Lisa G Saw • May 31, 2023

Discovering Butterflies Of Sussex - Part 1

If you asked me about three years ago how many species of butterfly there are in the UK, I would have guessed maybe a dozen. That was roughly how many species I’d seen, including the common ones like the Speckled Wood and Peacock. But all that changed in the summer of 2020. When a new photography friend of mine talked about Skippers, Fritillaries and Hairstreaks, I scarcely knew what he was talking about. He used the term instar like I should know what that was and I realised I had much to learn.

If you asked me about three years ago how many species of butterfly there are in the UK, I would have guessed maybe a dozen. That was roughly how many species I’d seen, including the common ones like the Speckled Wood (right) and Peacock (below). But all that changed in the summer of 2020. When a new photography friend of mine talked about Skippers, Fritillaries and Hairstreaks, I scarcely knew what he was talking about. He used the term instar like I should know what that was and I realised I had much to learn.

On one of our early outings I saw my first Chalkhill Blue butterfly. I’ll never forget sitting on the ground photographing a group of them resting on manure and how they all suddenly took flight when a woman walked past. The frenzy of activity just a metre above the ground was beautiful. I’d never seen so many butterflies gathered together before. I think I was hooked from that moment on.

It was quite a revelation to discover there are more than 40 different species of butterfly that can be seen in Sussex. The exact number does seem to vary depending on source, which I have to admit has been somewhat confusing. There are migrants, like the Clouded Yellow (photo), that now seem to live their complete life cycle in the county, but not necessarily the whole year. There’s a species present whose origins are questionable and others that are starting to colonise in the area due to climate change.

By the end of 2020, I’d seen eight more new species: a tatty Dark Green Fritillary that had seen better days; a fabulous pink legged Clouded Yellow hiding in the tall grass; a brilliant orange Small Copper seen through the heather; a Wall Brown basking on a chalky footpath; a Long-Tailed Blue in really windy conditions; a brief glimpse of a Purple Hairstreak but with no photo to prove it; a majestic Purple Emperor reigning supreme; and an hour later, my one and only sighting of an impressive White Admiral (photo), up close and personal.

In some ways, it felt as though I was seeing species in totally the wrong order – spotting rarer ones before more common species, like the Long-Tailed Blue (photo). But, maybe that was why my interest and appreciation grew. Plus, I had the added benefit of discovering new places across the county and beyond, not just to see butterflies, but also the other wildlife they play host to.

One of the most exciting moments in my butterfly year was seeing a female Holly Blue egg laying. What luck! I just happened to be walking past at that exact moment. It was a completely new experience for me. Once she had moved on, I eagerly looked for the egg. I could barely see it, even with my glasses on. My camera wasn’t much better either. That was the moment I decided to treat myself to a macro lens, something I’d been thinking about for a while. It was the best thing I bought that year (especially with imminent lockdowns ahead). It opened up a whole new world for me. It was amazing to see insects like never before, noticing the tiny details and appreciating their beauty in new ways.

At the start of 2021, during lockdown, I watched a Sussex Wildlife Trust webinar – Butterflies of Sussex. It was perfect for me! Over the course of eight short videos, presented by the witty and entertaining Michael Blencowe, I began to learn more about the different species that live their complete life cycle within the county – the different habitats, behaviour, sexual dimorphism (Brimstones right) and when and where to find them. Armed with all this new information, I was eager to go in search of species that had eluded me so far and hungry to learn more. The adventure that lay ahead was exciting.

At the start of 2021, during lockdown, I watched a Sussex Wildlife Trust webinar – Butterflies of Sussex. It was perfect for me! Over the course of eight short videos, presented by the witty and entertaining Michael Blencowe, I began to learn more about the different species that live their complete life cycle within the county – the different habitats, behaviour, sexual dimorphism (Brimstones below) and when and where to find them. Armed with all this new information, I was eager to go in search of species that had eluded me so far and hungry to learn more. The adventure that lay ahead was exciting.

On one of our early outings I saw my first Chalkhill Blue butterfly. I’ll never forget sitting on the ground photographing a group of them resting on manure and how they all suddenly took flight when a woman walked past. The frenzy of activity just a metre above the ground was beautiful. I’d never seen so many butterflies gathered together before. I think I was hooked from that moment on.

