I decided that whilst there , I would do the full two and a half hour butterfly transect , and so , put plenty of water in the car before setting off . It was obvious right from the start , that there had been an explosion in the number of Meadow Brown and Ringlet on the wing . Every blade of grass seemed to have one of either species on it , but by far and away the most productive areas were those that were not cut last Autumn . Having found Marbled Whites on Burnt Gorse last week , it was good to find 3 more here , well away from the originals . The main Conservation field , with the exception of a small area at the Cuckoo Wood car park end , was cut by tractor/mower , and the small area won hands down on numbers recorded . By the time I got to that area , it was good to get into shaded woodland , as the temperature was creeping relentlessly upwards . Along the track towards Burnt Gorse , I stopped to check on the 2 Violet 
Helleborines , and I'm glad to say they are doing very well , with the first found one beginning to unfurl it's flower head . Along the edges of the paths , the enchantingly named , Enchanter's 
Nightshade is in flower , a delicate little plant . Before dropping down to Burnt Gorse , I checked the small glade , at the far end of which , I had Friday's sighting . As soon as I got to the first Bramble patch , the unmistakable flash of large orange wings , confirmed that the Silver Washed Fritillaries are on the wing again . I didn't manage a shot of this specimen , as it had a quick check of the Bramble flowers , and swiftly moved on . At the end of the glade , there was no sign . I headed for the Orchid Bank , and immediately had another patrolling the unfenced area , where hopefully the White Letter Hairstreaks will appear soon . Another clearing , adjacent to where I recorded egg laying last year , produced 4 males , 3 in combat with each other , even
though no females were seen , and the fourth , looking as if it had just emerged , was nectaring on Bramble flower . The diagnostic feature for the male are the 4 dark bars across the wings . Moving on to the glade where the majority of the egg laying was recorded , another 2 males were found . One seemed to think that the whole glade belonged to him , and drove off the other every
time he entered it . Having driven off the other , the first then took up position on a branch , overlooking the area . On one return , he settled just in the right position to show clearly how he 
gets his name , as if someone had 'washed' the underwing with silver . Apart from good numbers of Small Skipper , Burnt Gorse didn't produce any surprises . At the far end , where it joins with 
Hang Grove , two members of the Mullein family were found . The first , Great Mullein , also 
known as Aaron's Rod , and , within a couple of metres of it , the less common White Mullein .
Helleborines , and I'm glad to say they are doing very well , with the first found one beginning to unfurl it's flower head . Along the edges of the paths , the enchantingly named , Enchanter's Nightshade is in flower , a delicate little plant . Before dropping down to Burnt Gorse , I checked the small glade , at the far end of which , I had Friday's sighting . As soon as I got to the first Bramble patch , the unmistakable flash of large orange wings , confirmed that the Silver Washed Fritillaries are on the wing again . I didn't manage a shot of this specimen , as it had a quick check of the Bramble flowers , and swiftly moved on . At the end of the glade , there was no sign . I headed for the Orchid Bank , and immediately had another patrolling the unfenced area , where hopefully the White Letter Hairstreaks will appear soon . Another clearing , adjacent to where I recorded egg laying last year , produced 4 males , 3 in combat with each other , even though no females were seen , and the fourth , looking as if it had just emerged , was nectaring on Bramble flower . The diagnostic feature for the male are the 4 dark bars across the wings . Moving on to the glade where the majority of the egg laying was recorded , another 2 males were found . One seemed to think that the whole glade belonged to him , and drove off the other every time he entered it . Having driven off the other , the first then took up position on a branch , overlooking the area . On one return , he settled just in the right position to show clearly how he gets his name , as if someone had 'washed' the underwing with silver . Apart from good numbers of Small Skipper , Burnt Gorse didn't produce any surprises . At the far end , where it joins with Hang Grove , two members of the Mullein family were found . The first , Great Mullein , also known as Aaron's Rod , and , within a couple of metres of it , the less common White Mullein .A favourite of mine , Vervain , was also found , and whilst checking up on it , found that it is the 
only British member of the Verbena family , which is a mainly tropical family , that also includes the huge Teak trees of tropical forests .
only British member of the Verbena family , which is a mainly tropical family , that also includes the huge Teak trees of tropical forests .The full transect results were , Meadow Brown (378) , Ringlet (224) , Small Skipper (27) , Marbled White (6) , Comma (8) , Large Skipper (4) , Silver Washed Fritillary (conservative 12/15) , Small White (1) , Common Blue (1) , Speckled Wood (8) , Brimstone (2) and Red Admiral (1) .
