Sussex Branch

I got nice pictures of a Speckled Wood and Holly Blue on the way up to Steyning Rifle Range at about noon today. Down at the Rifle Range itself, I saw loads of Gatekeepers, Meadow Browns, Common Blues and a Brown Argus but no Brown Hairstreaks. (John Williams, Steyning Rifle Range)

Just one Brown Hairstreak at Brooklands today. (Graham Morrey, Brooklands) - TQ1710403548

Brown Hairstreak, in-case-it-flies shot

Brown Hairstreak exploring

Brown Hairstreak, briefly resting

Brown Hairstreak, back in for another session

A glance up from my paper and I was dropping my sandwich and rushing carefully across the garden. 2 or 3 Gatekeepers were drifting around, a Painted Lady was nectaring on buddleia and last night's roosting male Common Blue was sunning itself on a grass stalk. But this butterfly had appeared from around from our green-leaved plum cherry and looked darker at rest with its wings open. There, 21 days earlier than previous years, was our first definite Brown Hairstreak, in butterfly form, of 2026. It flew and crawled into the depths of the plum cherry to do some egg laying. I went to get Val and it had emerged for a little rest. It disappeared back to do a bit more egg laying, came out, rested briefly, flew around a bit and then was off and away. Very similar behaviour to the one I saw last year, which also did 2 egg laying forays. That was the 17th butterfly species of 2026 in our garden. Not very likely we'll have any more. (John Heys, West Worthing) - TQ131025

found dead butterfly, 23 July at 8 pm could not identlfy but looks like what Lucy chichester found yesterday a jersy tiger (adrian, Hastings)

On 22 July, I reported a sighting of a Jersey Hawk moth in my garden, although I was unable to get a photo. Fortunately the moth decided to turn up again yesterday, landing on my porch, and I was able to get photographs which I now attach for completeness of the report (Leslie Waters, Beaulieu Gardens, St Leonards on Sea, East Sussex) - TQ800130

Silver-spotted Skipper deep in the vegetation

Another one (this one has a sex brand)

Feeding on knapweed

Comma feeding on Marjoram

I visited Chantry Hill several times last weeks to try and locate Silver-spotted Skippers (and failed miserably) but today they were reasonably easy to find (if you know where to look). I saw around 6-8 and so lots more to come (hopefully). Not the easiest butterfly species to photograph (with a macro lens) but I just about managed it. Painted Ladies are still very much in evidence with approximately 10 seen. Only a couple of Clouded Yellows. Six Humming-bird Hawk-moths on just a small part of the West Combe. I would estimate 20 for the while of the three combes of Chantry Hill. In the places I visit, they have been very common, of late. There was a nice-looking Comma feeding on Marjoram. I have seen very few Commas in the past few weeks, although there was one on the garden Buddleia this afternoon. (Martin Kalaher, Chantry Hill) - TQ082140

Visited Deep Dean this afternoon and walked the slopes on both sides of the valley. Plenty of butterflies this week which was an improvement on last week with 11 species recorded; the highlights being good numbers of Chalk Hill Blue, a Small Blue, 2 Silver-spotted Skippers and several very fresh Painted Ladies. No definite Grayling sightings but one possible which unfortunately shot off too rapidly and then disappeared before I could see where it had gone for a positive i/d. I recall a difficult July for them a few years ago when I actually saw them in August and early September so I'm hoping all is not lost yet, and maybe a bit of rain will help (which we might get on Sunday morning). Although these are worrying times I'm trying to remain positive. (Chris Hooker, Deep Dean)

The old female Common Blue

The male Common Blue

The other female Common Blue

Same female Common Blue

Second posting today, as our back garden was quite busy this afternoon. Resident were 4 or so Gatekeepers, male and female plus 3 Common Blues - a very worn female, a smart male and a good rather than pristine female. The male is spending the night on a yellowrattle stalk. In, out and round about were a few Small Whites, a Red Admiral, a Painted Lady, a Comma (better condition than yesterday's) a Holly Blue and a Meadow Brown which was nice as we get very few of them. Inspired by Martin's Gardening for Butterflies 2024 article, I am trying to nurture some clumps of Yorkshire Fog for Meadow Browns and Skippers but away from the lawn as I don't want it to take over there. (John Heys, West Worthing) - TQ131025

I saw what a believe to be a Jersey Tiger Moth on the Wall of the yellow house beside Chichester library this afternoon at around 5.30pm (Lucy, Chichester)

Clouded Yellow, female I think

Almost invisible Meadow Brown

Small White

Painted Lady, bit fuzzy

This morning Val and I walked by the sea west from The Bluebird Cafe Ferring along to the West end of The Greensward. Plenty of patches of taller grass with wild flowers. Small Whites probably most numerous, but pick of the bunch were 6 or 7 Clouded Yellows and a few more of both Common Blue and Painted Lady. There were several Gatekeepers and Meadow Browns too plus a Red Admiral. I'm hoping to attach a screen shot of a Clouded Yellow - the shot shows the same one twice. The ladies, yellows, whites and the admiral all looked in good condition - maybe mostly recent arrivals from abroad? (John Heys, Ferring)