26/06/21

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A pleasant few hours starting off with first of year Marbled White on the downland. Emergence has now started with several easily found after seeing none at all only two days ago.

The sun went in when walking through PV so butterflies became quiet. Nevertheless, a patch of orchids provided interest, with several each of Greater Butterfly and Bee Orchids.

Three Slow-worms were found in total, two of these (a pair together) in DV.

The upper slopes of SB had impressive numbers of orchids, mainly Fragrant but also Spotted Orchids and Pyramidal. On the bottom of the downland here a Dark Green Fritillary posed well on a low growing thistle with had impressively large flowers.

Whilst in PV we heard a Quail in nearby SB. It was calling from the east facing slopes of the valley, and had presumably moved from its original location rather than being a second bird.

Marbled White

Greater Butterfly Orchid



Bee Orchid

Strawberry Banks

Spotted Orchid

Dark Green Fritillary

Dark Green Fritillary

Painted Lady


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