Gatekeeper

 

Gatekeeper

 Gatekeeper or Hedge Brown (Pyronia tithonus) on oregano

July 2025

                               July 2026

We have seen many Gatekeeper or Hedge Brown (Pyronia tithonus) butterflies in recent days. They are called gatekeepers because they are often found in meadow edges, hedgerows, and field gateways where wildflowers grow. They are very common and widespread in Southern England and are on the wing from July to August.

Cultivated yarrow comes in a range of colours. 

Wild yarrow (Achillea) is white or cream

Gatekeepers are often confused with the Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) but are a brighter orange and have two white ‘pupils’ in the black eye spot on their wings. Meadow Browns also have a black eye spot but with only one white spot on it. They can be seen from June to September, and I was pleased to see one in the garden alongside the busy gatekeepers. They were attracted to the buddleja and the yarrow (Achillea)

 Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina)  July 2026

      Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) on hydrangea 

July 2025

Gatekeepers and Meadow Browns are brush-footed butterflies, or Nymphalidae, belonging to the ‘brown’ or Satyrinae sub-family. They are sometimes called ‘four-footed’ butterflies, because they appear to have only four legs. The first pair of legs are short and hairy and look like brushes, and so they rest on only four legs.

The name Satyrinae originates from the Greek Satyros. Satyrs were creatures of the woods, and the ‘browns’ are often seen in shaded woodland glades. They do not share the other characteristics of satyrs, however.

July busyness

 

July busyness

It has been a delight to see numbers of Gatekeeper butterflies (Pyronia tithonus) fluttering about the oregano flowers and settling on them to feed.

  Gatekeepers are often known as Hedge browns. They emerge in July and August and breed one generation. The caterpillars feed on tall meadow grass, then overwinter as larvae. They then pupate in the spring, before hatching as butterflies in the family of Browns.

Their wings are orange and brown, with one small black spot on the forewing. Each spot carries two small white spots. These spots mark the difference between the Hedge brown and its close cousin, the Meadow brown. The latter has just one white pupil on its black wing spot.

                I think I saw Meadow browns (Maniola jurtina) in the garden, too.

                                                Small white

Small and Large Whites were flying, but would not settle for their photographic opportunity. The photographs above were taken a few years ago, when a Small white, or Cabbage butterfly, (Pieris rapae) had come into the conservatory to lay her eggs.

            

As I sat watching, a Holly blue (Celastrina argiolus) came to rest on the oregano. The oregano flowers have proved very popular. I  think they provide great quantities of pollen.

                

                            

                

            

            Meanwhile, on the Lavatera, a huge bumble bee was in apparent                         ecstasy, turning this way and that on its bright pink couch.

    

There were numbers of hoverflies, bees large and small in a variety of stripes and patterns, and a myriad of other pollinators, from very noticeable to almost microscopic.

Early August in the forest

Early August in the forest

Bill junior is lighter in colour than his father

Bill and Beatrice Crow daily demand their biscuits. Bill is still the more confident bird and comes down from the tree immediately he spots that a biscuit has been thrown for him. The two young have been reduced to one, a very noisy and insistent bird that follows Bill to the ground, not to pick up the food but to squawk to be fed. Bill flies off and the youngster follows.

Frodo, Buster, Tia, Foxy, Janice, Gus, Bertie, Jenna

We decided to visit some of the ponds we’ve seen from a distance. Since the fire of May 2011 that destroyed so many trees the Forestry Commission has worked hard to clear and replant, helped by local volunteers. 

Buster, Bertie, Gus

New ponds have been dug and are full at the moment, a magnet for water-loving dogs.

In the distance you can see the Tuley tubes, protective tree sleeves to defend young saplings from foraging herbivores. They also accelerate growth because they act as a miniature greenhouse and channel growth into the main stem and roots. 60000 trees have been planted and are growing strongly.

Gatekeeper or Hedge Brown (Pyronia tithonus)

On our way back from our walk yesterday Barry spotted this butterfly. It is a Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus) or Hedge Brown and flies from mid-July to the end of August. It is common and widespread in the southern half of Britain and is gradually increasing its range northwards. This is a female – the male has a dark patch on his forewing that marks an area of scales (androconia) that produce scent to attract females.

It is known as the Gatekeeper because it is often found among flowers and grasses near field gates. Its alternative name indicates that it frequents hedges and the edges of fields.