It was quite a revelation to discover there are more than 40 different species of butterfly that can be seen in Sussex. The exact number does seem to vary depending on source, which I have to admit has been somewhat confusing. There are migrants, like the Clouded Yellow (photo), that now seem to live their complete life cycle in the county, but not necessarily the whole year. There’s a species present whose origins are questionable and others that are starting to colonise in the area due to climate change.

By the end of 2020, I’d seen eight more new species: a tatty Dark Green Fritillary that had seen better days; a fabulous pink legged Clouded Yellow hiding in the tall grass; a brilliant orange Small Copper seen through the heather; a Wall Brown basking on a chalky footpath; a Long-Tailed Blue in really windy conditions; a brief glimpse of a Purple Hairstreak but with no photo to prove it; a majestic Purple Emperor reigning supreme; and an hour later, my one and only sighting of an impressive White Admiral (photo), up close and personal.

In some ways, it felt as though I was seeing species in totally the wrong order – spotting rarer ones before more common species, like the Long-Tailed Blue (photo). But, maybe that was why my interest and appreciation grew. Plus, I had the added benefit of discovering new places across the county and beyond, not just to see butterflies, but also the other wildlife they play host to.

One of the most exciting moments in my butterfly year was seeing a female Holly Blue egg laying. What luck! I just happened to be walking past at that exact moment. It was a completely new experience for me. Once she had moved on, I eagerly looked for the egg. I could barely see it, even with my glasses on. My camera wasn’t much better either. That was the moment I decided to treat myself to a macro lens, something I’d been thinking about for a while. It was the best thing I bought that year (especially with imminent lockdowns ahead). It opened up a whole new world for me. It was amazing to see insects like never before, noticing the tiny details and appreciating their beauty in new ways.

At the start of 2021, during lockdown, I watched a Sussex Wildlife Trust webinar – Butterflies of Sussex. It was perfect for me! Over the course of eight short videos, presented by the witty and entertaining Michael Blencowe, I began to learn more about the different species that live their complete life cycle within the county – the different habitats, behaviour, sexual dimorphism (Brimstones right) and when and where to find them. Armed with all this new information, I was eager to go in search of species that had eluded me so far and hungry to learn more. The adventure that lay ahead was exciting.

It didn’t take long for me to realise what a challenge it would be. For a novice, when you’re out in the field, it’s never quite as easy to identify what you’re seeing. The Large and Small White are a classic example. When they’re flying about, I really struggled to tell the difference in size. It doesn’t help that you get small Large Whites and large Small Whites. What a nightmare! At least, when they’re at rest, I had a better chance. I’d compare the dark corners of the forewings on the upperside and remembered that it’s more grey and longer on the horizontal edge for the Small Whites and much more black and longer on the vertical edge for the Large Whites.

Don’t get me started on the Blues! It’s a minefield! The males with their wings open I could just about manage (Common Blue and Adonis Blue below), but with wings closed and only the underside in view – confusion ensued! There was also the added challenge of distinguishing between the sexes. It was certainly easier when the males and females were together to appreciate the colour differentiation on the underwing. Then, there was the small problem of telling the difference between all the female blues, which are in fact brown, fairly similar and much like the Brown Argus. More often than not, I’d take my photos and worry about ID’ing them later. The internet was an invaluable source of information (Don't Get The Blues From The Blues - Butterfly Conservation and Species Similarities - UK Butterflies). It’s great having something I can go back to, to remind myself of the subtle differences between sexes and species. Even now! I can’t claim I’ve cracked it, but gradually I’m learning!

Despite the challenges, I’ve had some wonderful moments photographing some of the blue butterflies. I’ll never forget the first time I saw the communal roosting of Common Blues – I didn’t even know that was a thing. I even found three on the same blade of grass. The soft evening light was gorgeous. As for the Adonis Blues, the males take my breath away every time I see the flash of their gorgeous brilliant blue wings. Seeing a number of them flying together is pretty special.

