with hardly any flower showing , found a Magpie on the path , that seemed quite undeterred by my presence . It still held it's ground as a drew closer , then finally , with a raucous call , flew off 
into the trees till I passed by , returning as soon as I had . Another couple of Migrant Hawkers were hawking at the far end , and as I was watching one male , the sun started to get milky , behind the first of the clouds , and after a short while , he 'parked up' , to await it's return . 
Carefully approaching where he was resting , I managed to get a few shots , before the sun disappeared completely . As I was close , I went and had a look at the glade we cleared last Winter , where we found good numbers of Broad Leaved Helleborines . The flowers have all gone
over now , but almost every plant is now loaded with seed pods , ready to provide more of these beautiful plants in future years . The odd plant has been browsed , probably by Deer , but most are intact . With the sun gone , I toyed with heading home , but then decided to have a quick look around the heathland area . Not a lot to look at , but as I stooped to look at a small moth that had landed on the Heather , a Hornet came into view . Seeing as I was unsuccessful yesterday , I thought I would give it another go , and got the camera out . A second Hornet appeared , then a third and fourth .I looked down on the ground , and a stream of Hornets were coming out of a hole in the roots of the Heather , right next to my right boot . I took several paces to the left , and stood still . By now , there must have been 10/15 Hornets in the air , in the area between me and their nest hole . I decided the best action was to stay perfectly still , and let things settle down again . This I did , and the drone of their wings started to subside , so too did the number on the wing . I must admit I was pleased that the situation panned out as it did . They went on 
about their business , and I started taking photos . Unfortunately , with the fading light , and the Hornet's fast movements , many of the shots were very blurry , but the odd one or two turned 
out reasonable . I must have been taking shots for 5/10 minutes , when the ones and twos coming and going , started to build up again . I took one final shot , and retreated slowly .
I didn't realise it till I got home , but the front two of these three had what looks like foam coming from their mouths , so I probably made the right decision at the right time .And finally , just for Warren , whilst we were having breakfast this morning , we had the first ever visit to the feeder of a Nuthatch . We have been here 20 years , have heard them around , and I see them in the woods at the top of the road , but not on the feeder . It made 7/8 sortis , then vanished as quickly as it came .
young , lacking the red on the face . Unfortunately , they were well spread out , so to get a half decent shot , had to just ignore the other four , otherwise they would have been just specks . Another 'charming' sight came when I entered the formal garden , when I came across a charm of 15/20 Goldfinches , feeding on the heads of the Black 
themselves were at least 2 dozen Large White caterpillars in varying stages of growth , some not long hatched , and the odd few looking not far off pupating . They will all eventually pupate this Autumn , and overwinter as such , to emerge as adults next late April/May . The next part of the survey took me into Great 
But the odd ones are still being defended by Small Coppers . As I walked over a rise , and down the bank beyond , I had a '
broke downhill , towards the Golf Course . That was the only picture opportunity , but it was at a good distance . The excitement over , back to the survey , and the few birds that were around . In the woodland behind the Cricket field , where the 2 Violet 
respectable Meadow Browns were recorded , but the same couldn't be said for the odd Brown 
Argus , looking very faded . By the time I got back to the house , just 17 species of birds had been recorded , together with 9 species of butterfly , but 
turned up . Today's new arrivals since my first visit were the 
a male Southern Hawker . I did find 2 Hornets during the visit , the second as I was about to leave , and spent some time trying to get a shot . In ten minutes of trying , I failed miserably , mind you , the Hornet did not stop once , spending most of the time deliberately bumping into vegetation , in an attempt to dislodge it's next meal .
was rewarded with a Slow Worm under the second felt . Things then went quiet reptile wise , but the butterflies , although many looking very worn now , kept the interest ticking over . I recorded the first of two Adders , an immature female , about a quarter of the way round , then 
corner , I recorded the second Adder , another female , but adult this time , and with her under the felt was another Slow Worm . In the shelter of a hedge , along the bottom track , I found the
first of three Brimstones recorded on the site . It was only that it was out of the wind that a shot was possible . By three quarters of the way round , I thought , that's it , there will be nothing else about , when a flash of yellow passed me at great speed , carried on the wind , another Clouded Yellow . I watched it being buffeted by the wind , and being blown to the ground some way off . I 
kept an eye on the spot and made my way to it . After a bit of searching around , I found it down amongst the grass . Eventually , it took to the wing again , and then stopped to nectar on a variety of plants , but the favourite seemed to be the Small Scabious , which was no good for photographs , as it was all over the place in the wind . It also settled on Black Knapweed , and
being a bit more sturdy , allowed a few shots . When I got home and looked at the shots , a good two thirds had to be dumped as they were blurred to some degree or another due to the wind .
