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  • Chalk Downland, Martin Down, Hampshire, UK
    129465.jpg
  • Chalkhill Blue Polyommatus coridon Wingspan 40mm. Iconic downland butterfly, males of which are a unique colour amongst British blues. Adult male has pale sky-blue upperwings; female’s are dark brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; sometimes discovered at dusk being attended by ants. Very local and restricted to chalk and limestone grassland in southern England.
    156563.jpg
  • Common Juniper Juniperus communis Cupressaceae Height to 6m. Aromatic evergreen shrub or small tree. Bark Reddish-brown, peeling. Branches With 3-angled twigs. Leaves Needle-like, to 2cm long, in whorls of 3. Foliage is gin- or apple-scented. Reproductive parts Male cones small and yellow. Female cones to 9mm long and green, ripening through blue-green to black in 2nd year. Status Native of chalk downland in S England and moors and limestone crags in N Britain.
    104952.jpg
  • JUNIPER Juniperus communis (Cupressaceae) Height to 5m (sometimes prostrate). Dense shrub of well-drained soils, from chalk downland to mountains. FLOWERS appear on separate sex plants; those on female plants are green and oval (much of year). FRUITS ripen in 2nd year to form blue-black berry-like cones. LEAVES are stiff, bluish green, needle-like and arranged in whorls of 3. STATUS-Widespread and locally common.
    134429.jpg
  • CHILTERN GENTIAN Gentianella germanica (Height to 30cm) is similar to Autumn Gentian but it has larger flowers, 2cm across (Aug-Oct). It is grows on chalk downland and is confined mainly to the Chilterns, with outposts south to north Hampshire.
    145204.jpg
  • Silver-spotted Skipper Hesperia comma Wingspan 34mm. An iconic butterfly that is restricted to chalk downland. Adult recalls a Large Skipper but the dark brown upperwings have distinctive pale spots; the greenish-brown underwings have silvery-white spots after which the species is named. Flies August-September. Larva is nocturnal and feeds on grasses. Very local in southern England, and only on chalk downs.
    145254.jpg
  • Green Hairstreak Callophrys rubi Wingspan 25mm. A small butterfly whose buzzing flight is hard to follow. Adult seldom reveals brown upperwings; underwings are bright green and an extremely good match for the leaves on which it rests. Flies May–June. Larva feeds on gorses, Heather and trefoils. Locally common on heaths, cliffs and downland scrub.
    136194.jpg
  • Adonis Blue Polyommatus bellargus Wingspan 32mm. A classic chalk downland butterfly, males of which are dazzling. Adult male has iridescent blue upperwings with black and white margins; female’s upperwings are brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Double brooded: flies May–June and July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; can sometimes be found in short turf being attended by ants. Very local in southern England but entirely restricted to chalk downs.
    136169.jpg
  • Common Juniper Juniperus communis Cupressaceae Height to 6m. Aromatic evergreen shrub or small tree. Bark Reddish-brown, peeling. Branches With 3-angled twigs. Leaves Needle-like, to 2cm long, in whorls of 3. Foliage is gin- or apple-scented. Reproductive parts Male cones small and yellow. Female cones to 9mm long and green, ripening through blue-green to black in 2nd year. Status Native of chalk downland in S England and moors and limestone crags in N Britain.
    133008.jpg
  • Common Juniper Juniperus communis Cupressaceae Height to 6m. Aromatic evergreen shrub or small tree. Bark Reddish-brown, peeling. Branches With 3-angled twigs. Leaves Needle-like, to 2cm long, in whorls of 3. Foliage is gin- or apple-scented. Reproductive parts Male cones small and yellow. Female cones to 9mm long and green, ripening through blue-green to black in 2nd year. Status Native of chalk downland in S England and moors and limestone crags in N Britain.
    107273.jpg
  • Brown Argus Aricia agestis Wingspan 25mm. A well-marked butterfly of grassy habitats. Adult recalls a female Common Blue but note the smaller size and that orange submarginal spots on brown upperwings are much more striking. Underwings are grey-brown with white-ringed black spots, and orange submarginal spots. Double-brooded: flies May-Aug. Larva is grub-like and feeds on Common Rock-rose and storksbills. A distinctly local species, restricted to southern and central England, and often on chalk downland.
    136201.jpg
  • Dark Green Fritillary Argynnis aglaia Wingspan 60mm. An active, fast-flying butterfly, seen skimming and gliding over open ground and feeding on the flowers of thistles and knapweeds. Adult has orange-brown upperwings; underside of hindwing is suffused with olive-green scaling. Flies July–August. Larva is black with spiky hairs; feeds on violets. Widespread but local on chalk downland and sand dunes in Britain and Ireland; commonest near coasts and in western half of region.
    127424.jpg
  • COMMON CENTAURY Centaurium erythraea (Gentianaceae) Height to 25cm. Variable, hairless annual that is found in dry, grassy places, including verges, chalk downland and sand dunes. FLOWERS are 10-15mm across, unstalked and pink with 5 petal-like lobes that open fully only in sunshine; borne in terminal clusters and on side shoots (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are grey-green and oval, those on the stem narrower than the basal ones (10-20mm across), which form a rosette; all leaves have 3-7 veins. STATUS-Widespread and common, except Scotland. Note-dwarf form var. capitatum (so-called Dumpy Centaury) occurs on coasts of England and Wales.
