riley from the Kent branch reported a late Pearl-bordered Fritillary. While chatting with Jenny Mallet from the Hampshire branch I'm pretty certain the Dark Green Fritillary flew over us. Barbara Woods then photographed a Silver-washed Fritillary near the car park area. All four Sussex fritilaries at the same site on the same day! Thanks to all who attended and especially to Jim Barrett for help on car-park duties and Clare Blencowe for making the cakes. (Michael Blencowe)

An early White-letter Hairstreak in Woodvale Cemetary Brighton today. (Ian Whitcomb)

Dark Green Fritillary seen flying during my transect walk near Upper Beeding on Friday 3 June. Also Silver-washed Fritillary flying along roadside adjoining Ash Park Wood near Plaistow the day before. (Jim Steedman)

Determined not to be left out from the excitement I ran my moth trap in the garden in Lindfield last night and hey-presto! I bagged a Rannoch Looper too! (above), seems they're pretty common 'round these parts. (Bob Foreman)

4 newly emerged Dark Green Fritillaries in the corner of Frog Firle this morning. This is not a site where the DGF are regularly seen so was an unexpected bonus. Large Skippers, Small Blue continue to do well however most species are now well past their best and numbers were generally low. Yesterday I found a bee swarm near the river below High and Over (photos above). (Bob Eade)

Birling Gap TQ9555. Despite very strong winds but sunny and warm we saw 2 Dark Green Fritillary (above) also 2 Common Blue, 2 Small Heath 1 Large White, 1 Small Tortoiseshell. (Janet & Neville Richardson)

Went out for a quick look around Wilmington chalk pit today to see what was about and despite the extremely blowy conditions saw Small Blue 5+, Common Blue 2, Meadow Brown 1, Large White 1, Large Skipper 2 and best of all and another first for me a Dark Green Fritillary, quick photo before it flew off or should that be got blown off! Obligingly it let me photo it once and get the underwing which was great as we weren't 100% positive that it was a Dark Green until we got home and checked the photo! (photos above) (Kerry Baldwin)

Kingston Nr Lewes, East Sussex: In my garden today between 2.30 and 3.00 the following were seen, Small Blue in the greenhouse, Humming Bird Hawkmoth in the glazed porch. Male Brimstone flew across front garden. Female Adonis imbibing from a damp part of the vegetable patch which had been watered yesterday evening.
We have had Small Blue in the garden in very low numbers for many years but this year they are more numerous. The first for the year was on 28 April then on 13 May there was a pair mating and another male trying to get in on the act (photographed). On June 1 there was another pair mating and yesterday 3 June a female was watched for several minutes as it settled on Kidney vetch flowerheads, obviously egg laying. The food plant is more abundant than usual This year.
Also yesterday our first Large Skipper of the year.
Looking forward to more good days. (John Holloway)

Like many others I thought I'd try and catch up with the Silver-Studded Blues at Iping Common. I arrived at Iping Common around 8:15am and it didn't take long before I saw my first SSB, much smaller than I had expected but nonetheless, a beautiful specimen. As it was still fairly early and the sun was hiding behind some clouds, it was very obiliging, just sitting contently on a blade of grass while I snapped away happily. As the temperature started to increase so did the numbers of SSB I spotted. I probably saw 10-12 males, plus 2 females between 8:15 and 9:30 but I didn't range to far from my initial spot so I expect there were many, many more. What a fantastic little butterfly. Pics above and on my blog http://mud-puddling.blogspot.com/ (Leigh Prevost)

Today we made our first ever venture into the Castle Hill Local Nature Reserve at Woodingdean, Brighton. I was reluctant to follow the kids down this steep hill, but I'm glad I did as there was a little butterfly haven at the bottom! There were lots of Large Skipper and Common Blue all whizzing around chasing each other as well as, Meadow Brown, Small Heath, one Comma and one Small Tortoiseshell. An enjoyable first adventure at Castle Hill only marred by an early exit in order to get home to see a dire England game! (Nick, James & Toby Linazasoro)