I have spent hours trying to identify these two insects , but in the end , I had to get some professional help . The first one is indeed a Sawfly , Cimbex femoratus , one of the Birch Sawflies . My informant tells me that he has only ever seen one adult of this species ever .
time , and after a couple of efforts , she came to rest on the end of it , and started to get rid of the cobwebs that had become attached . She allowed me a couple of shots , and when I took her outside and she felt the breeze , it didn't take long to leave the stick , and head of to find breakfast . I decided to have a look at Hutchinson's Bank , a chalk grassland site , managed by the London Wildlife Trust , just over the border in Surrey . Another strange morning weatherwise , cloudy but very humid . Just walking to the top of the bank was an effort in those 
conditions . Still in flower , is a speciality of the site , Greater Yellow Rattle , in fact much this site and a few others locally , have the majority of the plants found in the UK . I must admit that it looks very similar to the ordinary Yellow Rattle , apart from the fact that it is more branched and obviously bigger . By the time I had got half way round the site , it was obvious that 
butterflies were very few on the wing . I did find a few Small Heath , that flew up out of the grass in front of me , and a couple of Painted Ladies , warming up on the paths . It was so slow , that 
even the site of a moth had me reaching for the camera . This one I believe is the Treble Bar . I must admit that I was stopped in my tracks when I found a pair of Common 
Green Grasshoppers mating on the track just in front of me . I'm not sure which is which , but it looks as if the upside -down one is having a bit of a hard time . I did record a few Common Blue , Brown Argus , Speckled Wood and Large and Small White on my way back to the car , but nothing else of interest .
their ablutions . This was the first one , making sure that the water got where it was needed , but
the second one , just had a quick dip and the camera caught the moment of leaving the bath .
recorded . The male was in about the same state as those at High Elms . Brown Argus , Common Blue , Comma were also found The Common 
Hover Flies , including this 
well it's whorls of white flowers around it's stem . Another couple of butterflies turned up for the 
'tattiest' prize , the first a Large White , with a large proportion of both wings missing , but I can assure you was flying well in the breeze . I only recorded a couple of Painted Ladies , one almost 
pristine , and this one . I can't make out whether it is just faded , or an 
ready , and as soon as it moved into the clear , I got my first shot of the year of the Brown 
bush . She did open her wings , but being high up , it was difficult to get a decent shot . I hope it can be seen that the top wing is all brown , except for an orange flash on each of the 
they are the same specimens that I found last time , but the habitat , grass with a smattering of Bird's Foot Trefoil , doesn't seem to be enough to keep them there .
whole plant was only 15
like he had posted , then in front of me is 
path . As has been said before on blogs , they have a nasty taste from either the hair or the skin , and , having been caught , are then left by their attacker . On the same path , I found a member 
of the Primrose family in flower , Creeping Jenny , as as the name infers , it creeps over the ground , in this case , trying to blot out the small path . 
butterflies were very few , although I did find a very fresh looking male Common Blue , trying to catch the attention of a not so fresh female . For the record , he made no impression at all , as she flew off and left him looking dejected . When I checked my records , I had only recorded 17 butterflies , but surprisingly , I had recorded 9 species . 
