The latest wildlife surveys at Halnaker Hill Farm have produced some very encouraging results, with a rich variety of butterfly species recorded across the farm.
Among the highlights were the Small Blue and Dingy Skipper, both recorded at Halnaker for the first time. The survey identified 85 Small Blue butterflies and seven Dingy Skippers, both recognised as species of principal importance under the NERC Act 2006.
The Small Blue is the UK’s smallest resident butterfly, growing to little more than the size of a fingernail.
The surveys also recorded 547 Small Heath butterflies and eight Sulphur Pearl moths, a much more localised species found mainly around coastal areas of southern Britain.
In total, 5,290 individual butterflies from 28 different species were recorded at Halnaker during 2026.
The surveys were carried out by experienced butterfly expert and conservationist Neil Hulme, who works with organisations including the South Downs National Park Authority and Butterfly Conservation.
These results are a positive indication of the increasing biodiversity across the farm and the progress being made as 330 acres of previously intensively farmed land are restored to a more varied natural landscape.
Butterflies are widely recognised as an important indicator of the health of the wider environment, and their growing presence at Halnaker demonstrates how quickly wildlife can respond when a greater variety of habitats is created.
The findings mark another encouraging step in the ongoing work at Halnaker Hill Farm to create a landscape where wildlife and nature can thrive.
Read more at halnakerhill.co.uk/news