Saturday 19th. April 2014

A morning visit to Hutchinson's Bank , meeting up with Martin in the Cutting , who does the butterfly transect for the site , confirmed that with luck , Glanville Fritillary will be on the wing again this year . We searched for the caterpillars of the species , which Martin photographed and posted on his blog a few days ago , but failed initially , and assumed that they had moved off to pupate in the surrounding vegetation . A final look , before leaving Martin to start his transect , which included year firsts for Green Hairstreak , and Dingy and Grizzled Skipper , and a single fully grown

caterpillar was found , thanks to Martin's sharp eyesight . So now it's down to a three week wait till the adults hopefully emerge . After lunch , I headed off to High Elms LNR to do the full butterfly transect , in almost ideal conditions . Two and a half hours later , just five species had been recorded , 4 Orange Tip , 9 Brimstone , 12 Peacock . 3 Small White and a single Comma . I didn't hear of Martin's finds till later , but they were the three species that I had hoped to find , bit didn't . The only

shot I took on the way around was this of the high rise bank buildings of Canary Wharf , across the golf course , in the haze , through a gap in the trees on the horizon . On the way back home , I stopped to see if there was any sign of House Martins around their favoured farmhouse , which there

wasn't , but on one of the outbuildings , a Pied Wagtail posed on the ridge against clear blue sky , but

everything scattered on alarm calls , when this male Sparrowhawk appeared on the scene , but he left 'empty taloned' . On the bottom lane I found two Swallows , and with the sun in a better position , got

a shot of one of them , before they both flew off .
A morning visit to the feeders in the woods , found them empty , no doubt the supply stopped for the

Summer , but a few birds were still turning up , like this Marsh Tit , but having to find their own food for the time being . Whilst standing at the feeders , rustles could be heard and the odd movement amongst the fallen leaves . I managed to find some odd seed in one of the feeders , and put it down

under one of the feeders . I didn't have to wait long until the cause of the rustling , and spent a very

enjoyable time photographing at least three Bank Voles that were coming for the seed , whilst I stood just 3/4 metres away , with no cover between us . Tearing myself away , I did find a very photogenic

Grass Snake under a corrugated sheet , that allowed four shots before disappearing down one of the holes , tunnelled by the Bank Voles , under the sheet .
Yesterday , with fellow enthusiast Keith for company , a return visit to Old Lodge Reserve on Ashdown Forest was made , with a report of a sunny day from the forecasters . It might have been sunny , at times , but a very chilly wind kept the temperature well down , and the birds tucked up as well . We did hear some good species , but sightings were few and far between . Common Redstart ,

Wood Lark , Tree Pipit ( one pictured ) , Cuckoo , Common Buzzard , Lesser Redpoll , Common Crossbill , Goldcrest , Siskin , Swallow , Willow Warbler , Common Whitethroat and Stonechat all put in appearances , or were heard , along with the expected species , but I must admit that in the

conditions , it was hard work . Other interest included busy Wood Ant nests , with unknown numbers swarming all over , all very industrious . It was little surprise that after walking away from this nest ,

it felt as if they were climbing my legs , under my trousers . We returned home via Bough Beech Reservoir , and although quiet , managed to add House Martin and Common Tern to the list from the causeway .
And for those who have been worrying about the rugby players and the Great White Shark , no need , as the two pitches are still flooded and un-playable , unless of course you are a Grey Heron like this

one , who has taken up residence . The rest of his team consists of 8 Mallard , 4 Coot , 49 yellow plastic ducks , 1 Pied Wagtail and a traffic cone . The GWS fin has gone , to be replaced by -

HMS Coney .
Nearly forgot , some help please , with a caterpillar and a moth , both found at Old Lodge yesterday .

About 3/4 cms. in length .

About 1.5-2 cm. wingspan .