Review of trends in 2004

Changes in individual species: no highest or lowest indices

No species produced a highest or lowest index of the series (1976-2004) though 1 st generation Adonis Blue produced its second highest of the series. The Silver-washed Fritillary also produced its second highest index, the highest index being in 1976.

Spring species improved

Of the fifteen species which either fly in the Spring or have their first generation in the Spring all but two ( Dingy Skipper and Brown Argus ) showed an increase, although the increases for first generation Large White , Common Blue and Wall Brown were extremely small.

Good year for Holly Blue

The Holly Blue showed substantial increases in both broods with a 49% increase in the first brood and a large 260% increase.

A good year for fritillaries

Four of the five violet-feeding fritillaries showed increases in 2004. The biggest increases were for the Dark Green and Silver-washed Fritillaries with 40% and 64% increases respectively. The Pearl and Small Pearl Bordered Fritillaries showed smaller increases.

Relatively small changes amongst the Satyrids

Relatively small changes occurred amongst the browns and other satyrids. The Gatekeeper showed the biggest increase (20%), and the Small Heath retained its recovery of 2003. The biggest declines were shown by the Wall Brown (2 nd brood) (23%) and Ringlet (24%). This was 3 rd lowest for Wall Brown and the lowest since 1997. The Ringlet , however, remains high.