24 September 2026

Report Details
A new site for me as regards Long-tailed Blue, on the corner of Mount Way and Mill Road on an area within the National Park levelled for development. Planning permission has been refused on several grounds, so hopefully it will remain as it is now, full of wild flowers! I only saw the butterfly very briefly, nectaring distantly on Valerian. Also today I saw a fresh male Holly Blue, a species I haven't seen locally for three weeks after a long and brilliant second brood. One starts to think of third brood as a possibility, even though in normal times it is an October phenomenon. These are not normal times!

Reporter: Lindsay Morris
Location: North Lancing

Reviewer Comments
Yes, Lindsay, the third brood male Holly Blue is earlier than usual but this record is in keeping with all the other early events this year. Holly Blue has had a very good year and should the autumn remain mild it is not beyond the realms of possibility that we may have a fourth brood this year (as ridiculous as that sounds). I am not predicting that we will, but it remains a small possibility.  Martin K