Egyptian Goose , seen here balancing on some of the bales of Barley straw , placed in the fishery to try to eradicate the Blanket Weed . Because of low water levels , the bales have risen above the surface . Heading back the way I had come , I noticed a large piece of rubber sheeting , laying 
by a 
and a large Devil's Coach Horse , that left at a rate of knots . The two Common Newts were 
reasonably easy to see , but the Common Toad was a bit harder . This is a good time for turning things over , as most amphibians will have left the water , in preparation for hibernation , returning to the water to breed next Spring . On my way back to the car , I found a Small White , 
lilac veins on the white petals . Apart from a lot of weeds of cultivation , I found several 
specimens of Hedgerow 
gone to seed now , like the Wild Carrot , 
then looked them up when I got home . I believe them to be Common 
Hawkers , hawking over the area . Eventually one came to rest allowing a few shots . Both of them turned out to be immature males . As I passed the Silver Washed 
females , some still very respectable like this one , but others getting very tatty . It wasn't till I 
got to Burnt Gorse that I found the first of two males , and I think he could definitely be 
described as tatty , and he was the tidier of the two . Also found on Burnt Gorse were two Small Coppers . I went back to the HA a couple of times , only finding a single 
Brown . On one 
till I went to try and find the third egg that I saw her lay , that I was successful , a little white speck , much smaller than a pin head . These eggs laid by second brood adults , will hatch out after a short while , then feed before overwintering as full grown caterpillars at the base of the food plant , before re-emerging in March to carry on feeding , pupating , and fly as first brood adults in late May/early June , next year . One other thing caught my eye whilst there , and that
was this Robber or Assassin Fly , which I think is the Common Awl 
that of a juvenile female House Sparrow , who together with her other siblings , were being buffeted by the wind , which could almost be described as a gale by now . The most numerous thing in the air was the seed heads of Creeping Thistle , at times , looking like a blizzard , so there will be lots more of them around next year . There were also lots of Beaked 
coloured orange underneath , very similar to the 
true wild plant has single flowers , and this has double . It is Double Flowered 
the Geranium family is still flowering strongly . I couldn't help but mention the A word today , as 
one of the flowers of Autumn , Michaelmas Daisies were found in great swathes across the Park . Found feeding on them was a 
back , but I still had to check back to make sure it was right this time , 
and a female Tufted Duck , with two youngsters in tow . My book says one brood April-June , but these look too young for that , perhaps a second brood ? In the wetter areas , large swathes
of 
those plants that is easy to recognise , as it's leaves are usually dark spotted . Leaving the lake , another dark bank of cloud was approaching , this time , with spots of rain carried before it on the wind . 
immature Grass Snake , a total count of just three Slow Worms , one of them enjoying the sun in 
natural surroundings rather than under 
male was recorded , and from the look of him , it was only because he was digesting a meal , that we found him under one of the tins .
wanted to get in on the finger thing , and what looks like a creche of juvenile Pied 
the underside of a leaf . If it hadn't been for 
heavy and laying over under it's weight . Looking through the wild flower guide , the only one that comes near is Alpine Ragwort , but the book said that it was not found in GB , but was in France and Germany . Anyone got any other ideas ?
it is a good time to get close , and as seen before , they welcome the warmth of your finger . This very freshly emerged female Adonis Blue was only too happy to oblige . An unexpected species 
early on was a female Silver Washed Fritillary , that had been nectaring on Black Knapweed , then flew up onto some high Bramble . Walking the length of the reserve , with only brief spells
of sunshine , produced just one Silver Spotted Skipper , a male , warming up for any action coming his way . At the far end I disturbed 2 Clouded Yellows , and although it is never possible
to be sure of numbers because they are so active , I recorded 3 , possibly 5 on my visit . On a small diagonal path , I started finding a member of the Orchid family , Autumn Lady's-tresses - Spiranthes spiralis . They are not easy to see , growing to a maximun of 15cm. , but in long 
grass , seem much smaller . In all , I counted 26 spikes , far fewer than when found in previous years . The white flowers , spiral their way up the stem , but not all in the same direction , as can be seen in the photo , although growing side by side , the on the left spirals left handed , and the one on the right spirals right handed up the stem . We used to have Summer Lady's-tresses as well , but they have not been found since the early 1950's . Every time the sun did come out , the
activity increased , as with this male and female Adonis Blue , but this came to nothing . Just 
before another bank of cloud rolled over the sun , I found this female Silver Spotted Skipper , having already mated , laying her eggs , right down at the bottom of the blades of grass . I would not be able to identify it , but she would only lay on a grass called Sheep's-fescue , which is their
sole food plant . Whilst on site , I recorded 3 Small Tortoiseshells , all very fresh . Eventually , a 
reasonable period of sunshine got everything active , and during this time , I found a pair of Adonis Blues , making 2010's first brood . Other species recorded were , Meadow Brown , Gatekeeper , Painted Lady , Brown Argus , Brimstone ,Comma , Small Copper , Small Heath , Peacock , Speckled Wood , Large ,Small and Green Veined White .
