After the poor summer of 2007 it was rather worrying how butterflies would cope in 2008. Unfortunately, for the high-summer species, 2008 was another poor year for most but the Small Copper bucked the trend with a record 7 recorded on the Whins on 17/8.
Despite the unsettled conditions there were a couple of highlights including 2 Common Blues attracted to the new Birds-foot Trefoil patch created for them on the Whins.
These were the first records of the species here for 5 years. Also a couple of records of the rapidly declining Wall Brown was encouraging, after a 2 year absence.
Spring butterflies had quite a good year, although Orange Tip appeared to have a short flight period. Holly Blues seemed to be holding on, with 3 seen on the Birdsong Walk. Speckled Wood had a shorter flight season than 2007 but could still be seen regularly from early May until September.
