Sussex Branch

Unexpected but welcome visitor to my garden, photos 11.50 - 12.50, had seen it earlier but not ID it. (Colin Fairway, Bexhill-on-Sea) - TQ7408

It turned sunny in the afternoon - at least 2 Red Admirals + itinerant Large Whites and Small Whites in our back garden, a few actually pausing to nectar. In the morning we went to the Arundel Wetlands Center - plenty of wild flowers, some sunshine, very few butterflies: 1 possible Red Admiral, 1 possible Painted Lady, several Whites, 2 unidentified Browns possibly Speckled Woods - rather disappointing. (John Heys, West Worthing) - TQ131025

The heavy rain has pulverised my wildflower meadows. It rather sums up this butterfly season! Anyway, as I continued to cut back the meadow I did manage to photograph both a male and a female Small Copper. Field Scabious is such an important wildflower in providing nectar for our Sussex butterflies, and even in its bedraggled state (as in image three), it still delivers, and looks good, in a defiant way. Love it. (Martin Kalaher, Storrington wildlife garden) - TQ082140

By some sort of miracle we managed to choose the two best days of an otherwise extremely soggy week to run the Cotoneaster clearance work parties at the A259 Buckle Bypass in Seaford. Today it stopped raining at the stroke of 10.00a.m. and only commenced again after completing the tasks by 13.00hrs.. In between it was mainly sunny blue skies and a gentle wind. Wednesday`s work was conducted in temperatures more reminiscent of high summer than an autumn`s day. A good and productive time was had by all. Thanks to Nick, Richard, Janet, Jim, Marion, and Marian for their sterling assistance and for helping devour the cake! Some of the `finds` during the work included a nice selection of female Four - spotted Orb Weaver, Britain`s heaviest spider. The diminutive male with large palps and yellow abdomen even fell into Janet`s lunch box! Several Wasp Spiders posed nicely although the numerous Field Grasshoppers probably didn`t think they looked quite so cute. Curiously for the dry chalk slope a juvenile Smooth Newt and large female Common Toad were both found during operations. There must be a pond in one of the properties at the top. Both were new species for the ever growing list for this site as was Stinking Hellebore, another nationally scarce plant to add to last year`s collection of them! Lepidoptera - wise today a well dotted Satellite moth and several Silver Y were about and it looked like a fresh immigration of whites, mainly Large, together with Red Admiral had taken place since the Wednesday. Wednesday`s work party was notable for a pair of war - torn sparring Long - tailed Blues near the block of Spanish Broom and it seemed like Red Admirals were beginning to drift south with both Small and Large Whites arriving from that direction. Holly Blue, Common Blue, Small Heath, Meadow Brown and a Peacock just about made up a fairly poor haul for such a pleasant day although to be fair it was clouding over quite heavily towards the end. Thanks again to those who made the journey, more especially Marion and the Seaford Natural History Society for providing First Aid cover. Hopefully the Small Blues will appreciate the efforts expended on their behalf. (Dave Harris, Seaford By-pass work party)

At least 4 Large Whites on the beach between Goring and Grand Avenue, West Worthing. Two more in Grand Avenue itself. (Duncan, Worthing beach) - TQ1211501850

A leisurely 5-hour walk from Birling Gap, around Beachy Head and returning via Long Down. Despite a damp start and overcast skies throughout there was little or no wind and we clocked eight species of butterfly - Small and Large Whites both extremely numerous (in a roughly 70/30 ratio), plenty of Red Admirals and Meadow Browns. Also a number of Small Heaths (mainly along Long Down), two Painted Ladies, a few Speckled Woods and one unidentified Blue (see attached). (Nicholas Moll, Beachy Head)

We had been going to the football in Worthing until we discovered it was all ticket and sold out. We were just in time to go to Bognor instead. Despite the totally cloudy skies & hint of drizzle, it was warm. We started seeing White butterflies from the train & found a Large White nectaring in the gloom on a buddleia when we changed at Barnham. Large Whites and maybe the occasional Small White were everywhere in small numbers - and we came across 3 Red Admirals on different Buddleia bushes on our way to Bognor's ground. We sat down and every few minutes one or two Large Whites would appear and fly purposely across or past the pitch until half time. There was a sharp shower then, which put an end to the butterfly activity and we were able to concentrate on Bognor fighting back from 0-1 to an exciting late 2-1 win. Fate sent us to the right place. There was less butterfly activity back home and it Worthing's match was a goalless draw. (John Heys, Bognor Regis)