and , sitting at one end was a rather unusual looking spider , looking more like a squid , 
got out of the car , a droning noise welcomed me . It turned out to be a combined harvester , harvesting the field above the lake . With all the noise going on , not much was showing , except for large numbers of Common Darters , some only just taking their first flights , and some of those being set upon by the ever alert males , waiting around the edge of the lake . So , there was
lots of mating going on , followed by lots of pairs in tandem , egg laying in the shallow water 
around the banks . This shots shows the moment , a split second after the female had released a ball shaped egg , when she dipped the end of her abdomen into the water . Apart from the 
emerged male Brimstone , 
most numerous . Only things of interest found were , another spider , which I think is a Nursery Web Spider-
Hover Fly-
on leaving the car , I came across a Holly Blue , desperately attempting to land on the Ivy , on the back fence of one of the houses backing onto the Common . Anything covered in Ivy is worth a look for this species at this time of year . Eventually , it got blown into the garden and out of sight , so I headed for the Bramble patch on the steep slope . All was quiet to begin with , but the
sunshine slowly brought a few butterfly species out , including a couple of Purple 
everything about , but I did manage one shot of the hunter and the hunted . The white to the left of the Southern Hawker's head/thorax , are the wings of the butterfly/moth .
arrival , and on the way up to Burnt Gorse , got a Red Admiral , 
had already nearly left the Hemp 
females , and then a small butterfly fell into one of the flower heads . Yes , it was a 
obviously not happy with the situation . After several minutes , she broke off and flew away , leaving him with a confused look on his face . The second brood Common Blue numbers are well up on last year , which reflects on the more sympathetic management of Burnt Gorse , last Autumn and Winter . Still good numbers of fresh looking 
Coppers are starting to look tatty now . Heading back to the car , I once again heard bird of prey calls from the area of Larch . When Steve was there we heard them , and were convinced it was Sparrowhawk , but never saw anything . I decided to have another go at seeing them , and slowly made my way towards the calls . At one point , it sounded like all hell was let loose , with definitely three birds calling , then what I'm pretty sure was a male came through the trees , with prey in it's talons , dropping it out of my sight . He was followed by a larger female , that dropped down an mantled whatever he had caught . At the same time , a third bird , I assume a youngster was continually calling . I tried to get a view of the female on the ground , but she picked up the food , and flew into a more wooded area , with the third bid following . I felt frustrated that I didn't get a clear look at what was going on , or even better a picture , but felt lucky just to have been on the fringe of what had happened . Returning to the main track , I
passed the Green Wood-Cup mentioned on Thursday , and with better light 
show a light coloured specimen , that could well be a female of the form '
flew a few feet in front of me . I followed , and thought , if it works for butterflies and Crickets , I wonder . The first attempt , it flew off again , but took up the second offer to warm up on my hand . In the same area , I disturbed a Grey Wagtail , that was fossicking on a mudbank in the small river . It called and flew off , but I could not find it again . I did find an adult Kestrel , maybe the one I saw last time , but no sign of the youngsters . Along the footpath , there were signs of Autumn , with Yew fruits , in various stages of development . The fruits which are 
known as arils , are not poisonous , but the seeds contained within are . You might not wish to know this , but around the Country , the arils are called 'Snotty Gogs' or 'Snottle Berries' . Also 
showing bright red , were the fruits of the Guelder Rose-Viburnum opulus , a member of the Honeysuckle family . The small river is dominated in this length by Himalayan Balsalm and in 
some parts it covers the river from one bank to the other . In one small clear section , I found an 
unusually leaved water plant , Arrowhead-Sagittaria sagittifolia , obviously named after the flower . By midday , with no sign of the sun , I decided to try my luck on the other side of the airport , still alongside the same small river . I had been to this site once , and the amount of Blackthorn is enormous , but it still didn't produce any BHs. The sun did appear , spasmodically , but not enough to encourage any to show themselves . By 3 o'clock , I decided to give in , but decided at the last moment , to have one last look around the other side . I must admit , the weather was better than before , but still very windy there . Nothing on the Blackthorn , a last 
look at the Water Mint patch produced three Painted Ladies , two very neat , one definitely not . Just as I was about to leave , I spotted a Clouded Yellow right at the back , and as I reached for the camera , it flew along the bank , with me chasing , then across the river and over the trees . That just about sums up my day I thought , but at least that was my fourth specimen this year . By now I was knackered , and headed back to the car . As I crossed an open area with lots of Bird's Foot Trefoil in flower , another Clouded Yellow appeared . I dumped my bag and gave chase . CYs only stop briefly to nectar , then fly really fast , especially if you are chasing . It's a 
matter of trying to keep up , to be in position to get a shot before it's off again . During the chase , another appears , could this be a pair that will mate I thought , but my hopes were dashed by the body language of two males , each wanting rid of the other . Once again , it wasn't till I got 
home and edited the shots , that I found that I had managed to fluke another open winged shot of the second specimen , albeit more blurry than the Fackenden shot . So the excitement of the last 20 minutes , made up somewhat for a bad weather , bad sighting day . I've just checked last night's blog , and with no guesses made , the plant in flower that we never give a second look at was Mugwort-Artemisia vulgaris , a member of the Daisy family .
