More small coppers about than in previous years?

[valleyforge]

When I first saw the title of this thread vole-woman, I thought ... 'yes, policemen are much shorter (and younger) than they used to be, but what's that got to do with wildlife?'

Guess I need to concentrate a bit more ...

[vole-woman]

Does anyone map butterfly sightings from year to year?

[Geoff F]

Besides policemen getting younger, have you noticed how the hills, and particularly steps, are getting steeper? I blame the post glacial rebound syndrome!

But back to reality, I have found this to be an excellent year for butterflies all round, here in S. Devon. There weren't an exceptionally large number of Painted Ladies but I have seen successive larger numbers of Speckled Woods, Fritillaries, Coppers and Gatekeepers. And although not abundant, Green Hairstreaks have also done well.

Peacocks are possibly a bit down, but not scarce.