Cubbin's Green (Wirral Way): Butterfies

Cubbin's Green and the area of the Wirral Way adjacent to it has several different types of land: sea-facing cliff; grassland on cliff top; shrubs; woods; hedgerows.

Here I record my sightings of butterflies.
  The guide to the Wirral Way mentions 10 butterfly species as present. Recent reports suggest that the Dingy Skipper (not to be confused with the Dinghy Skipper seen during yacht races) and White-letter Hairstreak have also been seen on the Wirral Way. A 2006 survey also mentions sightings of the Wall butterfly. I received a report that a Brimstone was spotted in March 2020 on Cubbins Green. And I saw one myself on 7 May 2020 on the "horse path" - no photo unfortunately.
  For a list of records of sightings in Cheshire to 2006 see here.

I am not an expert on butterflies: I rely on guides such as Butterflies of Britain and Ireland by J Thomas and R Lewington.

This is a list of 18 butterflies I have seen in the area - with my photos (not always very good images). Also largest number of that species seen on one walk around the area (with month).

• Orange tip image(m), image(m), image(m), image(f).[3: April]
• Comma image, image, image.[2: June]
• Small Tortoiseshell image, image, image. [2: March]
• Holly Blue image, image, image, image, image, image, image(f). [2: August]
• Peacock image, image, image, image(wings closed). [6: August]
• Meadow Brown image, image, image, image, image, image, image. [6: July]
• Speckled Wood image, image, image, image, image(underwing). [20: July]
• Gatekeeper image(f), image, image(m), image(f). [20: July]
• Common Blue image(m), image [7: August]
• Grayling image, image [previously recorded at Red Rocks][2: August]
• Green-veined White image(f), image(f), image(m), image, image, image. [12 whites: July - mostly Green-Veined]
• Small White image(1st brood male), image(2nd brood female), image(2nd brood female? or Green Veined White?), image, image(2nd brood male), image.
• Large White image, image, image
• Red Admiral image, image, image, image, image. [20: September]
• Large Skipper image, image. [1: July]
• Painted Lady image, image, image, image, image.[8: July]
• Small Copper image. [1: August]
• Brimstone (no photo).[1: May]

The most often seen are Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper and Speckled Wood.

On the seaside grassland, only Common Blue, Gatekeeper, Small Tortoiseshell, Painted lady, Meadow Brown, Grayling, Small Copper, Small White and Large White have been seen.

Thanks to Dr Nick Michael for help in identification.

Return to Cubbin's Green index or here.