On Saturday 21 July find out more about the beautiful butterflies of Stedham Common with Sussex Wildlife Trust.

This introductory course looks at the key species of this lowland heath including peacocks, red admirals and the tiny silver-studded blue butterflies that can be seen fluttering over the bell heather in summer.

Already on the wing, the sedentary silver-studded blues only travel an average of 30 metres in their lifetime. Confined to small, fragmented heathland areas such as Stedham Common, they are reliant on some of the ant species found on the heath. The ants are duped into taking the caterpillars down into their subterranean nests and tending them, until they emerge the following year as an adult butterfly.

Following a morning’s classroom session looking at butterfly identification, specialist heathland species and survey techniques, the rest of this course is spent out on the reserve undertaking some survey work and looking out for the specialities of the site.

The session runs from 10:00-15:00. Please bring a clipboard if you have one. Please meet at Stedham Village Hall, near Midhurst for the morning’s classroom session.

Cost for members & concessions: £22.50. Non-members: £30.
Booking essential please ring Filma Dyer on 01273 497561.

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