Sightings
Nightingale
25/04/12 13:13
Here’s a better recording of the Nightingale:
Nightingale3
These birds are really difficult to see as they nearly always keep themselves hidden in the undergrowth. It’s a challenge to get a photo or any video!
PV
Nightingale3
These birds are really difficult to see as they nearly always keep themselves hidden in the undergrowth. It’s a challenge to get a photo or any video!
PV
Spring Birds
24/04/12 11:57
Great to hear a Nightingale singing beautifully next to the MOD track leading to the rifle Range. It was only a few metres away tucked into the undergrowth. Accompanied by a Whitethroat.
For a slightly ropey audio recording, click here: Nightingale2
The weather was grey, chilly & windy, so no surprise that I didn’t see a single butterfly anywhere.
PV
For a slightly ropey audio recording, click here: Nightingale2
The weather was grey, chilly & windy, so no surprise that I didn’t see a single butterfly anywhere.
PV
More Spring
12/04/12 15:50
Here is a selection of images taken on site this spring. Lots of new life about everywhere, including some migrant birds, Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps. Also Orange-tip Butterflies.
Violets
Brimstone Butterfly
Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly
Twayblade Orchid
Mating Grass Snakes
Comma Butterfly
Green-veined White Butterfly
Cowslip
PV
Violets
Brimstone Butterfly
Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly
Twayblade Orchid
Mating Grass Snakes
Comma Butterfly
Green-veined White Butterfly
Cowslip
PV
Springing Into Life
01/03/12 14:37
A late morning walk on a beautifully warm sunny day showed many signs of spring being just around the corner. Two lovely Brimstone butterflies were flying around the south-facing slopes of the Rifle Range, and quite a few Celandine already in flower, as were some primroses around the pond.
The first Common Lizards of the year were sunning themselves making the best of the warmth.
I can’t remember the Upper Pond being at such a low level at this time of year before. A sure sign of the lack of rainfall this winter.
Lots of birds about including Jay, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Long-tailed Tits, Buzzard overhead, Mallard, Coot.
Also, near Mouse Lane, a pair of seemingly amorous Tortoiseshell Butterflies.
PV
The first Common Lizards of the year were sunning themselves making the best of the warmth.
I can’t remember the Upper Pond being at such a low level at this time of year before. A sure sign of the lack of rainfall this winter.
Lots of birds about including Jay, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Long-tailed Tits, Buzzard overhead, Mallard, Coot.
Also, near Mouse Lane, a pair of seemingly amorous Tortoiseshell Butterflies.
PV
Winter Walk
11/01/12 15:20
I had an amazingly sunny & warm walk up the Steyning Coombe this morning to meet up with Tom Parry from the South Downs National Park and Nigel who co-ordinates our Ranger Team. The Grammar School Task Force were up there continuing the good work clearing scrub to help restore some more chalk grassland.
The temperature was around 14˚C, unseasonably mild, and this might have explained the two pristine Red Admiral butterflies we spotted on the way back down.
Lots of birds were also about including a pair of Bullfinches, Gold & Greenfinches, Green Woodpecker, Collared Doves, & on the ponds, Mallard, Teal & Gadwall.
PV
The temperature was around 14˚C, unseasonably mild, and this might have explained the two pristine Red Admiral butterflies we spotted on the way back down.
Lots of birds were also about including a pair of Bullfinches, Gold & Greenfinches, Green Woodpecker, Collared Doves, & on the ponds, Mallard, Teal & Gadwall.
PV
Random Events
15/11/11 11:37
Being in the right place at the right time is one of the wonderful things about observing wildlife. No matter how much research & planning you do, nature will always spring a surprise on you. This morning I was at the Upper Pond making some plans for our upcoming felling operations and spent some time there wandering around. I was standing by the dam, just about to leave when there was a terrific flapping in one of the overhanging trees. Down comes a bundle of feathers which turned out to be a Sparrowhawk chasing a Pigeon. The Pigeon managed to escape into some undergrowth just above the waterline & the Sparrowhawk sat on a branch just above, giving me great views. After a couple of minutes the obviously injured Pigeon made an escape attempt but was pounced on by the raptor who proceeded to grab it in its talons, get on top of it, and sit there, wings outstretched, calmly drowning it!
