Jun 2010
Orchids
24/06/10 11:01 Filed in: Sightings
I found the first Pyramidal Orchid of the year on the Rifle Range today & they’re also starting to appear on the Steyning Coombe. Interestingly, they are more common on the south facing slope, whereas the Common Spotted seem to like the north facing slope where there are hundreds flowering now.
Lots of Meadow Brown butterflies today, several Large Skippers & a Red Admiral, but a total absence of any blue butterflies. The Common Blue, like most of the blues, is in-between broods at the moment, so we’ll hopefully see more towards the end of July.
Lots of Meadow Brown butterflies today, several Large Skippers & a Red Admiral, but a total absence of any blue butterflies. The Common Blue, like most of the blues, is in-between broods at the moment, so we’ll hopefully see more towards the end of July.
Botany
21/06/10 21:13 Filed in: Sightings
In spite of having walked the Rifle Range for many years, it’s amazing to still come across things I’ve never noticed before. Today I came across a small patch of Adder’s Tongue fern (Ophioglossum vulgatum). I don’t know if the botanical surveyors found this, but it’s an indicator of ancient meadows, relatively uncommon & apparently prefers damp conditions!
There is a fine display of common spotted orchids on the Orchid Bank at the moment, and many up on the Steyning Coombe as well.PV
There is a fine display of common spotted orchids on the Orchid Bank at the moment, and many up on the Steyning Coombe as well.PV
Surveys
14/06/10 13:45 Filed in: Sightings
Good to see a group of local volunteers getting down to some serious botanical surveying on the Rifle Range & the Steyning Coombe. Today’s survey is part of an on-going series throughout the summer months. 
I saw 3 Meadow Brown butterflies today, the first of the year, and also a few Large Skippers, Common Blues, a Grass Snake and a Hummingbird Hawkmoth collecting nectar in the Rifle Range. The Common Spotted Orchids are finally looking good on the Rifle Range orchid bank. They also seem to be thriving on the Steyning Coombe, especially where the trees & scrub have been cut along the new fence.
PV
I saw 3 Meadow Brown butterflies today, the first of the year, and also a few Large Skippers, Common Blues, a Grass Snake and a Hummingbird Hawkmoth collecting nectar in the Rifle Range. The Common Spotted Orchids are finally looking good on the Rifle Range orchid bank. They also seem to be thriving on the Steyning Coombe, especially where the trees & scrub have been cut along the new fence.
PV
Painted Lady
08/06/10 19:45 Filed in: Sightings
Some new butterflies today. On the Rifle Range, the first Painted Lady of the year, & also a Speckled Wood near to the woodland.
On the Steyning Coombe, a pair of Red Admirals sparring in the sky.
Also a Red Fox hunting rabbits on the Rifle Range, and a possibly leucistic deer glimpsed in the woods.
PV
On the Steyning Coombe, a pair of Red Admirals sparring in the sky.
Also a Red Fox hunting rabbits on the Rifle Range, and a possibly leucistic deer glimpsed in the woods.
PV
Butterflies & Orchids
07/06/10 14:58 Filed in: Sightings
On the Rifle Range today, at least 4 Common Blue butterflies, 2 Dingy Skippers and several Small Heath and a Cinnabar moth.
On the Steyning Coombe, a much richer chalk downland habitat, several Common Blues, many Small Heaths, Grizzled & Dingy Skippers,
1 Green Hairstreak, 1 Large White. Also, lots of Crickets & Grasshoppers everywhere.
The Common Spotted Orchids are doing well on the Steyning Coombe, but not nearly so well on the Rifle Range compared to this time last year. This is probably due to the Cattle having been allowed to remain longer than was necessary. They will certainly recover and the grazing will, in the long term, have a beneficial effect.PV
On the Steyning Coombe, a much richer chalk downland habitat, several Common Blues, many Small Heaths, Grizzled & Dingy Skippers,
1 Green Hairstreak, 1 Large White. Also, lots of Crickets & Grasshoppers everywhere.
The Common Spotted Orchids are doing well on the Steyning Coombe, but not nearly so well on the Rifle Range compared to this time last year. This is probably due to the Cattle having been allowed to remain longer than was necessary. They will certainly recover and the grazing will, in the long term, have a beneficial effect.PV