Sunday, 28 June 2026
28th June: Butterflies on the White Path, Hill Road
The end of the heatwave, with fresher westerly weather chasing windogs low over the Downs. The warmth and the regular rainfall have left the vegetation and flowers looking great.
Butterflies: (90 individuals seen)
Large White 10
Meadow Brown 21
Comma 3
Small Skipper 9
Painted Lady 6
Ringlet 18
Red Admiral 11
Marbled White 1
Small Copper 2
Small White 8
Gatekeeper 1
Common Blue 1
Odonata:
Emperor Dragonfly 3 (2 males, 1 female)
Brown Hawker 1
Common Darter 2
Southern Hawker 1
Plus another Silver Y
Saturday, 27 June 2026
Coombe Hill
A long conveyor belt of showers came sliding out of France all afternoon. Between the showers we walked at Coombe Hill in the early evening. The pasture showed signs of intensive sheep occupation, but was empty. A group of Song Thrush were feeding off the insects that had been attracted.
Across the 'saddle' were a family of four Ravens. I have often seen family groups like this here in the summer.
The steep slopes of the Coombe has been heavily grazed and the Common Spotted Orchids were much reduced from last year. It didn't take long to spot the Rabbits who have no doubt contributed to the nibbling.
27th June: Butterflies on the White Path, Hill Road
Astonishing thunderstorms and downpours overnight. The morning visit perhaps yielded fewer species as a consequence: (47 individuals seen)
Painted Lady 3
Comma 7
Small Skipper 4
Meadow Brown 6
Common Blue 2
Small White 4
Large White 5
Gatekeeper 2
Peacock 5
Red Admiral 4
Ringlet 3
Speckled Wood 2
Surprising guest appearance: 2 male Beautiful Demoiselle
Friday, 26 June 2026
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