Although the number of Burnet Companion , day flying moths , have reduced greatly , the Six 
spot Burnet moths were found in good numbers . The only birds of note found , were 2 juvenile Green Woodpeckers , Common Whitethroat , Blackcap and Chiffchaff . Blackbirds were very vocal , perhaps it's because they only have another couple of weeks or so before they stop singing . Carol read an article a couple of weeks ago , that they stop singing by 17th. July , we''ll 
see . I can't remember whether I have posted it before , but the pappus of the Goatsbeard- Jack -go-to-bed-at-noon , is truly a work of art in my mind .
spot Burnet moths were found in good numbers . The only birds of note found , were 2 juvenile Green Woodpeckers , Common Whitethroat , Blackcap and Chiffchaff . Blackbirds were very vocal , perhaps it's because they only have another couple of weeks or so before they stop singing . Carol read an article a couple of weeks ago , that they stop singing by 17th. July , we''ll see . I can't remember whether I have posted it before , but the pappus of the Goatsbeard- Jack -go-to-bed-at-noon , is truly a work of art in my mind .
female egg laying . Red Eyed Damselflies - pictured are really down in numbers . A walk down to the Bog produced a very quiet scene with the pools dried up , I didn't record any 
two over-riding species on the site are Bog Cotton , and the Bog Asphodel , which still has a long 
way to go , before being in full flower . I know I posted it before , but I couldn't resist another 
close up of this delicate flower . My last call was at the farm lake , and already the Air Show traffic was building up , so I was glad to get there . Worryingly , I could only see 3 adult and 4 young Little Grebes , especially when they started off with 10 or 11 young between the two 
families . No such problems for the Coots , with their 5 from their second brood growing quickly . Black Tailed Skimmers and Common Darters are still emerging , but not so many seen on the wing today . It was the same for butterflies , but I did find a pair of Ringlets doing what a pair of 
Ringlets are meant to do . I almost dismissed a Comma , apart from recording it , when a second look had me reaching for the camera . Normally , the Comma has black/grey coloured 
Spring caterpillars . On the bank behind the lake , Nettle Leaved 
down for a swim , with the four Mallard youngsters .
found on your patch .
sight , or when one rested , followed another . As can be seen from this shot , damage has been 
inflicted during the many aerial battles when two met . At the end of the time , I was sweating buckets , and not even a glimpse of a female had 
very brown pond , as many are on the site , where a male Broad Bodied Chaser was standing 
guard over his patch . The Common 
Dragonfly , which is found in a variety of habitats , but the other was a heathland specialist , the Keeled Skimmer , which gets it's name from the 'keel or join' , that runs the length of the 
abdomen . I believe that this species can be found at just one site in Kent , 
The second pond once again produced a female Emperor Dragonfly , and once again egg laying . The other ponds provided more of the same , with the addition of Common Blue , Azure and Large Red Damselflies . I was hoping that two other heathland species , Small Red Damselfly , obviously smaller than the Large , but with red legs rather than black , and Black Darter , might have emerged , but it would appear it was just too early for them . I followed the track down the slope to the small stream that runs in the valley , a haunt that was favoured by Golden Ring Dragonfly in years gone by , but with ponies grazing the area , and damage to the 
without a breath of wind was tiring , but on the path a Green Tiger Beetle gave me a rest while I photographed it . My last sighting of this species was the day I photographed the Smooth Snakes in deepest Surrey . At the top of the slope , I spotted a brownish 'darter' sized dragonfly pass me and settle in the heather , some way off the track . I followed , and it turned out to be a female 
Keeled Skimmer , keeping out of the way of those male advances . Once again , showing the 'keel' along the back of the abdomen . Also on the path was a butterfly that you would expect to find in
this habitat , the Small Heath . I deviated from the path on the way back , and I'm glad I did , for two reasons . The first was as I was walking through a large area of Bracken . I spotted a large dragonfly , hawking for insects , but it moved off before I could get a good look at it . Further on , I came across it again , this time it was perched . It was what I had been looking for at the 
stream , the aptly named Golden Ringed Dragonfly . I managed this shot , and as I took a second , it launched after a passing insect , and I never saw it again . Having said that , it could have been perched just over the Bracken plant in front , but it was so thick and tall , you couldn't 
see anyway . The second bonus for the deviation was a distant view of a 
reptile with the right idea . A Common Lizard was sat in the shade on the step , and I had to step over it , without it moving to get to the car park .
when it flew , it settled on the next Pine . Any ideas ?
settled on the seed head of 
surrounding vegetation . It was there that I found a Red Admiral and a Comma , resting within 15 
Nettles , I found another very fresh looking Red Admiral . The egg that this butterfly hatched out of , was probably 
Peacock caterpillars . They had spread out from where they had hatched out , but , back there , there were many caterpillars , that had hatched out from the egg , but then for some reason , 
hadn't made it any further . This sight made me recall the statistics of egg to adulthood in butterflies . If a female lays 50 eggs , 20-40 will make it to the caterpillar stage , of which 10 might survive to form 
along with a fresh , very richly coloured Comma , which was finding something of interest on a 
tissue . A walk back towards the pond , produced a Green Veined White , having it's fix of 'honey' from the Creeping Thistle , which have opened up greatly in the last couple of days .
car , I found his wife . The full butterfly count was , Red Admiral (2) , Ringlet (12) , Meadow Brown (24) , Comma (6) , Large White (8) , Large Skipper (12) , Small Skipper (5) and singleton Small White , Speckled Wood and Green Veined White . Damselflies/Dragonflies recorded were , Large Red 
Skipper were on the wing . Not far from the Ash tree , Common 
Pyramidal and a second Bee Orchid - pictured , were found . In the same glade , Yellow Rattle and 
from lilac to my favourite , deep purple . Both probably brought in as seed on the tractor / grass cutter in the Autumn . On the heathland , very little was found , but the Brimstone caterpillars 
are just getting larger and larger , but no adults seen on the wing . Other species found on site were , Large and Small Skipper and Small Heath . Other interest found , were a pair of Bullfinches calling , but not showing themselves , the 
second male Marbled White , and along the top edge , a male Brimstone - pictured , recently emerged by the look of him . The usual Skippers , the odd Common Blue and several fresh 
looking Commas , along with the Meadow Browns and Ringlets completed the recording .
