Garden Butterfly Review 2020

The above two images are of a Common Blue butterfly that was seen in the garden on the 30th July in 2020.

All in all 17 species were seen during 2020 which is a record since recording in earnest began in 2003. This may be due to the COVID-19 lockdowns as more time was spent at home and in the garden. However, it should be noted that NO species were seen in August which is normally the busiest or second busiest month of the year. 12 species were recorded in July and this equals the record set in 2014.

Notable sightings this year were of a Ringlet on the 5th July which is only the second occurrence of this species since 2010 (10th July). Other notable sightings were of a Small Copper on the 18th July and of course the Common Blue above.

Holly Blue and Small White were both seen in 4 months of the year. The first butterfly of the year was a Brimstone on the 16th March and the last a Peacock on the 19th October.

Butterfly species are noted on the first date of each month in the year. In 2020 this was noted on 33 occasions which is above the average of 30.