After a while, when it’s prey was dead, it attempted several times to extract the Pigeon from the water, but it was just too heavy so it just gave up and flew off leaving the bird floating in the pond. Incredible!
Poor Pigeon for enduring a dreadful death, or poor Sparrowhawk for having expended so much time & effort and failing to get a meal? Probably both….
PV
After a while, when it’s prey was dead, it attempted several times to extract the Pigeon from the water, but it was just too heavy so it just gave up and flew off leaving the bird floating in the pond. Incredible!
Poor Pigeon for enduring a dreadful death, or poor Sparrowhawk for having expended so much time & effort and failing to get a meal? Probably both….
PV
Butterflies
15/08/11 15:09
Had a very good walk on the Rifle Range this morning seeing a good range of butterflies, 13 species in all, but not in large numbers:
Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Small White, Large White, Small Heath, Brimstone, Wall Brown, Small Tortoiseshell, Brown Argus, Small Copper, Common Blue, Speckled Wood & Brown Hairstreak.
Also saw a Grass Snake & some Slow Worms under a felt. Swallows & House Martins were flying above.
The popularity of our Brown Hairstreak Reserve is again apparent as there were at least eight people watching & taking photographs of a couple of females as they laid eggs on blackthorn growing around the perimeter.
Slow Worm
Brown Hairstreak
Brown Hairstreak laying Eggs
Brimstone
Wall Brown
Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Small White, Large White, Small Heath, Brimstone, Wall Brown, Small Tortoiseshell, Brown Argus, Small Copper, Common Blue, Speckled Wood & Brown Hairstreak.
Also saw a Grass Snake & some Slow Worms under a felt. Swallows & House Martins were flying above.
The popularity of our Brown Hairstreak Reserve is again apparent as there were at least eight people watching & taking photographs of a couple of females as they laid eggs on blackthorn growing around the perimeter.
Slow Worm
Brown Hairstreak
Brown Hairstreak laying Eggs
Brimstone
Wall Brown
Wasp Spider
14/08/11 15:56
Here’s a photo of a Wasp Spider taken on the Rifle Range by Simon Birnstingl:
These striking spiders were first recorded in the UK in 1922, and have, so far, spread as far north as Cambridge. They live on flying insects and grasshoppers and need fairly long grass in which to build their nests. Males are much smaller than females and some don’t survive the mating experience, being eaten by the female!
These striking spiders were first recorded in the UK in 1922, and have, so far, spread as far north as Cambridge. They live on flying insects and grasshoppers and need fairly long grass in which to build their nests. Males are much smaller than females and some don’t survive the mating experience, being eaten by the female!
Got The Blues Again
26/07/11 14:32
At last I’ve spotted some blue butterflies again!
Yesterday I saw 3 male Common Blues on the Rifle Range & 3 females & 1 male on the Steyning Coombe. Also there were plenty of Gatekeepers, a Small Heath, 2 Brimstone, Small & Large Whites & 2 Wall Brown.
Today, in spite of being a bit gloomy, was a wildlife extravaganza! On the boundary of the Rifle Range a Buzzard flew out of a tree, the wild flowers were amazing and there were several Common Blues flying among the Gatekeepers, along with a Brown Argus, a Silver-washed Fritillary, Red Admiral & Peacock. Also saw 2 Adders, a Grass Snake, a Common Lizard & a Slow Worm. Best of all though was a Chalkhill Blue, the first one I’ve seen here for years!