obvious 'no go' for the weekend . On one particular part of the site Wild Parsnip is coming into flower . I didn't 
200 hopefully , when the females emerge . Like many butterfly species , the females are larger , and the 
getting down to what they were put here for , once again , the larger female on the right . Ringlets (52) , Large Skipper (8) , Brimstone (5) , Small White (1) , Comma (2) , Large White (1) , Common Blue (2) , Speckled Wood (2) and Small Skipper (1) , made up the 11 species recorded . The most frustrating time on site , was when I found a Hummingbird Hawk Moth , a migrant from the Continent , feeding on 
things for themselves . This is probably where the saying 'bald as a Coot' comes from . Around 
the lake , things are turning yellow , as masses of Ladies 
in good numbers , this one having flown up onto surrounding trees to finish drying it's wings . If it is a female , then when she comes back to the water to breed , she will be set upon by 6/10 males , as was happening whilst I was there . The Azure Damselflies , like all of them are mating 
ready to start the new generation , and the Common Darters are showing signs of maturing , so 
their breeding time will come soon . Other species recorded were , Large Red , Blue Tailed and Common Blue Damselflies and Emperor Dragonfly . Butterflies were few , but six species in small numbers were recorded .
forewing- pictured , and Ringlet (94) , the other species were all in single figures . Painted Ladies (7) are still around , and still moving fast . Skippers made a reasonable showing , with Small (6) and Large (4) , 
including a female with no sex brand , dark line , on the upper wing - pictured , which is the first that I have recorded on Burnt Gorse . I also relocated the Marbled White posted yesterday , still on his own . Common Blue (5) , were all in a very tatty condition . Just two Whites , with a single Large and Small , both on the Orchid Bank . It was there that I also recorded a Hornet , but it was busily feeding and didn't stop at all . Day flying moths recorded were 6 Spot Burnet and Burnet Companion .
Flower wise , I found my first flowering Marjoram of the season , and also , the Field Scabious 
are coming into flower . Noticeably less birdsong was heard on the way round today , and birds of note , heard/seen were , Chiffchaff , a pair of Bullfinches ,Nuthatch , Coal Tit , Goldfinch , what I 
think was a recently fledged Blackcap - pictured , badly as it just wouldn't stay still , 
sure . It had fallen on it's back just before I arrived , so I got a shot before righting it . How could anything walk on those legs ? I then put it on a post and took this shot before leaving the poor 
thing alone .
posed for this shot . The only other thing of interest was this beetle , Strangalia maculata , and if 
last year was anything to go by , we will be seeing many more of his relatives this year . From the Common , I headed for Keston Bog , near the Ponds , where the Bog Asphodel is just coming 
into flower . There cannot be many sites for this species within the M25 , so we are lucky to have
it in LB Bromley . On the Bog , I recorded Large Red (7) , Azure - including mating and egg laying (20+) and Blue Tailed Damselflies (2) . Two Large Skipper butterflies were also recorded . On Keston Ponds , where fishing has resumed after the closed season , with it's attendant increase in rubbish left around the banks , five species of Odonata were recorded . Emperor Dragonfly - including egg laying female (4) , Black Tailed Skimmer (5) , Red Eyed Damselfly - 
pictured , including mating pairs (25+) , Azure - including mating pairs and egg laying (50+) and Common Blue Damselfly - including mating and egg laying (35+) .
species were , Common Blue (3) , a very tatty Peacock - pictured , Large Skipper (5) , Brimstone (1) and the first Marbled White of the year , the species that I hoped to find yesterday at Salt 
Box Hill . Interestingly , although called a White , is in fact a Black butterfly with white 
markings . The only other species recorded was a single Speckled Wood . I did disturb some Deer whilst on site , but didn't see what or how many , just heard them leaving .
pairs , females egg laying , and males snoozing in the afternoon sun . But he has earned it , as the marks of a females legs can be seen on his abdomen , just above the black tip . Butterflies were quiet , with the odd Meadow Brown and Ringlet showing up , until , just before leaving , a 
very fresh Small Tortoiseshell landed on the path in front of me . Really good news to have found so many of this species in the last week .
this species either here , or over the hill in the next valley on West Kent Golf Course . When I first saw it , it was nectaring on Welted Thistle , and showing it's green underwing well . Later , I 
managed to photograph it on Greater Burdock , of the Dandelion and Burdock fame . I felt pleased to have got two shots of this specimen , as to say it didn't stay still for long , was an understatement . Needless to say , I didn't find any Marbled Whites , so unless I am passing before Friday , they will have to wait till after the Air Show .
the pot and found a female Stag Beetle , and placed her on the path to get better definition . Identified as a female by the small jaws , that surprisingly give a stronger nip than the larger 
antlers of the male . What can look more prehistoric than that ? I cannot be sure , but it would be nice if she was one of the grubs we found last year in the bench support , that we moved to the bottom of the garden . I looked under the bench seat , but found no grubs , but a lot of the wood is missing , with the seat basically being supported by the bark of the log supports .
