All observations by Andy Horton, unless stated otherwise.

  Adur Moths                                                                                                        British Lepidoptera on  flickr

Adur Butterfly List 2008

30 December 2007
An active butterfly was seen in a warm sheltered area of South Lancing, flying was near a house wall with plenty of green shrubbery near by. I can't confirm species but most likely to be a Red Admiral. The Red Admiral is the only species of butterfly that has been spotted flying locally in December.

16 December 2007 The photograph on the right shows the complete destruction of the considerable wildlife interest on the embankment which was the old railway track by the Riverside Business Centre.

> 7 December 2007
I was extremely disappointed to discover that the extreme southern end of the Downs Link Cyclepath had been trashed for its wildlife interest (the railway company had previous sold off the land at auction to a private owner).
 

The area has featured frequently on Adur Nature Notes and it was noteworthy for Brown Argus and Common Blue Butterflies with Grass Snakes occasionally recorded in the vicinity. The Small Blue Butterfly was recorded here on at least one occasion, only one of two locations in Shoreham where it has been seen and at least one Large Skipper, Small Skippers, Holly Blues, Meadow Browns, Gatekeepers, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admirals, Painted Ladies, Peacock Butterflies, Comma, Clouded Yellows, Large Whites, Small Whites, Green-veined Whites and Speckled Woods were regularly seen during their flight periods. It was only known area in Shoreham and the downs north of the town where Wild Marjoram grew in profusion. Wild Marjoram is an important nectar plant for butterflies. Wild Thyme, Hemp Agrimony, Fleabane, Meadow Vetchling, Bird's Foot Trefoil and Kidney Vetch and many common wild flowers also grew there.
Google Search on Nature Notes for some Wildlife Entries for this area
Adur Levels 2007
 

Butterfly Habitat Notes   Observations of the habitats of the Small Heath Butterfly Observations of the habitats of the Small Copper Butterfly Some Notes on the local Meadow Brown Butterfly populations Notes on the Wall Brown Butterfly Bird's Foot Trefoil & the Common Blue Butterfly Some other notes on resident butterflies and moths in the Adur area (Part One) Some other notes on resident butterflies and moths in the Adur area (Part Two) Adonis Blues notes from the downs near Shoreham Chalkhill Blues notes from the downs near Shoreham Skippers of the downs near Shoreham Observations of the other Butterflies of the Adur district area and a few absentees Observations of some of the smaller Moths in the Adur district area   Lead Agencies for designated Local Nature Reserves   Clouded Yellow Butterfly  (Link to a recommended photograph by Dave Appleton)

22 November 2007
A probable Red Admiral Butterfly was seen in the Lancing town centre car park during a warm period in the day. Food and shelter was available nearby from the Hedera (Ivy) on the wall of the car park area.

9 November 2007
A Red Admiral Butterfly left the fallen leaves at the top of The Street, Old Shoreham.

6 November 2007
A Meadow Brown Butterfly fluttering around the green herbs over the northern part of the lower slopes of Mill Hill was the first ever of this species recorded locally in the month of November. This is the sixth species of butterfly recorded in this month. I think it was a male, but I did not get a closer look because I was buzzed by the first wasp.
About a minute later the faster wing beats of a Silver Y Moth were spotted.
Adur Butterfly Flight Times

5 November 2007
A Red Admiral Butterfly fluttered around a tree on Southwick Green.

4 November 2007
One Red Admiral Butterfly was spotted near the Buckingham Cutting (south) and another one on the Pixie Path and these were the only butterflies seen on the day in the sunshine which included a trip to Mill Hill and a cycle to the Cement Works along the Downs Link Cyclepath.

2 November 2007
Two Speckled Wood Butterflies and something white and quite large (a butterfly, only seen from a distance) were flying near the Blackthorn Sloes on Lancing Ring.
These are the first records of Speckled Wood Butterflies recorded in the month of November. Five species of butterfly have been recorded in this month.
Adur Butterfly Flight Times

A Red Admiral Butterfly was spotted near the Lancing Manor Leisure Centre buildings followed by two flying together in the sunshine near Lancing Ring dewpond. A  Red Admiral flew in off the sea by Widewater Lagoon.

1 November 2007
A Painted Lady Butterfly was seen in my south Lancing front garden. And a Red Admiral was seen at St Bernard's Court, Sompting Road, north Lancing.

There was a late Wall Brown Butterfly seen on the downs near Lancing. This was the first ever of this species recorded locally in the month of November and only notified later to be the seventh species recorded in the penultimate month of the year.
Adur Butterfly Flight Times

Two Red Admiral Butterflies were seen flying over Shoreham town as I cycled by. There were no butterflies on Mill Hill in the weak sunshine.

31 October 2007
A Red Admiral Butterfly and a Holly Blue were seen in Lancing.

29 October 2007
A quick trip to Mill Hill and a return via the Pixie Path failed to yield a single butterfly.

27 October 2007
There were two late Meadow Browns on my transect near Upper Beeding with a further two flying nearby. Also, there were two Clouded Yellows on the transect.

