Let's face it it's been a poor year for most species of butterflies but today Chantry Hill near Storrington was laden with species, pride of place going to a pristine Silver-spotted Skipper and a Small Copper. Other species, takes breath, were: Brimstone, Marbled White, Dark Green Fritillary, Brown Argus, Chalkhill Blue, Small Heath, Peacock, Common Blue, Small Skipper, Green-veined White, Large White, Small Tortoiseshell, Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown with Red Admirals and Commas along the SDW! Eighteen species!
Pushed my luck and in a quick look at Steyning didn't get Brown Hairstreak on the year list but a confiding, if tatty, Wall made up for it and was #19 for the day. Update, forgot a worn Ringlet at Steyning, #20!
At Chantry Hill I was also lucky enough to come across the nationally scarce Chalk Carpet moth, the ID of which I am indebted to Sean Foote of @MothIDUK, the power of twitter strikes again!
At Chantry Hill I was also lucky enough to come across the nationally scarce Chalk Carpet moth, the ID of which I am indebted to Sean Foote of @MothIDUK, the power of twitter strikes again!
So what started out as poor ended up as pretty darn good day! 😀
Roesel's Bush Cricket:
Small Skipper:
Small Tortoiseshell:
Chalk Carpet moth:
Small Copper:
Common Blue, abberation, "blue" female:
Common Blue:
Chalkhill Blue:
...and friend!
Small Heath:
Silver-spottted Skipper:
Comma:
Wall:
...and nearly the open wing shot, nearly!
Roesel's Bush Cricket:
Small Skipper:
Small Tortoiseshell:
Chalk Carpet moth:
Small Copper:
Common Blue, abberation, "blue" female:
Common Blue:
Chalkhill Blue:
...and friend!
Small Heath:
Silver-spottted Skipper:
Comma:
Wall:
...and nearly the open wing shot, nearly!