reasonable views of the male Banded Demoiselle . Annoyingly , he wouldn't come closer to the bridge , and sat in the bankside vegetation , flashing his wings , trying to attract females , none of whom seemed to be about at the time . I headed off up a footpath , between the Country Park and the farmland , and was pleased to find a Red Admiral , the first I have seen for some time , but not prepared to be photographed . Further along , a freshly emerged Speckled Wood declined the camera as well . It was becoming obvious , that any butterflies would be found in sheltered , sunny spots , out of that wind . So it was that I found yet another Small Tortoiseshell ,
albeit tatty , soaking up the sun on the footpath . Good numbers of Skippers , both Large and Small were recorded , along with a few Painted Ladies , they too , were tatty . When I got to the grass areas around the Golf Course , Meadow Browns and Ringlets were more numerous , and it wasn't long till I found the first Dark Green Fritillary , only , as I went to get a record shot , a Meadow Brown disturbed it , and it was gone , not to be seen again . Common Blues and Small Heaths were also recorded here , along with one Large White . 
the Orchid Bank , I sighted another DGF , feeding on Greater Knapweed , and looking so fresh that it couldn't have emerged long ago . Like most Fritillaries , the ground colour is that deep 
orange with black markings , but this species gets it's name from the underwing , with it's green sheen and creamy white spots . As with the Silver Washed Fritillary , the female is duller in colour than the male . Having found the DGF , I set about looking for the Lizard Orchid , which shouldn't be a problem , as it is probably the biggest of all the Orchids . I spent ages , covering the areas where it always shows up , but could not find any sign . There were plenty of Pyramidal , fewer Fragrant and just a few Bee Orchids , but not a sign of the Lizard . Perhaps it is taking a break , like the Violet Helleborine at High Elms did last year , and will return next year . This is the only site that I find dual-colour Greater Knapweed , and rather than the 
normal purple flowers , some of the specimens have a lilac and pink colour , and anyway , it gives another opportunity to get a picture of the 6 Spot Burnet Moth in as well . Other flowers found 
included a very delicate member of the Pea family , Grass Vetchling , with a beautiful shade of pink , and as it's name implies , looks just like a blade of grass with this flower on a single stem . 
Scrambling amongst the long grass was another member of that same family , Tufted Vetch , with it's colour varying from violet to blue , depending on it's age . Looking a bit like a flower , 
and found mostly on Rose , is the Robin's Pin Cushion . It is in fact caused by the larvae of a gaul 
wasp-Diplolepis rosae . Going very well together colourwise , this male specimen , identified by the swollen hind femora , of Oedemera nobilis . Day flying moths recorded include Yellow Shell , Burnet Companion ,6 Spot Burnet , Silver Y and Cinnabar moth .
the wings were not fully inflated , and that it was still colouring up . I'm not sure whether or not it was a female , but given that I only found 8/10 DGFs on the site , and they all appeared to be males from their gizz , I just don't know . On the way back to the car , I came across another of those sheltered Bramble patches , and apart from the many butterflies it held , a female Broad 
Bodied Chaser seemed to be snoozing on one side , already looking a bit faded . On the other side
a female Banded Demoiselle posed daintily for the camera . By the time I reached the car , there were more clouds than blue patches , so I headed home , happy with my 50% strike rate .
Browns and Ringlets were still active for a while , as was this rather ragged female Large White . Good numbers of Large Skipper were found , and at the bottom of the slope several male Small 
Skippers , with no marbling on the wing . For the next couple of weeks , it is reasonable to assume that any small Skippers seen are Small , but then the Essex Skipper will emerge , and make recording more difficult . The best ID for each species , is the tips of their antennae . As can be seen from the male above , the tips of his are orange , but can be dull brown . The tips of the Essex Skipper's antennae look as if 
someone has dipped them in a pot of black ink . This was a female I photographed up on the Common last year . Day flying moths recorded included Cinnabar , Burnet Companion and 6 Spot Burnet moth , which I posted the other day , but couldn't resist this one on a Common 
Spotted Orchid with a Hovver Fly as company . I checked the Violet Helleborine on the way back 
to the car , and now we have two , the second being the 'achlorophyllous' form , like the first . After lunch , and doing a bit of fence repairs in the garden , I had a hour at the farm lake . All the 
water birds seem OK , with the young of the first Little Grebe family , almost full size now , but still showing their juvenile plumage . Around the lake , Damselflies , Black Tailed Skimmers and Common Darters are still emerging in numbers , but not many mature specimens were on the 
wing . Common Blue and Blue Tailed Damselflies are still the most numerous , but Large Red are
recorded every now and again . More flowers and plants are coming into flower like this 
Meadowsweet , and also , one of my favourites , Greater Knapweed . Butterflies were hard to find , and those recorded were tucked down in the vegetation . They were Meadow Brown and 
an aptly named Ringlet , with it's 'rings' and the creamy white border . Just one day flying moth
was recorded , but it was the strange looking Plume Moth . I was just about to leave the site , when a rush of air sound had me looking over my shoulder into the corner of the lake , where a Hobby had attempted to take a Dragonfly , just 1 mtr. above the surface and 10 mtrs. from where I was standing . It immediately went into an almost vertical climb to avoid the trees behind where I was standing . I got in amongst the trees and watched it make another attempt over the other side of the lake , and then fly off behind the farmhouse . After a couple of minutes it returned , with another , but this time high up with the Swifts . I watched them for 10/15 
minutes , but didn't see them get their tea . I took a couple of shots , knowing that would only be silhouettes , but enough to make out the species .
