All observations by Andy Horton, unless stated otherwise.

Sussex Butterfly Reports (Butterfly Conservation Society)
Adur Moths                                                                                                            British Lepidoptera on  flickr

Butterfly & Large Moth List 2009

16 November 2008
A Red Admiral Butterfly fluttered around the south-facing shop fronts at the western end of Shoreham High Street around midday.

12 November 2008
A Red Admiral Butterfly fluttered over the twitten between Gordon Avenue and Nicolson Drive in Shoreham next to Hamm Road Allotments. It came as a great surprise to me to see a large yellow Brimstone Butterfly fly over the top meadow (north of the upper car park) on Mill Hill. It flew strongly in the direction of New Erringham. This was the first Brimstone Butterfly recorded in the month of November on these Nature Notes pages. Five minutes later a Speckled Wood Butterfly fluttered amongst the long grass south of the Reservoir on Mill Hill. Two more Red Admirals were seen rising from the vegetation next to the the Pixie Path.
Adur Butterfly Flight Times

11 November 2008
A single Red Admiral Butterfly settled on the creamy-coloured front wall of Ray Hamblett's house in south Lancing.

7 November 2008
A single Red Admiral Butterfly arose from the Pixie Path to Mill Hill.

5 - 6 November 2008
No butterflies recorded over both days.

3 November 2008
Over the muddy outskirts of Shoreham as far north as Cuckoo's Corner on the west side of the river, there were no butterflies recorded.

2 November 2008
After the continual heavy rain of the previous day, no butterflies were recorded around the allotments of Shoreham, Buckingham Park, the Pixie Path or Mill Hill.

31 October 2008
A Red Admiral Butterfly was seen fluttering around in the back garden of a dentist's surgery bordering The Green, Southwick.

28 October 2008
No butterflies were recorded on a cycle ride along the Coastal Link Cyclepath north to the South Downs Way Bridge, Upper Beeding.

27 October 2008
On the last fine day before the forecasted cold weather, there were no butterflies to be seen on Mill Hill, just two Red Admirals on the Ivy on the Pixie Path and the last butterfly was a good condition Speckled Wood in the Butterfly Copse next to the Waterworks Road. In the afternoon, a Large White fluttered across Eastern Avenue, Shoreham near the railway crossing gates, followed by three Red Admirals, one over Southlands Hospital and another (the last one) in Buckingham Park.

26 October 2008
No butterflies were recorded on a rainy day.

18-25 October 2008
Both Large White Butterflies and Red Admirals were seen on every day, but only a few and sometimes one only of each in a day cycling or walking around the residential areas and outskirts of Shoreham, Southwick and Lancing.

17 October 2008
Red Admirals were frequently seen over the town and outskirts of Shoreham including Mill Hill, running at about eight an hour. Large Whites were less at about five an hour. A midday visit to the lower slopes of Mill Hill was leisurely. There were hardly any butterflies, just one plain brown Common Blue female, one Small Copper that appeared after five minutes and a few Meadow Browns. A few Vapourer Moths took flight from the lower slopes of Mill Hill.
 

A Comma Butterfly settled on the wooden rail in the Butterfly Copse next to the Waterworks Road.

16 October 2008
A Red Admiral Butterfly appeared to fly in of the sea on east Lancing beach by Widewater Lagoon.

12 October 2008
A late morning visit to the lower slopes of Mill Hill was restricted to about 30 minutes including the return trip by the shortest ridge route. In the weak sunshine, the first butterfly was a Large White spotted from the steps flying strongly across the berried Privet in the central area below the path. Simultaneously a Silver Y Moth fluttered from almost under my feet. A Small Heath Butterfly also flew strongly up the slope. At the northern end there were two tattered male Adonis Blues and two male Common Blues seen in the few minutes I was there. A fine condition Brown Argus visited Wild Basil and Autumnal Hawkbit.
Two Red Admirals left the Ivy on the Pixie Path and a Comma Butterfly was seen leaving the wooden railing in the Butterfly Copse next to the Waterworks Road.
Seven species

9 October 2008
A sunny day when the air temperature reached a pleasant 16.1 °C in the shade prompted a cycle ride along the Coastal Link Cyclepath north to Bramber Castle. There were hardly any butterflies on the route with just five Red Admirals, a few Large Whites, a few Comma Butterflies and a few Speckled Woods only. Large Whites were seen occasionally over Hamm Field Allotments and they were certainly frequent if I bothered to look for them.
Four species

8 October 2008
The approaches to Mill Hill produced a Large White Butterfly and the first Red Admiral at the top of Slonk Hill Farm Road, north Shoreham. There were a few more of Red Admirals, a few Speckled Woods and a few Comma Butterflies, especially on the Pixie Path visiting Ivy.
 