A Red Admiral Butterfly was blown and flew rapidly over Ray Hamblett's south Lancing garden (TQ 185 046) in the breeze.

23 October 2007
There were occasional (probably about five, I did not count) Red Admiral Butterflies on the footpath on the eastern fringe of the allotments separating Southwick (Fishersgate) from Portslade (and West and East Sussex) north of the Stanley Arms. This path is the last southern arm of the Monarch Way.

22 October 2007
On a towpath cycle ride to Cuckoo's Corner and back, not a single butterfly was seen on an overcast day.

21 October 2007
There were still 23 Meadow Browns on my Upper Beeding transect, including a mating pair.

20 October 2007
There were two Red Admiral Butterflies on the Ivy on the Pixie Path. There were just three butterflies seen on Mill Hill: a Comma and a Red Admiral in the north-west scrub and a Speckled Wood in the copse at the top. There was another one of the small orange or brown butterfly or moths that flew up and away over the Hawthorn.

19 October 2007
In the early afternoon we visited Mill Hill for about an hour and saw the following butterflies: two Red Admirals, one Peacock, one Meadow Brown (probable) and a Holly Blue (probable).

A dozen or so Red Admiral Butterflies were seen in about two hours most of them along by Lancing Beach by Widewater and others in Lancing town, on Lancing Clump and a few over urban Shoreham. On the approaches to Lancing Clump (eastern car park) there were a few brown butterfliesthat were flying too high to be identified (possibly Wall Browns) but it was Speckled Woods that were occasionally seen over the edge of the scrub areas on Lancing Ring Nature Reserve. There was a Small White Butterfly fluttering over the Downs Link Cyclepath south of the Toll Bridge.
Three definite species (my tally only)
 

The caterpillar of the Pale Tussock Moth, Calliteara pudibunda, crawled across the pavement on the approaches to Lancing Clump (eastern car park). I put it on the grass verge for the photograph.  Adur Moths

18 October 2007
There were a few Red Admiral Butterflies in the Williams Road area and a few others on the outskirts of of Shoreham town. On Mill Hill I saw just the two butterflies on a pleasant afternoon; a Peacock Butterfly on Autumnal Hawkbit by the steps leading down to the lower slopes and a male Common Blue visiting Autumnal Hawkbit at the northern end of the lower slopes.
Three species

17 October 2007
Fluttering strongly above my head, I saw two Red Admiral Butterflies in the Williams Road area of Shoreham town. A Large White fluttered across a Shoreham street.
Migrating Red Admirals in Devon (UK Leps)

16 October 2007
There was just a single Red Admiral Butterfly seen in Shoreham town.

15 October 2007
There were two Red Admirals on the Downs Link Cyclepath south of the Toll Bridge and another one on the towpath on the west side of the river near the A27 Flyover.

14 October 2007
In Buckingham Park, Shoreham, a Large White Butterfly fluttered over, followed one of the small orange or brown butterfly or moths (which may be Vapourer Moths?) and a Speckled Wood at the top. The lower slopes of Mill Hill produced another one of the small orange or brown butterfly or moths, three Meadow Browns of both sexes, with a Speckled Wood in the scrub in the north-west and another Meadow Brown in the Old Erringham pasture. One Large White and one Red Admiral were spotted in passing on the Downs Link Cyclepath south of the Toll Bridge.

11 October 2007
I was surprised to see a Holly Blue Butterfly fluttering around at the eastern end of Old Shoreham Toll Bridge. The second butterfly was a Peacock in the Butterfly Copse next to the Waterworks Road. These two were followed by a few Red Admirals on the Pixie Path Ivy with the wasps, hoverflies, and flies. The lower slopes of Mill Hill hosted a handful of Meadow Browns of both sexes, with another one on the top plateau. There was a surprise bright yellow Brimstone on the edge* of the lower slopes by the path and a Speckled Wood over the steps in the scrub in the north-west and a Comma over some Brambles on the upper part of the hill, and another Red Admiral, and then a courting couple of Red Admirals seen later over the Pixie Path as I cycled down Mill Hill Road. (*By the scrub in the north-west but fluttering over the lower slopes where it was seen from.) There was another one of the small orange or brown butterfly or moths over the Pixie Path, but it would not settle. I did not recall spotting any white butterflies.
Seven species of definite butterflies

10 October 2007
I saw a Large White Butterfly in Corbyn Crescent, Shoreham, as I left my front garden and a Red Admiral later in the day.

8 October 2007
A few Red Admirals, at least one Large White and one bright yellow Clouded Yellow Butterfly were spotted in passing on the Downs Link Cyclepath south of the Toll Bridge and north of where the path narrows and veers sharply west for the winding narrow route to Ropetackle.

