Combe Valley Countryside Park

Butterflies in the Valley

Butterfly season is with us again, and after a slow start, it looks like it could be a very good year.

The hedgerows and woodlands have lots of whites, such as the Small White, Large White and Green-veined White, and browns like the Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper. Out in the fields, all three of our usual skippers can be seen: Large, Small and Essex, along with Peacocks and Red Admirals.

We have already had several sightings of butterflies that, while not rare, are unusual in the Park, such as the Marbled White, shown above and below, which is more usually found on the chalk downs.

Another unusual butterfly for the Park is the White Admiral, which has been seen already this year.

The Purple Hairstreak usually flies high in oak trees, so it is not easy to spot, but it has recently been spotted in some bushes in an area bordering the park.