CHALKHILL BLUE
COMMON BLUE
BRIMSTONE
SILVER-WASHED FRITILLARY
WALL BROWN
ADDER
Yesterday I saw 3 male Common Blues on the Rifle Range & 3 females & 1 male on the Steyning Coombe. Also there were plenty of Gatekeepers, a Small Heath, 2 Brimstone, Small & Large Whites & 2 Wall Brown.
Today, in spite of being a bit gloomy, was a wildlife extravaganza! On the boundary of the Rifle Range a Buzzard flew out of a tree, the wild flowers were amazing and there were several Common Blues flying among the Gatekeepers, along with a Brown Argus, a Silver-washed Fritillary, Red Admiral & Peacock. Also saw 2 Adders, a Grass Snake, a Common Lizard & a Slow Worm. Best of all though was a Chalkhill Blue, the first one I’ve seen here for years!
CHALKHILL BLUE
COMMON BLUE
BRIMSTONE
SILVER-WASHED FRITILLARY
WALL BROWN
ADDER
Wild Flowers
15/07/11 13:09
The wild flowers on the Rifle Range are amazing at the moment. I’m sure the winter grazing has been really beneficial.
.
However, in spite of this, my casual observations are that there are not that many butterflies about. There are some Meadow Brown about, Marbled Whites are not as numerous as they were a couple of weeks ago, some Small Whites are flying and Gatekeepers are beginning to appear in ones & twos. There are a few Ringlets as well.
I’ve also spotted the odd Red Admiral & Peacock. But I haven’t seen a single blue butterfly for weeks now. I know they’re being seen on other sites on the Downs, so where are ours?
.
However, in spite of this, my casual observations are that there are not that many butterflies about. There are some Meadow Brown about, Marbled Whites are not as numerous as they were a couple of weeks ago, some Small Whites are flying and Gatekeepers are beginning to appear in ones & twos. There are a few Ringlets as well.
I’ve also spotted the odd Red Admiral & Peacock. But I haven’t seen a single blue butterfly for weeks now. I know they’re being seen on other sites on the Downs, so where are ours?
Marbled White
11/06/11 18:28
Saw my first Marbled White of the year today. A beautiful butterfly.
Also several Large Skippers, this one, I think, a female.
There were Small Heaths & some pristine Small Tortoiseshell about as well, but hardly any Blues.
Also this fine specimen of a Viviparous Lizard.
PV
Also several Large Skippers, this one, I think, a female.
There were Small Heaths & some pristine Small Tortoiseshell about as well, but hardly any Blues.
Also this fine specimen of a Viviparous Lizard.
PV
Butterflies
08/06/11 12:07
In spite of cooler windier weather, quite a few few butterflies spotted over the past few days including lots of Meadow Browns,
several Common Blues,
a few Small Heath
and my first Large Skipper of the season.
PV
several Common Blues,
a few Small Heath
and my first Large Skipper of the season.
PV
Nightingale
13/05/11 12:57
While walking down the track from the Rifle Range this afternoon, I heard this Nightingale singing it’s heart out, well concealed in the undergrowth.Nightingalemp3
As far as I know they haven’t been hear for at least three or four years so it’s great to have one back.
The Common Spotted Orchids are just beginning to flower on the Steyning Coombe:
As far as I know they haven’t been hear for at least three or four years so it’s great to have one back.
The Common Spotted Orchids are just beginning to flower on the Steyning Coombe:
Scarce Chaser
09/05/11 15:13
While trying to get some decent footage of butterflies up on the Steyning Coombe, I was amazed to see, along with male & female Broad Bodied Chaser dragonflies, this lovely female Scarce Chaser (Libellula fulva).
These are a Red List species & only seen around certain river systems, the nearest of which is the Arun. It would be interesting to know where it came from.
I also saw several Grizzled & Dingy Skippers, Large & Small Whites, a Holly Blue, Wall Brown, Brimstone, Small Heath, one Brown Argus and my first Common Blue of the year.
Oh yes, and a Slow Worm sheltering under one of the reptile survey refugia.
Lovely!