7 October 2007
As a fret rolled across the Adur valley, a slightly misty lower slopes of Mill Hill showed a few Large White Butterflies, one male Meadow Brown and a male Adonis Blue. There was another one of the small orange or brown butterfly or moths that flew up and away from amongst the Hawthorn on the western side of the steps leading down to the the lower slopes of Mill Hill. There were more Large White Butterflies and at least one Red Admiral on the Downs Link Cyclepath south of the Toll Bridge. There may have been a Small White Butterfly as well, but I was unable to be sure about this one.
Four definite species

6 October 2007
On the Downs Link Cyclepath south of the Toll Bridge, a bright yellow Clouded Yellow Butterfly fluttered over the path south of the thorn tunnel at the extreme southern end. A few Large White Butterflies were seen around the town and outskirts of Shoreham.

5 October 2007
A thorough search of Mill Hill gave us a minimum count of nine Wall Brown Butterflies, differentiated on the basis of sex and varying degrees of wear and tear (only one male had undamaged wings). This is the highest count I have ever had at Mill Hill and represents a strong, third brood emergence - I don't remember ever seeing more than four in the summer here. Second brood numbers are typically about three times greater than the spring emergence, and a third brood is often restricted to warmer sites such as this and/or following a hot summer. This may explain the absence of the species on the north facing slopes of Steyning Round Hill, which we had searched earlier in the day. Also present at Mill Hill were 3 Clouded Yellow , 1 Adonis Blue (female), 1 Small Copper, 2 Red Admiral, 2 Peacock, 1 Comma, 1 Brimstone, 3 Large White, 1 Small White, 1 Speckled Wood and 8 Meadow Brown.

4 & 5 October 2007
There were still a few Red Admirals  and Large White Butterflies around on the outskirts of Shoreham on both days.

3 October 2007
There were still a few Red Admiral Butterflies and a Peacock on the the Downs Link Cyclepath south of the Toll Bridge. A few Large Whites and at least one Speckled Wood Butterfly seen around the outskirts of Shoreham town.
There was one fresh Meadow Brown Butterfly seen and Speckled Wood by the steps down to the lower slopes of Mill Hill from the south.
Five species

2 October 2007
A bright yellow Clouded Yellow Butterfly fluttering over the grassy bit of the towpath by Adur Riverside Industrial Estate (north of Ropetackle, Shoreham), was the only definite butterfly on a cloudy day. On the Downs Link Cyclepathsouth of the Toll Bridge, there was another of the small orange butterflies which would not settle in five minutes. I am tempted to think these are mostly Small Copper Butterflies. There was also another brown moth which was completely different, with a large dark brown abdomen as it whirred away.

30 September 2007
On the Downs Link Cyclepath south of the Toll Bridge, I recorded four white butterflies and at least one was a confirmed Large White, an unidentified larger brown butterfly over Brambles which was thought most likely to be a Comma, plus five clearly seen Clouded Yellow Butterflies. The Butterfly Copse next to the Waterworks Road, Old Shoreham, hosted a Speckled Wood and three Red Admirals.  The Pixie Path added another Red Admiral, a Large White and another Speckled Wood.
 

Three more of the small orange or brown butterfly or moths, and they looked much like moths, flew up and too quickly away from amongst the Brambles on the western side of the steps leading down to the the lower slopes of Mill Hill. The lower slopes still had at least six Meadow BrownButterflies and one Peacock Butterfly. The scrub in the north-west added a Speckled Wood Butterfly, and there were no more butterflies as I returned by the ridge route. There was another tatty Peacock Butterfly in Ray Hamblett's Lancing front garden.
Six definite species plus one other

29 September 2007
Another one of the small orange or brown butterfly or moths was blown across New Road, Shoreham. (I had this same identification problem in 2006.)

27 September 2007
On a breezy day, just two definite butterflies were noted: a Red Admiral Butterfly and a Clouded Yellow on the Downs Link Cyclepath south of the Toll Bridge. Over New Road in central Shoreham, there was another one of the small orange or brown butterfly or moths was blown about and showed no signs of settling.

25 September 2007
A Red Admiral Butterfly and a Large White Butterfly were seen in Corbyn Crescent, Shoreham.
A Speckled Wood was seen in the spinney part of the southern bank of the Slonk Hill Cutting. On a blackberrying visit to the hedgerow part, a Comma Butterfly and a Silver Y Moth fluttered amongst the Brambles. The next visit was to the Downs Link Cyclepath south of the Toll Bridge where a Speckled Wood, Red Admiral and two Peacock Butterflies were recorded. The Pixie Path added another Red Admiral and three Peacock Butterflies. A Clouded Yellow flew over the path from Frampton's Field and away. The white butterfly seen was not positively identified and it seemed like a Green-veined White and the small orange or brown butterfly or moth flitted away too quickly as well (this might be a Small Copper?). Another Comma settled amongst the Holly berries.
On the lower slopes of Mill Hill, there were just one male Adonis Blue Butterfly, 17 Meadow Brown Butterflies, one Large White, two tatty female Common Blues and a Treble-bar Moth. I returned via the ridge with a Speckled Wood and another Meadow Brown recorded in the scrub in the north-west and another Meadow Brown seen on the exposed ridge.
Nine definites species of butterfly, with two others unidentified

24 September 2007
I recall seeing a Red Admiral Butterfly as I cycled through Shoreham town.

23 September 2007
In Shoreham town there were at least two Large Whites and a Holly Blue, on the western Adur towpath under the the A27 Flyover there was a Peacock Butterfly, but that was all on an unpromising day for butterflies.

