Jenny and Phil have monitored butterflies in Abbey Fields for several years and submit their findings to Butterfly Conservation. Here’s a brief interim report:
We are pleased to report that this year has seen the highest butterfly count since we began monitoring in 2020. The average count over 5 years was 158 but this year we recorded 312 butterflies.
18 species of butterfly have been recorded, higher than last year’s total of 14, because small skipper, common blue, peacock and marbled white returned to the list.
There are 5 sections of the transect walk and each has shown an increase in butterfly numbers compared to last year.
In addition to the prescribed walks which take place between 10.45 and 15.45 along the transect, we also made an evening foray with Jon Holmes to watch white letter hairstreaks and purple hairstreaks flying above the elm and oak trees. These species take the Abbey Fields total to 20.
– Jenny & Phil