Back in Sussex

Just a gentle stroll on the Sussex Downs, Liz had remarked that there are no mountains in Sussex, but Heyshott Escarpment is a bit like mountain goat country but doesn't come close to the Cairngorms. The weather remained overcast so I reasoned that today would be a good day to capture some species that don't move round much. There had been a posting that Fly Orchids and White Helleborines were blooming on Heyshott, unfortunately the posting was nearly two weeks old and I wasn't sure what I might find.

I parked in the South Downs Way car park and followed the SDW to the top of Heyshott in the company of two walkers who were heading for Amberley, parting company at the OS trig point. The path down into the escarpment is pretty steep but as I crawled down I noticed  Common Spotted Orchids and Common Twayblade, both living up to their names as they really are plentiful here.

Finally I found both the White Helleborine and a single specimen of Fly Orchid, obviously past their sell by dates - but duly recorded.

By now the temperature was on the up and several butterflies were on the move, Small Heath being the most obvious, several Common Blues, Dingy and Grizzled Skipper, and a pair of newly emerged Speckled Woods, one of which posed for me. Green Hairstreaks are still about, quite a long season for them as I photographed my first of the year on April 13th.

Lots of Six Spot Burnet moths emerging and taking to the air, with a rather odd looking mode of flight, accompanied by a host of unusual beetles which I have not noted before. Post walk analysis reveals that they are Garden Chafers. very common, I wonder why I haven't recorded them previously.

Very friendly Garden Chafers

Finally I noted that Neil's snake is still in the same place.

Mill Hill and Houghton Forest

With clear blue skies I decided to revisit Mill Hill, ostensibly to find an Adder, get some improved shots of the Grizzled Skippers and also to meet Dawn and Jim who were going to locate yesterday's Green Hairstreak. Of course I arrived too early and nothing was flying, the sun had warmth but there was a fairly cool breeze from a northerly quarter. Dawn and Jim arrived and we started the vigil for "Beautiful Eyebrows". After a fruitless hour I abandoned D&J and made my way down to the lower slopes where I met Lindsay who was just arriving. Immediately we were into several feisty Dingy Skippers and two or three Grizzled Skippers, by now the temperature had risen considerably and these specimens  were not willing to pose in any spot for long. I phoned D&J to let them know that at least there were some targets about, their long GH search was still proving fruitless so they joined us.



Failed on improving previous efforts!

 

After several sweeps of the north west end of the reserve I was treated to a flash of green and a specimen settled in the brambles about 8ft from me. Lots of happy snapping  ensued.

During the search I had located what I thought was a clearwing moth but on reflection I guess it is a Scorpion Fly, really not sure, so if anyone can provide me with an ID I would be truly grateful. On the way back up to the top car park I located a rather handsome moth and the "staircase" provided several more specimens of Green Hairstreak with a single Speckled Wood.  It is probable that we located at least six specimens of GH, three Grizzled and three or four Dingy Skippers. All in all, a good visit.

Small Purple Barred, Phytometra viridaria

 We parted company and I decided to give Houghton Forest a try for the first time this year. I parked at the entrance to the ride on the Madehurst Road and as I entered the ride I was immediately treated to a high speed fly past of an Orange Tip. All the usual specimens were about in good numbers, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Brimstone and Comma. It was nice to note my first Green-veined White of the year.

Finally I located an Adder - well two and doing what Mr and Mrs Adder do at this time of year. I was desperate not to disturb them so took some shots and made my exit. However it is apparent from the photographs that the male was very annoyed at the interruption in their nuptial activity. Sorry!

Not happy.

What a shame that the Forestry Commission wish to totally ruin this area, they and a partner company have submitted a planning application for Seventy Five!! log cabins in the forest.
On this ride I have had 18 species of butterfly in a day, including a Purple Emperor - this is designated as the main road in. Why on earth should the superb wildlife habitats of Sussex be given up so that the Lurid Lycra Clad Mountain Biking fraternity of London can come and play here.



Vital food plants like this violet will soon be under concrete.

Snakes alive

With a soupcon of sunshine predicted in the weather forecast it seemed a good idea to revisit Pulborough Brooks in search of an Adder. Previous visits have been depressingly unsuccessful and today was nearly very much the same, so, after searching the whole of "adder alley" I sat on the bench to decide where to go next. I was joined by David Buckingham and we searched together, again in vain. As on my previous visits the birds were very vocal, particularly a Blackcap in an adjacent blackthorn bush. Then we were treated to a flyby of a Swallow, my first this year, sadly just the one, there may have been more but our eyes were fixed firmly on the ground.

We slowly made our way down the hill and there at the bottom end of the alley was a single specimen Adder, half in - half out of the undergrowth. Unfortunately on our approach it beat a hasty retreat and was soon gone from view with no photo opportunity. Buoyed by our success David convinced me to search again - still nothing. On our way back to West Mead hide the snake re-appeared and was happy to pose in half sunlight and I managed to get some record shots - most satisfying.

 

 After this we parted company, David visiting the hides and I returned to Fattengates courtyard in search of Lizards. As before the birds were in full voice, particularly Wrens and Goldcrests but herpetological specimens were absent.

David re-joined me but failed to conjure a lizard from the undergrowth. I returned to the car park, grabbed my lunch and set off to the heath, hopeful that I might find a lizard near the mound. No luck so I drew stumps and decided to return home.

Just this side of Arundel I took a detour and visited "The Dover" where Martin and I had called in the other day to check it out for future birding trips. I had noticed some fine specimens of Wood Anemone (Anemone nemorosa) and wanted to record them. Apparently this plant has the common name of "Smell Fox", crush the leaves and it is obvious where the name came from.

A carpet of white.....

....soon to be replaced by blue.