Not much evidence of sunshine during this visit, though reasonably warm (up to 20C) and the rain held off until just as I was leaving.
Since my visit here on the back of a Turtle Dove survey last week Chalkhill Blues have emerged in some numbers at the western end of the site. The males looked pristine, and allowed close observation in the relatively cool conditions today. One female was also found.
I glimpsed what was probably a male Common Blue though two females were more obliging for the camera. Gatekeeper were numerous and Marbled Whites still very active, though now looking slightly past their best. Other butterflies included two Peacock, several Red Admiral and one Comma. Unlike last week there was unfortunately no sign of Clouded Yellow.
An attractive dragonfly proved to be a Migrant Hawker, probably an immature male on account of the subdued eye colour (normally blue).
Three Adders were found, two males and a juvenile, the latter probably one of last years offspring being approx. 25 cms in length. A Common Lizard completed the reptile list for the day.
Two Buzzard soared around the west end of the valley, while a Raven was typically heard before it was seen. Bullfinches were frequently heard from the hedgerow at the bottom of the slope, though the only sighting was a flight view.
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| Chalkhill Blue |
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| Chalkhill Blue (female) |
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| Common Blue (female) |
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| Gatekeeper (male) |
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| Gatekeeper |
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| Gatekeeper (female) |
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| Marbled Whites |
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| Six-spot Burnet |
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| Migrant Hawker |
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| Adder (juvenile) |
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| Adder (male) |
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| Common Lizard |
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