PV
These are a Red List species & only seen around certain river systems, the nearest of which is the Arun. It would be interesting to know where it came from.
I also saw several Grizzled & Dingy Skippers, Large & Small Whites, a Holly Blue, Wall Brown, Brimstone, Small Heath, one Brown Argus and my first Common Blue of the year.
Oh yes, and a Slow Worm sheltering under one of the reptile survey refugia.
Lovely!
PV
Orchids
28/04/11 13:00
It lovely to see the Early Purple Orchids starting to come into flower on the Rifle Range.
Hopefully the start of another wonderful display for this year.
Another new butterfly for this year, several Small Heaths both on the Rifle Range & the Steyning Coombe.
I don’t know if they’ve always been here in such numbers and hidden from view by the tall grasses that used to swamp the Rifle Range, but there seem to be many more Cowslips about this year scattered over both slopes.
I also saw 3x Red Admirals, another Grizzled Skipper
& a Speckled Wood.
PV
Hopefully the start of another wonderful display for this year.
Another new butterfly for this year, several Small Heaths both on the Rifle Range & the Steyning Coombe.
I don’t know if they’ve always been here in such numbers and hidden from view by the tall grasses that used to swamp the Rifle Range, but there seem to be many more Cowslips about this year scattered over both slopes.
I also saw 3x Red Admirals, another Grizzled Skipper
& a Speckled Wood.
PV
Random Observations
21/04/11 12:12
Here are a few random & unscientific observations I have made while wandering randomly over the SDS site recently.
My butterfly sightings so far this year have included a good number of species, but not in large numbers. I have seen, roughly in date order:
Peacock, Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Orange Tip, Speckled Wood, Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Green Hairstreak & Small White.
So far I’ve only managed ID photos such as these:
Grizzled Skipper
Dingy Skipper
Green Hairstreak
Small Tortoiseshell
I have seen & heard lots of Chiffchaffs & Whitethroats this spring. They seem to be more numerous than recent years. Yellowhammers are also doing well, often seen in the scrub on the Rifle Range.
For the first time today I saw a couple of Red-legged Partridge on the Steyning Coombe.
There have been hundreds of Bee-flies about. I’ve never really noticed them before. They seem to have evolved to look like bees, presumably to put off potential predators. Amazing proboscis!
There are lots of Common Lizards about, both on the Rifle Range & the Steyning Coombe. I have failed to get a photo this year so here’s one from last year:
I’m hopeless at botany, but I have found again the small patch of Adders Tongue Fern (Ophioglossum Vulgatum) on the Rifle Range. Supposedly an indicator of ancient meadows, it also apparently likes damp conditions and usually first appears in June. Here it is on dry chalk downland in April:
Can anyone help identify this, growing in the same vicinity as the Adders Tongue:
If you know what it is, please let me know: sdsblog@me.com
Orchids are on their way with the first already flowering, namely the Twayblades:
These are easily overlooked as the flowers are green. Definitely worth a close look.
PV
My butterfly sightings so far this year have included a good number of species, but not in large numbers. I have seen, roughly in date order:
Peacock, Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Orange Tip, Speckled Wood, Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Green Hairstreak & Small White.
So far I’ve only managed ID photos such as these:
Grizzled Skipper
Dingy Skipper
Green Hairstreak
Small Tortoiseshell
I have seen & heard lots of Chiffchaffs & Whitethroats this spring. They seem to be more numerous than recent years. Yellowhammers are also doing well, often seen in the scrub on the Rifle Range.
For the first time today I saw a couple of Red-legged Partridge on the Steyning Coombe.
There have been hundreds of Bee-flies about. I’ve never really noticed them before. They seem to have evolved to look like bees, presumably to put off potential predators. Amazing proboscis!
