Howbery Park

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A total of 24 species has been seen on the Howbery Park site over the period 1990-1999, which compares favourably with the list of about 60 species that can be seen in the whole of Britain. None of the species found on the site can be considered as rare – indeed if one were to pick the 24 commonest species in Britain they would correspond pretty closely to those found at Howbery Park. Thus, although the site certainly cannot be considered as one of "special scientific interest", it can be seen as a microcosm of the most typical British butterflies, and to that extent as a reflection of the fluctuating fortunes of those butterflies which most people with a passing interest in butterflies are likely to see.

However, no single year has achieved 24 species. Generally, the number of species has varied between 15 and 21, with 1996 and 1997 being the best years with 21 species. Since 1995, when the more systematic approach started, the number of species recorded has varied only between 19 and 21.

Excluding 1990, when records were sporadic, the species that have been seen every year are: Brimstone, Large, Small and Green-veined Whites, Common Blue, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Comma, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown. The Essex Skipper was not recorded until 1993, and the Ringlet not until 1997, though it is not clear whether this was because they were actually not present until then, or had just not been identified. Although the Wall Brown seemed a likely contender in 1990, none has been seen in the 10-year period, and since it has declined in the whole region over that time it is unlikely to appear.

Differences between the percentage of years each species was seen do not seem to be significantly different between the whole period 1990-99 and the latter half 1995-99, apart from the Ringlet as already mentioned.

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Analysis Procedure 10 Year Summary 5 Year Summary Skippers
Early Whites Common Whites Blues Migrants
Hibernators Woodland Browns Grassland Browns Occasionals