The 'Browns', also belong to the family Nymphalidae (but a different sub-family to the Vanessids and Fritillaries) having followed similar evolutionary paths resulting in the front pair of legs becoming disfunctional, brush-like appendages. The common name of 'Browns' indicates the predominant colour of these butterflies with some exceptions (like the Marbled White!).  Despite the predominantly brown colouring, the group contains some interesting species and one which is becoming very scarce, not only in Hampshire.

Of the species shown here, the Grayling, Small Heath and Wall are listed in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP) as priority species for conservation. 

Gatekeeper - Pyronia tithonus

Wingspan: ~37-47mm

The Gatekeeper has been gradually extending its range North in the UK aided by global warming and is normally very common in the South of England including Hampshire. Its former name of Hedge Brown indicates correctly that the butterfly is likely to be encountered along hedgerows, but it is also common in other areas where there are plenty of shrubs, including many woodland rides. As shown in the photos above, the female lacks the dark patch of scent scales on the forewing. The larvae feed on various grasses.

When to see: The flight period starts in early July through until late August.

Where to see: The butterfly is widespread in Hampshire and likely to be encountered anywhere which meets its habitat requirements, from country lanes with hedgerows to woodland (e.g. New Forest, Bentley Wood, Noar Hill). 

Grayling - Hipparchia semele

Wingspan: ~50-62mm

The Grayling is a species mainly associated with dry coastal heaths and dunes, and has declined from many of its former inland heath sites. In Hampshire it is found on dry heaths in the New Forest, several heathland areas in the north of the county,  as well as on a few coastal heaths. One would be forgiven for thinking that one of the main needs of the adult butterflies is to remain invisible. They often fly only when disturbed, seeming to fly a few yards, settle again with closed wings, and disappear, the underside colouring providing almost perfect camouflage. The only time the adults display open wings except in flight is during courtship, when the female will settle with splayed wings - a rare sight indeed.

When to see: The flight period is from early/mid July and lasts until early September, with the coastal colonies generally being the first to emerge.

Where to see: In the New Forest, heathland sites such as Beaulieu Heath and Godshill are normally reliable. In north Hampshire Yateley Common has a sizeable colony. A good coastal site and possibly the earliest Grayling emergence in Hampshire, is Browndown (S) near Gosport. 

Marbled White - Melanargia galathea

Wingspan: ~52-58mm

The Marbled White, despite its name is a member of the Browns and is widespread in Southern England. It is found on rough grassland, hillsides and meadows where it can be abundant, and can also be encountered in woodland clearings. It has a slow, flapping flight close to ground. The larvae feed on various grasses.

When to see: The flight period is usually from mid-June through until mid-August.

Where to see: The butterfly will usually be found in greater or lesser numbers in suitable habitat. Especially good sites are Magdalen Hill Down, Yew Hill and Old Winchester Hill. 

Meadow Brown - Maniola jurtina

Wingspan: ~ 40-60mm

The Meadow Brown is one of our most successful species and therefore not surprisingly also one of the commonest and most widespread.  It is essentially a butterfly of open grasslands and meadows, but can also thrive in scrub, woodland rides, parks and even cemeteries. It is also well adapted to our climate, and can be seen on the wing in cloudy conditions and even light rain. The female butterfly has light brown splashes on the forewings, whereas the male is a more uniform chocolate brown but retains the dark eye spot in the forewing. The larvae feed on various grasses including annual meadow grass.

When to see: There is only one generation per year, but the flight period is long from early June until early September.

Where to see: The species is so widespread that it will be found anywhere meeting its loose habitat requirements. Noar Hill and Bentley Wood provide good examples of grassland/scrub and woodland locations respectively for this species. 

Ringlet - Aphantopus hyperantus

Wingspan: ~42-52mm

Like the Gatekeeper, the Ringlet has also expanded its range in UK, and is widespread and very numerous in Hampshire.  The Ringlet is usually found in or close to woodland, such as along grassy rides and in clearings, but also along hedgerows and in meadows of long grasses especially where there are brambles close by.  It can be confused with the Meadow Brown, but has distinctive ringed spots on its underside wings. The larvae feed on various grasses.

When to see: The Ringlet has one generation each year, the flight period typically lasting from mid-June until mid-August.

Where to see: The Ringlet can be found in many of Hampshire's deciduous and mixed woodlands including the New Forest.  Specific sites include Whiteley Pastures and Bentley Wood, where it can be abundant. 

Small Heath - Coenonympha pamphilus

Wingspan: ~32-37mm

The Small Heath is a widespread species in UK, and also in Hampshire although it has suffered significant declines due to intensive agricultural practices. It prefers dry grassland habitats, but can be found also on heathland and coastal dunes, where there are fine grasses on which the larvae feed. The flight is low and fluttering with the butterflies rarely flying more than a few yards and always resting with closed wings, as in the photo.

When to see: There are two generations per year, the first emerging around mid-May, the second in early August, the flight periods typically lasting about 6 weeks.

Where to see: The butterfly will usually be found in suitable habitat but often only in modest numbers. Magdalen Hill Down, Old Winchester Hill and Stockbridge Down are decent sites.  In the New Forest I have encountered it on Beaulieu Heath, but expect there will be many other Forest heathland locations. 

Speckled Wood - Parage aegeria

Wingspan: ~46-56mm

The Speckled Wood is essentially a woodland species which is increasing its range, filling in former gaps in Northern and Eastern England. It has evolved an unusual survival strategy, in that it can over-winter either as a larva or pupa and as a result can be seen in almost any month of the year from April through to October. The Speckled Wood favours more shady conditions than many other woodland species, and will be found in glades where the sun's rays filter through the trees, where it will bask on leaves or the ground. The adults also feed on aphid honeydew high up in the trees and take nectar from flowers such as brambles. The larval foodplants are mainly coarse grasses such as cock's foot.

When to see: As indicated above the butterfly can be seen in any month between April and October, but is most numerous during August and early September.

Where to see: The butterfly can be found in many shady woodland areas, and is widespread in the New Forest. Specific Hampshire sites include Alice Holt Forest (Straits Inclosure) and Bentley Wood. 

Wall - Lasiommata megera

Wingspan; ~ 45-55mm

The Wall is arguably the most attractively marked of the Browns, but its status, especially in the South of England has suffered dramatically in the last 20 years, having virtually disappeared from its inland haunts and now largely confined to coastal areas. Its rapid decline is not fully understood although habitat loss is likely to be a factor. The butterfly favours dry open grassland with plenty of bare areas, such as paths and walls on which to bask (hence the name), and a good supply of wild flowers for nectar. The larvae feed on various grasses.

When to see: There are two main generations a year, each lasting just over one month, from early May and again from mid or late July. There is almost aways a small third generation in late September/early October.

Where to see: In Hampshire the butterfly is becoming very scarce although numbers fluctuate from year to year. The most reliable site in the county to see the butterfly is the Lymington-Keyhaven coastal nature reserve. Even here sightings are not guaranteed although  counts in double figures are reported in good seasons. The butterfly used to be seen regularly on Portsdown Hill and around Gilkicker Point near Gosport, but its survival in SE Hants now hangs by a thread. Nevertheless the species does occasionally turn up at other locations, after years of apparent absence.