There are lots of Common Lizards about, both on the Rifle Range & the Steyning Coombe. I have failed to get a photo this year so here’s one from last year:
I’m hopeless at botany, but I have found again the small patch of Adders Tongue Fern (Ophioglossum Vulgatum) on the Rifle Range. Supposedly an indicator of ancient meadows, it also apparently likes damp conditions and usually first appears in June. Here it is on dry chalk downland in April:
Can anyone help identify this, growing in the same vicinity as the Adders Tongue:
If you know what it is, please let me know: sdsblog@me.com
Orchids are on their way with the first already flowering, namely the Twayblades:
These are easily overlooked as the flowers are green. Definitely worth a close look.
PV
Ponds & Bridges
07/04/11 11:46
Went for a nightime walk around the ponds accompanied by Bev Wadge from the Sussex Biodiversity Records Centre. Looking into ponds at night using powerful torches is a great way to see what’s there. We saw several Eels, 3 Palmate Newts, lots of freshwater shrimps, snails, pond fleas, & some diving beetles. Not a huge amount of biodiversity, but this is probably due to the lack of aquatic plants in and around the ponds. This might be helped by cutting back some of the overhanging trees & scrub & letting some light into the area. The only plant we found in the water was some Water Mint. We will soon be doing an invertebrate survey to find out if there are other species lurking unseen.
The new bridge over the stream by the dam is now complete and should make it much easier to get across.
I also saw my first Speckled Wood butterfly of the year up by the Flint Barn, a very tatty specimen!
Quite a few other butterflies about, Brimstones, Small Tortoiseshells, Commas & this lovely Peacock.
PV
The new bridge over the stream by the dam is now complete and should make it much easier to get across.
I also saw my first Speckled Wood butterfly of the year up by the Flint Barn, a very tatty specimen!
Quite a few other butterflies about, Brimstones, Small Tortoiseshells, Commas & this lovely Peacock.
PV
Reptiles Again
04/04/11 10:02
I found these Slow Worms (Anguis fragilis) along with an Adder this morning. Slow Worms are, in fact, legless lizards, not snakes, and are totally harmless. These are, I think, a male & a female, the female having the stripe down her back.
Now where’s that Grass Snake!
I also found this:
Not being much of a botanist, I’ve no idea what it is. You can enlighten me at sdsblog@me.com
PV
Now where’s that Grass Snake!
I also found this:
Not being much of a botanist, I’ve no idea what it is. You can enlighten me at sdsblog@me.com
PV
Snake in the Grass
03/04/11 10:01
It was good to find this young adder (Vipera Berus) warming up on the slopes of the Rifle Range this morning. It can easily be identified by the zig-zag pattern down its back, and by the vertically slit pupil clearly visible in this photo. This one was quite small, probably only 30cm long.
I’ve noticed many common lizards (Zootoca Vivipara) here again this year which are a food species for the adders.
We will be doing a reptile survey soon to get an idea of our populations.
PV
Birds
02/01/11 14:55
A short walk around the Rifle Range on a sunny morning, birdwatching, proved quite productive. In addition to many Tits (Great, Blue, Long-tailed) & Finches (Green, Chaff & Gold), I also saw a Goldcrest, a Coal Tit, a Treecreeper, some Redwing, heard a Great-spotted Woodpecker, & quite a few Mallard on the ponds.
It’s good to see that the cattle are making quite an impact on the grassland, shortening a lot of the more dominant species which will make the site much better for butterflies & other insects later in the year. Still too much Tor Grass on the steep slopes though, a very difficult species to control.
Here’s one in last December’s snow:
PV
It’s good to see that the cattle are making quite an impact on the grassland, shortening a lot of the more dominant species which will make the site much better for butterflies & other insects later in the year. Still too much Tor Grass on the steep slopes though, a very difficult species to control.
Here’s one in last December’s snow:
PV
Wasp Spiders
23/08/10 11:38
' During our plant survey on 20 August we came across two female Wasp Spiders on the south facing side of the Rifle Range. They have also been seen in the Coombe area. These stunning spiders, which are about the size of a 2p piece, are normally found in unmanaged rough grassland, mainly in South East England. They can bite, but despite their appearance, they are not poisonous.'
