July
The less reliable weather during early July coupled with the return to a more normal lifestyle for some may have limited opportunities to spend time outside so there were fewer reported butterfly sightings at the start of the month. However as the month progressed these have increased with quite a variety reported including some seen for the first time this season, and in a wider range of locations.
Red Admiral: My favourite this month is the Red Admiral which visited the flower bed adjacent to CCG’s community orchard in Charlton Park but chose to settle on the yoghurt pot rather than a flower.They are fairly widespread in SE7, and in addition to the parks they have also been seen in the gardens in Eastcombe Ave and Troughton and Wyndcliff Rds.
Holly Blue: Fewer this month though still occasional visitors to Troughton Rd and Eastcombe Ave.
Small Tortoiseshells: still present though also in fewer numbers but seen on the Highcombe allotments and Bramshot Ave.
Peacocks: the summer brood is now emerging and so far seen in the parks, the allotments, and Troughton Rd.
Commas: quite frequently around SE7 throughout the month, specifically Bramshot and Eastcombe Ave and Troughton Rd.
Meadow Brown: this month in Bramshot and Eastcombe Ave.
Speckled Wood: still an occasional visitor to Troughton. Rd.
Gatekeeper: – the first sighting the season, reported in Troughton Rd and Eastcombe Ave.
Whites: remain the most widespread and very frequently seen in parks and gardens throughout the area. Their identification isn’t easy but in addition to the Small and Large Whites, we believe a white photographed in Eastcombe Ave is a Green Veined White – a first for us this season.
Jersey Tiger Moth: another season’s first, so far spotted in Troughton Rd and Bramshot Ave.
Gypsy Moth: in spite of looking quite impressive, perhaps a visitor we are less keen to host. Seen in Inverine Rd, at one time it was a notifiable species by DEFRA.
Many thanks, once again, to all contributors. We appreciate your continued involvement, allowing us to build up a picture of what we have locally, which actually seems to be quite a lot. With your help, we look forward to seeing what August brings.
You may know that the Butterfly Conservation Organisation is currently holding its Big Butterfly Count and invite you to join in. This is running until Sunday August 9th. Details here:
JUNE
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this update, with information about what you have seen. On days when the sun comes out, so do the butterflies.