Meadow Brown
We are beginning to see a significant decline in this, one of our commonest species. Formerly the second most numerous species, after Gatekeeper, it is currently the fourth. This may be down to hotter summers punctuated with heavy storms, or could reflect grazing pressure in the area, which has reduced the quantity of long grass available. In 2020, this decline was a feature across many transects throughout the New Forest. In 2022, the heat led to an early finish to the season, and the lowest total so far.
total seen
maxima
first seen
last seen
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
... the stats box
88 37 15th June 8th August
90 29 30th June 6th Sept
129 27 7th June 30th August
220 41 5th June 3rd Sept
253 63 11th June 23rd August
190 48 16th June 15th Sept
101 23 15th June 26th August
419 91 19th June 11th Sept