This colourful butterfly is common throughout the British Isles and often turns up in local gardens; however a decline in numbers has been noticed in Sutton Park during the last couple of years, a decline which has also been noticed in other parts of the country. Hopefully this is due to natural fluctuations in numbers which can occur from time to time, nevertheless, the progress of this species should be watched carefully in forthcoming seasons.
Usually double brooded and flying on warm sunny days throughout the year, this butterfly hibernates as an adult insect during the winter. Caterpillar food plant: Stinging Nettle.

Like the Small Tortoishell this butterfly is a regular garden visitor which can be found flying throughout England, Wales, Ireland and much of Southern and Western Scotland. Large vividly coloured upper wings with patterned 'Peacock Eye Patches' make this insect unmistakable and it can be seen, flying during most months on warm sunny days almost anywhere in Sutton Park. The Peacock hibernates as an adult insect during the winter. Caterpillar food plant: Stinging Nettle.

At the beginning of the 20th Century this butterfly was confined to Herefordshire and the Welsh Borders, however it's range expanded rapidly during the latter half of the last century and now extends to most of southern England and Wales. Another frequent visitor to gardens the Comma is also now a regularly encountered Sutton Park resident. Found on most open ground, often along hedgerows or woodland edges. This butterfly has a distinct ragged outline which offers good camouflage when hiding or hibernating amongst dead leaves. Flying on warm sunny day's throughout the year this species hibernates as an adult during winter. Caterpillar food plants: i) Stinging Nettle, ii) Hop. Note: A change in preference of food plant, from Hop to Nettle, may have contributed towards the apparent success of this species.

Some years this butterfly may be seen throughout the summer almost everywhere in Sutton Park, and then several years may lapse with hardly a single specimen being recorded. This has much to do with the butterflies migratory habits. Immigrants from North Africa colonise the British Isles annually, breeding throughout the summer months. A few specimens usually find their way to Sutton Park during most years, but unfortunately they are unable to survive the British winter. Caterpillar food plants: various Thistle species.

The Red Admiral is another migratory species which can fluctuate greatly in numbers from year to year. Generally more common than the Painted Lady, the Red Admiral arrives in Sutton Park from Central and Southern Europe regularly each year, breeding throughout the summer, and hibernating in small numbers as an adult insect throughout the winter. Caterpillar food plant: Stinging Nettle.

Present Status: Extinct in Sutton Park. Recorded as a resident species in the 1965 Guide to Sutton Park, this butterfly has been extinct there for many years now, probably even prior to 1965. During the last fifty years the species has disappeared from many former haunts within the British Isles, even on well managed sites, and for reasons which are often hard to explain. Isolated colonies like those that used to exist in Sutton Park would always have been the most likely to fail through inbreeding and disease, or through attacks by parasitic wasps. However with the implementation of better management plans and an increase in devils bit scabious, (the caterpillar food plant), a reintroduction programme for the Marsh Fritillary in Sutton Park must now be seen as a serious possibility. Refer to Sutton Park Management Plan 2002 / 2007 by Dr. Stefan Bodnar.

Present Status: Extinct in Sutton Park. Recorded as a resident species in the 1965 guide, this butterfly probably became extinct in Sutton Park as a direct lack of suitable habitat management policies during the mid 20th century. Birch, willow and other invasive species were allowed to colonise formally open areas of wetland and heath, and coppicing practises in the area were neglected. This led to diminishing supplies of marsh violet, the preferred caterpillar food plant for the S.P.B.F. in Sutton Park. Now, with better management practises, the marsh violets have returned in good numbers and it is hoped that soon a re-introduction programme for this species may be put into operation. Refer to Sutton Park Management Plan 2002 / 2007 by Dr. Stefan Bodnar.

Present Status: Extinct in Sutton Park. Listed as a resident species in the 1965 guide book to Sutton Park, this impressive insect has now disappeared from the majority of it's former U.K. haunts. Nationally endangered, the species is now confined to a few scattered locations in the West of Britain; from Devon and Cornwall in the South, a few parts of Wales and the Bordering Counties, reaching to North Lancashire and Cumbria in the North. Upon first impressions Sutton Park, under a specifically planned rotational coppicing programme, would appear to be the ideal environment for the H.B.F. Even the invasive bracken which can be a threat to so many species has certain benefits which can improve the well being for this butterfly. However, dog violet, the preferred caterpillar food plant, is surprisingly uncommon in Sutton Park and it is hard to imagine that even the Park's improving quantities of marsh violets would be sufficient enough to support a re-introduction programme for this species. Unfortunately I have no information with regard to the former status of this butterfly in Sutton Park.

An extremely rare migrant from the continent. One was seen on several occasions near to Blackroot Mill during the summer of 1996. Although a rare and irregular visitor to Britain, this species finds it's way here during most years in very small numbers, with occasional years producing somewhat more of these large beautiful insects. Possibilities for future encounters with this butterfly in Sutton Park can therefore never totally be ruled out. (This butterfly was not included on the 1965 list).