revealed the egg cells at the heart of the nest . This shot shows the white , wax covered , cells that haven't hatched yet , the hatched grubs with the vertical line on them , wriggling about in the cells , and on the bottom , eggs still to be sealed with wax . I carefully put the lid back on the box and withdrew , and as I did so , the workers started returning and entering the box . I'm sure they would have repaired my accidental damage in no time . 
male , weighing 15 grams , a good weight for the beginning of the breeding season , and no Warren , I'm not strangling him . On the top of the Ridge , Bilberry , a plant of heathland and 
moors , is in fruit , and in various stages of ripening . In the same area , a very large Grass Snake was found , not under the 
dappled shade of the Bracken . I think it was a female , and when she did move off , she must have been almost 1
and when she finally settled , I managed to get a shot . Where she was hunting is a long way from water , but , having emerged from the water somewhere , she is feeding up , away from the attentions of males , before returning to the water to mate and lay her eggs , to form the next generation . Later on , a juvenile Grass Snake was recorded , this one showing blue eyes , a sign 
walking today , only two Adders were recorded , this female under a felt , in the shade of 
Bracken , and a large male , which was the last reptile recorded before leaving the site . Even the Slow Worms didn't turn up , with just 7 being recorded all day .
today . One for Warren , with a pair of Mint Beetles .
across this Weevil , I think it might be 
where the Fragrant Orchids are starting to go over , but still making a colourful show .
difficulty identifying . I think it is Common Wintergreen , but I stand to be corrected .
immature males under the second . With a start like that , I thought I was going to be on for a record day , but it wasn't to be . I did find one more immature and two adult Adders , making six in total , which still made it a good visit . No Grass Snakes were recorded , but 17 Slow Worms ,
fewer than usual , were , including this unusual speckled specimen .
specimen , trying to warm up in the watery sunshine . At the far end of the reserve , I found my 
first Ringlet of the year , which was followed by another 10 before I left the site . On the track at the bottom of the site , A particularly fragrant Dogwood bush , in full flower had attracted 
several species of butterflies , including a very fresh looking Small Tortoiseshell , only my 2
along the track . As can be seen , it is smaller and does not have the marbling on the wing of the Large Skipper . A few Painted Ladies were still about , some looking very worn , but some , like 
this one , still looking pretty good . As the sun started to get through , several 
took to the wing , but I did manage to find this one that hadn't yet fully warmed up .
warm weather has certainly brought on the flowers around the lake , with Musk Mallow showing well in the morning light , and more delicate than the Common variety . Another of my 
favourites is the Purple Loosestrife , which is just starting to come into flower . In another couple of weeks the margins will be ablaze with it's colour . The few Common Spotted Orchids are starting to go over now , but their colour is being taken over by good numbers of Pyramidal Orchids . A couple of posts ago , I mentioned the young frogs/toads around the lake , well , if it's possible , there were even more today , perhaps because of my early visit . The ground is just seething with thousands of them . On the water , all is well with the two Little Grebe families , still totalling 12 , and with the female Mallard and her 4 youngsters . The young Coots are huge , and are getting their white head markings now . In the vegetation around the bank , Damsel/Dragonflies were emerging all over the place . Lots more Common Darters , most but 
not all , successfully making their first flights . Four Emperor Dragonflies were patrolling their territories , and I estimated at least 35 mature Black Tailed Skimmers , both male and female ,
floundering in the water , and having fished it out , found how it had got there . For some reason , one of it's wings hasn't developed at all , and as I said before for an insect eating machine , it's a case of 'fly or die' , and I don't think this one will be catching any food . The other was the sight of a Common Darter making it's first flight towards the trees , when , from out of the trees flies a female Chaffinch , and that was the end of the Common Darter . I saw the same thing happening here a couple of years ago . Just 4 species of butterfly were recorded during my visit .
Wildlife Trust . Better butterfly numbers included Large Skipper -pictured nectaring on Welted Thistle (8) , Meadow Brown (28) , Large White (1) , Small Heath (3) , Common Blue (2) , 
Speckled Wood (2) and the first Brimstone - pictured , a female , that I have seen for a while . A probable first of the new brood from eggs laid by the overwintering females that we saw in the Spring . A 'mewing' from above had me watching a Common Buzzard , riding high on the 
thermals , but at one point , went into a stoop type dive when almost overhead , but unfortunately pulled out of it whilst still at a good height . In one small area , I came across two 
poisonous plants , growing side by side . The first was Bittersweet -Solanum dulcamara , and 
right beside it , Deadly Nightshade-Atropa bella-donna . Both plants , having flowered , produce black berries , the first listed as poisonous and the second as extremely poisonous . Amongst the 
long grass were lots of young Crickets . If you are not sure whether an insect is a Cricket or a Grasshopper , a good old rule of thumb is , if the antennae are longer than the body , it's a Cricket , shorter than the body , it's a Grasshopper .
