Local butterfly recorders are beginning to work together to build a better picture of the distribution, flight period and numbers of Bexley’s butterflies. Mike Robinson has been collating available data to produce a list of first sightings for the year for each species (to end of March), an overall sightings log and a Small Tortoiseshell log, all of which are provided below. For details of how to contribute sightings, message Mike through his Facebook page here:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100015053893361&fref=ufi&rc=p
Meanwhile both Crossness Nature Reserve on Erith Marshes (Karen Sutton karen.sutton@thameswater.co.uk) and Braeburn Park (London Wildlife Trust) in Crayford (contact Shaun Marriott smarriott@wildlondon.org.uk, mob: 07710194268) are seeking people who are willing to identify and record the numbers of butterflies on set routes on a regular basis so as to be able to determine population trends at these particular sites and contribute to London-wide data. The good news is you’re only supposed to do this in weather suitable for butterfly flight, so you’re not tied to going out on what might be a rainy day …. Training provided. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE AN EXPERT to help with this, most species are fairly distinctive and you could do it with a friend.
FIRST SIGHTINGS
http://www.bexleywildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Bexley-Butterfly-sightings-Bexley-first-date-for-species-Jan-Mar-2017-Mike-R.pdf
GENERAL SIGHTINGS LOG
http://www.bexleywildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/BEXLEY-BUTTERFLY-SIGHTINGS-REPORT-JAN-MAR-2017-MIKE-R.pdf
SMALL TORTOISESHELL SIGHTINGS REPORT
http://www.bexleywildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Small-Tortoiseshell-Butterfly-Sightings-in-the-London-Borough-of-Bexley-at-March-2017.pdf
Chris Rose
