Chalk Hill Blue

This beautiful, silvery-blue butterfly, so characteristic of warm chalk and limestone hillsides, has declined throughout the last century, mainly as a result of ploughing of its downland habitat. The cessation of grazing by sheep and also by rabbits, following myxomatosis, has hastened this decline, allowing for the flowery sward to become overgrown and unsuitable.

Nevertheless, the species is still widespread and stable in much of southern England, and in some places the population may be huge.

Done