Sussex Branch

Male Common Blue

Female Common Blue

Hummingbird Hawk Moth ovipositing on Lady's Bedstraw

Pearly Underwing

Had a surprise yesterday when I disturbed a yellow butterfly in my garden. Not a place I would expect to see a Clouded Yellow but I was lucky that it returned this morning, briefly, witnessed by a friend as we had coffee. Not quick enough to grab the camera unfortunately. I would have liked a record for my garden. I did manage a female Common Blue yesterday and a male today. He waited around in the sun but the female didn't return, as far I know! My first sighting of a Hummingbird Hawk Moth in a few days was very interested in my Lady's Bedstraw. It appears to be a female ovipositing, rather difficult to see in my photos. If it's ok I've added in a Pearly Underwing moth. A change from my usual Yellow Underwing or Silver Ys. (Isobel, West Tarring)

showing track and area of BH egg, Polegate. TQ 591 054

Brown Hairstreak egg, Polegate, E,Sx

Small Heath, Polegate

sun 23/08/2026 to the west of Shepham Lane, Polegate where I've found BH eggs before (four in total), today I located 1x Brown Hairstreak egg at 1.23pm and marked with yellow ribbon, (TQ 5919 0543) after randomly searching blackthorns, I couldn't believe it, as you never know if your going to find any in a given year as they in such low numbers? I shall do a more thorough search later on when all of the eggs have been laid. Fantastic!. butterflies seen : 1x Small Heath, this got my attention on the dark background, 1x Red Admiral and 4x Small Whites. It was nice to be out in the sun and not and not get fried? (PETER FARRANT, POLEGATE, EAST SUSSEX) - TQ59190543

There were lots of butterflies on the zigzags where there is plenty of fleabane and ragwort but it wasn't till nearly at Nettleys that I spotted a very worn Brown Hairstreak. Clouded Yellow was the most populous butterfly but also saw Peacock, Comma, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Brown Argus, Small Copper, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Painted Lady. Just curious if it's a female Brown Hairstreak? (Martin Buck, Pulborough Brooks)

Long-tailed Blue

Small Copper

My third attempt to see a Long-tailed Blue at Whitehawk Hill was successful with at least 6 flying around the Sweet Peas near the phone mast. I also saw Small Copper, Small White, Clouded Yellow, Common Blue, Brown Argus, Red Admiral and Speckled Wood. (Mike Lowe, Whitehawk Hill)

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