22 September 2007
A 20 minute cycle jaunt on the outskirts of Shoreham, on the Downs Link Cyclepath south of the Toll Bridge, recorded a few Peacock Butterflies, occasional Red Admirals, a few Large Whites, at least one Small White and one Clouded Yellow. A Green-veined White could not be confirmed because it would not settle. A few Speckled Woods were added on the path that ran along the south of Frampton's Field.
Six definite species

21 September 2007
Under an overcast sky, a cycle ride along circular route from old Shoreham up the Coombes Road to Botolphs and a return via the Downs Link Cyclepath was longer than usual (via the Annington Sewer) because the South Downs Bridge was closed for repairs. Butterflies seen on route were frequent (30+) Speckled Woods, six Peacocks, occasional Large Whites and Red Admirals, at least one Small White, one Comma (Coombes Road), one Wall Brown (Upper Beeding east of the South Downs Bridge) and one Clouded Yellow (Downs Link Cyclepath south of the Toll Bridge).
Mill Hill was breezy with frequent (15+) Meadow Browns, two Large Whites, three Wall Browns, two Small Heaths and one female Common Blue.
Eleven species

18 September 2007
A two and a half hour walk around Beeding Hill on a beautiful afternoon produced the following butterfly sightings: Clouded Yellow 3, Large White 2, Small White 2, Brown Argus 2, Common Blue 1, Adonis Blue 3 (one ovipositing), Peacock 1, Wall 1 (fresh female), Meadow Brown 40+, Small Heath 2.

There was just a hint of autumnal chill in the air but the sun shined briefly on the Downs Link Cyclepath south of the Toll Bridge, where a few Speckled Woods, Large Whites, Red Admirals, and Holly Blue Butterflies were seen. A Clouded Yellow Butterfly fluttered over the vegetation on the east back of the River Adur at low tide. A Small White Butterfly was seen over the grass by the new Dunelms Furniture Store near the Hamm in Shoreham town.
Six species (personal tally)

16 September 2007
On the lower slopes of Mill Hill,  there were just three male Adonis Blue Butterflies and 30 Meadow Brown Butterflies noted, but I made my exit from the downs earlier than I normally would under an overcast sky. At least half of the Meadow Browns visited the Devil's Bit Scabious. Other butterflies on the day included another dozen more Meadow Browns, at least four Red Admirals (two on Mill Hill, two on the Pixie Path), five Speckled Woods (mostly in the scrub on Mill Hill), one Comma Butterfly (on the Pixie Path) and frequent Large Whites almost everywhere.
Six Species

15 September 2007
Another one of these strong-flying small orange moth or butterflies was seen on the Coombes Road near Cuckoo's Corner with a Speckled Wood Butterfly. I was unable to stop for a closer look. Two Red Admirals were seen in Shoreham town with frequent Large Whites in the sunshine.

14 September 2007
A breeze-blown Red Admiral collided with me as I cycled up Eastern Avenue in Shoreham, and I saw another one later. Large Whites were frequent in town.

12 September 2007
There was a small orange moth or butterfly over Buckingham Park in Shoreham, but it would not keep still for identification. At the top of The Drive, Shoreham, there was my first two Speckled Woods of the day.
It seemed like an exceptionally large Peacock Butterfly that fluttered around the Ivy on the Pixie Path followed by a handful of good condition Red Admirals.
Not in the mood for counting butterflies, but there were 13 Adonis Blues (including 3 females) on the lower slopes of Mill Hill, with seven Common Blues, five Small Heath Butterflies, an estimated 50+ Meadow Browns, occasional Large Whites, one more Speckled Wood in the Hawthorn, and one Clouded Yellow, possibly two, south of the Reservoir.
Nine species confirmed

11 September 2007
By the Old Fort on Shoreham Beach, a male Common Blue Butterfly fluttered by and then settled. Large Whites were common on Shoreham Beach, with one recorded every minute. Small Whites were seen on the Downs Link Cyclepath south of the Toll Bridge, and there may have been Green-veined Whites, but these would not settle for identification.

10 September 2007
As well as the frequent Large Whites there was a Speckled Wood and a Painted Lady Butterfly on the Downs Link Cyclepath south of the Toll Bridge.

