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You're right about third broods, David. Holly Blue, Common Blue and Brown Argus (and Small Copper of course) routinely produce a few third brood individuals here these days. In 2020 (as in some other locations) the notable one has been the Common Blue - which has had a terrific year overall on my patch, becoming the most frequently seen butterfly after Meadow Browns and Small Whites. That third place accolade usually goes to the Holly Blue which by contrast hasn't done so well here this year. Once the season has finally come to a close, I'll produce a few stats - there will be some quirks in there I'm sure.
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However, the 2020 season is by no means at an end. After the cold (only 11 degrees here) and wet of Sunday 4th, Monday 5th October couldn't have been more different. There was sunshine (four hours of it) and it was warm (18 degrees as a high today).
Clearly one day of distinctly adverse weather does not have a significant effect on the butterfly species currently around. On a local walk today between 1030 and 1300, I counted 33 individuals from seven species. Today's tally:
Common Blue 11
Small White 10
Clouded Yellow 3
Red Admiral 3
Small Copper 2
Peacock 2
Speckled Wood 2
The warm sunshine meant the Cloudies were almost unapproachable, but by dint of seeing two in a bundle in front of me while a third whizzed past my legs the other way I was able to establish that three were around. They all appeared to be males. Todays shots were nothing special... A variety of Small Whites, including one that was almost completely white. Among the Common Blues were a couple of females, but they proved impossible to find settled. The males here soon seem to lacerate themselves on the vegetation, but some were largely in one piece. I found a Small Copper in the usual spot, but looking at it I think it may not be the same male as I saw there a week earlier. It also had a companion - a female was flying not far away, and it was unlikely given their proximity that they had not yet encountered one another. There were a couple of Speckled Woods around, looking very much the autumn butterfly in this sort of pose. I was also surprised to see two Peacocks flying vigorously around fairly high up, and only stopping to bask pretty well inaccessibly in the trees. A record shot only here... Finally, a hitherto largely missing ingredient of the autumn was added to the mix - three different Red Admirals on the ivy. A very good morning, given the date and the weather of the day before.
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Dave