were recorded , along with a good number of Common Darters , some mating and ovipositing . 
and a few plants of interest . The only shot I took there was of Volucell inanis . A few more species were found , but still not the elusive WLH . The lower glade was tried , but that proved negative as well . Whilst there , we thought we had another Volucella inanis flying around a stand of Hemp Agrimony and Golden Rod , but on closer inspection , it turned out to be a Hornet-Vespa crabro . We watched it hunting for a while , then it disappeared . We relocated it within 
the stand , having an early tea . It's meal appeared to be a Hover Fly of some description ,
perhaps Marmalade . Hanging onto a stalk with one leg and another on a leaf , it started 
munching it's way through it's prey . Within what seemed like a very short period of time , the food held in it's front legs was gone , and the Hornet had a quick 'wash and brush up' , before 
flying off to look for afters . We made our way back to the Orchid Bank to check the Hemp Agrimony for a last time for WLH , but still did not find any . 
seen here 
and a large hairy fly , 
Kestrel , I think . There were two sitting side by side , but one must have seen the camera coming out , and flew off to assist it's parent who was arguing with a Carrion Crow . Another spell at the Blackthorn , followed by another spell at the flowers . This time , I found a freshly
emerged Small Tortoiseshell 
male Long Winged 
By 12.30 , the cloud was well thick , and no sign of breaking up . I hadn't done badly though , with 15 species of butterfly , but no Brown 
on a visit last year . By the time I left at about 3 o'clock , I had seen 7 Smooth Snakes , unbelievable . Not only that , but I also saw four Adders , two males and two females , this being 
one of those females . I know I was pushing my luck , but I also had a look for Sand Lizards , but they are few and far between on the site , and some sun was needed to encourage
speciosa , which is definitely not common , as it is only the second time I have found it . Butterflies had emerged in the sun , but one , a male Brown Argus , attempting to fly across the pond , got blown down onto
the surface . Fortunately , I managed to reach it with a stick , and it lived to fight another day . There must have been an emergence of Small Coppers on this site as well as Down House , as I 
recorded 5 around the pond , 3 of them on the same head of Ragwort , and another four later . 
In all 10 species of butterfly were recorded , but mostly in small numbers . I always check the areas of Bramble from and to the car , and above one of them , I found a male Migrant Hawker , 
taking the afternoon sun , and whilst photographing him , noticed another male , this time a Southern Hawker , same species that was in the car port yesterday , fly around the area , then 
come to rest higher up in the trees . These two Hawkers doubled my Odonata species for the site . From the pond , I headed to the farm lake , and arrived to find the owner grass cutting the area around the lake , so didn't expect too much . A few species of butterfly were about , Brimstone , Large and Small White , Common Blue , Brown Argus , Gatekeeper and Meadow
Brown , and even the grass cutting didn't stop them from doing what they had to do . As I got to the far side of the lake , a Corvid call had me looking skyward , to find a Common Buzzard , my second in two days , being mobbed by the Corvid and a Sparrowhawk , just over the woods . I got the camera ready , and hoped that they would come my way , which eventually , they did .
I managed a few shots , but unlike yesterday , there was no doubt about the species .