News for Saturday 14 May: Mathew Berry of the Sussex Botanical Recording Society reports a Scarlet Tiger Moth at Upperton Lane, Eastbourne. (Jim Barrett)

Friday 3 June 2011

We ran a moth trap a Rowland Wood last night and the first moth to the light was a Rannoch Looper. Until a few years ago this species was only found, as the name would suggest, in wooded areas of central Scotland. This moth had never been recorded in Sussex until 2009 when a mini-invasion of migrants arrived. Last year there were more records. At Rowland Wood last night we recorded over 10 - it was one of the commonest species in the traps. It is amazing how quickly a moth can become established in England - and good to see it doing well on our reserve. (Michael Blencowe & Keith Alexander)

I have a conservation area behind my garden-Lower Farm Close Meadows, East Grinstead, and I am very lucky to have access & to see plenty of butterflies & moths on my walks.
This afternoon on a quick recce I saw 6 Meadow Browns, 4 Large Skippers & 1 Common Blue flitting between the buttercups (photos above). (Kevin Sexton)

At Park Corner Heath today several (9+/-) Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries including female possibly laying/scattering eggs. Dark Green Fritillary, Meadow Brown 4, Red Admiral 1. (David Plummer)

It looks like being another bumper year for Dark Green Fritillary in the Friston Forest Project Area. Today I recorded 13 along my regular transect as well as an early White Admiral, single Dingy and Large Skippers, 4 Brimstones, 1 Green Hairstreak, 13 Common Blues, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Small Tortoiseshell and 1 Small Heath. A Painted Lady here on 31 May. (Paul James)

Yesterday was a very good day. In just 15 minutes whilst checking the livestock I noticed the following:-
6 Small Tortoiseshell
2 Large Skippers
1 old and tatty Green Hairstreak
1 Painted Lady
Dozen plus Speckled Wood
Dozens Meadow Browns
8 Common Blues
All, except the Speckled Woods, were on plants in the hay field. (Ann Spencer)

Early morning walk along the river Adur near Henfield I recorded 11 Small Tortoiseshells all in very good condition TQ1916. (Richard Roebuck)

I completed 2 transects at Mill Hill this week. On Tuesday I recorded 14 Adonis Blues, 4 Brown Argus, 1 Common Blue, 2 Dingy Skippers, 4 Meadow Browns, 5 Small Heaths, 1 Small Tortoiseshell. I also saw a Clouded Silver moth (above). Today I recorded 4 Adonis Blue, 2 Large Skippers, 3 Meadow Browns, 3 Red Admirals, 2 Small Blues, 17 Small Heaths, 1 Small Tortoiseshell. The Adonis Blues counts for six weeks are 2 - 112 - 182 - 69 - 14 - 4. (Colin Knight)

We went to Springhead yesterday and only realised when we were back home that it was precisely a year ago that we'd seen the Glanville Fritillary there. None there yesterday, which is good news really as it supports the case that last year's was a straying wild butterfly rather than a release. Not quite as many species on the wing there as last year - but plenty of Small Blues and (unlike last year) a Small Tortoiseshell. The few common spotted orchids were very small, presumably because of the drought, but the twayblades were less affected. (John A Heys)

Details of the transect walked today in glorious sunshine at Bedelands Farm, Burgess Hill. Species seen;
Large Skipper, (4)
Small White, (4)
Green Hairstreak, (2)
Common Blue, (23)
Painted Lady, (1)
Small Tortoiseshell, (2)
Peacock, (1)
Speckled Wood, (2)
Meadow Brown, (72)
Total 111 butterflies, 9 species. (David Pyle)

I went in search of female Silver-studded Blue at Iping Common today and found six individuals amongst the one hundred plus males that have now emerged and cover most places on the common. Also saw, Speckled Wood (1), Small Tortoishell (1).
Other wildlife included, Dartford Warblers, Treepipits, Stonechats, Common Lizard, female Broad Bodied Chaser. Despite callenging winds I managed to get some photos(photos above). (Steven Morgan)