    131347.jpg
  • Silver-spotted Skipper Hesperia comma Wingspan 34mm. An iconic butterfly that is restricted to chalk downland. Adult recalls a Large Skipper but the dark brown upperwings have distinctive pale spots; the greenish-brown underwings have silvery-white spots after which the species is named. Flies August-September. Larva is nocturnal and feeds on grasses. Very local in southern England, and only on chalk downs.
    156683.jpg
  • Chalkhill Blue - Polyommatus coridon - female. Wingspan 40mm. Iconic downland butterfly, males of which are a unique colour amongst British blues. Adult male has pale sky-blue upperwings; female’s are dark brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; sometimes discovered at dusk being attended by ants. Very local and restricted to chalk and limestone grassland in southern England.
    156567.jpg
  • The North Hampshire Downs near Kingsclere, classic chalk downland.
    155670.jpg
  • Silver-spotted Skipper Hesperia comma Wingspan 34mm. An iconic butterfly that is restricted to chalk downland. Adult recalls a Large Skipper but the dark brown upperwings have distinctive pale spots; the greenish-brown underwings have silvery-white spots after which the species is named. Flies August-September. Larva is nocturnal and feeds on grasses. Very local in southern England, and only on chalk downs.
    145251.jpg
  • Adonis Blue Polyommatus bellargus Wingspan 32mm. A classic chalk downland butterfly, males of which are dazzling. Adult male has iridescent blue upperwings with black and white margins; female’s upperwings are brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Double brooded: flies May–June and July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; can sometimes be found in short turf being attended by ants. Very local in southern England but entirely restricted to chalk downs.
    110106.jpg
  • Common Juniper Juniperus communis Cupressaceae Height to 6m. Aromatic evergreen shrub or small tree. Bark Reddish-brown, peeling. Branches With 3-angled twigs. Leaves Needle-like, to 2cm long, in whorls of 3. Foliage is gin- or apple-scented. Reproductive parts Male cones small and yellow. Female cones to 9mm long and green, ripening through blue-green to black in 2nd year. Status Native of chalk downland in S England and moors and limestone crags in N Britain.
    134435.jpg
  • Common Juniper Juniperus communis Cupressaceae Height to 6m. Aromatic evergreen shrub or small tree. Bark Reddish-brown, peeling. Branches With 3-angled twigs. Leaves Needle-like, to 2cm long, in whorls of 3. Foliage is gin- or apple-scented. Reproductive parts Male cones small and yellow. Female cones to 9mm long and green, ripening through blue-green to black in 2nd year. Status Native of chalk downland in S England and moors and limestone crags in N Britain.
    114939.jpg
  • CHILTERN GENTIAN Gentianella germanica (Height to 30cm) is similar to Autumn Gentian but it has larger flowers, 2cm across (Aug-Oct). It is grows on chalk downland and is confined mainly to the Chilterns, with outposts south to north Hampshire.
    141587.jpg
  • Adonis Blue - Polyommatus bellargus - male (top row) - female (middle and bottom row). Wingspan 32mm. A classic chalk downland butterfly, males of which are dazzling. Adult male has iridescent blue upperwings with black and white margins; female’s upperwings are brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Double brooded: flies May–June and July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; can sometimes be found in short turf being attended by ants. Very local in southern England but entirely restricted to chalk downs.
    157167.jpg
  • Chalkhill Blue - Polyommatus coridon - mating pair. Wingspan 40mm. Iconic downland butterfly, males of which are a unique colour amongst British blues. Adult male has pale sky-blue upperwings; female’s are dark brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; sometimes discovered at dusk being attended by ants. Very local and restricted to chalk and limestone grassland in southern England.
    156597.jpg
  • Silver-spotted Skipper Hesperia comma Wingspan 34mm. An iconic butterfly that is restricted to chalk downland. Adult recalls a Large Skipper but the dark brown upperwings have distinctive pale spots; the greenish-brown underwings have silvery-white spots after which the species is named. Flies August-September. Larva is nocturnal and feeds on grasses. Very local in southern England, and only on chalk downs.
    145250.jpg
  • Chalkhill Blue Polyommatus coridon Wingspan 40mm. Iconic downland butterfly, males of which are a unique colour amongst British blues. Adult male has pale sky-blue upperwings; female’s are dark brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; sometimes discovered at dusk being attended by ants. Very local and restricted to chalk and limestone grassland in southern England.
    144892.jpg
  • Adonis Blue Polyommatus bellargus Wingspan 32mm. A classic chalk downland butterfly, males of which are dazzling. Adult male has iridescent blue upperwings with black and white margins; female’s upperwings are brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Double brooded: flies May–June and July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; can sometimes be found in short turf being attended by ants. Very local in southern England but entirely restricted to chalk downs.
    144876.jpg
  • Chalkhill Blue Polyommatus coridon Wingspan 40mm. Iconic downland butterfly, males of which are a unique colour amongst British blues. Adult male has pale sky-blue upperwings; female’s are dark brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; sometimes discovered at dusk being attended by ants. Very local and restricted to chalk and limestone grassland in southern England.