After five days of rain and poor weather the herb layer of the lower slopes of Mill Hill was still springy and firm under foot. A Peacock Butterfly flew up and visited me. Otherwise all the butterflies were at the northern end and there were not very many of them, a handful of Meadow Browns, a tattered (torn and battered) male Adonis Blue, at least one fine condition male Common Blue and a Small Copper.
There were a few more Comma Butterflies visiting blackberries, and Speckled Woods in the shade as I returned by the ridge route. The Speckled Woods were darker in colour than two months ago and in fine condition. The total count of butterflies was about 30.
Nine species

2 October 2008
There was the faint bite of an autumn chill in the air on a morning of weak sunshine, and the butterflies did not emerge until near midday. At the northern end of the lower slopes of Mill Hill, three species could be seen resting on Devil's Bit Scabious and only later when the sun came out did many of the butterflies emerge in numbers and fluttered about so much that I could not be sure of the numbers.
 

Meadow Browns were the first seen, counted at least eight, and then I spotted a female Adonis Blue with her wings closed on Devil's Bit Scabious followed by a closed winged Small Copper on the same plant. Then magically as it warmed up slightly, two Meadow Browns began courting, two out of three Small Coppers chased each other all over the bank, more Adonis Blues appeared with at least half a dozen of each gender, the females in good condition and the males mostly ragged and torn. A Large White flew over the straggly hedgerow. In contrast, the Common Blues were ten minutes later to appear, with at least five males, some in fine condition, with at least one brown female identified. The last species on the lower slopes was a surprise Brown Argus, with at least five pristine individuals counted.
The scrub and middle slopes on Mill Hill added four Speckled Woods, two Red Admirals,  two more Meadow Browns and another Small Copper. A faded Peacock Butterfly flew over the meadows at the top of Mill Hill, followed by another one and a Small Heath Butterfly. There was another Red Admiral on the Pixie Path, plus another one and a Comma Butterfly in the Butterfly Copse next to the Waterworks Road. Two further Red Admirals were recorded in Shoreham town and the outskirts, with frequent Large Whites.
Eleven species

29 September 2008
In Shoreham town there were frequent Large White Butterflies especially around the Buddleia, and one Peacock Butterfly was seen on the Brighton Road (A259) flying into the prefabricated warehouse-type B&Q retail store from the south.

28 September 2008
A trek in the weak sunshine to the downs was for the purpose of picking apples rather than the butterflies of which there was three Comma Butterflies, two Large White Butterflies, two Speckled Woods and a Red Admiral on the Pixie Path to Mill Hill.  A Peacock Butterfly  was seen basking on the path on the return journey with a Large White and A Comma in the Butterfly Copse.
The lower slopes of Mill Hill were initially devoid of butterflies and their numbers seen have fallen from last week with two Large Whites, two male and one female Common Blues, six Meadow Browns, one Small Heath Butterfly and just the one female Adonis Blue spotted. There was another Meadow Brown by the stile to Old Erringham.
I returned by the Hawthorn tunnel and ridge route, so the amount of time in the scrub as less than usual and I quickly saw four Speckled Woods, a Comma and a Meadow Brown.
On the Coastal Link Cyclepath south of the Toll Bridge, Large White Butterflies were frequently seen with at least one Green-veined White and a male Common Blue.
Ten species

27 September 2008
A trip to the Pixie Path was for the purpose of picking blackberries rather than the butterflies of which there were a handful of Red Admirals and a Peacock Butterfly. On the Coastal Link Cyclepath south of the Toll Bridge, Large White Butterflies were occasionally seen.
 

26 September 2008
A cycle ride along the Coastal Link Cyclepath to Annington Sewer and back produced a very ordinary fare of the usual butterflies of about a dozen Speckled Woods, occasional Large Whites, a few Red Admirals, and at least four Comma Butterflies.
Four species

