Yesterday, there was enough sunshine to bring the butterflies out, so we decided to do the Big Butterfly Count 2023 run by Butterfly Conservation. We had to sit in the garden for 15 minutes and count how many butterflies we saw. We guessed it would be like the Big Garden Birdwatch where you count how many of each species you see at any one time, otherwise how would you know you hadn’t counted the same one twice. We were pleased with the results –
3 x Peacocks
2 x Green veined whites (I made a point of checking the underwings to make sure the veins were obvious)
3 x Small whites
6 x Red Admirals
2 x Meadow Browns
2 x Gatekeepers
1 x Speckled Wood
The Speckled Wood (above picture) was just resting on a blade of grass. It is so striking with its pale spots. The spots change in colour according to the location. They are white in more northerly locations becoming orange to the south. This one was cream with a hint of orange. The Speckled Wood obviously prefers woodland, but there is woodland further up the valley and willows, alders, and sea buckthorn in our patch, so it’s not far out of place.
I was pleased to see a Gatekeeper (also known as the Hedge Brown or Small Meadow Brown). I found out about it when I was identifying the Meadow Brown and then I was lucky enough to see one on a walk from Par to Polkerris. It is quite common and is distinctive from the Meadow Brown as it has two white dots in the black spots on its forewings, and more orange generally. It is found where long grasses are near trees and bushes, as is the case here.