Three shades of blue
The chalk quarry around the limekiln at the eastern end of the Down is an especially good place to look for butterflies because it acts as a sun trap.
Summer residents include:
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the vividly coloured Adonis blue (lives on Horseshoe vetch)
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the chalkhill blue (lives on horseshoe vetch)
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the common blue
Other chalk downland specialists
The brown Argus has a row of orange spots on its outer wing edges. It prefers to feed on rock rose found on chalky ground.
The distinctive marbled white appears to favour a diet of purple flowers.
The green hairstreak always settles with its wings closed and is well camouflaged against foliage.
Butterflies on the lower slopes of Mottistone Down
The boundary between the acid and chalk grassland is a good place to look for the powerful and fast-flying dark green fritillary in July, whereas you may find the grizzled skipper and dingy skipper difficult to follow in flight.
There are also graylings, meadow browns and the gatekeeper - so-called because it is often found where clumps of flowers grow in gateways.