Simon Jackson
Simon Jackson
Brown Hairstreaks
15/08/10 19:05
At last, after several fruitless attempts to find them on previous days, a lovely Brown Hairstreak butterfly was seen on the Rifle Range ‘Hairstreak Reserve’. Another enthusiast got there before us & reported seeing four. One was seen which promptly fluttered off. After an unproductive hour or so of searching, Neil Hulme from the Sussex Butterfly Conservation appeared & within two minutes found a beautiful specimen. How does he do that!!? It was wonderfully co-operative & many photos were taken. It then started laying eggs on the new growth bullace & blackthorn. I think we can look forward to a healthy population next year. A large group of butterfly hunters then arrived, showing how popular our site has become for viewing this beautiful insect.
PV
PV
Botanical Survey
30/07/10 13:04
Another botanical survey took place on the site today.
Here are some photos taken by Sherie New of species found:
Here are some photos taken by Sherie New of species found:
Birdsfoot Trefoil
Carline Thistle 
Dwarf Thistle 
Field Mint 
Pyramidal Orchid
Windy Walk
14/07/10 15:49
On a windy & dullish day the butterfly numbers somewhat diminished, but still plenty of Ringlets, Marbled Whites & Meadow Browns about. Also saw one pristine Silver-washed Fritillary, a couple of Commas & a Red Admiral. Still no sign of any Blues.
The Common Spotted Orchid display is now over but some fine Pyramidals scattered around the site. One Buzzard seen soaring above.
The Common Spotted Orchid display is now over but some fine Pyramidals scattered around the site. One Buzzard seen soaring above.
Video
07/07/10 16:45
Here’s a short(ish) video taken on the Rifle Range recently. Please let me know if it doesn’t play on your system.(sdsblog@me.com) Starring: Marbled White, Meadow Brown, 6 Spot Burnet Moth, unidentified Hoverfly, Ringlet, Skipper (large, I think), Gatekeeper, Common Spotted Orchids, & unsuspecting residents of Steyning!
PV
PV
Summer!
02/07/10 11:49
Lots of butterflies about at the moment, especially Marbled Whites which are in profusion.
I must have seen at least a dozen at the same time. Also lots of Meadow Browns, Large Skippers & a few Ringlets. These look almost black as the flutter past, but on closer inspection prove to be rather lovely. Where are the Blues?
A fine display of Common Spotted Orchids on the Rifle Range ‘Orchid Bank’, with the odd Pyramidal among them.
PV
I must have seen at least a dozen at the same time. Also lots of Meadow Browns, Large Skippers & a few Ringlets. These look almost black as the flutter past, but on closer inspection prove to be rather lovely. Where are the Blues?
A fine display of Common Spotted Orchids on the Rifle Range ‘Orchid Bank’, with the odd Pyramidal among them.
PV
Orchids
24/06/10 11:01
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
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
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
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
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
Still Getting The Blues
24/05/10 12:26
A new butterfly for this year, spotted a lovely Brown Argus on the Steyning Coombe.
At the risk of becoming repetitive, also saw Green Hairstreak, Brimstone, Common Blue, Wall Brown, Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, & Small Heath.
Also, on the Rifle Range, saw my first Adder of the year, female I think, slithering rapidly across a path. Also brief glimpses of one of their food species, the Common Lizard.
At the risk of becoming repetitive, also saw Green Hairstreak, Brimstone, Common Blue, Wall Brown, Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, & Small Heath.
Also, on the Rifle Range, saw my first Adder of the year, female I think, slithering rapidly across a path. Also brief glimpses of one of their food species, the Common Lizard.