pristine , freshly emerged male , Silver-studded Blue . The male can easily be confused with the male Common Blue from the topwing , but the thick black borders to the wings are diagnostic . The underwing shows how it gets it's name , more noticeable in the female , the black dots ,right 
of the orange ones have an infill of blue , thus Silver-studded , best seen on the lowest large black spot . The female shows them much better , but they don't seem to have emerged yet . I only found 2 males in about an hour's search , so another visit in the near future is on the cards . With one target under the belt , I headed for Old Lodge Reserve , managed by Sussex Wildlife Trust , still without much sunshine . As soon as I went through the gate onto the Reserve , I had Great Spotted Woodpecker (2) , Cuckoo-calling , Willow Warbler (2) , Woodlark - out of the grass in 
front of me , and a pair of Stonechats , which once again , I managed to get both in the same 
shot . Tree Pipits were singing all over the place , and after this shot , this one proceeded to do his 'parachute' display . The top path , where I hoped to get the other target species , had plenty of song , but not the one that I wanted . I headed down the slope , towards a couple of pools , and 
on one , I found a Four Spotted Chaser , sitting quietly on emergent vegetation . That was until another two males came in , and WW3 started . In the same area , I found my first specimens of 
the year of Heath Spotted Orchid . I'm sure there were lots more last year , but there are 10/15 
horses grazing the site , and I'm sure they would find them a tasty morsel . Quite a pale colour 
compared to a lot of Orchids , but still nice to see . My attention was distracted to a male Cuckoo , that perched on the cables that cross the site . I tried to get close to him , but every time I closed the gap by 10 mtrs. , he flew 10 mtrs. further along the wires . This was the closest 
I got before he flew off to the woodland . Not far away , I got good views , with binoculars of Spotted Flycatcher , but not close enough for a shot . I was beginning to despair of the second target species , when I heard calls , not unlike the 'two stones being knocked together' of the Blackcap . When I tracked it down , it was a family party of Redstarts , my second target 
species . A very smart male , a female and three youngsters . The adults were very active , and the only shot of the female that I managed came out very blurred . But , one of the youngsters 
was a bit lazier than the others , and I managed to get several shots of it . Just a shame it kept it's back to me all the time . I followed the family group for some time , before they moved off the reserve , across a horse paddock . My last stop was at another pool , where several Broad Bodied Chaser males were contesting the ownership . While I was watching them , all but one were involved in the dispute , when a female approached the pool . The one that wasn't involved 
was on her in a flash , and as they do , mated with her in mid air . Here you can see the blue of the male and the yellow of the female ' in the act' . A few seconds later , she was egg laying , he was patrolling over her , and the others didn't even know it had happened . As I walked back to the car , it was warming up , and the birdsong was diminishing , but I had had , a very good visit .
Skipper - pictured (2) , Painted Lady (2) , Common Blue (11 , incl. 4 females ) , Dingy Skipper 
( 1- very tatty) , and a single Green 
food plant of the 
strange proboscis . On my way back to the car , I detoured to check on the Violet 
totally lacking in Chlorophyll , and the leaves are a luminous pinkish-violet , and the form is '
adult Little Grebes , each feeding 2 youngsters , which are almost as big as the adults now . Walking around the lake , I was surprised to hear the 'laughing call' of the Little Grebe from the 
opposite side . With binoculars , I could make out another pair , and with 4 youngsters , I'd say just a little older than when I saw the first family group . Great news , lets hope they make it to adulthood . I mentioned in previous posts that the tadpoles had disappeared , as they do every year , and later every year the sides of the lake are covered with tiny frog/
time of year . The ground is alive with hundreds , probably thousands of these tiny amphibians . Black Tailed Skimmers are still emerging in good numbers and the earliest of them are already 
getting down to the reproduction business . Here it can be seen , how the blue male on the left will lose a band of blue around his abdomen if he mates with a few females , as she hold on with her legs around his abdomen . The same happens with the Broad Bodied Chasers . Also seen today was a newly emerged Common Darter , my first of the year . Once again , all new 
was greeted by a Reed Warbler , and he sang his heart out the whole time I was there . There 
were a few Redshank and Shellduck , and a family of Mallard and a single Avocet feeding well out
in the water . Around the edges , a Common Whitethroat was still singing for a mate too . On the 
ground , several Skylarks were collecting food , probably with a nest full of hungry mouths , somewhere in the grass . Looking out to sea , it looked as if a clearance was coming in , so I then set off for the sand dunes , just south of the 
main beach . This is where I found breeding pools on a previous visit , but being the wrong time of year , I promised myself a re-visit at a better time . From the information on the board , June is when the young Toads leave the breeding ponds and the adults disperse into the dunes . As with the Common Toad , darkness is the best time to find them , so this was a visit to re-check the lay out . In fact , it turned out to be much more than that . Firstly , I found large numbers of 
Northern Marsh Orchids , in various stages of development , and by the time I had made my 
way back to the car , they must have numbered into the hundreds . It was as well that I was on my own , and nobody else around , as after finding the first few Orchids , I spent ages chasing around after a large white moth that I found fluttering about . Eventually , I managed a couple of shots , but when I got to the next depression in the dunes , the air and vegetation was full of 
them . This was just one small plant of Sea Buckthorn , and the black furry things are the 
pupation skins that they emerged from . Lots of them were already paired up , but also lots had been hit by the heavy rain , and were lying on the ground . I wasn't sure what species they were until I got home and did some research , and they turned out to be White Stain Moths , mainly
females , but there were a few rather dapper males around too . Then I started finding the 
caterpillars , and they were very dapper too . From the information I have found so far , these moths are found mainly in Southern England , with occasional sightings in the North , as they are migratory . I can only think that they have done a similar thing to the Painted Ladies , because by the time I had finished , I had found more of them than the Orchids . One thing still puzzles me though . Amongst all these white moths , I found a single specimen of a similar white 
no different . Apart from Bee , Pyramidal and Common Spotted Orchids , I found Restharrow , pictured , a plant I would normally associate with grasslands , and also Wild Pansy- Viola 
tricolor , so small and delicate , surviving on next to nothing , and not forgetting Blue Fleabane-Erigeron acer , a 
relation of Michaelmas Daisies , once again associated with grasslands .
