Nearly the end of the year, butterdamseldragon season truly over, so time to recap 2023.
In terms of butterflies, we saw a record total of 39 species (two more than last year), which included two new species: pearl-bordered fritillary and marsh fritillary
As to damseldragonflies, we saw the same number of species as last year: 26. One new species this year: scarce blue-tailed damselfly
So overall we saw 65 butterdamseldragonfly species, two more than last year and the highest year total so far!
In our front and back garden. we saw two more butterfly species than last year, and definitely higher numbers than last year. The Buddleia bushes in both front and rear garden proved a big draw:
And the 13 species included a purple hairstreak for the first time!
Only a single dragonfly species, though it was one we hadn't seen in the garden before: a southern hawker female, seen twice.
And what about next year plans? Clearly, loads of new species, as in 2021, will never happen again. And obviously, the more species we have seen, the fewer are left to see, and the further away these occur. But we do still hope we'll be able to see one or two new butterfly species and one or two new damseldragonfly species. Time will tell!