9 September 2007
There were three Red Admirals on the Ivy on the Pixie Path. Mill Hill produced one Holly Blue around the hedge north of the bridge at the top, plus the first Adonis Blues were seen on the steps down to the lower slopes with a total of 35 (32 males 3 females) with two of the males seen on the upper plateau, 7 Common Blues (2 females on the lower slopes and 5 males on the middle and top part of Mill Hill), 9 Small Heath Butterflies, 5 Chalkhill Blues (all on the lower slopes), frequent Meadow Browns, frequent Large Whites and occasional Small Whites. A damaged Peacock Butterfly was seen at the western end of Old Shoreham Toll Bridge.
It was notable that the butterflies were exiguous both in the long sward in the meadows at the top of Mill Hill, and even more scanty in the verge meadows of the Downs Link Cyclepath where Large Whites were frequent and another Common Blue was recorded south of the thorn tunnel at the extreme southern end.
Ten species

8 September 2007
There were three Red Admirals on the Ivy in the Butterfly Copse next to the Waterworks Road, but the neighbour had chopped down all the Buddleia. Otherwise there were frequent Large Whites and occasional Small White Butterflies around Shoreham town.

7 September 2007
Large Whites were every five minutes or so in Shoreham town, at least one Small White Butterfly, with a Speckled Wood over Buckingham Park and another was seen in the woody area at the top of The Drive, Shoreham. There was a Holly Blue Butterfly fluttering over the Ivy on the Pixie Path followed by the first male Common Blue Butterfly. On the lower slopes of Mill Hill, the count of Adonis Blues was 19 (14 males and 5 females), 11 Common Blues (1 female), frequent Meadow Browns, just three Small Heath Butterflies, and one or two Chalkhill Blues (the male may have tried to mate with a female Chalkhill or perhaps an Adonis by mistake?) and one Clouded Yellow Butterfly. The small pyralidmoth Pyrausta nigrata was occasionally seen. I returned quickly by the ridge route and only another male Common Blue Butterfly was added to the total under a black cloud that had covered the whole visit in the shade. A Red Admiral Butterfly fluttered over the twitten between Ropetackle and Victoria Road, Shoreham-by-Sea.
Eleven species of butterfly

6 September 2007
Butterflies seen on passage were a Red Admiral on Buddleia by the Eastern Avenue Railway Crossing Gates in Shoreham town, and frequent Small Whites and Large Whites every five minutes or so in Shoreham town and on Shoreham Beach.

5 September 2007
A faded Painted Lady Butterfly fluttered over Shoreham Beach Green on the green open space by the toilet block.

4 September 2007
A tatty Red Admiral was the only butterfly over the Pixie Path. On the lower slopes of Mill Hill, male Adonis Blues were immediately seen amongst the dewy grass by the steps and later all over the Horseshoe Vetch. The count was 36 (33 males and 3 females) in the acre transect area. A third of them had tatty wing edges. The same area produced 30 Meadow Browns with a further 21 were seen on other parts of Mill Hill giving a total of 51. Eight Small Heath Butterflies were seen on the lower slopes with a further two on the upper part of Mill Hill. And one Large White Butterfly settled on Hawthorn on the lower slopes.
 

Just a single Chalkhill Blue Butterfly fluttered around Old Erringham pasture near the gate to Mill Hill Nature Reserve. A Speckled Wood was seen amongst the heavy Hawthorn scrub in the north-west. 18 Common Blue Butterflies were bright but not pristine in the middle area of Mill Hill, most of them congregating to the north of the Triangle area and only a few in the top meadow. One Small White Butterfly was seen amongst the scrub on the plateau. A probable pyralid moth Pyrausta purpuralis was seen in the short sward north of the Reservoir.
A Holly Blue Butterfly was seen on Buddleia in Victoria Road, Shoreham and a Red Admiral flew up the same road. On the Adur Levels, there was a relative paucity of butterflies with frequent Large Whites and a few Small Whites as well, and one Red Admiral, but that was all that were seen in passing. The verge meadows on the Downs Link Cyclepath south of the Cement Works did not produce any visible butterflies at all.
On an acre trek over Anchor Bottom, Upper Beeding, I recorded 42 Meadow Browns on the southern slopes, but no other butterflies were seen.
Ten species of butterfly

3 September 2007
At least one Small White and occasional Large White Butterflies and a handful of Red Admirals were seen on the cyclepath by Widewater. One small (the size of a Holly Blue) orange or brown butterfly was seen flying over the pebbles on the beach.

31 August 2007
A handful of Red Admiral Butterflies flew around the Buddleia on the Downs Link Cyclepath south of the Toll Bridge, with a few Large White Butterflies over the road as I cycled past in Shoreham town.

30 August 2007
The largest of the Large White Butterflies around the Sea Kale, next to the Coastal Link Cyclepath as it goes through Lancing, were spectacularly marked with large black spots and black wing edges. I watched one of these butterflies flitter around a patch of the Sea Kale to the west of Lancing Yacht Club for a few minutes and the restless butterfly only landed for less than a second before immediately taking off again. The Large Whites were frequent on the shore above the high tide mark.
In the last few days,  I have made four sightings of an orange moth or butterfly rising from hedgerows or bushes in Shoreham.

