Small Tortoiseshell decline

[Wild-Woman]

Thought it would be interseting to find out how many of you have seen a Small Tortoiseshell butterfly this year. In the SE there has been a severe decline. If you could state an approximate area ie SE, SW, NW etc then it would indicate the worst effected areas.
No point in doing as a poll because it won't show area.
Julie

So I'll start

Julie, SE-Zero!

[Ollie]

Well I can't remember exactly how many I have seen Julie but it's less than half a dozen. definitely down on numbers this year in my area of Lincolnshire. NE
Roger

[bugbotherer]

Only recorded two this year (June/July) in Cheshire (NW).

[RobK]

I don't recall seeing any, and I've looked (Surrey). Butterflies generally have been scarce this year: reasonable numbers of Red Admirals and Commas, but not much else.

Rob
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[Lincs Yellowbelly]

Seen probably a Dozen or so all year, certainly nowhere near as many as the Red Admirals, Gatekeeper, Peacock and Painted Lady's most of the Small Torts i saw where in Newark, Notts

[speckled wood]

I remember seeing good numbers of Small Tortoiseshells in mid July in South Cheshire around the Audlem and Nantwich area.

[Heidfirst]

Haven't seen many in Glasgow this year - more Red Admirals, Painted Ladies & Peacocks & it's usually the other way around.

[Gwenhwyfar]

Down here in the south (Hampshire), I have only seen Two Small Tortoiseshells, which is a dramatic decline on last year.
Peacocks and Painted ladies in our area seem to be on the up again.

[Susie]

I saw a dozen or so during visits to Greenford, Middx, in July, but none in my local area this year (Hayes, Middx).

I was surprised not to see any earlier in the year, they were the first butterfly I saw last year.

[harasseddad]

I've only seen 5 this year here in Norfolk - but interestingly 2 of those were last week!