    140056.jpg
  • Chalkhill Blue Polyommatus coridon Wingspan 40mm. Iconic downland butterfly, males of which are a unique colour amongst British blues. Adult male has pale sky-blue upperwings; female’s are dark brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; sometimes discovered at dusk being attended by ants. Very local and restricted to chalk and limestone grassland in southern England.
    136200.jpg
  • Adonis Blue Polyommatus bellargus Wingspan 32mm. A classic chalk downland butterfly, males of which are dazzling. Adult male has iridescent blue upperwings with black and white margins; female’s upperwings are brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Double brooded: flies May–June and July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; can sometimes be found in short turf being attended by ants. Very local in southern England but entirely restricted to chalk downs.
    144877.jpg
  • Brown Argus Aricia agestis Wingspan 25mm. A well-marked butterfly of grassy habitats. Adult recalls a female Common Blue but note the smaller size and that orange submarginal spots on brown upperwings are much more striking. Underwings are grey-brown with white-ringed black spots, and orange submarginal spots. Double-brooded: flies May-Aug. Larva is grub-like and feeds on Common Rock-rose and storksbills. A distinctly local species, restricted to southern and central England, and often on chalk downland.
    136170.jpg
  • Brown Argus Aricia agestis Wingspan 25mm. A well-marked butterfly of grassy habitats. Adult recalls a female Common Blue but note the smaller size and that orange submarginal spots on brown upperwings are much more striking. Underwings are grey-brown with white-ringed black spots, and orange submarginal spots. Double-brooded: flies May-Aug. Larva is grub-like and feeds on Common Rock-rose and storksbills. A distinctly local species, restricted to southern and central England, and often on chalk downland.
    133424.jpg
  • Common Juniper Juniperus communis Cupressaceae Height to 6m. Aromatic evergreen shrub or small tree. Bark Reddish-brown, peeling. Branches With 3-angled twigs. Leaves Needle-like, to 2cm long, in whorls of 3. Foliage is gin- or apple-scented. Reproductive parts Male cones small and yellow. Female cones to 9mm long and green, ripening through blue-green to black in 2nd year. Status Native of chalk downland in S England and moors and limestone crags in N Britain.
    133834.jpg
  • BURNT ORCHID Neotinea ustulata (Orchidaceae) Height to 15cm. Charming perennial of chalk downland. FLOWERS are dark maroon in bud but have a red-spotted white lip and a red hood when open; borne in compact, somewhat cylindrical spikes that are fancifully reminiscent of intact cigar ash (May-Jul). FRUITS are egg-shaped. LEAVES are dull green; they form a basal rosette and also sheathe the stem. STATUS-Very locally common only in S England.
    137921.jpg
  • Chalkhill Blue Polyommatus coridon Wingspan 40mm. Iconic downland butterfly, males of which are a unique colour amongst British blues. Adult male has pale sky-blue upperwings; female’s are dark brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; sometimes discovered at dusk being attended by ants. Very local and restricted to chalk and limestone grassland in southern England.
    156626.jpg
  • Chalkhill Blue Polyommatus coridon Wingspan 40mm. Iconic downland butterfly, males of which are a unique colour amongst British blues. Adult male has pale sky-blue upperwings; female’s are dark brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; sometimes discovered at dusk being attended by ants. Very local and restricted to chalk and limestone grassland in southern England.
    136199.jpg
  • Silver-spotted Skipper Hesperia comma Wingspan 34mm. An iconic butterfly that is restricted to chalk downland. Adult recalls a Large Skipper but the dark brown upperwings have distinctive pale spots; the greenish-brown underwings have silvery-white spots after which the species is named. Flies August-September. Larva is nocturnal and feeds on grasses. Very local in southern England, and only on chalk downs.
    115903.jpg
  • Silver-spotted Skipper Hesperia comma Wingspan 34mm. An iconic butterfly that is restricted to chalk downland. Adult recalls a Large Skipper but the dark brown upperwings have distinctive pale spots; the greenish-brown underwings have silvery-white spots after which the species is named. Flies August-September. Larva is nocturnal and feeds on grasses. Very local in southern England, and only on chalk downs.
    105190.jpg
  • Brown Argus - Aricia agestis - male (top row) - female (bottom row). Wingspan 25mm. A well-marked butterfly of grassy habitats. Adult recalls a female Common Blue but note the smaller size and that orange submarginal spots on brown upperwings are much more striking. Underwings are grey-brown with white-ringed black spots, and orange submarginal spots. Double-brooded: flies May-Aug. Larva is grub-like and feeds on Common Rock-rose and storksbills. A distinctly local species, restricted to southern and central England, and often on chalk downland.
    157168.jpg
  • Chalkhill Blue - Polyommatus coridon - mating pair. Wingspan 40mm. Iconic downland butterfly, males of which are a unique colour amongst British blues. Adult male has pale sky-blue upperwings; female’s are dark brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; sometimes discovered at dusk being attended by ants. Very local and restricted to chalk and limestone grassland in southern England.
    156599.jpg
  • Adonis Blue Polyommatus bellargus Wingspan 32mm. A classic chalk downland butterfly, males of which are dazzling. Adult male has iridescent blue upperwings with black and white margins; female’s upperwings are brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Double brooded: flies May–June and July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; can sometimes be found in short turf being attended by ants. Very local in southern England but entirely restricted to chalk downs.