Apart from that , it was a quiet visit , but the clear skies made it a very humid late afternon .
once again , I hadn't even got my camera out . A very hurried shot , just before they disappeared behind the nearby trees , was all I could manage . I'm going for Common Buzzard , but stand to be corrected . The most noticeable thing on the site , was the wind , which was blowing across the slope , making it very difficult to identify , or count many of the butterflies 
seen . Occasionally , one was found on the ground , with the vegetation sheltering it , like this Small Copper . This species is just starting to appear in numbers again , whereas the Small 
Skipper , is right at the end of it's time , and it shows by the lack of hairs on the abdomen . But they can't really complain , as they have had a really good year , and should show well again next season . The fact that nothing has been said so far about reptiles , reflects just how bad things were in that respect . After checking the 20 sets of refugia , not a single Adder or Grass Snake
had been found , and only 8 Slow Worms recorded , 2 pictured , looking very cosy . Just recently , I have posted , and commented on other posts , stating that Roesel's Bush-Cricket is identified by the cream coloured edge to the side flaps of the pronotum . Well , today I am going
to have to extend the identification to cream or lime green , as I found this specimen , sporting the new colour scheme .
again , a splash of lemon yellow , usually quite short , catches the eye . It is Mouse-Ear Hawkweed . The Mouse-Ear bit , refers to the leaves , not the flowers , but the ID can be 
confirmed by looking under the petals , the outside ones having a reddish tone . Even on this not ideal day , I recorded 14 species of butterfly , but my day was made when I was passing the very first refugia checked earlier , on my way back to the car . My attention was drawn to the male 
Dark Bush-Cricket , sitting on the tin , showing off those long rear legs . As I had got down to photograph the Cricket , I decided to turn the tin again , and there underneath was a beautifully 
coloured female Adder , which I don't think I have recorded before on this site .
Comma
by any means , but a beautifully coloured , freshly emerged Common Blue . This has got to be the 'bluest' female of this species that I have ever seen . A surprise find on the slope , was a day 
flying moth that I haven't recorded for several weeks now , 
family , Clustered 
motorised 
colour of the Adonis Blue really stands out . The fully hair covered abdomen and undamaged wings , tells me that the second brood of this species has only just begun , perfect timing . On such a beautiful morning , the last thing on my mind was fungi , but that was what caught my attention next . Another member of the Ink Cap family , like yesterday's Magpie Fungus , this
one was 
managed half a dozen shots , albeit that I had to race around like a lunatic to get them . It was 
shortly after their leaving , that I found the second target species , Silver Spotted Skipper . As things turned out , this was the only 
recorded several mating pairs . This pair were lucky , just doing their thing , but other mating pairs , were bombarded by single males , trying to muscle in on the action . When I got almost to the far end of the site , I noticed a male Kestrel , drop down from a tree , and mantle , cover with outstretched wings , whatever it had caught . I close the distance between us , but , as I 
attempted a shot , he flew off . One of the stranger plants found on this site is Common Dodder , 
which isn't very common at all . It is a member of the Bindweed family , and a parasite on whatever it clambers over , like something from outer space .
one pair , the male with mating on his mind , and the female without , posed within the same frame . Eventually , the female won , and he flew off , to look for another partner . a surprise species found , was Marbled White , who should be well past their sell-by date by now , but the 
two I saw today , this being one , still looked in good condition . I can't go to a chalk grassland 
site , without posting my favourite named plant , 
because of it's simplicity , is one of the pink members of the Pea family , Rest-Harrow .
male 
good sized specimen measuring 2-2.5 
money on ' Big 
offered my finger , and the Painted Lady stepped onto it . I thought how strange , that this 
species is so active , yet in these conditions , was quite happy to oblige . When on the finger , it's amazing what can be seen . There was very little to be seen until I got to the bank above the golf course . There I found a female 
my finger . Maybe it was because she had lost one of her back legs and couldn't spring away , but it gave the opportunity for a close up of the cream edged 
was a failure , but a male Common Blue was only too happy to get warmth from my finger . The
Grasshoppers were not so helpful , but I did manage to get a Common Green Grasshopper to pose on a Bramble leaf . Very little was on the wing , so it was eyes down to see what was 
amongst the ground vegetation , and I managed to find both male , with the saddle on it's back , 
and the female , with the 
common name , Magpie Fungus . Surprising because I normally find this fungi at High Elms , but 
not until late September/October . Another surprise was finding the 'tree climbing' version of the Roman Snail .
