2006 Butterfly list

The list below is from data supplied by the Sussex branch of Butterfly Conservation.
It represents totals for butterfly species in 2006 recorded from a regular transect survey by Bert Laker

Ragwort

During my walk through McIntyres Field on Sunday I noticed a that there were a lot of uprooted Ragwort plants that had been left on the footpath through the field.
This concerned me, I wondered who had been pulling it out and for what reason.
I understand that it is toxic to mammals such as Horses and Cattle if eaten, the pathway through the meadow is used by horse riders to access the bridleway at the top. I wondered if riders have been pulling the plants.
Whoever is responsible seems unaware that the plants are more dangerous left strewn on the pathways, where they could be handled by toddlers or eaten by passing animals who find it more palatable when dry!

July butterflies

On the reserve i met local recorder Bert Laker on a transect walk across the reserve.
I joined him for part of his walk, several species in flight including Marbled White, Red Admiral, Gatekeeper, Ringlet, Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Meadow Brown, Large White.
Marbled Whites were most numerous, in one small patch of Scabious plants in the Chalkpit a dozen individuals were basking.

On the meadow

A much needed change in the weather as the sun shone for the day and prompted a walk on the butterfly meadow. On the approach path from the cemetery Comma and Red Admiral were common, on the lower path of the meadow Marbled White and Small Skipper were common.
The recent rains have made the grass much more vigourous than is normal, some of it stood up to 4ft tall.