I was yet to see the Small Blue – the smallest of all UK butterflies. So, when June came around, I went to Malling Down specifically to change that. Whilst wondering around the reserve I saw others I’d not seen before – Painted Lady and Small Heath – but, no little blues. I feared another year would go by without me laying eyes on one. On my way home, I consoled myself with another visit to Anchor Bottom to see the Adonis Blues. Then, just as I was leaving, I noticed a tiny little butterfly flying around some tall grass and my heart leapt. Could it be a Small Blue? Quickly, I focused the camera on it. Yay! It was! I couldn’t believe my luck. I was thrilled.

I was yet to see the Small Blue – the smallest of all UK butterflies. So, when June came around I went to Malling Down specifically to change that. Whilst wondering around the reserve I saw others I’d not seen before – Painted Lady and Small Heath – but, no little blues. I feared another year would go by without me laying eyes on one. On my way home, I consoled myself with another visit to Anchor Bottom to see the Adonis Blues. Then, just as I was leaving, I noticed a tiny little butterfly flying around some tall grass and my heart leapt. Could it be a Small Blue? Quickly, I focused the camera on it. Yay! It was! I couldn’t believe my luck. I was thrilled. With some things you never forget your first experience and that was definitely a memorable one. In fact, sightings of a Small Blue always steal my heart.

With some things you never forget your first experience and that was definitely a memorable one. In fact, sightings of a Small Blue always steal my heart.

This journey hasn’t been just about seeing new species of butterfly and learning to identify them. It’s been fabulous being able to witness different behaviour, like territorial skirmishes on the wing between males, a female rejecting the male’s advances, chancing upon mating pairs, females egg laying and even luckier still, finding eggs. I’ve managed this with the Duke of Burgundy butterfly, another small beauty. I was thrilled when I saw a female egg laying multiple times, perching on the edge of the Primrose leaf and tucking her abdomen underneath to deposit an egg or two. I got down really low in the grass to photograph the moment. One thing I’ve learned is to always tuck in my trouser legs and top. The first time I photographed a Duke, I came home with two ticks on me. Yuk! I don’t wish to repeat that experience.

My first Duke sighting was on an organised event with Neil Hulme. Since then, I’ve bumped into him a few times. That’s happened with a handful of other butterfly enthusiasts too. We all keep turning up at the same popular locations. It’s nice seeing familiar faces. Everyone I’ve met has been so friendly and helpful, sharing ID and location tips. Sometimes, others show you what they’ve found, which is kind and a great way to see more when you’re starting out. However, I have to admit, I do like finding things for myself, if I can. It’s much more rewarding. It’s also lovely when it’s quiet, with fewer people around. There’s definitely something wonderful about being out in nature alone. I feel the peacefulness and calm envelop me. It relaxes me. It’s part of the allure that keeps drawing me back.

I enjoy getting up early in the warmer months to visit wildflower meadows and nature reserves. It’s a fabulous time of day. I sit and eat my breakfast watching the first butterflies emerge in the morning sunshine, whilst listening to the birds singing nearby. This kind of mindfulness moments can really lift my spirits. I’ll never forget the joy I felt the first time I saw the morning dew on a roosting butterfly. A bejewelled Small Heath was glistening in the soft low light, waiting for its wings to dry out. Simply magical!

My first Duke sighting was on an organised event with Neil Hulme. Since then, I’ve bumped into him a few times. That’s happened with a handful of other butterfly enthusiasts too. We all keep turning up at the same popular locations. It’s nice seeing familiar faces. Everyone I’ve met has been so friendly and helpful, sharing ID and location tips. Sometimes, others show you what they’ve found, which is kind and a great way to see more when you’re starting out. However, I have to admit, I do like finding things for myself, if I can. It’s much more rewarding. It’s also lovely when it’s quiet, with fewer people around. There’s definitely something wonderful about being out in nature alone. I feel the peacefulness and calm envelop me. It relaxes me. It’s part of the allure that keeps drawing me back.

