Friday 31st
The numbers of butterflies on the BMS Transect are beginning to dwindle. No doubt the recent heat has had some impact. The most numerous were still Gatekeepers and Meadow Browns, with Small White making it into third place. Two Clouded Yellows were seen.
Friday 24th
One Large White, nine Small Whites, one Green-veined White, four Clouded Yellows, one Small Copper, 84 Common Blues, six Brown Argus, 11 Small Heaths, 14 Meadow Browns, and one Gatekeeper were on New Downs.
Friday 17th
A total of 236 butterflies were recorded on the BMS Transect, though 179 of those were Gatekeepers. Meadow Brown and Wall were the only other species into double-figures with 19 and ten, respectively. Clouded Yellows were on the seafront and Restharrow Scrape.
Friday 10th
A mid-morning walk along the Green Wall produced a Comma, two Speckled Woods, one Painted Lady, one Large White, one Essex Skipper, three Red Admirals, five Peacocks, two Common Blues, 36 Small Whites, 15 Meadow Browns, and 103 Gatekeepers.
Wednesday 8th
The BMS transect was snuck in before it got too hot. A total of 228 butterflies were recorded. There was good diversity with 16 species seen. The highlight was a Clouded Yellow. Gatekeeper led the way with 123 individuals.
Friday 3rd
A walk along Prince's Beach produced 25 Small/Essex Skippers, 16 Small Whites, one Small Copper, six Common Blues, 31 Painted Ladies, 21 Peacocks, seven Marbled Whites, 23 Meadow Browns, 16 Gatekeepers, and five Small Heaths. Then on return, almost at the carpark, a DARK GREEN FRITILLARY was found nectaring on the flowering Knapweed. This only the third Sandwich Bay record in the last 70 years with previous sightings in 1998 and 2007.
Thursday 2nd
Our first Clouded Yellow of the year was in the Jubilee Field.