23rd June: Long Ridge, Friston Forest

 Back up to the Ridge again. Some convenient feaces proved irresistible to the Red Admiral and Painted Lady butterflies. Thunderstorms were nearby and it was windy and cool briefly. Another new species of butterfly for the year in Dark-green Fritillary. Even more Ringlets than yesterday. 

The Red Admirals about their despicable business 

Common Field Speedwell 

Marmalade Hoverfly 

Presumably, a mouse hole, with lots of discarded cherry pits

22nd June: Long Ridge, Friston Forest

Sitting for several hours at a DofE check point o  Long Ridge, gave me a great chance to watch the butterflies. I saw 11 species, the highlight of which was definitely a White Admiral.  Two other year tick species were Silver-washed Fritillary and Ringlet. Both these were in good numbers, with up to 3 excitable Fritillary adults buzzing a out at once. They even chased dragonflies! The Ringlets were to be found in long grass verges of every track and ride.

The other species seen: Small Skipper, Large White, Brimstone, Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Marbled White, Meadow Brown 

Emperor Dragonfly, perched before hunting over the Bramble patch.

Record shot, taken with my phone, of a Silver-washed Fritillary 

Bladder Campion

Bramble 

Thick-kneed Flower Beetle 

Wildflower Lawn, Hill Road

#46 Everlasting Sweet Pea 

#47 Chicory

#48 Oregano

21st June: Wandering Crab Spider, Hiil Road

 This Crab Spider has mistaken the parasol for a large flower.

Summer Solstice, Foxholes Brow

 An energetic predawn climb, up the overgrown Green Path, had to carry bramble averse Bracken. The dawn chorus was wonderful, with Wren, Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Blackbird singing with incredible intensity. At the top, this was replaced with Skylark and Woodpigeon in a massed sussuration.

Two Buzzards hovered in a gentle yet persistent breeze. A Swift started feeding overhead.  The Rooks, who we had watched fly down to roost last night from the garden, flew west, over us, with their characteristic croaking contact calls.

The mist across the Pevensey Levels was beautiful, as the sun rose over the High Weald horizon in the east.

The Buzzards.

Twenty-two-spot Ladybird, Hill Road

 

Long Hoverfly, Hill Road