Common Blue

Contrary to many reports, most species of butterfly seem to have had a good year round Peterborough. The one species that I was a bit concerned about was Common Blue, as first brood numbers seemed very low. However, today I was surrounded by them - at times I lost count of the number of males fluttering round, feeding on Wild Carrot and Common Ragwort, both deep-rooted species that have not been severely affected by the drought.There were large populations of several other species of butterfly, as well as huge numbers of dragonflies, mostly Migrant Hawker, Common Darter and Ruddy Darter. 

Extensive areas of brownfield land are so important for invertebrates as they are outside the farming system, and generally not intensively managed, providing abundant nectar sources. After years of pressure from entomologists their value is now widely recognised in conservation circles, but planners and government are still pushing for development on many of these important wildlife sites. Ecological madness...