Gatekeepers , until I came across a second brood Small Heath , which are just starting to emerge . At least the drizzle had stopped by now , and at times the sun's warmth could be felt 
through the grey clouds . A couple of plants that I came across include the delicate Harebell , and 
the 
job Warren isn't reading this . The first , a Common Blue , followed very shortly afterwards , by 
an exquisite Brown Argus . By the time I got back to the car , my walking boots were soaked through , luckily I was wearing gaiters , to stop the grass seeds getting into the boots , otherwise my trouser legs would have been soaked too .
small count of 20+ Common Darter , including several pairs in the ring . New emergent Common Darters around the lake numbered 15+ . Even Damselflies were few , with 35+ Common Blue and the odd Azure being recorded . Butterflies did better , with 8 species recorded , Painted Lady (3) , Small White (2) , Common Blue (9) , Meadow Brown (8) , Brown Argus (2) , Gatekeeper (25+) , Red Admiral (1) and Small Copper (1) . On my second lap of the lake , I came across , what I first thought was a very large Hovver Fly , much bigger than Volucella zonaria , the large one that I have been finding quite regularly . When I got closer , I realised that it wasn't a Hovver Fly , 
because it had two pairs of wings . It was obviously warming up in the sun , and looked as if it would be off any moment . I managed 3 more shots , before it took off , flying , not like a fly , but more like a Chaffer . Its legs and the way it moved on the vegetation also was very much like a Chaffer . I have checked my book ( Collins Insects) since coming home, but cannot find anything like it . Before trawling through images on the web , I wondered if anyone has any ideas ? It was about 3cms. in length .
Violet Helleborines , and found that the topmost flowers are now open on both . Hopefully , plenty of seed will drop , and provide even more plants in the future . For once , I reached the Orchid Bank in full sun , and eagerly checked the Hemp Agrimony on the end , only to be disappointed to find not a single WLH . A check of the other stands of Hemp Agrimony , produced lots of Peacocks , Silver Washed Fritillaries and Commas , but it wasn't till the last but 
one stand that I found a WLH , and that was a tatty looking specimen . Another tatty one was found on my return trip , which gets me thinking that these tatty specimens must be emerging elsewhere in the woods , and coming to the Hemp Agrimony to nectar . A third was found , condition unknown , as it flew high into the trees on seeing me , I have that effect on many things . Whilst searching , I came across a female Large Skipper , that shouldn't be around now , at least 
not in this condition . Normally , they are finishing their flight time , but no one told this one . She was on the Marjoram on the left as I took the shot , but in the millisecond , flew to the flowers on the right , leaving me with another lucky shot of her in flight . A species that I haven't seen much
this year , Red Admiral , paid a visit to the Hemp Agrimony , and provided a nice underwing shot . Just before leaving the Orchid Bank , I spotted a zig-zag flight of a small butterfly , and 
managed to follow it , as it landed . It turned out to be the 4th. WLH of the day , and this one was in pristine condition , but insisted on tunnelling into the ground vegetation . I know I didn't see the large one seen the other day , nor do I think the 2 tatty ones were the ones I saw the other day either , so things are looking up for WLH . SWF activity seemed subdued today , but several 
males and even more females were seen today , mostly nectaring , but 3 of the females were 
doing their duty . A surprise find in the small glade was a pair of Conical Wax Caps-Hygrocybe 
conica . On Burnt Gorse , 3 freshly emerged Small Coppers were recorded . Down at the bottom of the slope , where the Buckthorn is thickest , and where I watched the female egg laying earlier in the year , several , freshly emerged , male and female Brimstones were found .
distinctive , leaf shaped wing . By two o'clock , the sun was starting to get milky , and by the time I got home , it had disappeared .
get this one right , if it is what I think it is , as Dean posted it a short while ago , Mother of Pearl . Settling on the windscreen allowed the light to pass right through the wings , giving a real pearl effect .