25 September 2008
With some weak sunshine, I decided it would be a rare autumn day to miss a trip to Mill Hill. At the lower southern end of the Pixie Path near the Waterworks Road, I spotted a surprise Peacock Butterfly and then immediately afterwards a Speckled Wood, Red Admiral and Comma Butterfly in quick succession. There were a further two Red Admirals and another Comma Butterfly as well as three Green-veined White Butterflies seen visiting Ivy or fluttering over the path.
A Small Heath Butterfly, a Comma in the vicinity of the Stinging Nettles and a Large White were seen on and over the southern part of Mill Hill. The lower slopes of Mill Hill were initially devoid of butterflies, but they then appeared in dribs and drabs, a Green-veined White, a Small Heath Butterfly and a Small Copper on a pocket of Bramble scrub in the middle of the Shoreham Bank below the winding path. As usual, most of the butterflies were to be found at the northern end, including at least eleven male Adonis Blues, another Small Copper, eight Meadow Browns, another Large White and one male Common Blue.
The scrub on Mill Hill added two more Comma and a Red Admiral on Ivy, plus three Speckled Wood, including a courting pair. There was also a courting pair of Green-veined Whites and all these were around the Ivy near the stile in the north-west corner of Mill Hill Nature Reserve. In another part of scrub further north a Wall Brown showed. On the top plateau which was rather hurriedly trekked, there was a Red Admiral, Large White and another Wall Brown.
On the Coastal Link Cyclepath south of the Toll Bridge, Large White Butterflies were frequently seen.
Twelve species

21 September 2008
On a fair day in the intermittent sun when the shade air temperature attained a maximum of 18.1 °C in the afternoon, I made extensive roundabout treks and recorded a Speckled Wood Butterfly under the shade of the trees as I passed Slonk Hill Farm. Butterflies were not noted early in the morning until two Small Heath Butterflies were spotted on the bridlepath from Stonechat Junction to Mossy Bottom where one Green-veined White appeared, and one Comma in the shrubbery as negotiated the large puddle at the lowest point of the path. So I approached Mill Hill from the north and in the meadows near the car park there were two Large Whites and one Speckled Wood. In the copse at the top, two Speckled Woods were courting. A cursory trip around parts of the middle slopes revealed just two Small Heaths. On the lower slopes of Mill Hill, I recorded two or three male Common Blues plus two females, 7-8 male Adonis Blues plus 4-6 females, six Meadow Browns, two Large Whites, one Small Heath and a Small Copper. A Red Admiral patrolled the Butterfly Copse next to the Waterworks Road. Numerous Large Whites were around Shoreham town and the outskirts with a few more Red Admirals over the Coastal Link Cyclepath.
 

Later, in the afternoon, I made a trip to Cissbury Ring with Jan Hamblett, where on the Nepcote approach seeded Rosebay Willowherb lined trail, a few clumps of Hemp Agrimony in one place attracted four Comma Butterflies, one Meadow Brown, a Speckled Wood and a Red Admiral. There were frequent Large Whites, but the walk was not for the purpose of recording butterflies, so the full record around the circular balustrades was incomplete.
Ten species

20 September 2008
My first Small Copper Butterfly of the year was recorded on the towpath near (north of) the Toll Bridge in Old Shoreham. A tattered Painted Lady was seen on the towpath north of Ropetackle, only the fourth seen this year. Over 200 Large Whites and frequent Red Admirals were seen peaking around the Buddleia on the outside of Shoreham town.
Adur Butterflies: First Dates

17 - 19 September 2008
Large White Butterflies were common over the shingle of Lancing Beach, especially around the Sea Kale, and frequent on the outskirts of Shoreham. Red Admiral Butterflies were occasionally seen especially near Ivy and Buddleia. On the third day, they were very strong flying, estimated at 16 mph on occasions.

16 September 2008
I was not in the mood to monitor butterflies on an overcast day, but on the  lower slopes of Mill Hill, I noted five Meadow Browns, two Wall Browns,  thirteen Adonis Blues (three females), three Common Blues (one female) and a faded Pyrausta nigrata moth.  There was a Red Admiral on the southern section of the Pixie Path.
Five butterfly species

14 September 2008
A rare trip to Lancing Clump since the reopening of the Toll Bridge, produced literally over a hundred butterflies and all of these were Large Whites, especially at the top of McIntyres Field. Occasional Red Admirals were seen mostly on the flint paths, a few Green-veined Whites, a few Speckled Woods in the woody areas and one Small Heath Butterfly were noted.
Five species

13 September 2008
The Buddleia was the main attraction to the Large White Butterflies in the hedgerows on each side of the on the Coastal Link Cyclepath to Upper Beeding. One bush had at least five on it, and they rarely stayed still long enough to photograph, possibly indicating the deficit of available nectar. Speckled Wood Butterflies were occasionally seen in the more shaded parts of the path, notable by the Cement Works. In contrast the few Common Blues spotted on passage were by the open meadow areas. The few Red Admirals seen were all in fine condition and strong fliers. A yellow Brimstone Butterfly was a surprise. A few Green-veined Whites were recognised, plus a handful of Meadow Browns.
Seven species
 