Despite it being grey and overcast, there were several butterflies about at Bexhill Beach this afternoon, mostly Large Whites and a couple of larger, much darker individuals, who flew by so quickly I couldn't identify them. But this lovely, fresh looking Painted Lady stopped for a rest on the pebbles, long enough for me to get a photo. (Maria Dixon, Bexhill Beach)

I hadn't expected to see anything today, but when Val was picking a tomato she disturbed a nice plume moth. I think it is Amblyptilia acanthadactyla, the Beautiful Plume. These used to turn up quite often in our back garden when we lived in Hove, also in the sun-lounge when we brought geraniums pots inside for the winter. (John Heys, West Worthing) - TQ131025

With flying suspended due to bad weather, these individuals have stoically held out for more than 48 hours at roost. The Common Blue has been one of two males in the garden since last weekend, and what is believed to be a Brown Argus, has also been present all week. Long-tailed Blue report 3 September - As I had anticipated, after a 10 am photo opportunity the next day, the male was lost from sight. This is consistent with the observations of our two males in August. A likely explanation was the absence of either a female to mate with or another male to buddy up with to form a lek, so they made the decision to press ahead with their journey in the hope of meeting one of their kind somewhere else. It is interesting to see reports from Upper Thames branch of three sightings this year to add to their previous cumulative tally of four, and for two (described as a pair) sighted in Richmond Park. In all likelihood, males have probably arrived unnoticed at our popular lekking grounds, and pushed on with their journey after deciding their migratory mission would be better served elsewhere. (Brian Birch , Felpham )

It's a wet day and not too many insects flying around. Here's a few more pics taken in the garden over the past two days. Anyone would think that our native insects rather like Devilsbit Scabious! I have shown Volucella Bombylans plumata recently but I couldn't resist showing this one which is covered in pollen (many hoverflies and solitary bees are great pollinators). This species of hoverfly is a bumblebee mimic. It looks like a tiny bumblebee and sounds like a bumblebee. It is probably more common than we appreciate, as it is such a good mimic. (Martin Kalaher, Storrington wildlife garden) - TQ082140

DEAR MEMBERS. The 2024 Sussex Branch Members Day is on Saturday 30th November in Burgess Hill. More details to follow. Please make a note in your diary. (Martin Kalaher, Storrington wildlife garden)

I am now cutting back some of the garden meadows, leaving the areas with Devilsbit Scabious in flower. I am still hopeful of a Clouded Yellow but it hasn't happened, yet. There were 9 butterfly species in the garden today, as well as a Southern Hawker and a Crab Spider with prey. Large White (2), Small White (4), Small Copper (2), Brown Argus (4), Common Blue (1m), Holly Blue (1m), Red Admiral (1), Meadow Brown (5) and Small Heath (1). (Martin Kalaher, Storrington wildlife garden) - TQ082140

I went to Anchor Bottom today to see the Adonis Blues. I saw Adonis and Common Blues, Meadow Browns, Small Heaths and a single Painted Lady. It was a pleasure to bump into Jonathan and Max (Katrina Watson, Anchor Bottom)

2 3rd brood Wall Brown seen at High and Over. The 2nd brood nearly made it into September here, but not quite!! Last week several really tatty 2nd brood were seen, so it was lovely seeing 2 fresh individuals today. (Bob Eade, High and Over)

Large Whites, Red Admirals and a pair of Speckled Woods were all in our garden this morning while we were having elevenses. Also at least one Small White passed through and then Val noticed a White which had paused to sunbathe. I managed a rather long shot before I scared it off trying to get closer and it turned out to be our 16th species in the garden in 2024 - a Green-veined White. There may well have been previous Green-veined visitors, but as the Whites are reluctant to pause, it's the first definite sighting. Our neighbour's Painted Lady is still around on his buddleia. (John Heys, West Worthing) - TQ131025