29 August 2007
Butterflies were just about frequent by the Downs Link Cyclepath south of the Toll Bridge, with a fresh Comma Butterfly, and a Common Blue north of the Buffer Stop and a Small Tortoiseshell and Painted Lady south through the thorn tunnel where around the remnants of Marjoram there were a handful of Common Blues, including a miniature brown female, about half the size of the largest Common Blue females and about the size of a Small Blue. Large Whites were frequently seen in Shoreham town with the largest numbers over the allotments.
Five species

27 August 2007
During brief walk along top of beach between Widewater and South Lancing, I saw four Painted Ladies in flight, basking in sun on pebbles and nectaring in a seafront garden, a single Small Tortoiseshell and Clouded Yellow nectaring in a garden, and many Small Whites around.

The count of Adonis Blues in the acre transect of the lower slopes of Mill Hill was 44 (28 males, 16 females) with another one by the gate to the Old Erringham pasture. Chalkhill Blues on Mill Hill were just six, including one female, with four male Common Blues, 7 Small Heaths, one Clouded Yellow on the lower slopes, frequent Meadow Browns, one Speckled Wood in the scrub of Mill Hill and a few Large Whites. A Red Admiral was seen on Buckingham Bank south and Large Whites were frequently seen over Hamm Allotments in Shoreham. On the lower slopes of Mill Hill, the small pyralid moth Pyrausta nigrata was again frequent enough to be overlooked.
My tally of nine species

26 August 2007
A quick look at Mill Hill about 9.30 am yielded a Clouded Yellow Butterfly. I saw two more together east of Southwick Tunnel later. When I returned to Mill Hill late afternoon for a short walk I had 1 Brimstone, 6+ Adonis Blues about one third of the way down the slope from the car park (just above the steep steps), together with several Small Heath and faded Chalkhill Blues.
Along the Shoreham bypass, I saw relatively few butterflies: Buckingham Bank south just 2 Red Admirals and a Holly Blue flew over, with 1 Speckled Wood in the bushes behind. Slonk Hill south produced one Hornet Moth, 2 Treble-bar Moths,  2 Silver Y Moths; 4 Meadow Browns; 1 Red Admiral; 1 Small Copper; 1 male Common Blue and 2 Large Whites.
Twelve butterfly species

I spent an hour on the lower slopes of Mill Hill at midday in pursuit of Adonis Blues. As well as seeing my first ever Clouded Yellow, I also saw about 5 to 10 Common Blues amongst the 30 Adonis Blues (beneath the footpath).

A Painted Lady Butterfly, a Brown Argus, a few Speckled Woods, a few Holly Blues, occasional Red Admirals and occasional Common Blue Butterflies were seen in vegetation by the verges of the Downs Link Cyclepath south of the Toll Bridge. The butterflies were sparser north of Old Shoreham where a few more Red Admirals, occasional Large White Butterflies, and one Brimstone Butterfly, that emerged from Buddleia, were seen. A Comma Butterfly was not confirmed at the time, but accepted later.
A half an hour trek on the southern (north-facing) slopes of Anchor Bottom (Dacre Garden entrance), Upper Beeding, produced 52 Meadow Browns, two male Adonis Blues, and one male Common Blue. A Small Heath Butterfly settled briefly at the top on the southern boundary. At least two pairs of mating Meadow Browns were seen.
My tally was twelve species.

25 August 2007
 

On the Slonk Hill Cutting south embankment, the meadows were still in shade in the morning and there were two Red Admirals and a few Meadow Browns. A Silver Y Moth flitted through the herbs on Buckingham Cutting south. On the Mill Hill Cutting a single female blue butterfly fluttered around the Cotoneaster and Horseshoe Vetch and I think this was a Common Blue. On the Pixie Path there was a male Common Blue, a few Holly Blues and more Meadow Browns.
The lower slopes of Mill Hill were bathed in weak sunshine, which resulted in a few more butterflies in flight including frequent Meadow Browns, four Chalkhill Blues (including one female), 48 second brood Adonis Blues (including five females, four in mating pairs), 7 Small Heath Butterflies, a few distinctive Large Whites and frequent small pyralid moths Pyrausta nigrata. The scrub in the north-west added a few Speckled Woods and few Red Admirals. The Triangle area added two male Common Blues but the top meadows and plateau were only sparsely populated by Meadow Browns. There was a Holly Blue seen amongst the scrub on the upper part of Mill Hill.
Nine species of butterfly

24 August 2007
Still overcast, but better than the last 12 days of inclement weather: Butterflies were frequent but much less than in previous years. Large White Butterflies were occasional in Shoreham town. A Meadow Brown was seen in Buckingham Cutting south. MeadowBrowns were the commonest butterfly of the day with about 36 seen on Mill Hill, with more than half of them were the females. A single good condition Red Admiral visited the yellow flower of Ragwort south of the Reservoir on Mill Hill. The blue butterflies were not generally in flight, but on the lower slopes of Mill Hill, I disturbed two Chalkhill Blues (one male and one female) and 14 Adonis Blues (13 males and one pristine female) as well as 22 Meadow Browns, a Large White Butterfly and at least four Small Heath Butterflies. On the lower slopes, very faded versions of the small pyralid moth Pyrausta nigrata were frequently seen with over twenty recorded before I stopped counting. I returned via the ridge and did not visit the top meadows and plateau of Mill Hill.
Six species of butterfly

21 August 2007
On another overcast day, there was a Holly Blue Butterfly and a Large White seen in passing at Kingston Buci.