12 September 2008
Butterflies were not to be seen everywhere despite the weak sunshine: on the Slonk Hill Cutting south and Pixie Path approaches to Mill Hill, none were recorded. On the lower slopes of Mill Hill, the first butterfly seen was Common Blue, followed later by a female of the species, a few male Adonis Blues scattered over the slopes with a congregation of both sexes on the Devil's Bit Scabious at the northern end, totalling seven males and seven females, plus six Meadow Browns (gender undetermined, mostly males), two Small Heath Butterflies, at least one Treble-bar Moth and a faded Pyrausta nigrata moth. Three Meadow Browns and a Common Blue were spotted in the Old Erringham pasture in the vicinity of the stile. Amongst the scrub, a Speckled Wood fluttered by and two Small Heaths were seen courting. In the top meadow there were three Common Blue males and four more Meadow Browns plus a surprise Wall Brown. In the Butterfly Copse next to the Waterworks Road I recorded a good condition Red Admiral settling on the Ivy. The were a few Large Whites around and at least one Green-veined White identified on the towpath to Cuckoo's Corner.

Nine butterfly species

10 September 2008
 

About a dozen Green-veined Whites were seen on the Coastal Link Cyclepath with half a dozen Large Whites, at least one Red Admiral, one Peacock Butterfly, one Small Tortoiseshell and one Comma Butterfly on ripe Blackberries on an overcast day. On the southern (north-facing) slopes of Anchor Bottom, I recorded one male Adonis Blue and a brown female blue butterfly which was identified by the photographs as a Common Blue, as well as two Meadow Browns.
Nine species

9 September 2008
It was still much too overcast, with spots of rain, for butterflies to be out and about if they had survived the atrocious weather. A quick check on the Privet-inundated lower slopes of Mill Hill produced seven male Adonis Blues, ten Meadow Browns and a Small Heath Butterfly. The scrub added a Speckled Wood, and the upper area of Mill Hill another Meadow Brown and another Small Heath. Large Whites, Small Whites and a Green-veined White were seen on the Pixie Path. There was one Red Admiral in the Butterfly Copse next to the Waterworks Road.
Eight species

8 September 2008
Large and heavily marked specimens of the Large White Butterfly were frequently seen, especially around the Sea Kale on Lancing Beach. There were occasional Red Admirals on the Ivy on the the Coastal Link Cyclepath south of Old Shoreham, and in the Butterfly Copse next to the Waterworks Road. A Speckled Wood was seen in Lancing town near Brooklands.

4 - 7 September 2008
There was more atrocious weather with heavy rain intermittently on all four days.

3 September 2008
In a brief spell of weak sunshine, Large White Butterflies were frequent in Shoreham town and the outskirts, with a faded male Common Blue on Buckingham Cutting south, a Speckled Wood, a Meadow Brown, two Holly Blues, and a good condition Common Blue were seen on the Pixie Path to Mill HIll, and on the southern part of Mill Hill, a Red Admiral settled before I had to turn back prematurely.
Six species

1 September 2008
A male Meadow Brown Butterfly was seen in Corbyn Crescent in Shoreham town, and only my third Painted Lady of the year in good condition settled in front of me adjacent to the Middle Road Allotments, Shoreham. (Unusually, I did not have my camera with me.)

31 August 2008
On a day that began with thunder and lightning, frequent Large White Butterflies were seen in Shoreham town gardens, town outskirts and on the towpath to Cuckoo's Corner. There were also occasional Green-veined Whites and a few Small Whites.

24 - 30 August 2008
I have been pre-occupied but I have noticed both Large White and Small White Butterflies fluttering around in mostly murky weather. At least one male Meadow Brown was seen in Shoreham town.

20 - 24 August 2008
A few Red Admirals, Green-veined Whites and Large Whites were seen in four days of poor overcast weather conditions. There was a male Common Blue Butterfly on a seeding Creeping Thistle on the Coastal Link Cyclepath south of Old Shoreham on 21 August 2008.

15 August 2008
After four days of poor weather, the butterflies were out again. They were common on the lower slopes of Mill Hill with 25+ Chalkhill Blues including a few females, 62 male Adonis Blues, an estimated 75+ Meadow Browns of both sexes, frequent Common Blues (estimated 12+) including very small ones, one confirmed Gatekeeper, a few Large Whites, at least one Green-veined White, two Speckled Woods on the southern steps, and a Wall Brown. I returned by the ridge route where I saw two more Speckled Woods, a pristine female Adonis Blue on Marjoram, and a further two Chalkhill Blues fluttering around the very short grass on the rim of the ridge. The only other butterfly species seen on the hill were Holly Blues with at least two fluttering around the large hedge on the side of the road south of Mill Hill Nature Reserve.
On the outskirts of town including the Slonk Hill southern route to Mill Hill via the Pixie Path were one male Gatekeeper, at least four Meadow Browns, at least seven Common Blues, four Holly Blues, two Speckled Woods, two Large Whites, and on the Mill Hill Cutting in the south-west corner there were two female and a male Chalkhill Blue seen.
Nine species

