The glories of a southern summer are here to delight us, including a wealth of activity in the natural world around us in Sussex - see our monthly Nature Now diary for the lowdown.

And what could be more iconic of summertime than the sight of diverse and colourful butterflies floating over nearby downland or flitting around our parks and gardens?

Such winged wonders are the subject of this month's Bio Blog by charismatic local 'lepidopterist' Michael Blencowe of the Sussex Wildlife Trust, who reveals the riches awaiting your discovery when you next venture out.

We encourage everyone to have a go at the 'big butterfly count' later this month (14th July - 6th August), by spending just 15 minutes noting down the butterflies you see as part of a nationwide recording effort to help conserve this well-loved and precious element of our wildlife. Your help will make a difference!

Michael is also the co-author of a seminal new book on "The Butterflies of Sussex", in which every butterfly species is described in sumptuous detail, together with the first ever published 'where to watch' guide. 

Top places for butterfly-watching in The Living Coast include:

Pavilion Gardens , Brighton - grab a sandwich and sunbathe, while looking up at the elm trees for the elusive  White-letter Hairstreak

Whitehawk Hill , Brighton- home to as many butterfly species as you’ll find in downland, despite its urban locale

Bevendean Down , Brighton - a rich butterfly fauna found on the urban fringe

Castle Hill , Woodingdean– the flower-rich slopes of this downland valley are home to many species

Malling Down , Lewes - the Combe at Sussex Wildlife Trust’s nature reserve is a real hotspot for rare  Silver-spotted Skippers and Adonis Blues

We're proud too to announce that we have a beautiful new postershowcasing all forty 'Butterflies of The Living Coast' now available - see our Bio Blog piece for details. 

Summer sees lots of outdoor activities going on of course - including a host of eco-events for you to choose from in our Calendar. A number of these focus on butterflies, if you'd like to expand your interest, including a session with national expert Matthew Oates on 23rd July. Or alternatively you can have fun on the foreshore at the 'Marine & Clean' rock-pooling event in Newhaven on 1st July?   

Happy hunting for our beautiful butterflies!
    
Rich Howorth
Brighton & Lewes Downs Biosphere Partnership

**Image: Adonis Blue by Michael Blencowe