Three beautiful Painted Ladies on my allotment in east Brighton this morning, one with rather ragged wings. They love the big orange daisy flowers of Tithonia, a background which sets off their orange and black wing patterning perfectly. (Tessa Pawsey, Whitehawk Hill allotments, east Brighton)

I haven't seen many white butterflies in the garden this year. There have been very few Large Whites, with Small Whites and Green-veined Whites in more-or-less equal numbers. Interestingly, I have seen more Green-veined Whites this year than ever before. Perhaps on a dozen or so days. The coastal whites have made it north of the South Downs and for the past 2-3 days I have seen quite a few. Today there must have been around 10 Small Whites and 4-5 Large Whites. I would see 3-4 whites, then nothing for half an hour or so and then 2-3 more. They all appear to be heading north (as we would expect). The Small Whites were so bright I even wondered if they were a sub-species. Looking at the second image it reminds me of a helice! The white patch on the forewing is such a brilliant white. (Martin Kalaher, Storrington wildlife garden) - TQ082140

Interesting day. The garden had 2 resident Red Admirals & plenty of Large Whites & Small Whites, some speeding through & a few nectaring briefly. Our neighbour had a resident Painted Lady on his buddleia. Our trip into central Worthing produced more Red Admirals, Large Whites & Small Whites plus a Peacock, plus 2 Holly Blues and at least 1 Brown Hairstreak. Val spotted this moving up a large Lime Tree in Lansdowne Road near Downview Road. By the time I got my phone camera on it, it had settled rather high. In the very enlarged picture it is the pale brown triangle in the very centre. You might think it's a bit of brown leaf, but I took another picture & it's at a different angle in that one. Val walked on while I was taking pictures and, by Heene Cemetery, saw another brown butterfly briefly, which may have been a second Brown Hairstreak. (John Heys, Worthing)

Long-tailed Blue report. Identification was delayed for over two hours. He was originally seen when three blues were in a series of low level chases from early afternoon. Two Common Blue, which have been in our garden since the end of last week, could be accounted for once they came to rest. We had to wait for this newcomer to settle on Kidney Vetch to determine the third! Our working hypothesis is that he will move on, maybe as early as tomorrow unless another male comes along. The 10 day forecast is not looking promising, hopefully one or more gravid females will arrive soon. The availability of larval food is very good and should hold up into the second half of the month. (Brian Birch , Felpham )

Inspired by the posts of Claire and John i decided to have a look at the seafront today. In the bushes by the yacht club a Red Admiral and Common Blue. As I walked towards the valerian patch at first sight nothing obvious, then a veritable harem of Painted Ladies hove into view! I counted 9 distinct individuals though it could have been more, also a Small White and another blue (most likely common) fluttered by. Finally on to the greensward past George V avenue where 4 more Common Blue were observed, most of these were very tatty but there was one in near pristine condition. Returned home to find another Painted Lady in the garden, first I have seen at home this year! Was I followed? (David Broxham, Worthing seafront)

An afternoon wander down the East side of Cuckmere Haven - with the hope of spotting two particular species of butterfly - was duly rewarded: two Clouded Yellow and twelve Painted Lady butterflies dazzled in the sunshine, alongside several Wheatear and Whinchat looking to leave. (James W, Cuckmere Haven)

The Rose Chafer Cetonia aurata L. is currently thinly distributed on the downs from Newhaven to Arundel. This ½" long brilliant metallic green day-flying beetle has been increasing its range in the county since about 1960. IF YOU HAVE SEEN THIS BEETLE AND WOULD LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE SECOND MODERN SURVEY OF ITS STATUS, THEN PLEASE CONTACT COLIN PRATT By telephone @ 01273 586780 By e-mail @ colin.pratt@talk21.com By post @ 5, View Road, Peacehaven, East Sussex, BN10 8DE (Martin Kalaher, Storrington wildlife garden)

