I saw a grand total of 2,593 butterflies of 22 different species, along my walking route in the 23 weeks in the Summer of 2015 for which I kept a record.  The most numerous was the Gatekeeper, with a total 1,161 seen, all in a nine week period starting in early July.  Also prominent were Meadow Brown (419), Silver-studded Blue (213), Large Skipper (131), Speckled Wood (128), Ringlet (112), and Small Heath (101).  The Speckled Wood was the most regularly seen (on 20 of the 23 weeks), followed by Brimstone (16 weeks), and Small White (13 weeks).

 

The season started with good numbers of Peacock  and Brimstone in early April, with the first Speckled Wood seen on 15th April.  Poor weather in May made recording difficult,  and no new species emerged.  The first Silver-studded Blue were seen on 19th June, as were Meadow Brown and Small Heath.  July saw a massive increase in numbers, with the 397 butterflies (of which 287 were Gatekeeper) seen on 25th July the peak record.  Early August continued to deliver high numbers, but by the final week in August, no species reached double figures, and the records for September were low in number, with a single Small Heath demonstrating a poor success with second broods.

 

I chose the route knowing that it included places where I had previously seen three of the nationally scarce heathland specialists: Silver-studded Blue, Grayling and Small Heath, so I was pleased to find these again, although Small Heath numbers appeared low, a trend which has been repeated elsewhere.  I also incorporated a wooded section where I knew Speckled Wood was common, and where I had previously seen Silver-washed Fritillary.  The species I had not previously seen in the area included Small Skipper, Small Copper, Holly Blue, White Admiral, and the one Clouded Yellow which briefly led me on an August chase along the wooded ride between Sloden and Alderhill (Section 4 of the route).