10 August 2008
A second brood Dingy Skipper fluttering around in the herb undergrowth at the the northern end of the lower slopes of Mill Hill was difficult to spot on a day on a day too breezy for the flowers to remain still enough to photograph. (This skipper may have been around for a week or more.) I had to virtually to tread on many of the blue butterflies to make them take flight so the numbers recorded were low: 26+ Chalkhill Blues including a few females, 48+ Adonis Blues (with no females discerned), and frequent Common Blues (estimated 20+) with almost as many females as males. Meadow Browns (estimated 50+) were the most frequent butterflies with both males and females in roughly equal numbers. A Wall Brown paid me a visit when I attempted to photograph a collection of mixed blues on a Carline Thistle waving frantically in the wind. Gatekeepers were recorded at just three, one Green-veined White settled for identification out of two and there was a Large White by the hedgerow. The small pyralid moth, Pyrausta purpuralis seen on the lower slopes. Unusually I retraced my steps along the return path of the lower slopes and added another Chalkhill Blue and five more Adonis Blues.

7 August 2008
In the early evening about 6:00 pm, a few Red Admirals, at least one Peacock and one Comma Butterfly danced around the Buddleia on the Coastal Link Cyclepath north of Old Shoreham. It is interesting that two of the above species were not recorded the day before when 16 species were seen. A Common Blue was seen amongst the tall herbs on the verges. Earlier in the day Large Whites (probable ID) were seen and a pair of sparring Speckled Woods in Southwick.
Six species

6 August 2008
With the weather conditions ameliorated enough to make a trip to Mill Hill worthwhile, it seemed as though I have missed the main emergence of Chalkhill Blue Butterflies for 2008 as the very poor showing of 43 (with one female) on the 1.2 acre transect on the lower slopes indicated. There were a further three male Chalkhill Blues seen on the upper part of Mill Hill and another six on the Mill Hill Cutting.  There were nearly as many fresh male Adonis Blues with 37 noted on the lower slopes, not to be confused with Common Blues with 29+ recorded on Mill Hill, including six on the lower slopes, as well as three on the Pixie Path and at least one on the Coastal Link Cyclepath south of Old Shoreham. A small butterfly flitting about a long grass meadow on the top of Mill Hill turned out to be a pristine Brown Argus Butterfly when it settled. A total of nine of this species were recognised on Mill Hill with six of these occurring over the lower slopes. Mill Hill hosted frequent Gatekeepers and Meadow Browns. Gatekeepers were becoming less in number and Meadow Browns increased.
Wall Browns appeared in the front of me on four occasions, three on Mill Hill and one on the Pixie Path. A Marbled White was a welcome surprise over the lower slopes of Mill Hill.
 

Pyrausta purpuralis Moth on Mill Hill	Male Adonis Blue 2nd brood on Mill Hill	Speckled Wood on Lesser Burdock in Buckingham Park

Speckled Woods were noted for their frequency (18+) at the top of Buckingham Park, Shoreham. This butterfly is not often seen on flowers but were repeatedly attracted to Lesser Burdock. There were two more of these butterflies on Mill Hill and more on the outskirts of Shoreham. White butterflies were everywhere in small numbers, notably four Green-veined Whites at the top of Buckingham Park and this was the most frequent of the whites on the day, although both Small Whites and Large Whites were also identified, most of these whites were not identified as they fluttered around much too quickly. Two pristine condition Peacock Butterflies  and three of the small Small Heath Butterflies settled on Mill Hill. Seven Holly Blues were seen in Shoreham town and the outskirts. Another surprise was a good condition Small Tortoiseshell on Buddleia at the top of the Drive, Shoreham.
Sixteen definite butterfly species

Chalkhill Blues  The maximum transect day count for 2008 was 81 on 30 July 2008, which was even lower than 2007 when the maximum 1.2 acre day count was 96 on 5 August 2007. In 2003, the Chalkhill Blues were too many to count and the estimate for the 1.2 acre transect was at least 375 and possibly double that.

A Silver Y Moth was noted in the dense meadows north of the upper car park on Mill Hill, and the small pyralid moth, Pyrausta purpuralis seen on the lower slopes. One faded Six-Spot Burnet Moth was noted on Greater Knapweed, but there could have been more. At least three Treble-bar Moths were fluttering around on the lower slopes of Mill Hill.

