Nature lovers in Sussex will be able to discover some of the UK’s rarest and most spectacular butterflies this summer, following the launch of a new butterfly atlas.
The Butterflies of Sussex; A Twenty-First Century Atlas is the first publication in over twenty years to identify the region’s key species and the best places to see them, including tips on searching out exotic visitors like the Long-tailed Blue or Continental Swallowtail.
The atlas has been produced by the Sussex Branch of wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation (BC) and includes stunning photos of 53 species that have appeared in the county in recent years.
Sussex is home to the Duke of Burgundy – one of the rarest butterflies in the UK and now enthusiasts have access to tips on where to see this butterfly and information on the local conservation projects taking place to protect the ‘Duke’.
The atlas describes how by the mid 80’s this butterfly had completely disappeared from the east of the county and in 2003 just eight were recorded across the whole of Sussex.
Today, during a good season, more than 1,000 ‘Dukes’ can be seen from late April to mid-June and sightings are reported from the South Downs between Harting and Storrington.
BC’s Project Officer Neil Hulme co-authored the book with Michael Blencowe, the Vice Chair of BC’s Sussex Branch.
Neil said: “The Duke in Sussex really is a conservation success story, so it was important that this butterfly atlas not only offered people a chance to see the butterfly for themselves, but provided the background into all the volunteer hours spent on saving this species for future generations to enjoy.
“The Duke of Burgundy continues to spread across the county colonising new sites - so please take a look at this book to find out where you can see them. The atlas has been nearly ten years in the making, so I want to say a huge thank you to everyone involved.”
The Butterflies of Sussex; A Twenty-First Century Atlas, will be officially launched in Brighton on Thursday 25 May at the Booth Museum of Natural History.
Full of fascinating historical, geographical and meteorological detail, the atlas provides thorough context for the region as a butterfly hotspot.
Maps to show the distribution of each species are provided, along with information on the best time of year and key sites to find them.
Purchase your copy today - all profits from the sale of the atlas will go back into conservation work to save Sussex’s butterflies and their habitats
The atlas has been published through NatureBureau under its imprint, Pisces Publications.