Abundance & Diversity
Abundance and diversity were words seldom used in the context of butterflies during the 2012 season, but it's remarkable just how quickly many species have recovered this year. Although Common Blue, Small Copper and White Admiral have been in short supply in Sussex this season, I witnessed an abundance and diversity of butterflies in the conservation meadow at Springhead Hill yesterday, where the situation looked healthier than for many years. An hour visit slowly turned into a four hour visit, as Colin Knight, Mark Colvin and I wandered through a stunning display of wild flowers and clouds of whites, blues and browns. Between us we collectively saw 28 species in this golden hectare, including Silver-spotted Skipper, Essex Skipper, Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Clouded Yellow, Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Small Copper, Small Blue, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Chalkhill Blue, Purple Emperor, Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Peacock, Comma, Dark Green Fritillary, Silver-washed Fritillary, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Ringlet and Small Heath.
The Silver-spotted Skipper discovered by Mark (Colin later found a female) is a significant find, representing another 1 Km shift westwards in the Sussex range of this species. The habitat isn't particularly suitable for it, so I imagine the colony will remain small and might be vulnerable to cool, damp summers. However, it does suggest to me that we should be searching better habitat to the west. Male and female Clouded Yellows, a stately Empress and some very large, fresh Painted Ladies were amongst the numerous highlights of a wonderful afternoon.
Later I visited Chantry Hill, a little way to the east. Butterflies were also seen in impressive numbers here, including about 20 Silver-spotted Skipper. A three-way chase between a male SSSk, Clouded Yellow and Dark Green Fritillary was a first for me. It's great to have a proper summer again!
SSSk male
SSSK female
Brown Argus
Chalkhill Blue pair
Colin and Mark at Springhead Hill