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Welcome To London Butterfly Survey

1976-2025

< TO EXPLORE CLICK ON IMAGES>

This survey is a personal snapshot of arguably the most critical period in the natural history of Britain since the last ice age. The study comes from thousands of individual verified local records, many of which are represented here as early sightings. I regard the survey as a microcosm of the national picture. A simple system of abbreviations is used to define the areas under study, which by the nature of butterflies is is both loosely and also closely defined. Precise map locations and logged charts support the records where appropriate in respect of confined species. I do not pretend that this survey is scientific in the way of modern methodology, I don't use TQ for instance, but the data is sound. The approach used embraces a sort of personal logic, since it grew from a personal tragedy and was imbued from the outset with a sort of magic from necessity. From that perspective, while adoping a highly rational approach, I have also left my mind open to psychoid influences and thus the beauty and small miracles that occur in nature, so avoiding total capitulation to the obvious, but narrowly defined view that is part of the modern day 'scientific' approach.

Decline and redistribution of butterflies

There is no doubt that invertebrate populations in the UK have crashed, this decline includes our butterflies. We cannot reverse climate change, nor should we want to in respect of butterflies, since in many recent cases it is working in favour of our butterflies. The main causes of butterfly decline are far more obvious and far more insidious and in the majority of our local countryside there is a clear correlation between modern farming practices and the disastrous decline in the prevalence of invertebrates - and in all those species that depend upon them. I lived on a farm for nearly fifteen years and saw many abuses of nature first hand. In the remaining areas of public and private utility, such as parks and gardens, the picture is not so obvious. Most of our butterflies now depend on areas, either set aside for them, or parks and gardens, and the remaining small patches of rough land that are left through neglect. These neglected areas are some of the most exciting and 'natural', but hang in a precarious balance that some day soon the land will be grabbed for development. Unfortunately, among those directly related to public land management, and I mean those that wield the tools as well as the power, there is a pitiable lack of up to date knowledge and a far too ready tendency to pay lip service to conservation. Many practices are out of date, cost driven and have not caught up with the changes in the climate, or the changing disposition of our wildlife. There are also the illegal actions that go on under the cloak of landowner privacy. This combines with a dire ignorance of modern conservation law and protected species status.

Horticulture

Gardeners have a duty to preserve wildlife as much as conservationists, and any small patch left for wild flowers and nettles will help the cause. Education and the will to override the twin evils of ignorance and prejudice is now imperative. Garden centres, offer very little, where in many cases the plants that are bought are loaded with toxins designed to kill insects, added to which there is also a far too ready commercial incentive to push herbicides and insecticides as part of the sales package. Working first hand in a horticultural setting, I was appalled to see the outcome of this mindset.

Images and Video

All of the images and video have been produced as close as possible to the actual scale of the butterflies this work is ongoing and the details of the techniques and equipment I use is available on request. Anyone wishing to submit relevant images or video may do so using the contact link above.

Main Map of Areas We Cover

If a rough triangular segment of the map of South London and Kent is taken, it will encompass the environs of Grove Park, then East to Sidcup through to Dartford Heath, including Joydens Wood and Wilmington. Then moving South West it encompasses Swanley Village, Horton Kirby, Eynsford, Lullingstone, Shoreham and Otford/Kemsing. This is its extent, the line then moves West along the M25 to encompass Poll Hill, then North to Pilots Wood, Andrews Wood, Badgers Mount, High Elms, Keston, Hayes and then Bromley Common. Areas closer to Central London and the Thames

Abbreviations

BC - Bromley Common, including Bickley, Hook Farm, The Rookery and Elmfield. Ha-Hayes, including Hayes Farm and all areas towards Hayes Common and Keston. BN-Bromley North, including Grove Park and Downham. HE - High Elms country park and environs. Ey-Eynsford, including Lower and Upper Austin Lodge, Preston Hill and the Rifle Range. WH - White Hill Shoreham, including Fackenden Down and areas East of Shoreham Village towards Otford telephone exchange. Orp-Orpington, including Ruxley Reserve, Hobblingwell and Petts Wood. Lu - Lullingstone, including Golf course and surrounding areas and villages. AW - Andrews Wood, Pilots Wood, Badgers Mount and all the adjacent areas to the West and North West of Shoreham Village - TQ map, GPS, or nearest landmark places are also acceptable.

Emergence and Climate Change

First emergence dates is a guide to the identification of butterflies in the field, but over a long period it also provides a guide to the changing patterns of butterfly activity. Taken with weather charts, emergence is also a simple climate change monitor and it is for this reason I have included them where I have felt appropriate

Thanks in particular to Howard Walmsley and David Davis

© Rodney Compton

Rewilding