BROWNS

Gatekeeper

Pyronia tithonus

When to see:

Early July to Early September.
Peak: Mid July and August

Habitat:

Lanes, hedgerows, long grass

Where to see:

Anywhere

Foodplants:

Grass, Meadows, Couch, Fescues

Behaviour:

Perch

Grayling

Hipparchia semele

When to see:

July to End September.
Peak: July and August

Habitat:

Heathland, some downland

Where to see:

Hethfelton Wood, Higher Hyde, Studland, Portland Tout, Ham Common, Upton Heath North, Upton Heath South, Kinson Common

Foodplants:

Grass, Fescue, Hair

Behaviour:

Patrol

Marbled White

Melanargia galathea

When to see:

Mid June to End August.
Peak: July to End August

Habitat:

Flowery grassland, downland and rough ground.

Where to see:

Anywhere

Foodplants:

Grass, Fescues, Cocksfoot

Behaviour:

Perch/Patrol

Meadow Brown

Maniola jurtina

When to see:

Early June to Mid September.
Peak: Mid July to End August

Habitat:

Lanes, rides, long grass

Where to see:

Anywhere

Foodplants:

Grass, any, not fussy

Behaviour:

Perch/Patrol

Ringlet

Aphantopus hyperantus

When to see:

June to End August.
Peak: Mid June to Early August

Habitat:

Damp long grass, Bracken

Where to see:

Cashmoor, Clubmens Down, Deadmoor Common, Duncliffe Wood, Fifehead Wood, Fontmell Down, Hod Hill, Lydlinch Common, Melbury Down, Piddles Wood, Sovell Down, Stubhampton Bottom, Ballard Down, Corfe Castle Mound, Higher Hyde, Brackett's Coppice, Cerne Abbas, Kingcombe Stones, Lorton Meadows, Portland Broadcroft, Powerstock Railway, Badbury Rings, Garston Wood, Upton Heath North

Foodplants:

Grasses, Tufted Hair, Couch, Meadow

Behaviour:

Perch/Patrol

Small Heath

Coenonympha pamphilous

When to see:

Early May to Late July.
Early August to Early October.
Peak: June to Mid July, and Mid August to Mid September

Habitat:

Downland and drier grasslands

Where to see:

Cashmoor, Clubmens Down, Fontmell Down, Hod Hill, Melbury Down, Ballard Down, Durlston CP East, Durlston CP West, Tadnoll, Cerne Abbas, Lorton Meadows, Portland Broadcroft, Powerstock North, Powerstock Railway, Avon Heath CP North, Avon Heath CP South, Badbury Rings, Upton Heath North, Upton Heath South

Foodplants:

Generally finer grasses including fescues, bents and Dogs Tail.

Behaviour:

Patrol

Speckled Wood

Pararge aegeria

When to see:

Late March to Early October.
Peak: Early to Mid May, June to Early July, August and September.

Habitat:

Lanes, hedgerows, shady glades

Where to see:

Anywhere

Foodplants:

Grass, Cocksfoot, Couch

Behaviour:

Perch/Aggressive

WALL BROWN

Lasiommata megera

When to see:

May and June.
Early July to Mid September.
Late September to Mid October.
Peak: August to Early September, and Early October.

Habitat:

Downland and coasts.

Where to see:

Ballard Down, Durlston CP East, Durlston CP West, Portland Broadcroft, Portland Tout, Bindon Hill, Southfield Hogcliffe

Foodplants:

Grass, Tor, Cocksfoot, Yorkshire Fog.

Behaviour:

Perch/Patrol/Aggressive