Newport Wetlands NNR Butterfly Transect 7th July 2022

I walked the Newport Wetlands butterfly transect today. It was the first time I have done it this year. Luckily we have a team of volunteers from RSPB who share walking the transect once a week. Today I recorded 13 species of butterfly and 3 species of moth. Meadow Brown lead the way with a total of 147. Second were Ringlets with 23. There were 10 Large Whites and 10 Commas. 7 Speckled Woods, 6 Gatekeepers, 4 Small Whites, 3 Large Skippers, 3 Small Skippers, 2 Red Admirals, 2 Small Tortoiseshells, 2 Holly Blues, and 1 Essex Skipper. The moths were - 2 Common White Waves, 1 Cinnabar and 1 Scarlet Tiger. Burnet moths were noticeable in their absence. It was great seeing the Scarlet Tiger, right at the end of the transect, flying around the edge of the car park. I got some great views of it settled, but never long enough to get a photo. The Gatekeepers were the first I have seen this year.

Holly Blue

Common White Wave

Gate Keeper

Gate Keeper

Essex Skipper