4 August 2008
In the breezy conditions, a visit to the downs was contemplated but not undertaken because of the unfavourable conditions. Butterflies were frequent in Shoreham town and at the top of Buckingham Park amongst the Lesser Burdock and Stinging Nettles, both Large Whites and Small Whites were identified; both species were quite large and the identification was made by the greater amount of black on the wing tips of the Large White. However, the most prevalent white butterfly was the Green-veined White with at least six noted and there may have been more. There were also occasional Speckled Woods (4+) and a fresh lot of Holly Blues.
 

Common Blue (male) Butterfly	Large White Butterfly	Green-veined White

A Red Admiral Butterfly was seen at the top of The Drive, and a further one in the Butterfly Copse (next to the Waterworks Road), with a Gatekeeper Butterfly first recorded in the twitten between Corbyn Crescent and Adelaide Square, and another one noted on Buckingham Cutting south, with a Meadow Brown noted and at least three more Holly Blues and four Common Blues, including a female. A hurried passage trip down the Pixie Path produced two male Chalkhill Blues (one on the Mill Hill Cutting south-west) with four Common Blues in the long grass in the north-west corner of Frampton's Field, and a few more Holly Blues. Finally, only my second Painted Lady of the year was a pristine butterfly in the twitten between Ropetackle and Victoria Road in Shoreham town.
Ten species

1 - 5 August 2008
It was too breezy and overcast to assess the Chalkhill Blues on Mill Hill.

1 August 2008
With rain showers and mostly overcast as well as a breeze blowing, it was unsuitable conditions for visiting Mill Hill at what should be the peak time for the Chalkhill Blue Butterflies. I did a brief test ride along the Slonk Hill Cutting to fossick apples and blackberries and in this area and outskirts of Shoreham town and recorded the expected species of Large Whites, Small Whites, Gatekeepers and Meadow Browns, Speckled Woods and Common Blues, Holly Blues and Small Whites, with two Comma Butterflies in the Butterfly Copse (next to the Waterworks Road) and one Red Admiral on the Waterworks Road. There were also two Six-Spot Burnet Moths on Buckingham Cutting south.
Ten Species
 

Small White on Fleabane	Six-spot Burnet Moth on Greater Knapweed	Comma Butterfly

The photograph above has been identified as a Small White and some of the the Large Whites of the previous few days may have been Small Whites.

30 July 2008
The Chalkhill Blues were slow to appear this year, as the count of a mere 81 (including two females) plus two male Adonis Blues on the lower slopes of Mill Hill, indicated. Another 15+ Chalkhill Blues were present over the south-west corner of the Mill Hill Cutting. I was not in mood for counting butterflies, but the other butterflies seen in the middle of a sunny day were Large Whites, Small Whites, Gatekeepers and Meadow Browns, Speckled Woods and Common Blues all frequently seen on the downs and outskirts of Shoreham town, plus the occasional Marbled Whites (five on Mill Hill), Small Skippers (on Mill Hill), Wall Browns (two courting pairs), Peacock Butterflies (3) and Holly Blues, as well as a pristine new Small Blue on Buckingham Cutting south, a Red Admiral on the Coastal Link Cyclepath south of Old Shoreham, and a Comma Butterfly in the Butterfly Copse (next to the Waterworks Road). On the Buckingham Cutting (south) a few pairs of Common Blues were mating and there was one colourful female shown in the photograph below.
Sixteen butterfly species without trying
 

Synaphe punctalis	Common Blues	Common Blue (female)	Red Admiral

However, the most interesting lepidopteran observation were the frequent occurrence of a small brownish moth on the lower slopes of Mill Hill. At least twenty flitted about in a five metre square patch.
The small moth was Synaphe punctalis, a pyralid moth associated with shingle and sand dunes as well as other dry habitats such as chalk downland. Not a common species, but it seems to have spread its range in Sussex in recent years. The larvae feed on mosses.

The flash of grey was a Treble-bar Moth. Six-Spot Burnet Moths were frequently seen mostly on the upper meadows of Mill Hill.
Adur Moths

29 July 2008
After the rain there were the usual butterflies out and about on the Coastal Link Cyclepath to Upper Beeding: Large Whites, Gatekeepers and Meadow Browns, courting Comma Butterflies (5+) and courting Speckled Woods (5+), plus at least three Peacock Butterflies, at least two Holly Blues, one Small Skipper and one Common Blue.
Nine species