mobile family of six Stonechats , but was never able to picture the whole group , so had to settle for just two of the youngsters . Close by , a male Reed Buntings might have been trying to count 
them with his '1 , 2 - 3' call . I also surprisingly put up a Grey Partridge and several Linnets from amongst the dunes . Close by to where I parked , I found Biting Stonecrop growing 
amongst the stones . By the time I reached the car , the clearance was ending and the skies threatened again , and it rained all evening , so I didn't make it back searching for Natterjack Toads , but it does mean that another visit some time is on the cards .
flower not unlike an Orchid . It is a member of the 
skin of the larval stage , of Emperor Dragonfly , from which the adult emerged . I had a good look all around the pond and found a total of 26 Emperor 
smaller than that of the Emperor Dragonfly , as this shot shows . Also empty around the pond 
were these Ram's Horn Snail Shells . These snails were bred for the 
Bodied Chasers . The Brambles also held two Small Coppers , one pictured here . It also provided my first top wing of Meadow Brown for the year , as all others have been tucked down in the grass , wings tightly shut . As can be seen by the small amount of colour on the top wing , and 
several 
has also brought on the Creeping Thistles , much liked by lots of insects , and of course , smelling of Honey . There were also a couple of wasp coloured insects , the colouring probably putting off predators , but I'm not sure of their species .
From the eyes and single wings , I would say they were flies rather than Bees or Wasps , but I'm not sure . Finally , on the feeder when I got back , just before a shower , a pair of 
as usual , the male in the brighter feathers .
Meadow Brown , flushed from the long grass in the fields . A few moths were also disturbed , 
including this Yellow Shell . On my way back home , I called in on the Common , but it was just as quiet there . I had a look for the Purple 
the area it should have been , I think , I found this very well armoured 
has three species of Orchid in flower , Common Spotted , Pyramidal and this Bee Orchid , which is said to resemble a fat bumblebee . On the heathland , the 
from the size of it , looks as if it will be pupating in not too long . Large numbers of Speckled Yellow and Common Heath and a single Cinnabar , all day flying moths were found amongst the heather and gorse .
greeted almost straight away by a young Jay on the path around the lake , not one of the easiest birds to get close to . On the lake , nature , if that's the right expression , has taken it's toll on the 
Little Grebe family , with just four of the six youngsters around . Having said that , the four remaining youngsters are growing quickly , not surprising as the adults worked tirelessly , diving for food the whole time I was there . I've often been amazed at the speed across the water of 
these birds , and when one of the youngsters had a stretch , the propulsion gear explained things . Better news of the Mallard family , they are still at Mum and four , and the four are 
nearly as big as Mum . Just one Meadow Brown butterfly was recorded here as well . The wind was increasing , and for Damselflies that means trouble , and for spiders , that means mealtime .
Several 
seems to have had it's own 'run in with nature' .
The Common Buzzard and the Hobby , having their barney .
Common Fumitory found in a set aside field .
The tattiest Common Blue that I have ever seen . 
The very poisonous Henbane , contains narcotic drug called hyoscine . 
Skylark over Poppies in wheat field . 
Anf finally , the moth that I tried to describe , about 3cm. long . With the weather , I've spent quite some time trying to identify this one , but have been totally unsuccessful . 
blurred head , it didn't stay around too long . Very soon afterwards , a female Adder was found . Very few Slow Worms were found on the way round , but two immature Adders were recorded . Butterflies were also very scarce , but the first Large Skipper of the year was found here , 
the car , we found 3/4 specimens , I must admit I was expecting more , but it must be a small colony on this site . Other species recorded were Common Blue , Painted Lady , Small Heath and Brown Argus . My friend got his shots , and I felt relieved as we made our way to the second site , an old firing range off the 
distracted by 'mewing' above , as two , then a third Common Buzzards drifted into view . Not as close as at 
Orchid , and a specimen of Deadly Nightshade-
before producing the glossy black berries , which are extremely poisonous . Only a couple of Slow Worms and a juvenile Grass Snake were recorded for our efforts up and down the slopes , but as we were leaving , the 'mewing' once again had us looking skywards , but this time it was a single Common Buzzard and what we think was a Hobby having a barney .