    145187.jpg
  • Silver-spotted Skipper Hesperia comma Wingspan 34mm. An iconic butterfly that is restricted to chalk downland. Adult recalls a Large Skipper but the dark brown upperwings have distinctive pale spots; the greenish-brown underwings have silvery-white spots after which the species is named. Flies August-September. Larva is nocturnal and feeds on grasses. Very local in southern England, and only on chalk downs.
    144998.jpg
  • Adonis Blue Polyommatus bellargus Wingspan 32mm. A classic chalk downland butterfly, males of which are dazzling. Adult male has iridescent blue upperwings with black and white margins; female’s upperwings are brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Double brooded: flies May–June and July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; can sometimes be found in short turf being attended by ants. Very local in southern England but entirely restricted to chalk downs.
    144879.jpg
  • Adonis Blue Polyommatus bellargus Wingspan 32mm. A classic chalk downland butterfly, males of which are dazzling. Adult male has iridescent blue upperwings with black and white margins; female’s upperwings are brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Double brooded: flies May–June and July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; can sometimes be found in short turf being attended by ants. Very local in southern England but entirely restricted to chalk downs.
    144878.jpg
  • Silver-spotted Skipper Hesperia comma Wingspan 34mm. An iconic butterfly that is restricted to chalk downland. Adult recalls a Large Skipper but the dark brown upperwings have distinctive pale spots; the greenish-brown underwings have silvery-white spots after which the species is named. Flies August-September. Larva is nocturnal and feeds on grasses. Very local in southern England, and only on chalk downs.
    141121.jpg
  • Chalkhill Blue Polyommatus coridon Wingspan 40mm. Iconic downland butterfly, males of which are a unique colour amongst British blues. Adult male has pale sky-blue upperwings; female’s are dark brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; sometimes discovered at dusk being attended by ants. Very local and restricted to chalk and limestone grassland in southern England.
    133427.jpg
  • Adonis Blue Polyommatus bellargus Wingspan 32mm. A classic chalk downland butterfly, males of which are dazzling. Adult male has iridescent blue upperwings with black and white margins; female’s upperwings are brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Double brooded: flies May–June and July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; can sometimes be found in short turf being attended by ants. Very local in southern England but entirely restricted to chalk downs.
    126829.jpg
  • Common Juniper Juniperus communis Cupressaceae Height to 6m. Aromatic evergreen shrub or small tree. Bark Reddish-brown, peeling. Branches With 3-angled twigs. Leaves Needle-like, to 2cm long, in whorls of 3. Foliage is gin- or apple-scented. Reproductive parts Male cones small and yellow. Female cones to 9mm long and green, ripening through blue-green to black in 2nd year. Status Native of chalk downland in S England and moors and limestone crags in N Britain.
    134437.jpg
  • COMMON CENTAURY Centaurium erythraea (Gentianaceae) Height to 25cm. Variable, hairless annual that is found in dry, grassy places, including verges, chalk downland and sand dunes. FLOWERS are 10-15mm across, unstalked and pink with 5 petal-like lobes that open fully only in sunshine; borne in terminal clusters and on side shoots (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are grey-green and oval, those on the stem narrower than the basal ones (10-20mm across), which form a rosette; all leaves have 3-7 veins. STATUS-Widespread and common, except Scotland. Note-dwarf form var. capitatum (so-called Dumpy Centaury) occurs on coasts of England and Wales.
    131350.jpg
  • Dark Green Fritillary - Argynnis aglaia - male (top) - female (bottom). Wingspan 60mm. An active, fast-flying butterfly, seen skimming and gliding over open ground and feeding on the flowers of thistles and knapweeds. Adult has orange-brown upperwings; underside of hindwing is suffused with olive-green scaling. Flies July–August. Larva is black with spiky hairs; feeds on violets. Widespread but local on chalk downland and sand dunes in Britain and Ireland; commonest near coasts and in western half of region.
    157041.jpg
  • Green Hairstreak - Callophrys rubi - Upperwing (top) Underwing (bottom) Wingspan 25mm. A small butterfly whose buzzing flight is hard to follow. Adult seldom reveals brown upperwings; underwings are bright green and an extremely good match for the leaves on which it rests. Flies May–June. Larva feeds on gorses, Heather and trefoils. Locally common on heaths, cliffs and downland scrub.
    156981.jpg
  • Silver-spotted Skipper Hesperia comma Wingspan 34mm. An iconic butterfly that is restricted to chalk downland. Adult recalls a Large Skipper but the dark brown upperwings have distinctive pale spots; the greenish-brown underwings have silvery-white spots after which the species is named. Flies August-September. Larva is nocturnal and feeds on grasses. Very local in southern England, and only on chalk downs.
    144997.jpg
  • Dark Green Fritillary Argynnis aglaia Wingspan 60mm. An active, fast-flying butterfly, seen skimming and gliding over open ground and feeding on the flowers of thistles and knapweeds. Adult has orange-brown upperwings; underside of hindwing is suffused with olive-green scaling. Flies July–August. Larva is black with spiky hairs; feeds on violets. Widespread but local on chalk downland and sand dunes in Britain and Ireland; commonest near coasts and in western half of region.