16-17 August 2007
A few Large White Butterflies, Meadow Browns and Red Admirals were blown by the breeze in Shoreham town and the outskirts.

15 August 2007
After the rain, and in the breeze, there were a few Large White Butterflies and Red Admirals and at least one Peacock Butterfly on Downs Link Cyclepath south of the Toll Bridge. A brown butterfly remained unidentified as it flew away. It could have been a Meadow Brown or a Painted Lady.

13 August 2007
Occasional Large White Butterflies, a Red Admiral and a Holly Blue were seen in Shoreham town.

12 August 2007
Large White Butterflies were seen in Shoreham town, especially near allotments. A Red Admiral left a grassy area in Buckingham Park and another one was seen on the Buckingham Cutting south. The first two Chalkhill Blue Butterflies were seen fluttering amongst the Horseshoe Vetch on the Mill Hill Cutting south. The Pixie Path hosted a Meadow Brown, a Common Blue, a Holly Blue and a Large White Butterfly.
By the time I reached Mill Hill it was breezy and cool approaching midday. Frequent butterflies of both Chalkhill Blues and Meadow Browns were searching for females on the lower slopes and these were well hidden and the only ones seen were disturbed. The male Chalkhill Blues did not seem to having much success finding the females either.
 

Species	Lower Slopes	Scrub + Ridge	Total (all sites)
Chalkhill Blue	43 (M 34 F 9)	1	46
Adonis Blue	1		1
Small Heath	1	2	3
Meadow Brown	27	11	41
Peacock		1	1
Common Blue	1		3
Pyrausta purpuralis moth	1		1

After about 25 minutes it began to rain and I returned quickly via the breeze-blown ridge of Mill Hill.
Nine species (just over 100 butterflies)

11 August 2007
Butterflies were only frequent in Shoreham and on the outskirts with frequent Large Whites and Holly Blues leading the way, followed by occasional Speckled Woods, one Red Admiral, and a pair of Chalkhill Blues on the Mill Hill Cutting south. One pair of Holly Blues were spotted mating in the hedges at Buckingham Cutting south.
Five species

10 August 2007
A cycle jaunt along the Downs Link Cyclepath north of Old Shoreham produced mostly 20+ Meadow Browns each way and the majority of these were the larger females. Large Whites were frequently seen but only the occasional Small White in town and country. Occasional Red Admirals were noted settling on Hemp Agrimony on the path verges. Holly Blues and Speckled Woods were seen occasionally. At least one bright yellow Brimstone Butterfly stood out on the return journey and the white butterfly was most likely a Brimstone as well.
On Anchor Bottom, Upper Beeding (Dacre Garden entrance) a mating pair of Chalkhill Blue Butterflies were seen immediately and there were at least a dozen more Meadow Brown Butterflies and about the same number of  6-spot Burnet Moths were seen in about 30 minutes. There were probably a few Small Heath Butterflies but only one was definitely recorded. A Painted Lady Butterfly flew eastwards and eventually up the slope.
The only Gatekeeper seen on the day was underneath the Railway Viaduct near Ropetackle.
Adur Levels
Eleven species of butterfly

9 August 2007
A Speckled Wood Butterfly fluttered by the hedge section of the twitten between Corbyn Crecent and Adelaide Square, Shoreham. Holly Blues were frequent on the day and occasional on the Pixie Path.
There was one male Chalkhill Blue Butterfly on the Mill Hill Cutting south, a mere 17 males on a rushed visit to the lower slopes of Mill Hill, and a further seven males as I returned by the most direct route by the ridge. Four Adonis Blues and a female Common Blue were seen on the lower slopes where the one pair of the frequent 12+ Meadow Browns were seen mating. The larger female MeadowBrowns were most noticeable resting, and seeming to be ready for the males which did not seem to be present in their usual numbers. An attractive small Pyrausta purpuralis moth was again seen in the main Tor Grass area on the lower slopes of Mill Hill. There was a Speckled Wood in the scrub. Occasional Large Whites were seen on the downs and in Shoreham town. Two Red Admirals and two Small Whites were seen on Downs Link Cyclepath south of the Toll Bridge.
Adur Pyralid Moths
Nine species