I Got The Blues
21/05/10 16:04
Hottest morning this year so far. In addition to all the other butterflies mentioned in my last two posts, finally saw 3 Common Blues up on Steyning Coombe. Two male & one newly emerged female. After some careful stalking, managed to get some half-reasonable photos. Here’s a male:
and a female:
and another Green Hairstreak for good measure:
PV
and a female:
and another Green Hairstreak for good measure:
PV
More Butterflies
19/05/10 12:28
- We are so lucky to have an area bursting with so much wildlife just outside Steyning. It’s amazing what’s out there when you take the time to have a good look.A beautiful warm morning. On the Rifle Range there were several Grizzled & Dingy Skipper butterflies flitting about along with Small Heath & the first Wall Brown of the year & also a beautiful male Brimstone.
Further up on the Steyning Coombe were more Skippers & Small Heaths, male & female Brimstone, 2x Wall Brown &, best of all 5x Green Hairstreaks, the first I’ve personally seen up there. Fantastic! Also some day flying moths, Green Carpet & Treble Bar.
The birds were also in abundance, Yellowhammers, Whitethroats, 2x Buzzards overhead being harassed by Crows, a Kestrel flying past with mewing youngster in tow.
Having already found three destroyed Long-tailed tits nests this year, it was heartening to see a pair busy with beaks full of insects, presumably feeding their young in a well concealed nest.
PV
Skippers
18/05/10 18:29
- Another sunny & warm morning produced, on the Rifle Range, 2x Small Heath Butterflies,
a Grizzled Skipper
& a Dingy Skipper. These Skippers are classic chalk downland species.
Sorry about poor photos!
PV
Life & Death
17/05/10 16:26
- Lovely sunny morning & actually reasonably warm for a change. On the Steyning Coombe, 4x Small Heath Butterflies. These are really small & easily mistaken for a moth as they fly by.Early Purple Orchids will be out soon, Twayblades already flowering.Curiously, not a single butterfly seen on the Rifle Range.
A pair of Kestrels flew over, one disturbed from a tree, also a noisy Jay.
On the Rifle Range, mother & offspring doing well! (Life)
Also saw a fox running off with a freshly caught rabbit. (Death). Nature will always find a balance between predators & prey. It’s only us humans who disturb this. Then wildlife becomes ‘vermin’....
PV
Rifle Range Walk
13/05/10 11:56
- Another beautiful, if chilly, May morning. Fencing contractors busy finishing off the Rifle Range fencing. Many Yellowhammers in the bushes along with Whitethroats, Longtailed Tits, & Dunnocks. Saw the first Early Purple Orchid of the year, and Cowslips in isolated clumps. The Sussex cattle have make a huge difference to the amount of coarse grass growth all over the Rifle Range. It will be interesting to see how this affects the less vigorous chalk downland species, hopefully giving them more of a chance to flourish.
Steyning Coombe
12/05/10 12:16
- Fencing contractors have already nearly finished work on the Steyning Coombe. As usual they have done a great job with minimal disturbance. Here’s a photo of some emerging Early Purple Orchids that have been run over by the post-bashing machine. Its caterpillar tracks have done very little damage, & I’m sure they’ll be fine!
Birds Nesting
01/05/10 17:29
- Much evidence of bird nesting all over the site.
- On the Rifle Range, a Yellowhammer seen with a beak full of dry grass.
- Whitethroats seem very abundant this year.
- Chiffchaffs exhibiting mating behaviour.
- Great Spotted Woodpeckers heard drumming.
- Male Blackcaps singing with great gusto
- .
Audio Quiz Answers
06/03/10 15:25
The birds heard in the audio snippet were:
Green Woodpecker
Coot
Great Spotted Woodpecker (drumming)
Background birds....not sure, help needed!
Green Woodpecker
Coot
Great Spotted Woodpecker (drumming)
Background birds....not sure, help needed!
Audio Quiz
05/03/10 15:04
Down by the ponds
Lots of signs & sounds of Spring around. See if you can identify the birds in this audio snippet. Answers tomorrow!
Lots of signs & sounds of Spring around. See if you can identify the birds in this audio snippet. Answers tomorrow!