    144902.jpg
  • Chalkhill Blue Polyommatus coridon Wingspan 40mm. Iconic downland butterfly, males of which are a unique colour amongst British blues. Adult male has pale sky-blue upperwings; female’s are dark brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; sometimes discovered at dusk being attended by ants. Very local and restricted to chalk and limestone grassland in southern England.
    144893.jpg
  • Chalkhill Blue Polyommatus coridon Wingspan 40mm. Iconic downland butterfly, males of which are a unique colour amongst British blues. Adult male has pale sky-blue upperwings; female’s are dark brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; sometimes discovered at dusk being attended by ants. Very local and restricted to chalk and limestone grassland in southern England.
    140055.jpg
  • Chalkhill Blue Polyommatus coridon Wingspan 40mm. Iconic downland butterfly, males of which are a unique colour amongst British blues. Adult male has pale sky-blue upperwings; female’s are dark brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; sometimes discovered at dusk being attended by ants. Very local and restricted to chalk and limestone grassland in southern England.
    123682.jpg
  • Brown Argus Aricia agestis Wingspan 25mm. A well-marked butterfly of grassy habitats. Adult recalls a female Common Blue but note the smaller size and that orange submarginal spots on brown upperwings are much more striking. Underwings are grey-brown with white-ringed black spots, and orange submarginal spots. Double-brooded: flies May-Aug. Larva is grub-like and feeds on Common Rock-rose and storksbills. A distinctly local species, restricted to southern and central England, and often on chalk downland.
    105181.jpg
  • Green Hairstreak Callophrys rubi Wingspan 25mm. A small butterfly whose buzzing flight is hard to follow. Adult seldom reveals brown upperwings; underwings are bright green and an extremely good match for the leaves on which it rests. Flies May–June. Larva feeds on gorses, Heather and trefoils. Locally common on heaths, cliffs and downland scrub.
    105168.jpg
  • CHILTERN GENTIAN Gentianella germanica (Height to 30cm) is similar to Autumn Gentian but it has larger flowers, 2cm across (Aug-Oct). It is grows on chalk downland and is confined mainly to the Chilterns, with outposts south to north Hampshire.
    141588.jpg
  • Silver-spotted Skipper - Hesperia comma - (male - top, female - bottom). Wingspan 34mm. An iconic butterfly that is restricted to chalk downland. Adult recalls a Large Skipper but the dark brown upperwings have distinctive pale spots; the greenish-brown underwings have silvery-white spots after which the species is named. Flies August-September. Larva is nocturnal and feeds on grasses. Very local in southern England, and only on chalk downs.
    156984.jpg
  • Brown Argus Aricia agestis Wingspan 25mm. A well-marked butterfly of grassy habitats. Adult recalls a female Common Blue but note the smaller size and that orange submarginal spots on brown upperwings are much more striking. Underwings are grey-brown with white-ringed black spots, and orange submarginal spots. Double-brooded: flies May-Aug. Larva is grub-like and feeds on Common Rock-rose and storksbills. A distinctly local species, restricted to southern and central England, and often on chalk downland.
    136361.jpg
  • Dark Green Fritillary Argynnis aglaia Wingspan 60mm. An active, fast-flying butterfly, seen skimming and gliding over open ground and feeding on the flowers of thistles and knapweeds. Adult has orange-brown upperwings; underside of hindwing is suffused with olive-green scaling. Flies July–August. Larva is black with spiky hairs; feeds on violets. Widespread but local on chalk downland and sand dunes in Britain and Ireland; commonest near coasts and in western half of region.
    102305.jpg
  • Chalkhill Blue - Polyommatus coridon - male (top row; far right = aberration) - female - (bottom row; far right = aberration). Wingspan 40mm. Iconic downland butterfly, males of which are a unique colour amongst British blues. Adult male has pale sky-blue upperwings; female’s are dark brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; sometimes discovered at dusk being attended by ants. Very local and restricted to chalk and limestone grassland in southern England.
    157170.jpg
  • Chalkhill Blue - Polyommatus coridon - mating pair. Wingspan 40mm. Iconic downland butterfly, males of which are a unique colour amongst British blues. Adult male has pale sky-blue upperwings; female’s are dark brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; sometimes discovered at dusk being attended by ants. Very local and restricted to chalk and limestone grassland in southern England.
    156598.jpg
  • JUNIPER Juniperus communis (Cupressaceae) Height to 5m (sometimes prostrate). Dense shrub of well-drained soils, from chalk downland to mountains. FLOWERS appear on separate sex plants; those on female plants are green and oval (much of year). FRUITS ripen in 2nd year to form blue-black berry-like cones. LEAVES are stiff, bluish green, needle-like and arranged in whorls of 3. STATUS-Widespread and locally common.
    134434.jpg
  • JUNIPER Juniperus communis (Cupressaceae) Height to 5m (sometimes prostrate). Dense shrub of well-drained soils, from chalk downland to mountains. FLOWERS appear on separate sex plants; those on female plants are green and oval (much of year). FRUITS ripen in 2nd year to form blue-black berry-like cones. LEAVES are stiff, bluish green, needle-like and arranged in whorls of 3. STATUS-Widespread and locally common.
