Wall

[Dogghound]

Has anyone noticed what a good year it has been for Wall butteflies? Ive never seen so many. They seem to be doing really well here, not just at the coastal sites but inland too. I can only assume the hot and dry summer has boosted numbers.

[GuyF]

Yes, it's been similar here in Dorset too, it's great to see them reappearing in the areas that they'd been absent for years. I haven't seen especially high numbers yet but they certainly seem to be showing up all over the place in areas that I've never noticed them before. A few weeks ago I was really pleased to have a male and female in the garden for a couple of days, in previous years I've only seen the occasional individual which I'd assumed was wandering from a distant colony, but seeing those two has given me hope that they're established locally!
I think the last two 'proper' winters that we've had may have helped too, whatever the cause it's a real pleasure to see them becoming more widespread again!
Guy

[aeshna5]

Sadly they are extinct in Surrey/Middx these days so I don't see them. It would be good for them to return.

[pammosley]

We saw our first ever Wall Butterflies while in Pembrokeshire earlier in the year, great to see & there were alot I guess Brum is not a place you would normally see them

[RobinP]

Also extinct in Hertfordshire so I guess they only prefer the wilder counties, we have had the return of Small Blue though

[Ukwildlifeo]

Had a few here in Essex at Wat Tyler CP this year, following my first bone ever there last year.

[Johnny Redgate]

Tend to see several a year around the farm here but sadly none as yet this year. But its an odd year. Very dry, then hot and dry early on (June) then cool wet and miserable.

[Susie]

I saw a couple yesterday in Steyning, West Sussex, but I don't get to see these very often.

[ChrisJB]

It's been a reasonable year for them here in the South Pennines too. I find them a very cyclical species. They seemed to be common when I was a kid, then we had a few low years before a recent pick up. I find the situation similar with small coppers, though I don't think I have seen a local one this year.

Chris JB

[Dogghound]

Interesting Chris, ive noticed small coppers are another species which has done very well this year, here at least. A friend counted over 100 along a 50 meter strip a few weeks ago.