I enjoy getting up early in the warmer months to visit wildflower meadows and nature reserves. It’s a fabulous time of day. I sit and eat my breakfast watching the first butterflies emerge in the morning sunshine, whilst listening to the birds singing nearby. This kind of mindfulness moments can really lift my spirits. I’ll never forget the joy I felt the first time I saw the morning dew on a roosting butterfly. A bejewelled Small Heath was glistening in the soft low light, waiting for its wings to dry out. Simply magical!

There’s something so enchanting watching the gentle delicate fluttering of wings hovering above the wildflowers, noticing their long proboscis uncurl as they nectar on the flowers, and even simply resting with their wings wide open, showing off their gorgeous colours and patterns. It’s such a beautiful way to start the day. One time, a Skipper landed on the path just near where I sat. I crouched down low with my macro lens to take a few photos. It had pale spots on its upperwings and silver spots underneath. I wasn’t sure if I’d seen this species before. I checked when I was back home and discovered I’d seen my first Silver-spotted Skipper.

I have so many wonderful memories from 2021, but the best one was meeting my future boyfriend, Bob. We’d struck up conversation whilst waiting to see Brown Hairstreaks – a rare and elusive butterfly. I’d never photographed one before and was hopeful of changing that. When a female finally made an appearance, our small group moved over swiftly to where it was perched. Bob was such a gentleman, letting me take my photos first. After that day, just over a week later, we bumped into each other again in a completely different place on the other side of the county. Quite serendipitous! From there, our friendship began.

There’s something so enchanting watching the gentle delicate fluttering of wings hovering above the wildflowers, noticing their long proboscis uncurl as they nectar on the flowers, and even simply resting with their wings wide open, showing off their gorgeous colours and patterns. It’s such a beautiful way to start the day. One time, a Skipper landed on the path just near where I sat. I crouched down low with my macro lens to take a few photos. It had pale spots on its upperwings and silver spots underneath. I wasn’t sure if I’d seen this species before. I checked when I was back home and discovered I’d seen my first Silver-spotted Skipper.

I have so many wonderful memories from 2021, but the best one was meeting my future boyfriend, Bob. We’d struck up conversation whilst waiting to see Brown Hairstreaks – a rare and elusive butterfly. I’d never photographed one before and was hopeful of changing that. When a female finally made an appearance, our small group moved over swiftly to where it was perched. Bob was such a gentleman, letting me take my photos first. After that day, just over a week later, we bumped into each other again in a completely different place on the other side of the county. Quite serendipitous! From there, our friendship began.

By the end of the year, I’d discovered and photographed 20 more different species of butterfly (though I didn’t realise it at the time – I wasn’t counting). It dawned on me that there weren’t many more new species in Sussex left for me to see. Just seven. But, all of them fairly scarce in the county. I started to wonder if I might be able to see the remaining ones in 2022. What an achievement that would be! I hadn’t set out with the intention to see all the species in the county, but the prospect of it was exciting. I couldn’t wait for the new year to arrive and to continue my butterfly journey.

Ringlet

Marsh Harrier

A Day at Minsmere

By Lisa G Saw • July 6, 2025
Bob and I had just experienced a wonderful four days in Norfolk in search of the Swallowtail butterfly , which I'd never seen before, and we decided to head home via RSPB Minsmere in Suffolk. Both of us had only ever been to this reserve once before, many years ago, before we knew each other. That first visit for me was a memorable occasion because it was the first time I saw Eurasian Otters in the wild and my first ever sighting of an Eurasian Bittern. Aside from it being a lovely nature reserve to visit anyway, it was the lure of the bittern that was calling me back. We'd already had two lovely sightings of this shy and elusive waterbird in Norfolk, but I had higher hopes for a better, closer sighting at Minsmere having seen some fabulous photos on social media from a few weeks prior. So, whilst we were sad to be leaving Norfolk, I was eager for the day ahead and what we might see. Things were off to a great start as we followed the woodland trail to one of the hides and saw a small cluster of people on the path ahead looking up. Someone had spotted a Tawny Owl high up in the trees. There was even a scope set up pointing towards it. The gentleman who owned it kindly invited us to have a look. It was fabulous to see the owl nestled close to the tree trunk and with its eyes shut, having a few winks. They sleep a lot in the daytime since they're mostly nocturnal. After looking through the scope, it was a case of trying to locate it it with my bins and see if I could take a photo. I was pleased with the image I was able to capture. More people came along the path and some people were struggling to spot it. Bob and I both ended up helping others try to locate it. It can be very difficult describing to others which line of trees and branches to follow with their eyes!
Swallowtail