    134433.jpg
  • CHILTERN GENTIAN Gentianella germanica (Height to 30cm) is similar to Autumn Gentian but it has larger flowers, 2cm across (Aug-Oct). It is grows on chalk downland and is confined mainly to the Chilterns, with outposts south to north Hampshire.
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  • Common Centaury - Centaurium erythraea. Height to 25cm. Variable, hairless annual that is found in dry, grassy places, including verges, chalk downland and sand dunes. FLOWERS are 10-15mm across, unstalked and pink with 5 petal-like lobes that open fully only in sunshine; borne in terminal clusters and on side shoots (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are grey-green and oval, those on the stem narrower than the basal ones (10-20mm across), which form a rosette; all leaves have 3-7 veins. STATUS-Widespread and common, except Scotland. Note-dwarf form var. capitatum (so-called Dumpy Centaury) occurs on coasts of England and Wales.
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  • Silver-spotted Skipper Hesperia comma Wingspan 34mm. An iconic butterfly that is restricted to chalk downland. Adult recalls a Large Skipper but the dark brown upperwings have distinctive pale spots; the greenish-brown underwings have silvery-white spots after which the species is named. Flies August-September. Larva is nocturnal and feeds on grasses. Very local in southern England, and only on chalk downs.
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  • Chalkhill Blue Polyommatus coridon - Male. Wingspan 40mm. Iconic downland butterfly, males of which are a unique colour amongst British blues. Adult male has pale sky-blue upperwings; female’s are dark brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; sometimes discovered at dusk being attended by ants. Very local and restricted to chalk and limestone grassland in southern England.
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  • Chalkhill Blue Polyommatus coridon Wingspan 40mm. Iconic downland butterfly, males of which are a unique colour amongst British blues. Adult male has pale sky-blue upperwings; female’s are dark brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; sometimes discovered at dusk being attended by ants. Very local and restricted to chalk and limestone grassland in southern England.
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  • DWARF MILKWORT Polygala amarella (Height to 10cm) is a delicate downland perennial. It is similar to Chalk Milkwort but is smaller overall with tiny, usually pinkish flowers, 3-5mm long (May-Aug). It grows on chalk downs in Kent.
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  • BEDSTRAW BROOMRAPE Orobanche caryophyllacea (Orobanchaceae) Height to 30cm. A distinctive plant, as broomrapes go. Its flowers are pinkish white or creamy yellow, clove-scented, and borne in spikes (June-July). As its name suggests, the plant is a parasite of bedstraws and grows in grassland, mainly on dunes but rarely also on downland. It is easiest to locate at Sandwich Bay in Kent.
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  • ROUGH MARSH-MALLOW Althaea hirsuta (Malvaceae) Height to 60cm. Upright annual with simple and starry hairs. Found on downland and arable margins. FLOWERS are 25mm across, cup-shaped and long-stalked; pink petals are similar in length to sepals (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are rounded flat capsules. LEAVES are rounded at plant base but dissected up stem. STATUS-Rare, possibly native to Kent and Somerset.
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  • Small Blue Cupido minimus Wingspan 25mm. Britain’s smallest butterfly; extremely active in sunshine, lethargic on overcast days. Adults have smoky-brown upperwings, those of males having a purplish iridescence; underwings of both sexes are grey with small black dots. Flies June–July. Larva is grub-like and feeds on Kidney Vetch. Very locally common in England, Wales and southern Ireland; usually associated with chalk grassland because of  larval foodplant’s requirements.
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  • Marbled White Melanargia galathea Wingspan 50mm. Unmistakable meadow butterfly with a rather sluggish flight; feeds on the flowers of knapweeds and thistles. Adult has distinctive black and white patterns on upperwings; pattern is repeated on underwing although markings are subdued and there is an overall yellowish suffusion. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on grasses; strictly nocturnal. Locally common in southeast and central-southern England. Favours undisturbed meadows and downs, often on chalk but also on neutral soils.
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  • Marsh Fritillary Euphydryas aurinia Wingspan 40-50mm. A rather lethargic butterfly, that is fond of basking in sunshine. Adult is beautifully marked with reddish-orange, buff and yellow; upperwings are more colourful than underwings. Flies May–June. Larva is black with tufts of spiny hairs; feeds on Devil’s-bit Scabious and plantains. Widespread but very local on heaths and chalk grassland; mainly in southwest England and Wales, and southwest Scotland.
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  • Spotted Crake Porzana porzana L 19-22cm. Secretive wetland bird. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown upperparts and blue-grey underparts, all adorned with white spots; note dark-centred feathers on back and striking barring on flanks. Bill is yellow with a red base; face is marked with black and undertail coverts are pale buff. Legs and feet are greenish. Juvenile lacks adult’s dark face and throat and blue-grey elements of plumage are buffish grey. Voice Male’s territorial call is a repetitive whiplash-like whistle, uttered after dark. Status Migrant visitor. Favours impenetrable wetlands so breeding status is impossible to assess accurately.