sun 01/09/2024 FRISTON FOREST, E,Sx. The forest is turning into a very good habitat for butterflies and other species, with wide flower rich rides, there has also been alot of tree thinning going on so letting more light in. butterflies seen between 11.20am - 3.40pm :- 63x Small Whites and 42x Large Whites, a recent influx of these butterflies, 20x Brimstone including two females, 13x Red Admiral, 43x Meadow Brown, 1x Speckled Wood, 1x Painted Lady, 5x Common Blue (m), 1x Brown Argus, 1x Chalk Hill Blue (m), 1x Small Copper and 1x Peacock. AT LULLINGTON HEATH (TQ 545 016) 1.00 - 1.42pm This has been cut back at some point so removing old growth of gorse and heather, and now has young plants pushing through. 6x Small White, 43x Meadow Brown, 10x Small Heath, 8x Common Blue including one female, 1x Red Admiral and 4x Large White. out of the breeze it got quite humid. (PETER FARRANT, FRISTON FOREST. E.Sx) - TQ541007

One of two Red Underwing resting on the NW aspect of our house. Earlier, one was on the wing and stopped temporarily our BLEP. (Brian Birch , Felpham )

Large numbers of Large White and Small White near the beach today. Painted Lady numbers increased from 2 on 30th August to 9 today at the same patch of Red Valerian. Also 2 Humming-bird Hawk-moth, 2 Red Admiral, 4 Holly Blue, 10+ Common Blue and Speckled Wood. (Claire B, Goring-by-Sea beach)

Three very fresh looking Painted Ladies were nectaring on the same clump of fleabane early this afternoon, on the southern end of Thorney Island. (Barry and Margaret Collins, Thorney Island) - SU7601

At last some Brown Hairstreak sightings in the village, three in an hour at lunchtime today. All females investigating laying sites in the blackthorn hedges along the footpath to the west of the village. I was beginning to worry I would draw a blank this summer as I have with White-letter Hairstreak - for the first time I can recall. I didn't manage a decent photo but one attached for the record. Last autumn I found Brown Hairstreak eggs on both our plum-related fruit trees, a greengage and an apricot, eventually numbering 2 on the former and 14 on the latter. Towards the end of April both those on the greengage appeared to have hatched successfully but only 5 of those on the apricot. The others had disappeared completely. It was noticeable that those on the apricot were laid in more open positions, so presumably more susceptible to predation. The apricot was very popular with snails in Spring - would a grazing snail consume a Brown Hairstreak egg if it chanced on one? I would guess so. In May I found a single larva on each tree utilizing a UV torch but by early June both these were gone too. I look forward to this autumn's egg count with interest. (Alan Birch, Billingshurst) - TQ084263

Very hot here. In and near the garden, a Painted Lady, Large Whites and Small Whites, 3 Red Admirals at the same time and a probable Speckled Wood. Coming from the beach, crossing the prom, overtopping the tamarisk and heading off inland a greyish blue butterfly, possibly a Long-tailed Blue. In the grassy areas north of West Parade and by the beach, 7 Common Blues, all very blue apart from one, and 3 Painted Ladies. Whites flitting around everywhere in modest numbers. (John Heys , West Worthing )

It was sunny and warm for a walk around parts of Lancing Ring. Fourteen butterfly species:- 22 Meadow Brown, 10 Red Admiral, 9 Common Blue, 9 Speckled Wood, 7 Small Heath, 5 Large White, 3 Brimstone, 2 Brown Hairstreak, 2 Holly Blue, 2 Comma, 2 Small Copper, Wall, Green-veined White, Small White present in moderate numbers, but not counted. (Lindsay Morris, Lancing Ring area)

This morning I had the magical experience of finding a Clifden Nonpareil, aka Blue Underwing, in my moth trap. What a stunner! Strangely in 2 previous years I have had one at the same time of year: 30 Aug 2018 and 31 Aug 2019. (Colin Knight, Littlehampton)

I visited Anchor Bottom this morning and had an unexpected fly by from a female Dark Green Fritillary. I also saw a male Adonis Blue ab. krodeli. (Phone pictures attached). (Jonathan Crawford, Anchor Bottom) - TQ203091