Sightings
Spring Observations
07/06/12 15:16
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
Butterflies Are Back
15/03/11 10:39
On a beautiful & warm morning, the Rifle Range seemed suddenly to have sprung into life. Many birds flying around busily singing and looking very smart in their spring plumage including several Jays around the treetops, Great Spotted & Green Woodpeckers calling & hammering, a Buzzard soaring on thermals above, a male Yellowhammer giving his characteristic “Little bit of bread & some cheese” call,YellowhammerCall but, best of all a lovely Black Redstart flying around & feeding on the north slope.
Spring flowers are coming up everywhere including Celandine, Primrose & Violets, and lots of insects about.
At last I saw my first butterflies of the year, three lovely male Brimstone and a Peacock.
The winter is hopefully over.
PV
Spring flowers are coming up everywhere including Celandine, Primrose & Violets, and lots of insects about.
At last I saw my first butterflies of the year, three lovely male Brimstone and a Peacock.
The winter is hopefully over.
PV