Moth and Butterfly Watch

With the summer months well underway we tried to pay more attention to the moth and butterfly population in our garden. Last year had been rather scarce when it came to butterflies but this season so far they seem to be doing quite well. Sister Nicola had another successful moth watch recently, which included the sighting of a very big moth – a privet hawkmoth, which also happens to be the UK’s largest hawkmoth. On the photos below you can just about spot its pink and black striped abdomen and hindwings!

According to the Butterfly Conservation website, the UK is home to 59 species of butterflies – 57 resident species of butterflies and two regular migrants, the Painted Lady and the Clouded Yellow. A couple of years ago we spotted some Painted Ladies, which are long-distance migrants spreading northwards from North Africa, happily fluttering about in the garden, but none so far although they might be around and we just haven’t seen them.

Although there has been a decline in numbers – apparently, 80% of butterflies have declined since the 1970s – this summer is looking a lot better than last year.

Here’s a glimpse of the latest moth and butterfly sightings in our garden. The Peacock and Red Admiral, in particular, are loving the big Buddleia bush right outside the Refectory’s windows. No wonder it’s also known as the ‘butterfly bush’ because now that it is in flower it is covered in them!

Moths recently sighted in the garden:

• privet hawkmoth
• A stunning black Arches moth

Butterflies currently fluttering about in numbers:

• Peacock
• Red Admiral
• Meadow Brown
• Gatekeeper
• Small White (loving the lavender…)
• Small Tortoiseshell
• Ringlet butterfly
• Speckled Wood
• Orange tip butterfly
• Comma (one so far!)

We’ll be keeping an eye out for (hopefully) more as the summer season goes on…