It was a warm, dry and wind-free July afternoon when members, Andy and Jane Daw, led us around Bannerdown Common in search of summer butterflies. We were rewarded with a plethora of species within open grassland and natural woodland, including Ringlet, Small White, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Speckled Wood, Small Skipper, Comma, Green-veined White, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Large Skipper, Holly Blue and, the highlight of the day – a Silver-washed Fritillary!

We also saw a Scarlet Tiger (left) and Six-spot Burnet, both day-flying moths. Unfortunately it was too early to see the Chalk-hill Blue butterflies, they probably made their first appearance of the year the next day!
The common is formed from limestone and chalk grassland, and as far as is known has not had an industrial past (apart from possibly some small quarries), so it has had an uninterrupted natural history. The wealth of wild flowers, shrubs and trees attest to this, which attract (apart from butterflies) yellowhammers, chiff-chaffs, red soldier beetles, miriads of assorted bees and flies, Green Emperor and Brown Hawker dragonflies, Red Chaser darters, green grasshoppers and red-tailed bumblebees.