28 July 2008
Even more spectacularly, the number of butterfly species seen on 27 July 2008 has to be increased by one to 22 species, as a second brood male Adonis Blue was identified on the lower slopes of Mill Hill and one was seen there yesterday as well. My visit was to look for the main emergence of Chalkhill Blues and make a count on the 1.2 acre transect of the lower slopes, which came to 68 males. There were also 15+ Chalkhill Blues on the Mill Hill Cutting (south-west corner), two seen by the stile to the Old Erringham pasture, and another six as I returned by the quickest ridge route through the tunnel of Hawthorn. There were frequent Gatekeepers and Meadow Browns everywhere, with an occasional prevalency of Speckled Woods in the shade, plus a Peacock and at least one Small Heath on the lower slopes of Mill Hill. A Marbled White flew amongst the long grass south of the Reservoir on Mill Hill. On the ridge path a single Marjoram plant attracted five Gatekeepers and a Peacock Butterfly. Large Whites were seen in Shoreham and a Wall Brown in Frampton's Field, Old Shoreham, next to the Pixie Path. Typically the Wall Brown chose to land on the bare earth amongst a horse pasture of grass. Six-Spot Burnet Moths were frequently seen mostly on the upper meadows of Mill Hill.
Ten butterfly species

27 July 2008
On warm (21.5 °C) sunny day, an unprecedented 21 species of butterfly were seen (three more than the previous largest day tally in the last eight years of 18). Nineteen were seen in two hours in the morning on Mill Hill and its approaches. There were very frequent Large Whites (50+), Gatekeepers (75+), Meadow Browns (50+) and Chalkhill Blues (70), frequent Common Blues (18), occasional Small Skippers (6) and Speckled Woods (8), with just a few of most of the others like Brown Argus (2), Wall Brown (3), Holly Blue (4), Red Admiral (3), Small Heath (3), Brimstone (3), Small White (3), Comma (2), Peacock (2), and just the one confirmed each of Green-veined White, Small Blue and a Ringlet.
In the afternoon I visited Anchor Bottom and added one Marbled White and a faded Small Tortoiseshell as well as a Common Blue, two Peacocks and frequent Meadow Browns, but no Chalkhill Blues. I was too tired to monitor the butterflies on the Coastal Link Cyclepath to Upper Beeding, but noted in passing frequent Gatekeepers and Meadow Browns, and a few Comma (2) Peacock (3) Red Admiral (2) and at least one Speckled Wood and one Small Skipper. There was even a possible Small Copper at Anchor Bottom, but I was too exhausted to chase it around to make sure. If I see any more in the next few days, this butterfly may be added to the list for the day.
Tabular List
A Silver Y Moth was recorded on the upper part of Mill Hill, with the small pyralid moth, Pyrausta nigrata seen on the lower slopes of Mill Hill, and Six-Spot Burnet Moths were frequently seen both on Mill Hill and over the verges of the Coastal Link Cyclepath to Upper Beeding.
Adur Moths

22 Butterfly species (a new day record tally exceeding the previous best day tally of 18)

26 July 2008
Several newly emerged female Wall had boosted the total to c.15 on Mill Hill and we watched them ovipositing, locating several of the greenish white, globular eggs. The second brood Dingy Skipper was again located, along with the first couple of pristine, second brood Adonis Blue.

25 July 2008
Unfortunately the Chalkhill Blues numbers continue to disappoint on Mill Hill. The Wall is doing considerably better here and I counted 12, comprising 9 males and 3 females. Also of note was a second brood Dingy Skipper on the lower slopes.

24 July 2008
I walked from the bridge at Mill Hill along the north bank of the A27 dual carriageway almost as far as the footbridge at New Barn Road. Also the stretch eastbound from the link road opposite Tesco towards the tunnel entrance, the stretch from Mile Oak to Foredown. And I walked Southwick Hill, Cockroost East and Benfield Golf course.
The best record was two male Chalkhill Blues on Buckingham Cutting north. One Wall Brown was seen in the first field on the right after crossing Mill Hill bridge heading north. Small Blues were seen in small numbers on most sites.

I visited Anchor Bottom where there were just the occasional Meadow Browns and a Peacock Butterfly and no Chalkhill Blues on the south-facing hill.

23 July 2008
Over 200 butterflies of 15 species were seen in about two hours on Mill Hill and the approaches with 37 Chalkhill Blues (including two females) seen mostly on the lower slopes. Another notable was the first two of the second brood Brown Argus Butterflies in amongst the long grass and herb meadow north of the upper car park. The day was sunny but the period spent on the 1.2 acre transect of the lower slopes was overcast by passing clouds and the blue butterflies were mostly resting and a third of the ones in flight were disturbed. (The count would have expected to be higher if the sun was out.)
 