News for Thursday 2 June: Ian Woolsey, Rupert Hall and I saw our first White Admiral of the year at Markstakes Common yesterday Thursday 2nd June. It settled in a tree for quite some time so though it was partially obscured and at a very difficult angle we could look at it for long enough to see that it was definitely a White Admiral. Is this the first Sussex White Admiral sighting this year? (Thyone Outram)

News for Wednesday 1 June: "Oh no, it's those Elephants Hawkmoths on the rampage again", I thought, but fortunately there was just the one accompanied by 3 Small Elephant Hawkmoths, several Treble Lines including a darker one, which I assume to be the obscura form, Cinnabar Moth, Buff-tip, Angle Shades, Clouded Silver, Lime-spot Pug, Spectacle, White-point, Snout, Peppered Moth, Common Wave, Straw Dot, Orange Footman, Cypress Carpet and Rustic... in all 35 macros (photos above). (John Luck)

Thursday 2 June 2011

Thank you to Susie Milbank who has already taken up the challenge of recording in new areas (see link above). She took a trip to TQ1834 - her report is on the tetrad page. Looks like it's going to be a hot weekend - why not pick a square and check it out. (Michael Blencowe)

Sheffield Park:
1 Meadow Brown @ TQ416235.
8 Meadow Browns
2 Common Blues @ TQ416233.
5 Meadow Browns @ TQ413231.
2 Meadow Browns @ TQ410230.
1 Gatekeeper
1 Small Tortoiseshell @ TQ411231.
2 Meadow Browns @ TQ409231.
6 Meadow Browns @ TQ 409233.
15 Meadow Browns @ TQ413237.
2 Meadow Browns @ TQ358165.
1 Small White @ TQ361164.
1 Common Blue @ TQ356165.
...and
Wednesday 1 June
1 Red Admiral @ TQ361164.
1 Speckled Wood @ TQ398183.
2 Small Skippers @ TQ 398183.
2 Speckled Woods @ TQ396182.
2 Common Blue @ TQ397178.
3 Meadow Browns @ TQ399178.
Tuesday 31 May:
1 Speckled Wood
1 Large White @ TQ356165.
1 Meadow Browns @ TQ358165.
1 Common Blue @ TQ358165.
1 Common Blue @ TQ360165.
1 Large White @ TQ361164.
Monday 30 May:
1 Gatekeeper @ TQ361164.
1 Common Blue @ TQ397178.
(Jon Wood)

Regarding John Holloway's recent question (Thursday, 30 May) about first sightings of Meadow Browns, I saw my first one this year on Thursday, 19 May in Brightling (although I haven't seen one again yet!) (Katie Walker)
P.S. Having said that, I've just seen three Meadow Browns today in Brightling!

I joined the queue of Silver-studded Blue admirers at Iping Common yesterday. I got there early hoping to catch a glimpse of ants attending an emerging butterfly. I did spot a newly emerged male but by the time I found it there was no sign of attendant ants. I have to say, though, that seeing the SSB in such pristine condition and sitting so still for photo shoots was great. In any case, to make up for the lack of ants I later discovered a female being pursued by a posse of males, one of which successfully encouraged her to mate. It was a hot, hot day but lovely. I must have reached the first colony I found by 7.30am and one or two butterflies were already actively flying around. An hour later and there were SSBs everywhere. Nice! (photos above) (Sherie New)

I have just come from my local allotments in Cuckfield and seen 5 Small Tortoiseshells feeding on the bramble. Message timed at 17:29 on the 2nd of June (Timothy Newnham)

2 Marbled Whites at Bevendean Bank this morning, first I've seen this year. (Geoff Stevens)

On a dog walk this morning, up the Downs Link, around 8.00 a.m I saw 8 Pristine Small Tortoiseshells nectaring on brambles, I am sure these were all newly emerged and compared with previous years they are doing well. Slightly further on a another two and then two along a river bank. In addition one Common Blue, 8 Large Skippers, a Green Hairstreak nectaring on a buttercup and two Cinnabar moths. TQ2016. Late morning my step son told me he pickled up a large male stag beetle in the road near home and moved it to the shade, this seems really early to see one in Henfield. On a last note I recently found an Orange Tip caterpillar preparing to pupate on a Garlic Mustard plant in Wiston Woods. As this is an annual and will rot away too nothing, perhaps it's not a wise choice. I thought it may have been parasitised. However I visited every day and after two days a perfectly camouflaged chrysalis appeared. Pics (above) before and after shedding skin. (Richard Roebuck)

