Brimstones are an uncommon visitor to the reserve, with only a single individual being recorded during the weekly surveys of 2011. Picture Ray Baker

Brown Argus was first recorded on the reserve in 2011. Picture Ray Baker

Brown Hairstreak. A very rare and localised butterfly. This species normally gather around an ash 'master-tree' where the males and females pair up, with the eggs being laid on nearby blackthorn bushes. Only one individual has been seen on the reserve - in August 2012.

Clouded Yellow. One of those butterflies that have good years and bad years. Only ever recorded once on the reserve, by Derek Slade spinney. Picture Ray Baker

Commas are a medium large, brightly coloured butterfly seen in the butterfly garden and elsewhere. They are called 'commas' because of the white, comma-shaped mark on the underwing. Picture Ray Baker

Common Blues have had 2 good years in the reserve (2011 not as good as 2010) and best place to see them is by the ditch next to the path leading from the pond to the Coldharbour entrance. Beware - females Common Blues are actually brown and look a bit like Brown Argus! Picture Ray Baker

Dingy Skipper is a small, fast-flying butterfly first recorded in the reserve during 2011. This is a likely result of our good habitat management, so a feather in our caps! Picture Ray Baker

Essex Skipper. As you will see, this species is very similar to the Small Skipper differing only in the colouration of the underside of the antenna. In males, there is also a difference in the sex-brand, which in Essex Skipper is straighter and more parallel to the wing-edge than in Small Skipper. Picture Ray Baker

After a few poor years, Gatekeepers have enjoyed a recovery since 2010 and are now one of the most numerous butterflies in the reserve, favouring hedges during July and August. Picture Ray Baker

Green-veined Whites are probably more common on the reserve than it might appear, as they are fast-moving, seldom settle for long and can easily be confused with Small White and female Orange-tips. Ids can only be confirmed with a good view of the green-veined underwing. Picture Ray Baker

Holly Blue is the only UK butterfly with a blue underwing and they spend much more time in trees and hedges than other Blues, which tend to favour meadows. Seen often in the car-park by the allotments. Picture Ray Baker

Despite their name, Large Skippers are not all that big! Best identified by being a bit bigger than other Skippers and by the pale panels in the upperwing. Picture Ray Baker

Large Whites are seen throughout the reserve - this is the 'cabbage white' beloved by gardeners! Picture Ray Baker

Meadow Browns are our most numerous butterflies and can be seen on any of the meadows during their flight period between May-Aug. Picture Ray Baker

Orange-tips are a colourful butterfly of spring hedges. We failed to record any on the reserve during the 2011 surveys, which is a worry. Picture Ray Baker

Painted Lady is a butterfly that migrates, so numbers seen often depend upon continental weather patterns. 2009 was a very good year in the UK generally, but this species has not been recorded on the reserve since. Picture Ray Baker

Purple Emperor. An extremely good sighting! Seen just once on the reserve in the butterfly garden. Picture Copyright Pete Eeleswww.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Peacocks are one of our largest and most colourful butterflies. Often seen on the buddlieas in the butterfly garden. Picture Ray Baker

Purple Hairstreak are far more common in the UK than records suggest, as they are so difficult to see and identify - spending most of their time high in the tree canopy. Check oaks and ash trees in Jul-Aug, but bring binoculars! Picture Ray Baker

Red Admirals are seen throughout the year and even surprisingly throughout the winter, when a warm snap will wake them from hibernation. Picture Ray Baker

A success story. Numbers of Ringlets have been increasing in the reserve in recent years and 2011 was the highest total ever. Picture Ray Baker

Small Coppers really are small. Often seen by the path-side ditch towards Coldharbour. Picture Ray Baker

Small Skippers are one of a pair of species (with Essex Skippers) which are very hard to separate - the best field mark being the colour of the underside of the antenna! As a consequence, the 2 species are often lumped together for recording purposes and have shown a significant decrease in 2011, following 2 good years. Picture Ray Baker

Small Tortoiseshells have enjoyed a very mixed history... From being one of our most common butterflies until about 10 years ago, to being decimated by a parasitic fly, to now enjoying a minor recovery. Not recorded in reserve however in 2011. Picture Ray Baker

Small Whites are quite common on the reserve, although difficult to see well as they are very active. Picture Ray Baker

Speckled Wood are the most frequently-seen butterfly on the reserve, favouring any area with trees, particularly Coldharbour Copse and the area around the allotments and butterfly garden. Picture Ray Baker