Gatekeepers led the count with over 50 seen. Large Whites were close behind with 44+ and Meadow Browns were the only species in double figures with 35.
Tabular List

In the late afternoon I made a brief journey to Old Shoreham and added a Comma Butterfly to the species tally from the Butterfly Copse (next to the Waterworks Road) and a few minutes later added a confirmed Green-veined White from the Coastal Link Cyclepath north of the Toll Bridge, making seventeen species of the day and one short of my all-time day record. Although I was not counting out other butterflies, there was also an additional Peacock, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood and Holly Blue in the Old Shoreham area.  As I had reached 17 species I thought I would cycle to Upper Beeding to try and increase the species tally. As is often the case, I was out of luck and although there were about five more Peacock Butterflies taking their count into double figures for the day, as well as three noted Speckled Woods, more Large Whites taking their day count to over fifty, and uncounted Gatekeepers and Meadow Browns.

Seventeen species (best of the year)

21 July 2008
A trip across the downs north of Shoreham yielded over 200 butterflies of 14 species, with special note of six Wall Browns at six different locations and the first two male Chalkhill Blues on the upper meadow of Mill Hill which was dominated by Peacock Butterflies. My journey took me from Slonk Hill Farm to Mossy Bottom where I saw my first Painted Lady of the year.
My journey over the top of Mill Hill only was a hurried cycle ride only briefly being stopped by the dense herbs in the meadow north of the car park which was the most fruitful location for butterflies. The most numerous butterfly of the day were Gatekeepers with an estimate of over 80 in two hours. There were frequent Meadow Browns and Large Whites.
Tabular List
Fourteen species, 200+ butterflies

20 July 2008
 
 

Butterflies are recorded as common (135+) for the first time this year of 14 species (one less than five days previously) of which the most notable was the first second brood Common Blue Butterfly on the upper meadow of Mill Hill, three Wall Browns on Mill Hill and a Chalkhill Blue count of 17 (including one female) on an acre of the lower slopes. The male Chalkhill Blue in the photograph above on the far left appeared as dark as illustrated. Gatekeepers had the highest count of 47.
Tabular List
Fourteen species, 135 butterflies

19 July 2008
A sort half and hour leisurely cycle trip along the Coastal Link Cyclepath around Old Shoreham produced a Green-veined White Butterfly not seen on the last two recording days, with frequent Peacock Butterflies (12+), frequent Speckled Woods (12+), occasional Gatekeepers, occasional Meadow Browns, frequent Large Whites, one Comma, and one Red Admiral. A Holly Blue was seen in St. Mary de Haura churchyard in the centre of Shoreham town.
Nine species

15 July 2008
As so often happens when one butterfly species ceases (the Small Blues were not recorded) than fresh butterflies appear with a new brood. The new ones were the occasional Holly Blues in Shoreham town and the outskirts, one Wall Brown over the A27 dual carriageway north of the Dovecote Estate, and a Brimstone Butterfly on the the lower slopes of Mill Hill. The occasional Peacock Butterflies were fresh as well. Chalkhill Blues were just beginning on Mill Hill with 24 strong flying males noted. All but one were seen on the lower slopes and the other one in the Triangle middle slopes area.
 

6-spot Burnet Moths were occasionally seen on the meadow southern bank of Slonk Hill and all over Mill Hill, with most on the upper meadows where a Silver Y Moth was also spotted.
Adur Moths

Fifteen species of butterfly (the most in a single day this year)
(Three species seen on 14 July 2008 and another one from 13 July 2008 were not recorded)
(The unrecorded species were Comma, Small Tortoiseshell, Small White & Small Blue)

14 July 2008
In the early afternoon, butterflies were common on the Adur Levels in the weak sunshine. I recorded frequent Meadow Browns, occasional Small Skippers, frequent Gatekeepers, occasional Comma Butterflies, one Small Tortoiseshell (on the towpath near Botolphs), occasional Peacock Butterflies, occasional Red Admirals, one Marbled White (on the river towpath) a few Small Skippers, one Speckled Wood, one Small White and frequent Large Whites. The Marbled White flew strongly, without settling, from the towpath by the River Adur over a hay meadow which was being cut and baled.
 

Dacre Gardens and the Ragwort-covered basin of Anchor Bottom at Upper Beeding added more frequent (20+) Meadow Browns, occasional (7 -10) Peacock Butterflies, a few Comma Butterflies, one Red Admiral and a few Small Tortoiseshells.
The first confirmed Six-spot Burnet Moths were spotted on Greater Knapweed on the south-facing Horseshoe Vetch slope of Anchor Bottom.
Adur Burnet Moths
Eleven butterfly species

13 July 2008
On rather dull day, the expected smattering of butterflies put in appearance on the southern meadow bank of the Slonk Hill Cutting with frequent Gatekeepers, occasional Ringlets