It's been a good year for butterflies

I am fortunate to live in a part of the world – north Hampshire – that is wildlife-rich by the standards of much of southern England. On my doorstep are a range of habitats, from meadows to heaths, and wetlands to woodlands, all with their special complement of butterfly species. Without trying too hard, or travelling far, I can expect to see more than 30 species in most years – that’s over half the number of species found in the whole of the UK.

Grassland-breeding species such as this Ringlet seem to have fared particularly well this year, with a longer flight period than I can ever recall.

The early period of lockdown meant that naturalists were unable to get out and about as they might have wanted to, and survey work was hampered initially. Consequently, I have no idea how butterflies have fared this year at the national level. However, the evidence of my own eyes locally tells me that in north Hampshire at least it has been a good year. Gorgeous weather in spring and early summer favoured the activities of adult butterflies and we had just enough rain, and at the right times, to ensure larval foodplants flourished and didn’t wither and die back.

For me, butterflies are conspicuous barometers of the health or otherwise of the environment. That they seem to have had a good year is encouraging and hopefully a sign that other insects have also done well, many of them ending up feeding the hungry mouths of insectivorous birds that depend on them for survival.

Sally James.

White Admiral, a splendid denizen of Pamber Forest near where I live.

The Comma has two broods a year, and the species’ unusually marked caterpillar can be found feeding on the leaves of Common Nettle and Hops in north Hampshire.