6 August 2007
A Red Admiral Butterfly was seen in Corbyn Crescent, Shoreham.

5 August 2007
A couple of Speckled Wood Butterflies were courting rising up to a height about five metres fluttering around each other over the Waterworks Road, Old Shoreham. This behaviour was seen on a few occasions in the last few days.
The first Chalkhill Blues were seen on the Mill Hill Cutting, but only six males were seen. There was a Holly Blue on the top part of the Pixie Path.
On the lower slopes of Mill Hill, the Chalkhill Blue Butterfly count was the highest this year (but still about half the numbers in an average year) where 92 males and 4 brown females were noted in the acre transect area. This figure only represents an estimated 275 Chalkhill Blue Butterflies on the hill, which is a very poor total. The frequent (over a dozen) visits of the male Chalkhill Blues to pale brown (probably beech) leaves was noticeable and may demonstrate the use of of colour cues in the initial search for a brown female. The visit was fleeting, the landing male immediately realising its mistake. The 11 male Adonis Blueswere seen clearly and one female Common Blue, with about 6 Meadow Browns and one Large White Butterfly.
In the scrub to the north-west there was a Red Admiral, a Speckled Wood, and two Common Blues. Looking over the gate to the Old Erringham pasture a further three Chalkhill Blues were spotted. In the Triangle area of central Mill Hill, another five male Chalkhill Blues were recorded. Gatekeepers were seen occasionally in the top meadow of Mill Hill.
Eight species

4 August 2007
A male Common Blue Butterfly fluttered across the road outside my gate in Corbyn Crescent, Shoreham. In Lancing as I passed through by car, Holly Blues, Large Whites and Gatekeepers were seen occasionally.

3 August 2007
Buckingham Cutting south was below expectations with a Common Blue and a Chalkhill Blue sparring in the sunshine. There were also four Speckled Woods in the shaded are at the top of the Drive. On the Mill Hill Cutting only seven male Chalkhill Blues were seen fluttering around. The Pixie Path (northern section only) recorded a few Meadow Browns and a surprise Small Blue Butterfly.
The lower slopes of Mill Hill were again disappointing. The tally of Chalkhill Blues in the transect acre was 49 (43 males and 6 females), but it looked like fresh males had appeared. There were three definite male Adonis Blues and occasional Meadow Browns and Gatekeepers. The scrub in the north-west added a Peacock Butterflynear the gate and another few Speckled Woods, Meadow Browns and Gatekeepers. The Triangle area of Mill Hill hosted 7 Chalkhill Blues (6 males and 1 female). The top meadows added three each of male Common Blues and Chalkhill Blues as well as surprise Small Blue, plus a Large White, a few more MeadowBrowns and Gatekeepers.
The Downs Link Cyclepath in the section south of the Toll Bridge immediately produced a Red Admiral amongst the Buddleia and a Comma Butterfly. The path by the river as it narrows and winds towards Ropetackle produced a surprise faded and definite Wall Brown Butterfly. A few more Large Whites were seen around Shoreham town.
In the late afternoon I cycled briefly along the Downs Link Cyclepath north of Old Shoreham and added two Green-veined Whites and a Holly Blue to the species list.
Fourteen species.

2 August 2007
Overcast and breezy with just a female Common Blue Butterfly, a Large White, a Silver Y Moth, and a 6-spot Burnet Moth on the Buckingham Cutting south. On the Mill Hill Cutting the Chalkhill Blues did not show at all, so I decided against visiting Mill Hill. Gatekeepers and Meadow Browns were in low frequencies on the Pixie Path, where there were frequent Holly Blues (12+), occasional Red Admirals and one Small/Essex Skipper.
Seven species of butterfly

1 August 2007
On the southern area meadows of the Slonk Hill Cutting there were frequent Meadow Browns as a Large White flew past with distinct black spots and wing edges. In the clearing by the path I added occasional Gatekeepers. On Buckingham Cutting south I added one each of a Small Blue and a small male Common Blue. On the Mill Hill Cutting 13 Chalkhill Blues (12 males and a female mating) were lively visiting Eyebrights and Hardheads. The first Holly Blue of the day was seen around the roadside hedge just south of Mill Hill, and they were occasional in Shoreham town.

Chalkhill Blues at the beginning of the month were recorded on the lower slopes of Mill Hill at the lowest number this century with just 61 (59 males and 2 females) in the transect acre counted. The bright blue butterfly was finally positively identified as an Adonis Blue (pic). In the scrub to the north-west of Mill Hill there was a bright Peacock Butterfly, followed by a Cinnabar Moth caterpillar on a Ragwort plant by the gate and three Speckled Wood Butterflies were noted with a further one under the copse at the top of Mill Hill. In the Triangle area of Mill Hill a positive Brimstone Butterfly appeared and there was another possible, with one Chalkhill Blue, at least four Gatekeepers and two Meadow Browns. In the meadows north of the car park, my passage was brief, but two Brown Argus Butterflies and another male Common Blue were seen immediately with six Meadow Browns and probably more. No Small/Essex Skippers were seen. Occasional 6-spot Burnet Moths were seen scattered over Mill Hill. The plateau at the top also hosted a Common Blue and a Chalkhill Blue Butterfly. A large (vanessid-size) grey butterfly (or moth) with one small eye spot seen on each wing took off from the upper plateau. I do not what it was. I assume this is a mistaken sighting of a common species. Altogether the numbers of butterflies were much less than expected in the sunshine.

On the Downs Link Cyclepath north of Old Shoreham in the warm (25.0 ºC) afternoon sunshine along with the frequent Gatekeepers, and Meadow Browns and o