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  • Marsh Fritillary Euphydryas aurinia Wingspan 40-50mm. A rather lethargic butterfly, that is fond of basking in sunshine. Adult is beautifully marked with reddish-orange, buff and yellow; upperwings are more colourful than underwings. Flies May–June. Larva is black with tufts of spiny hairs; feeds on Devil’s-bit Scabious and plantains. Widespread but very local on heaths and chalk grassland; mainly in southwest England and Wales, and southwest Scotland.
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  • Marbled White Melanargia galathea Wingspan 50mm. Unmistakable meadow butterfly with a rather sluggish flight; feeds on the flowers of knapweeds and thistles. Adult has distinctive black and white patterns on upperwings; pattern is repeated on underwing although markings are subdued and there is an overall yellowish suffusion. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on grasses; strictly nocturnal. Locally common in southeast and central-southern England. Favours undisturbed meadows and downs, often on chalk but also on neutral soils.
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  • Duke of Burgundy Hamearis lucina Wingspan 25mm. A tiny butterfly, unrelated to true fritillary butterflies. Flight is rapid and buzzing. Adult has upperwings that are beautifully patterned with orange and brown; underwings, particularly hindwings, have striking white spots. Flies May–June. Larva is brown and is nocturnal; feeds mainly on Cowslip but also Primrose. Local and declining, confined to chalk downs in southern England where larval foodplants grow.
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  • Small Blue - Cupido minimus - male (top row) - female (bottom row). Wingspan 25mm. Britain’s smallest butterfly; extremely active in sunshine, lethargic on overcast days. Adults have smoky-brown upperwings, those of males having a purplish iridescence; underwings of both sexes are grey with small black dots. Flies June–July. Larva is grub-like and feeds on Kidney Vetch. Very locally common in England, Wales and southern Ireland; usually associated with chalk grassland because of  larval foodplant’s requirements.
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  • Grayling - Hipparchia semele - male (top) - female (bottom). Wingspan 50mm. An active, sun-loving butterfly. Typically rests with its wings folded and angled to sun to cast the least shadow. Adult has well patterned underwings: hindwing is marbled grey and brown while forewing has an orange patch with two eyespots. Forewings are seldom revealed at rest, but are buffish brown with a yellowish submarginal band marked with eyespots. Flies June–August. Larva feeds on grasses. Widespread but only locally common, favouring warm, dry places including sea cliffs, heaths and dunes.
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  • Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus L 38-45cm. Secretive, dry-country wader best known for its eerie calls. Well camouflaged in dry grassland and hard to spot. In flight, looks long-winged and gull-like, with striking black and white pattern on upperwing. Sexes are similar. Adult has streaked sandy brown plumage; black and white wingbars can be seen in standing birds. Has yellow legs, black-tipped yellow bill and large yellow eyes. Juvenile is similar to adult but markings are less distinctive. Voice Utters strange, curlew-like wails at dusk and throughout night. Status Scarce migrant visitor. Nests on chalk downs, Breckland heaths and suitably managed arable farmland.
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  • Duke of Burgundy - Hamearis lucina - male (top row) - female (bottom row). Wingspan 25mm. A tiny butterfly, unrelated to true fritillary butterflies. Flight is rapid and buzzing. Adult has upperwings that are beautifully patterned with orange and brown; underwings, particularly hindwings, have striking white spots. Flies May–June. Larva is brown and is nocturnal; feeds mainly on Cowslip but also Primrose. Local and declining, confined to chalk downs in southern England where larval foodplants grow.
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  • Spotted Crake Porzana porzana L 19-22cm. Secretive wetland bird. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly brown upperparts and blue-grey underparts, all adorned with white spots; note dark-centred feathers on back and striking barring on flanks. Bill is yellow with a red base; face is marked with black and undertail coverts are pale buff. Legs and feet are greenish. Juvenile lacks adult’s dark face and throat and blue-grey elements of plumage are buffish grey. Voice Male’s territorial call is a repetitive whiplash-like whistle, uttered after dark. Status Migrant visitor. Favours impenetrable wetlands so breeding status is impossible to assess accurately.
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  • Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus L 38-45cm. Secretive, dry-country wader best known for its eerie calls. Well camouflaged in dry grassland and hard to spot. In flight, looks long-winged and gull-like, with striking black and white pattern on upperwing. Sexes are similar. Adult has streaked sandy brown plumage; black and white wingbars can be seen in standing birds. Has yellow legs, black-tipped yellow bill and large yellow eyes. Juvenile is similar to adult but markings are less distinctive. Voice Utters strange, curlew-like wails at dusk and throughout night. Status Scarce migrant visitor. Nests on chalk downs, Breckland heaths and suitably managed arable farmland.
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  • Marsh Fritillary Euphydryas aurinia Wingspan 40-50mm. A rather lethargic butterfly, that is fond of basking in sunshine. Adult is beautifully marked with reddish-orange, buff and yellow; upperwings are more colourful than underwings. Flies May–June. Larva is black with tufts of spiny hairs; feeds on Devil’s-bit Scabious and plantains. Widespread but very local on heaths and chalk grassland; mainly in southwest England and Wales, and southwest Scotland.
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  • Marsh Fritillary Euphydryas aurinia Wingspan 40-50mm. A rather lethargic butterfly, that is fond of basking in sunshine. Adult is beautifully marked with reddish-orange, buff and yellow; upperwings are more colourful than underwings. Flies May–June. Larva is black with tufts of spiny hairs; feeds on Devil’s-bit Scabious and plantains. Widespread but very local on heaths and chalk grassland; mainly in southwest England and Wales, and southwest Scotland.