Having seen on the website the sightings at Iping Common, I spent an hour this afternoon (2 June) there. In that short time I saw 53 Silver-studded Blues, almost all males.
Only other sightings were 1 Brown Argus and 1 Speckled Wood. (Roger Pendell)

Recent news: Seeing Richards photo of the Garden Tiger Moth larva, I was clearing Pen's aunt's garden last weekend where I found 4 of these superb beasts. Also a Fox Moth larva was hiding in the undergrowth. This was in the middle of Landport Estate in Lewes.
On another note on Wednesday 1st June I had just over an hour spare so I parked at High and Over and wandered onto Cradle Hill where the Small Blue numbers have picked up nicely. My first Meadow Brown on this site this year as well as several Large Skippers also seen. Several Grizzled Skipper, Green Hairstreak and Adonis Blue also seen. At High and Over itself a very fresh Small Tortoiseshell nectaring. I found a gentleman who had come down from London looking for Wall Brown, one of only 4 British species he had not seen before. As I was in a rush I could only direct him in the right direction and hope he would see one of the few still flying. He sent me an e mail later to say he had found just 1 single one along The Comp so now he only has 3 to go!! (Bob Eade)

News for Wednesday 1 June: A trip to Cissbury Ring marked the start of summer for me, with my first 2011 sightings of Meadow Brown. Also recorded were Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper (including a freshly-emerged female, 54 days after my first this year!), Green Hairstreak, Brown Argus, Small Blue, Adonis Blue, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Small Copper, Small Heath, Wall, Speckled Wood, Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Large White, Green-veined White and Large Skipper (above). 20 species in a day isn't bad for this time of year! More at http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=4065&start=400 (Neil Hulme)

News for Tuesday 31 May: A Hummingbird Hawk-moth in our East Dean garden (TV562984) on Tuesday. (Cas & David Jode)

News for Tuesday 24 May: Common Blue - 2, TV537972, Crowlink, 1, TV544974, Crowlink. Small Heath - 1, TV538976, Crowlink, 1, TV537975, Crowlink. Adonis Blue - 1, TV537974, Crowlink. Peacock (tatty) - 1, TV540972, Crowlink. (David Jode)

Wednesday 1 June 2011

Dark Green Fritillaries were recorded today on the Lullington Heath transect and I have heard reports of other elsewhere (David Burrows)

Spent the afternoon looking for Wall Browns at Frog Firle and The Comp, but although I found it on the map, was not sure where to look, so wandered around from 12:00 until 4:30, looking for bare bits on chalk grassland. I did eventually see one, but it resolutely refused to bask (it was a lovely hot sunny day, although rather windy) and I had to make do with excellent views of its underside  a female I think. It was perched on the ride in front of me, in a fairly wooded stretch, just to prove that they dont read the books!
Totals seen: Large Skipper 4, Dingy Skipper 1, Small White 4 (plus lots flying over the oilseed rape in the distance), Green Hairstreak 2, Small Blue 5, Brown Argus 1, Common Blue 4, Adonis Blue 7, Red Admiral 6, Speckled Wood 11, Wall 1, Small Heath 4. (Chris Skinner)

Mary and I enjoyed a pleasant walk from our house (Storrington) up to Chantry Hill and back. We saw at least 40 Common Blue (only one female), 40+ Small Heath, 12+ Dingy Skipper, 1 Grizzled Skipper (in mint condition), 3 Speckled Wood, 2 Brimstone, 6 Meadow Brown, 6 Large Skipper and an assortment of Whites. I hadn't realised there were so many Common Blues around. (Martin and Mary Kalaher)

