Royal command ...

Queen of Spain Fritillary (Issoria lathonia)

I. lathonia is an extremely rare immigrant and transient resident to the British Isles with the first recorded specimen coming from Gamlingay in Cambridgeshire in 1710. It was first noticed in numbers in 1818 and was seen every year until 1885 - with the highest total of 50 records in 1872. Since then, sightings are few and far between with an additional 42 records up until 1939. Between 1943 and 1950 an additional 75 records were added and, since then, there has again been a dearth of sightings with no sightings at all in some years. In 2009, 9 individuals were seen near the Sussex coast, including a sighting of a mating pair. Even so, there have been less than 400 sightings in total since it was first discovered. To date there have been just over 50 confirmed accounts from Sussex.

Although females have been seen egg-laying, neither larvae nor pupae have been found in the wild except in the Channel Islands, where larvae were found in 1950. Larvae were again found in 1951 and 1957. However, in 1945, 25 individuals were recorded at Portreath in Cornwall, suggesting that a migrant female had deposited her eggs in the vicinity and that this concentration of adults were her offspring.

The vast majority of UK sightings are from the south coast of England, with a fairly even spread from Cornwall to Kent. There are fewer records further north and several records from southern Ireland. It is believed that the presence of this species on our shores is dependent on individuals originating in northern France. Unfortunately, the number seen there is also decreasing due to loss of suitable habitat and this undoubtedly has a knock-on effect.

The sexes are similar in appearance, although the female is slightly larger, with a shorter, more rounded abdomen than that of the male and a more extended greenish hue around the basal area of the upperside wings; the black markings also tend to be more bold. The characteristic silver spots on the underside hindwings mean that this butterfly is unlikely to be confused with any other species. The four images all depict males.

References:

www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species.php?species=lathonia

www.learnaboutbutterflies.com/Britain%20-%20Issoria%20lathonia.htm

Hulme, N., 2010. Queen of Spain Fritillary in West Sussex - Evidence of breeding by The Queen of Spain Fritillary butterfly (Issoria lathonia Linn.) at Chichester, West Sussex in 2009. Sussex Butterfly Report (2009). Sussex Butterfly Conservation, Issue 2, Spring 2010, pp.12-17.

Pratt, C. R., 2011. Queen of Spain Fritillary. A Complete History of the Butterflies and Moths of Sussex. Peacehaven, East Sussex: Colin R. Pratt, 2, pp. 265-267.

Urban warrior ...

Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)

A young male Kestrel waits patiently and watches …

Like many British birds of prey, gamekeepers heavily persecuted the Kestrel during the 19th century and numbers fell dramatically. Since then numbers have fluctuated considerably; a variety of reasons for this have been suggested, but they were certainly hit hard by the use of organochlorine pesticides in agriculture in the 1950s and 60s. Kestrel numbers probably recovered to such an extent in the late 1960s and early 70s that it became Britain’s commonest bird of prey. In Sussex, the county population was estimated at 600 pairs in 1964-67, a figure that was revised to 800-1150 pairs in 1980. Numbers nationally have since fluctuated, but appear to be falling once more, with numbers down by 30% during 1995-2011 and an 18% decline in southeast England during 1995-2010.

A beautiful bird and one that evokes fond childhood memories …

References:

Prevost, L., 2014. Kestrel. The Birds of Sussex. Thetford: British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) Books on behalf of the Sussex Ornithological Society, pp. 203-204.
Hope, C., 1996. Kestrel. Birds of Sussex. Sussex Ornithological Society, pp. 202-204.

Chic chicks ...

Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)

In 20 years, the Little Egret (E. garzetta) has gone from being a rare vagrant in Sussex to a regular breeding bird, present throughout the year. The first record in Sussex was in 1952, when a single vagrant was recorded at Manhood End on 10th June 1952, and nearby, on the eastern side of Chichester Harbour, from 2nd July to 1st September 1952. Thereafter, there were occasional sightings in the county, with a total of 27 birds recorded during 1953-88, mainly along the coast. E. garzetta is now a fairly common resident which has bred in Sussex since 2001. This was just five years after the first UK breeding record - recorded from Dorset in 1996.

In Britain, the Little Egret is at the northernmost limit of its range. A warmer climate is likely to lead to an increase in the breeding numbers found in Sussex, but an exceptionally cold winter will lead to a profound drop in numbers.

An elegant bird and one that is always a delight to see …

References:

Collins, B., 1996. Little Egret. Birds of Sussex. Sussex Ornithological Society, pp. 120-121.
Watson, B., 2014. Little Egret. The Birds of Sussex. Thetford: British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) Books on behalf of the Sussex Ornithological Society, pp. 163-164.