beyond the reserve boundary caught my attention . At first , I only saw the female Stonechat , when she flew and settled on the barbed wire topping the fence . After a short while , her mate 
arrived , but he was not prepared to come out of the Gorse . Feeling well happy with what I had seen , I carried on down the slope , to the first of several acidic pools on the site . It was here that
I saw my first Four Spotted Chaser of the year , settled for once , in between battles with the resident male Broad Bodied Chasers . The Four Spotted Chaser is so called because it has a spot in the centre of the leading edge of all four of it's wing , the only species to have this . Also on the pools were Azure , Common Blue and Large Red Damselflies . Many were in tandem , and several pairs were egg
laying , like this pair of Large Red Damselflies , in what is known as the 'prayerposition' , with the male still clasping the female's head . Many of the Damselflies egg lay with their partner , but the larger female Damselflies tend to egg lay on their own , but often with the male patrolling above her as she does so . This was what was happening at the next pool , where a female Emperor 
Dragonfly was egg laying . Whereas the Broad Bodied Chaser dropped her spherical eggs into the shallows , the Emperor deposits each of her elongated eggs , directly into the plant tissue , by piercing the plant tissue with her ovipositor , the same principle being adopted by the Common Blue Damselflies in front of her . By doing so , the eggs are protected from predation within the plant tissue . Also this shot shows the dorsal marking , along the lenght of the abdomen , although not as prominent as on the male , but a good diagnostic marker . Some of the eggs this 
female laid were as deep as she could possibly get , without going under . As I walked back up the slope , back towards the Scots Pines , a Wasp Beetle-Clytus arietis , landed on my hand , 
presumably to be photographed , and who was I to deny it's wish . Further on I came across a 
bird , which I think was a Tree Pipit , but wasn't in full song , so it has to be a maybe . Back at the Scots Pines , there was still no sign of a Redstart , but I did put up a bird from the ground that flew 25 mtrs. further on and landed , again on the ground . As I approached , it made no attempt 
to move , so I took a record shot . I carried on reducing the distance between us , and in the process , took six more shots . The final shot , just before it flew off with two others , showed an 
eye stripe that continued to the back of the head , and black and white markings at the bend of the wing . I thought at the time that it might be , but it wasn't till I got home and checked the book and the picture , that I could confirm that it was a Woodlark . I have taken distant photographs of them before both here and at Knowle Park , but this was the first good , clear shot that I have managed . The Fact that I didn't see the Redstart wasn't so bad now , but as a bonus , as I passed the Gorse patch , on the way back to the car park , Mr. and Mrs. Stonechat 
posed , both in the same frame .
South to the sea , and East and West along the South Downs . Right on the very top I found a 
Skylark on the ground , not a bad judge I thought . With that he launched himself into the air , and started rising and singing .
started getting butterflies . The first was a Small Blue , that being so small was still being buffeted around by the lesser winds . There was , as I found out , agood sized colony on the site ,
but difficult to estimate the size in the conditions . Other species recorded were , Small Heath , Common Blue , Meadow Brown Painted Lady and Green Hairstreak . 
feathery antennae . Eventually , I found a small group of what I was looking for , Early Burnt 
Orchid . Not in the best of condition , but all Orchids seem to be very advanced this year . This species is so called as the upper petals form a hood which is reddish/brown when the flowers 
first open , giving the appearance of being 'burned' , but the colour fades as the flowers mature . Just after finding them , I had an unusual sighting on the top of the slope , when 5 Kestrels were in the air , all together , hanging on the wind , but unfortunately too far off for a shot . The only other species seen were Jackdaw and Carrion Crow .
I found my first Pyramidal Orchid of the year in flower . I left Mt.Caburn , passing Glyndebourne Opera house on the way , heading for Ashdown Forest , an area I had passed through on my way to the butterfly site , but now with time to stop and have a look . But not 
before a typical view of the British countryside on the side of the road between , 3 fields full of Llamas . They must have been feeling the heat under those wooly coats , as the white one , on the far left , was actually standing 
in the drinking trough . Several females had recently given birth , and I'm sure one said his name
was 'Warren' . Tomorrow evening , I shall be larking about at the Old Lodge Reserve on Ashdown Forest .
without having a look . The first one I turned over had a male and female Adder underneath , he was in no hurry to leave , but she disappeared before I could take a shot . All the others had nothing until I returned to this one just before leaving , but I'll come to that later . 
time , I found a pair of Speckled Yellow moths mating . There were large numbers of this species on the wing , along with Silver Y , and lots of small ones that just disappeared into the vegetation . I then started getting the idea of waiting near a Bramble in flower , for the butterflies to come and refuel . Well it worked , and I soon had a good top and under wing shot .
The underwing shot shows how the butterfly gets part of it's name , with the seven 'pearls' along the outer edge of the hindwing . Small obviously from it's size compared to it's relation the Pearl Bordered Fritillary . The topwings of both species are very similar , but the underwings are different . The best field guide is that the 'pearls' are framed with black chevrons in the Small , as seen above , whereas the chevrons are red on the PBF .
Common Buzzard . I've done really well with those I thought to myself . Next time I looked up there were two , playing on the thermals . I got behind some scrub and willed them to drift over towards me , rather than the fields beyond the reserve . They did come closer , but not as close 
as I would have liked . Other birds heard/seen during the visit were Chaffinch , Long Tailed and Coal Tit and Nuthatch .
smart looking Grizzled Skipper , and still one or two Green Hairstreaks , looking a bit worse for 
wear now . As there is a pond on the site , there were good numbers of Dragonflies about . Mostly Broad Bodied Chasers , 
but there were also plenty of Black Tailed Skimmers and a couple of Emperors as well .
male I had seen earlier was still there , but joined by a Black Adder . This is the first one that I have ever seen in real life , having seen pictures of them before . Melanistic is the proper term , and although the black zig-zag is obscured , it is never completely absent . I managed to get a 
few shots before he disappeared as well . 