Summer Butterflies in a Wealden Wood

 Every year, butterfly abundance and emergence dates vary according to weather conditions. This year, in my local woods, most summer species have emerged early and in excellent numbers, with the possible exception of the Ringlet which seems to have had a rather average year.

By the middle of June, I had seen my earliest ever White Admiral (on the 14th). My first Silver-washed Fritillary of the year appeared on 13th June (my earliest date for this species was on 10th June, over a decade ago).

The Purple Hairstreak was also early to emerge and by the time I caught up with this species during the last week of June, there were a mixture of fresh and frayed examples about.

Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia)

(male)

(female)

(mating)

(female, form valezina)

This beautiful pale form, which looks silvery-green, is occasionally referred to as valezina-alba.

White Admiral (Limenitis camilla)

Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)

Peacock (Aglais io)

Comma (Polygonia c-album)

Purple Hairstreak (Favonius quercus)

(males)

(females)

Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris) (male)

Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus) (male)

Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus) (male)

Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina)

(female)

(mating)

Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus)

(male)

(female)

Autumn Activity on Pevensey Levels

 Now that autumn is here, the landscape on Pevensey Levels has undergone a tidying up before winter arrives. The maize crop has been harvested for winter feed, the hedgerows have been cut back and the meadows have been mown.

In some untouched corners, the Wall (Lasiommata megera) has produced a healthy third brood, with males battling each other for territories and females busy laying eggs during the last couple of weeks.

Mating pairs of Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) and ovipositing females of Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) are still active in the reed beds.

Wall (Lasiommata megera)

(female)

(female ab.mediolugens)

(male)

(ovum)

Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta)

(ovipositing female)

(male)

The Environment Agency are now in the process of raking out Floating Pennywort from the water ditches. This invasive water weed clogs the ditches very quickly during the summer months and must be cleared. This activity attracts Herons and Egrets to look for prey as the dragged weed is left on the ditch sides to rot.

Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) 

Great White Egret (Egretta alba)

Autumn Butterflies along the Woodland Edge

 By the time August arrived, summer butterfly species had rapidly fallen away in my local wealden woods.

However, by September, salvation was at hand as the woodland edges became bathed in a blue wash, with beds of  Devil's-bit Scabious bursting into flower.

 This offers our late season butterflies the chance to feast as many of them prepare for hibernation or migration. 

Another source of  late season nectar is provided by my local National Trust gardens where I go in expectation of seeing good numbers of Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) during the autumn.

Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)

Comma (Polygonia c-album)

Peacock (Aglais io)

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)

Large White (Pieris brassicae)

(females)

(male)

Green-veined White (Pieris napi) (female)

(aberration)

Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)

Small Copper (L. phlaeas)

(ab. radiata)