Birding and other distractions

En route no luck with Honey Buzzard at the usual site. A couple of Marsh Harriers, two Ravens, and several Common Buzzards were the most notable birds. In East Blean Woods the Heath Fritillaries are now emerging in good numbers whereas a week ago I failed to find them. I found a small clearing with at least eight present. Access is via Hicks Forstal Road.

In the quarry known as the 'picnic grounds' when I lived in the village some attractive dragonflies and damselflies were found. These included a pair of Broad-bodied Chaser, the female egg laying in a shallow pond while the male shown below patrolled over the area often perching on dead twigs to display the characteristic blue abdomen.  A female Black-tailed Skimmer was also found, plus Common Blue Damselflies. Male Broad-bodied Chaser Female Black-tailed Skimmer Common Blue Damselfly

A very warm day at this beautiful site. Target was Marsh Fritillary, but no luck as getting late for the species in this early season. A worn individual was seen by one man that I spoke to, while another said that the butterfly now starts to emerge in early May rather than later in the month as used to be the case. Butterflies seen included quite good numbers of Small Blue, several each of Adonis Blue, Large Skipper and Speckled Wood, plus a single Grizzled Skipper. Several Red Kites and Buzzards were seen, a couple of Ravens, plus singing Yellowhammers and Corn Buntings.

I went to Bonzai Bank in Denge Wood, the usual area for the Duke of Burgundy butterfly. Walking to the site I saw two Marsh Tits in the wood carrying food, and on the way back an active nest site for Great Spotted Woodpecker with very vocal young. After 30 minutes at Bonzai Bank I found four Duke of Burgundy on the lower slopes. Being near the tail end of the season for adult activity they were worn to varying extents. Also noticed two Common Blue, one-two Small Heath, and nearby a female Orange Tip.  One Common Lizard also seen.

Visited this 12ha reserve of mature trees and scrub to see Wood White, a new butterfly for me. About 10 seen in total, though not the most exciting species to be honest. Also several Brimstone and a singing Garden Warbler. Later called in at Thursley Common, and by then it was very hot. Dartford Warbler appear to be doing well, but unfortunately no sign of any Tree Pipits. Undoubted highlight was when a female Red-footed Falcon flew over, very likely the same bird that had been present at this site two days earlier.

A small colony of Small Blue butterflies was found along the east side of the banks, near Hoath Way.  Typically for this species the area had longer, tussucky grass compared to the open downland and was also more sheltered being near a fence. At least 3-4 adults were seen, which were very active in the sunshine.

The visit was made in the hope of finding Sand Lizard a reptile I had never seen before.  To my surprise I found a couple of females fairly soon in a fenced off area that was viewed from outside.  One was fairly close and basking in the early morning sunshine.  I had several further sightings of lizards in the same area, including two beautiful males which unfortunately eluded the camera. Birds included a single Red Kite, Dartford Warbler, and best of all a singing Willow Warbler which showed well. A Small Copper was also seen.

Good numbers of Adonis Blue were found at the far end of this site where the grass is not so long, hence presumably allowing better growth of the host plant Horseshoe Vetch.  Several females were seen though the very active males were more numerous and proved tricky to photograph. One Brown Argus also seen at nearby pylon valley.

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary was the target today, a new butterfly for me. Areas in this reserve have been managed specifically with this butterfly in mind and the efforts are proving successful. The morning was generally cloudy though with sunny intervals. Up to ten Small Pearl were seen, mostly fresh in appearance. The underwing of the butterfly is particularly attractive, looking like a stained glass window. One-two more worn individuals were thought at the time to be the closely related Pearl-bordered Fritillary. Subsequently I had doubts about this identification as the underwing did not look quite right for that species, so they were also Small Pearl. Other butterflies included two Brimstone, several Small Heath and a Wall, the last two species in nearby Rowland Wood.  An attractive White-legged Damselfly (female) was also found. Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary ? ? Small Heath White-legged Damselfly

T he number of Turtle Dove has increased to an impressive seven individuals, four of which were 'purring' males.  They are present in the bramble scrub on the east side of the road, and are frequently seen along the line of telephone wires in this area, and occasionally on the roof aerial of one of the nearby houses.

In the warm weather this afternoon butterflies were very active on the downland. The most visible species was Common Blue, though only males were seen, presumably because the females emerge later. Smaller numbers of Brown Argus were found, often having aerial skirmishes with the blue butterflies. At the top of the slope, adjacent to Ambley Woods, two Green Hairstreaks showed well.