First light ...

Marbled White (Melanargia galathea)

Waiting for the sun ...

More at:

www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species.php?species=galathea

Shades of green ...

Dark Green Fritillary (Argynnis aglaja)

The Dark Green Fritillary (A. aglaja) is the most widespread fritillary found in the British Isles. Its name is derived from the green hue found on the underside of the hindwings, which are peppered with large silver spots. This butterfly can be found throughout the British Isles, although it is less common in central and eastern England. Outside of central Scotland and southern England, it is most frequently found in coastal areas and is the only fritillary found on Orkney and the Outer Hebrides. Despite its powerful flight, it is somewhat surprising that this species is not particularly mobile, generally staying within its breeding grounds.

A freshly emerged male prepares for flight ...

More at:

www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species.php?species=aglaja

Finding mnemon ...

Mountain Ringlet (Erebia epiphron)

The Mountain Ringlet (E. epiphron) is probably one of our most difficult species to see. It is only found in discrete colonies in remote locations, has an extremely-short flight period (a few weeks only) and can be difficult to find in anything other than warm bright weather, since the adults tend to remain sheltered deep in grass tussocks in overcast and cool conditions. Given the right temperature this butterfly will take to the air as soon as the sun shines, bringing an apparently dormant landscape to life. As its name suggests, this butterfly is found in mountainous areas, typically at altitudes between 450m and 800m AMSL though can be found at both lower and higher levels; as per the example figured (from around 350m AMSL). E. epiphron forms discrete colonies in particular areas of the mountains they inhabit and, on good sites, may be seen by the hundred. This is typical of epiphron - localities may be few and far between, but where they occur the butterfly is often found in abundance.

E. epiphron is found in two main regions in the British Isles. In England, it is found in the Lake District of Cumberland and Westmorland. It is also found in western central Scotland, primarily in the counties of Argyllshire, West Inverness-shire and Mid Perthshire with a few scattered colonies elsewhere. It is surprisingly absent from Snowdonia and the Pennines. On the basis of four specimens in total (seven are reputed, with four considered by most authorities to be genuine), this butterfly is also thought to have occurred in Ireland (see references below).

There is one generation each year, with adults emerging at the start of June in the Lake District and early July in Scotland.

A recent visit to Irton Fell, with my good friend Peter Eeles, produced numbers in excess of 150 (a male is figured above), with the peak of sightings being achieved on the higher slopes close to Greathall Gill and Whin Rigg. We were particularly pleased to watch a female ovipositing on Mat-grass (Nardus stricta). The eggs, which are pale cream at first, develop red-brown blotches after a few days. They are relatively large compared with the size of the butterfly, with each female laying up to 70 eggs. This stage lasts around two or three weeks depending on the weather

A beautiful butterfly in fabulous surroundings …

More at:

www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species.php?species=epiphron

Summer evenings and stiff necks ...

Purple Hairstreak (Favonius quercus)

The Purple Hairstreak (F. quercus) is our commonest hairstreak, and may be located in oak woodland throughout southern Britain, and more locally elsewhere. It is often difficult to locate, due to its habit of flying high in the tree canopy, where it feeds on honeydew; groups of several individuals chasing one another is not an uncommon sight. However, the adults are occasionally seen feeding and basking at lower levels, on various small trees, shrubs and bracken. This butterfly is found across southern England and Wales, with scattered colonies further north. It is also found in parts of Ireland, mainly between Wicklow and South Kerry.

It is primarily found in woodland containing oak trees, the foodplant of the larva. However, the species can be found in any location where oaks occur, including lanes, parks, gardens, and other urban areas. The primary larval foodplants are Pendunculate Oak (Quercus robur), Sessile Oag (Q. petraea) and Turkey Oak (Q. cerris). Evergreen Oak (Q. ilex) is also used.

Eggs are laid singly (or less commonly, in groups of 2 or more), usually at the base of a plump oak bud, or cluster of buds, but can also be found on an adjoining twig and at various heights. They are laid on branches that are sheltered and receive full sunshine - such branches are therefore on the southern side of the tree. There also appears to be a preference for solitary trees, such as those found at the edges of woods, or those that form part of a hedgerow. Eggs are also most-often found on relatively mature trees (since these have the plumpest buds) on branches that are twisted and gnarled. Eggs are relatively easy to find in suitable locations during the winter months before the oak buds burst. Emergence occurs from the last week of June, through July and into August, with adults still being found into September. There is generally a peak at the end of July and early August, or later in Scotland. There is one brood each season.

Check out the oaks near you ...

More at:

www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species.php?species=quercus