Weird NewsPET OF THE DAY
Thousands of butterflies surprise experts on restored West Sussex…
The South Downs National Park says the farm is renaturing 330 acres and recorded twenty-eight species this year; the wheat declined to comment.
On air: Gloria Vance and Kenji Moonfield on BBN OvernightPublished
Photo: Charles J. Sharp · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0Watch it as it aired: Gloria Vance and Kenji Moonfield on this story, from BBN Overnight at 1:53 AM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are The Guardian's, the jokes are ours.
At a glance
- First reported by The Guardian: “‘This isn’t greenwashing’: thousands of butterflies surprise experts on restored West Sussex farmland”, with reporting from Sussex Express and South Downs National Park Authority.
- Covered on BBN on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 1:53 AM ET on BBN Overnight, by Gloria Vance and Kenji Moonfield.
- Topics: Delonte West.
- BBN covered this story before: Why a West Coast storm may be the start of something much bigger (October 21).
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
- The Guardian‘This isn’t greenwashing’: thousands of butterflies surprise experts on restored West Sussex farmland
- Sussex ExpressSouth Downs rewilding project boosts butterfly numbers at beauty spot October 22, 2026 · facts used on air
- South Downs National Park AuthorityNature recovery success at South Downs National Park farm as butterflies boom - South Downs National Park Authority October 22, 2026 · facts used on air
What BBN said about it
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThousands of butterflies have turned up on West Sussex farmland that was barren wheatfields just two years ago, and experts say they're surprised, The Guardian reports.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentTwo years. I've had a houseplant for longer than that and it's still just a stick.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe count at Halnaker Hill farm is five thousand two hundred and ninety butterflies, including rare small blues and dingy skippers. That earns a ceremony.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentA ceremony? Okay, I'll get the folding chairs.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorBy the authority vested in this desk, the swarm is hereby named the Rookie of the Year, Wheatfield Division.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentStat line: two seasons played, twenty-eight species, five thousand two hundred and ninety fans, zero apologies to the pesticides.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe research adds that two nationally important species were recorded there for the first time. A scouting report nobody saw coming.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentFirst time ever? That's a debut.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorI have covered many fields, and I did not expect to be moved by this one.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThey came back when given space, time and love. To the wheat, which stepped aside, our deepest gratitude.
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Photo: Antiquary · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
Photo: Official SpaceX Photos · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
Photo: NOAA/NASA · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
Photo: อภิชิต พีรทิตยา · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Antiquary · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
Photo: Paxson Woelber · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Rushenb · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 3.0
The story so far
- Rain ends India-West Indies T20, and Croatia slices ham for a record · Al Jazeera
- French filmmaker's West Virginia trip, a Kate Hudson workout and a… · Yahoo Creators
- Rams lose 18-16 to Cardinals, sink to last in NFC West · Fox News
- A Kelvin wave raised sea levels on the West Coast · NPR
- "Rent" returns to the West End for 30th anniversary revival · CBS News
- Why a West Coast storm may be the start of something much bigger · The Washington Post
- Thousands of butterflies surprise experts on restored West Sussex… (this story)
From the archive: everything BBN aired on Thursday, October 22, 2026 · the Weird News archive · all months
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