Swallowtails in Norfolk: Part 2

By Lisa G Saw • June 30, 2025
In the first part of this blog post - Swallowtails in Norfolk - I wrote about our first two days spent mostly at Strumpshaw Fen, where I successfully saw my first ever Swallowtail butterfly. Following this, we had two more days exploring the area. I still hoped I'd see more of this beautiful native species at some of the other reserves. DAY 3 The forecast for this day wasn't great, but at least dry. There wouldn't be much chance of any sunshine until the afternoon, when it would warm up a bit. So, we decided to head to Buxton Heath, on the other side of Norwich. Bob knew it was a good site for the Silver-studded Blue butterfly. It's a species we have in just two locations within Sussex - both of which we've been to. It's a species that thrives on heathland and can be found in good numbers in the right habitat if it's managed well - with grazing or periodic burning in patches. It turned out the forecast wasn't very accurate. When we arrived, it was already brightening up and our chance of finding roosting butterflies disappeared very quickly. However, it was lovely exploring somewhere new and aside from one other couple and a man working there, we didn't see anyone else for the three hours we were there. We left the car park and headed towards the northern corner of the heath first and in next to no time, Bob spotted one flying. I stopped and looked down and saw there was another right beside me. I used my bins to take a closer look and suddenly noticed there were ants crawling around it. Instantly, I knew this was something special. The butterfly had only just emerged. I quickly took some photos but was having real issues with my camera. I was so disappointed not to get any good photos. The butterfly is out of focus but the ant is sharp!!! Hmmm! Not what I was going for! This close relationship with ants occurs with a few of the blue species of butterfly, such as the Large Blue, Adonis Blue and Chalkhill Blue. It's the first time I've ever seen the ants in attendance of a new emerged butterfly, so I was thrilled at least to have seen it.
Swallowtail

Swallowtails in Norfolk: Part 1

By Lisa G Saw • June 29, 2025
When Bob and I returned from Kent, having just seen the Heath Fritillary , we looked at the weather for the following week and we saw that it was looking very changeable every day, with cool windy and/or wet weather forecast. The Swallowtail butterfly ( Papilio machaon ) is our largest native species found in the UK and Bob informed me they won't be flying if the conditions aren't good. They like the warmth! Now was not a good time for our hot spell to be over! With only one more week of my break from teaching left, we had little choice but to arrange our visit for then, regardless of the weather. I booked some accommodation for us and we figured that if we went for more than a couple of days, we were bound to have at least one fairly decent opportunity to see the final species on my UK list that I'd not seen before. DAY 1 As usual for us, we set off fairly early in the morning since we had over a three-hour drive ahead of us. The plan was to stop at Weeting Heath Nature Reserve, just inside the Norfolk border, so we could break up the drive and enjoy some time out in nature. The main purpose was to see the Stone Curlew that breed at this site ( Burhinus oedicnemus ). They're a rare summer visitor to the UK and I'd not heard of this species before. They're not in any way related to the Curlew ( Numenius arquata ), which I have seen before - though they are also quite rare and endangered. Their name relates to their similar call. We sat in two different hides during the course of the late morning and early afternoon and for quite some time we didn't think we were going to get lucky and see the Stone Curlew - though we did see a couple of Curlews. At one point I nipped back to the car, and of course that was when Bob saw one! It was on the far side of the field we were overlooking, but where the ground dipped lower out of sight. He saw it just as I was returning to the hide. So, I quickly sat down and looked for it, but I didn't get a chance to properly see it. We decided to stay a bit longer, and so this time Bob left the hide to fetch our lunch, and that was when the Stone Curlew reappeared. It even flew a short distance, quite low, as it apparently had a nest nearby and it wasn't happy about the Rooks that were too close for comfort.  Don't hold your breath - the photo is pants! The bird was so far away and it was more of a record shot. However, I did enjoy watching it through my binoculars.
Show More