Cracking Bolete . The 35mm. film canister gives an idea of the size . There was another close by , but that had been well and truly chewed . It was then down to the heather patch across the road from our yard , to find something of interest . The first item was another posted by Dean
recently , Amanita rubescens-The Blusher , like many of this family listed as poisonous . This shot shows the volva or sack that the stem emerges from , and this is indicative of the family .Quoting from my book 'Until you have had identifications double-checked , do not eat any of them (the family) or you may die' . The most notorious of the family is Amanita 
phalloides-Death Cap . I had to turn the tins whilst there , and was rewarded with an adult Grass
Snake , an adult Slow Worm , and several of the tins housed Wood Ants , with adults , winged 
adults and eggs . Looking very much like Potatoes lying around , were large numbers of 
Scleroderma citrinum-Common Earth Balls .
camera . More rain tomorrow , but I hope to get out for a while before it sets in .
found that seemed quite tame , till I got too close for it's liking , and it moved to the other side of the stock fence . Only other thing of interest found that side of the road was the female version 
of the Scorpion Fly , the male of which I posted a few days ago . As I said then , the female lacks the scorpion tail , and instead , has an 
and the Orchid Glade , another 4 females , all egg laying , one pictured . When I got to the stand of Hemp 
not when it landed . I took a couple of shots , then as it was cool , offered it my finger , which it accepted eagerly . It was the largest 
inspection , another 
then the dark 
An unusual visitor to the Hemp 
then I was bombarded by an enormous Red Tailed Bumble Bee .
Just before leaving , this Peacock , with a 
small moth that I usually see on downland , Pyrausta purpualis , soaking up the morning sun . 
Further along the border was a small bee feeding on Evening Primrose flowers , but with very swollen red femurs . I haven't seen it before , and wondered if anyone else has ? Once I got out into the fields , it was obvious that there had been a large emergence of Small Coppers .
ownership . I recorded 13 specimens whilst doing the Bird Survey , but had I been surveying butterflies , I would have probably found 2/3 times as many . Meadow Browns were still the 
most numerous species , and they are still mating . I was surprised to find a fresh looking male Marbled White , the only one recorded today , he must have got his timing wrong , and missed 
his chance of mating . The full list was , Meadow Brown (78) , Gatekeeper (27) , Marbled White (1) , Large White (7) ,Small White (10) , Green Veined White (1) , Comma (4) , Peacock (5) , Small Copper (13) ,Speckled Wood (2) , Small Skipper (5) , Common Blue (14) , Brown Argus (3) and Painted Lady (18) , making 14 , the same number of butterfly species as bird species recorded .
the coming and going . An absolutely pristine male , probably emerged this morning , with his tails , those little extensions behind the orange markings in perfect condition . So my worst fears that they didn't breed last year have gone , and hopefully , more of this species will be found in the next few days . This species gets it's name from the white letter 'W' on the underwing .
'bounce' . I found a male Chalkhill Blue that hat just recently emerged , holding his antennae in that strange 'just emerged' way . The numbers of this species grew very quickly , and it wasn't 
long before I found the first of 10/15 mating pairs . For the males , having found a female wasn't the end of it , as they were constantly being pursued by anything up to 4/5 other males , all trying to separate the pair , so they could take his place . Strangely , one plant that the rabbits 
haven't started nibbling , yet , is the Autumn Gentian , which is just starting to come in to flower . Whilst searching the vegetation , I found this moth , which I knew was common , but couldn't remember the name . When I got home , I searched UK Moths , and I think that it is 
Shaded Broad-bar , but I stand to be corrected . Having used the 'A' word once , another 
reminder was found under a large Beech , as I left the reserve . Several other specimens had already been munched or uprooted , but this Russula mairei-Beechwood Sickener was still in good condition . This species is listed as poisonous . 7 species of butterfly were recorded on the site , the most numerous , Chalkhill Blue , estimated at 75-100 .
this being one of them . The refugia proved unused most of the way round , so it was good to have some flowers and more butterflies to record . The strange Carline Thistle , in 'full flower' at 
the moment , and this is as good as it gets . Small Scabious , with far less leaf than it's relation , 
Field Scabious , is brightening up the slope . Both are members of the Teasel family .
Argus , including a freshly emerged female . The last few refugia did produce a couple of reptiles , making the visit more interesting . A small male , with 'blueing' eyes , showing that he is
coming up to slough , was found under one , and the female that I have found on my last couple 
of visits , is still happily residing under another . A total of 10 Sow Worms and 3 Common Lizards were recorded . Very little bird activity , apart from the Yellowhammer still singing , a Kestrel , hovering over the slope , probably looking for breakfast , and the odd Tit call . 