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60 years ago, butterflies were in abundance on The Haycop, probably as a result of the frequent grazing and lack of pesticides. However, only one species has disappeared since then РThe Wall Brown. This species is in severe decline all over the British Isles. Some of the species were diminishing due to lack of grazing and invasive scrub. Since conservation began in 2007, all remaining species have increased in numbers, notably the Dingy Skipper, Small Copper and Green Hairstreak. In all, 25 species have been recorded, which is extremely diverse considering the site is only 9.2 acres. The addition of the White Admiral has been most welcome, making its d̩but in July 2014.
- Small Skipper
- Large Skipper
- Dingy Skipper
- Clouded Yellow
- Brimstone
- Large White
- Small White
- Green-Veined White
- Orange Tip
- Green Hairstreak
- Purple Hairstreak
- Small Copper
- Common Blue
- Holly Blue
- White Admiral
- Red Admiral
- Painted Lady
- Small Tortoiseshell
- Peacock
- Comma
- Speckled Wood
- Wall
- Gatekeeper
- Meadow Brown
- Small Heath
- Ringlet
Butterflies Spring 2020
Orange Tip
Speckled Wood
Large White
Butterflies Summer 2020
Male Meadow brown
Meadow brown
Female Meadow brown
Male Meadow brown
Gatekeeper
Gatekeeper
Gatekeeper
Gatekeeper
Gatekeeper
Gatekeeper
Gatekeeper
Ringlet
Ringlet
Small skipper
Small skipper
Small skipper
Large skipper
Large skipper
Large skipper
Large skipper (Paul Wells via Facebook)
Large skipper (Paul Wells via Facebook)
Speckled wood
Speckled wood
Speckled wood
Speckled wood
Comma
Comma
Small copper
Small copper
Small copper
Holly blue
Holly blue
Holly blue
Holly blue
Small white
Green veined white
Green veined white
Green veined white
Green veined white
Small tortoiseshell - underwing
Small tortoiseshell
Small tortoiseshell - wings closed
Red admiral
Red admiral
Red admiral
Peacock
Peacock
Peacock
Peacock
Camouflaged Orange tip caterpillars
Mullein moth caterpillar
Micro moth (Tortricidae) Epagoge grotiana
Butterflies Autumn 2020
Speckled wood (Pararge aegeria)
Photo taken in September
Small copper(Lycaena phlaeas)
Photo taken in September
Small copper(Lycaena phlaeas)
Photo taken in September