Jun 2012
Spring Observations
07/06/12 15:16 Filed in: Sightings
Here are some random observations about this Spring.
It started well with an early warm spell bringing out good numbers of butterflies such as Brimstone & Orange Tip, along with over-wintered Peacock & Red Admirals. However, April turned very wet and the butterflies went to ground and few were seen at all. In fact so far this year has been very disappointing with only small numbers of any species seen. Holly Blue’s have done well though, as have Small Heath.
So far this year I have seen: Brimstone, Orange Tip, Peacock, Red Admiral, Green-veined White, Small White, Wall, Green Hairstreak, Adonis Blue, Small Tortoiseshell, & Small Heath.
Here are a male & female Adonis Blue seen on the Steyning Coombe. This could mean we now have a breeding population here again, weather permitting!
Early Purple Orchids appeared in reasonable numbers, and now Common Spotted have emerged in good numbers.
Reptiles are doing OK with Adders, Grass Snakes, Slow Worms & Common Lizards seen on the Rifle Range & the Steyning Coombe. How they’re coping with the current, seemingly never-ending, wet spell is unknown.
Our newly formed Bird Surveying Group have been out & about and this year have found a total of 51 species so far, including some lovely migrants such as Nightingale, Cuckoo, Willow Warbler and Wheatear.
One of 2 Broad-bodied Chaser females seen on the Steyning Coombe:
PV
It started well with an early warm spell bringing out good numbers of butterflies such as Brimstone & Orange Tip, along with over-wintered Peacock & Red Admirals. However, April turned very wet and the butterflies went to ground and few were seen at all. In fact so far this year has been very disappointing with only small numbers of any species seen. Holly Blue’s have done well though, as have Small Heath.
So far this year I have seen: Brimstone, Orange Tip, Peacock, Red Admiral, Green-veined White, Small White, Wall, Green Hairstreak, Adonis Blue, Small Tortoiseshell, & Small Heath.
Here are a male & female Adonis Blue seen on the Steyning Coombe. This could mean we now have a breeding population here again, weather permitting!
Early Purple Orchids appeared in reasonable numbers, and now Common Spotted have emerged in good numbers.
Reptiles are doing OK with Adders, Grass Snakes, Slow Worms & Common Lizards seen on the Rifle Range & the Steyning Coombe. How they’re coping with the current, seemingly never-ending, wet spell is unknown.
Our newly formed Bird Surveying Group have been out & about and this year have found a total of 51 species so far, including some lovely migrants such as Nightingale, Cuckoo, Willow Warbler and Wheatear.
One of 2 Broad-bodied Chaser females seen on the Steyning Coombe:
PV