I was driving home today in Henfield and spotted a caterpillar on the opposite side of the road (as you do). I did an emergency stop as I new immediately what it was. Also hoping the Porsche going the other way wouldn't flatten it. I Ran up the road and fortunately it survived although slightly dazed as it kept running around in circles. Anyway, it's a long, long time since I have seen a Garden Tiger moth caterpillar. This is probably full-grown with nearly inch long hairs. After a quick blow dry and set, it fully recovered. Now this is what you call a caterpillar, fantastic. Also caught an attractive moth, possibly a Foxglove pug? maybe because I planted some part grown foxgloves near the moth trap a couple of weeks ago (photos above). (Richard Roebuck)

I took a slightly longer walk at Cissbury today to see how the Small Blues are progressing. I saw a minimum of 7 in one area (possibly c 10) (above). Today a very fresh Small Tortoiseshell appeared as well as a Painted Lady. In all 12 species seen but there are definite signs of a 'June dip' with low numbers of several species. Meadow Browns were up to 10 today. (Mike Snelling)

Not too many butterflies around on my Rowland Wood - Park Corner Heath transect today. However, I did, see my first Meadow Browns of the year (4) and also recorded 2 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries in Rowland Wood which is terribly exciting (I've seen them in the wood earlier in the year, but this was my first "transect" record). Plenty of day-flying moths though, including a Cocksfoot Moth, Glyphipterix simpliciella (above). (Bob Foreman)

On the Bevendean A transect this morning all I saw were 5 Small Blues, 5 Common Blues, 8 Small Heath and a Speckled Wood. On my return home there was a Green Hairstreak (above) in my garden nectaring on Potentilla fruiticosa. The first for my garden. (Geoff Stevens)

A trip to Stedham Common in the late afternoon gave a great opportunity to see the Silver-studded Blue. By the time we got there the weather was just cooling down and the insects were settling quite frequently. We probably saw 15 to 20 insects in the half hour that we were there. All were male except for one female. None basked with their wings flat and so it was difficult to get all of the insects in focus. My wife (Libby Danahar) took the photo showing the upperside of the female. I knew that buying her a smart camera for her birthday was a good move! This is now the 26th species of butterfly I have seen in Sussex this year (photos above). (Dan Danahar)

News for Tuesday 31 May: I visited Mill Hill and saw my first Meadow Browns and Small Tortoiseshell of the year. I also visited Iping Common and joined the growing band of admirers of the Silver-studded Blues which are frolicking on the heather (Colin Knight www.seapic.com)

Recent news: In reply to John Holloway's query regarding Meadow Brown, I too had one in my Storrington garden on the 30th. I had another in a field nearby. The first date for last year was 17th June. Regarding Large Skipper, I have been a little surprised that having recorded one in my garden on the 12th it has taken until the 30th to have another sighting (there were two) (photos above).
Also...

I planted some Alder Buckthorn sprigs this spring and in no time at all Brimstone came along and started to lay eggs. Above are three photos, which all have some interest attached to them. In the first (taken 24th April) you can see a distinctive egg attached beneath a leaf but 'hands up' who spotted the caterpillar at the top of the picture? I found the 2nd and 3rd photos (taken 11th May) fascinating for it gave me a possible insight regarding the evolution of the camouflage of the older caterpilar. The caterpillar is sitting on a leaf of the Alder Buckthorn but what is next to it and in situ very closely resembled it? None other than our old friend 'Robin run the hedge' (otherwise known as Goose grass or Sticky Willie - I kid you not, Sticky Willie!). Seeing is believing but the caterpillar is beautifully camouflaged with the Goose grass tangled in amongst the Alder Buckthorn. It may also explain why the eggs are generally laid fairly low down on Buckthorn (as that is where most of the Goose grass is located). Sadly, the 5 sprigs with the caterpillars look as if they are doomed! (Martin Kalaher)

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Butterfly Conservation Company limited by guarantee, registered in England (2206468) Registered Office: Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5QP Charity registered in England & Wales (254937) and in Scotland (SCO39268)