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  • Small Blue Cupido minimus Wingspan 25mm. Britain’s smallest butterfly; extremely active in sunshine, lethargic on overcast days. Adults have smoky-brown upperwings, those of males having a purplish iridescence; underwings of both sexes are grey with small black dots. Flies June–July. Larva is grub-like and feeds on Kidney Vetch. Very locally common in England, Wales and southern Ireland; usually associated with chalk grassland because of  larval foodplant’s requirements.
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  • Duke of Burgundy Hamearis lucina Wingspan 25mm. A tiny butterfly, unrelated to true fritillary butterflies. Flight is rapid and buzzing. Adult has upperwings that are beautifully patterned with orange and brown; underwings, particularly hindwings, have striking white spots. Flies May–June. Larva is brown and is nocturnal; feeds mainly on Cowslip but also Primrose. Local and declining, confined to chalk downs in southern England where larval foodplants grow.
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  • Marbled White Melanargia galathea Wingspan 50mm. Unmistakable meadow butterfly with a rather sluggish flight; feeds on the flowers of knapweeds and thistles. Adult has distinctive black and white patterns on upperwings; pattern is repeated on underwing although markings are subdued and there is an overall yellowish suffusion. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on grasses; strictly nocturnal. Locally common in southeast and central-southern England. Favours undisturbed meadows and downs, often on chalk but also on neutral soils.
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  • Duke of Burgundy Hamearis lucina Wingspan 25mm. A tiny butterfly, unrelated to true fritillary butterflies. Flight is rapid and buzzing. Adult has upperwings that are beautifully patterned with orange and brown; underwings, particularly hindwings, have striking white spots. Flies May–June. Larva is brown and is nocturnal; feeds mainly on Cowslip but also Primrose. Local and declining, confined to chalk downs in southern England where larval foodplants grow.
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  • Northern Brown Argus Aricia artaxerxes Wingspan 25mm. A distinctive butterfly and the northern counterpart of the Brown Argus. Adult has rich brown upperwings and orange submarginal spots; compared to Brown Argus note the white spot on the upper forewing. Underwings are grey-brown with white-ringed black spots, and orange submarginal spots. Flies June-July. Larva is grub-like and feeds on Common Rock-rose. Very local in calcareous grassland in northern England and Scotland.
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  • Marsh Fritillary Euphydryas aurinia Wingspan 40-50mm. A rather lethargic butterfly, that is fond of basking in sunshine. Adult is beautifully marked with reddish-orange, buff and yellow; upperwings are more colourful than underwings. Flies May–June. Larva is black with tufts of spiny hairs; feeds on Devil’s-bit Scabious and plantains. Widespread but very local on heaths and chalk grassland; mainly in southwest England and Wales, and southwest Scotland.
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  • Duke of Burgundy Hamearis lucina Wingspan 25mm. A tiny butterfly, unrelated to true fritillary butterflies. Flight is rapid and buzzing. Adult has upperwings that are beautifully patterned with orange and brown; underwings, particularly hindwings, have striking white spots. Flies May–June. Larva is brown and is nocturnal; feeds mainly on Cowslip but also Primrose. Local and declining, confined to chalk downs in southern England where larval foodplants grow.
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  • Small Blue Cupido minimus Wingspan 25mm. Britain’s smallest butterfly; extremely active in sunshine, lethargic on overcast days. Adults have smoky-brown upperwings, those of males having a purplish iridescence; underwings of both sexes are grey with small black dots. Flies June–July. Larva is grub-like and feeds on Kidney Vetch. Very locally common in England, Wales and southern Ireland; usually associated with chalk grassland because of  larval foodplant’s requirements.
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  • BULBOUS BUTTERCUP Ranunculus bulbosus (Ranunculaceae) Height to 40cm. Hairy perennial of dry grassland, including chalk downs. Note the swollen stem base. FLOWERS are 20-30mm across with 5 bright yellow petals and reflexed sepals; borne on furrowed stalks (Mar-Jul). FRUITS are smooth. LEAVES are divided into 3 lobes, each of which is stalked. STATUS-Widespread and often abundant.
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  • Northern Brown Argus Aricia artaxerxes Wingspan 25mm. A distinctive butterfly and the northern counterpart of the Brown Argus. Adult has rich brown upperwings and orange submarginal spots; compared to Brown Argus note the white spot on the upper forewing. Underwings are grey-brown with white-ringed black spots, and orange submarginal spots. Flies June-July. Larva is grub-like and feeds on Common Rock-rose. Very local in calcareous grassland in northern England and Scotland.
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  • Mother Shipton - Callistege mi
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  • Duke of Burgundy Hamearis lucina Wingspan 25mm. A tiny butterfly, unrelated to true fritillary butterflies. Flight is rapid and buzzing. Adult has upperwings that are beautifully patterned with orange and brown; underwings, particularly hindwings, have striking white spots. Flies May–June. Larva is brown and is nocturnal; feeds mainly on Cowslip but also Primrose. Local and declining, confined to chalk downs in southern England where larval foodplants grow.
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