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.

Green Hairstreak

An early start, in fact too early, when no self respecting butterfly would be flying. However, sitting on Mill Hill waiting for the early morning sunshine to gain some heat was put to good effect. Lots of birds about but the highlight was a male Sparrowhawk terrorising the local Blackbird population, though I didn't witness him having any success.

Finally I found a fresh and obliging specimen of the Green Hairstreak which, thank goodness, was highly territorial. I had switched cameras and had failed to check all the settings, hence when I first spotted the target I didn't get a single satisfactory shot. I took a seat and waited and sure enough a few minutes later it returned and allowed me to take as many shots as I wished. Thanks have to go to Leigh Prevost who gave me spot on directions for this species.

 

Last of the Butterflies.

I made what will probably be my last butterfly outing of the season early this morning. I gave Mill Hill and Anchor Bottom one last look. Whilst I didn't find any new species it was still satisfying that I managed a few improved photographs. Most of my captures are what I call diary or record shots made whilst out on a walk, today I took some extra care. Initially butterflies were a fill in, something to be captured instead of birds which of course throughout July and August have been well hidden. However, I am now a convert to butterflies and I am already planning trips for next year, some further afield than Sussex. Also, I have joined Butterfly Conservation. Well if you are a beginner you need all the help you can get!! Which brings me to thank those people who have provided IDs where I have been guessing - perhaps I really will get to see a Chequered Skipper next year.

 

 

This Wall had established "territorial rights" to a nice sun-baked cowpat and in defending its ground to all and sundry, became rather predictable and therefore easy to photograph.

And another one....

And ...... as always..... something different. This time Deadly Nightshade, Atropa belladonna, growing well on the chalky slopes of Mill Hill.

 

Bittersweet, Solanum dulcamara, often miscalled Deadly Nightshade but still very poisonous.



Viper's Bugloss, Echium vulgare - rather dwarf - not like the forests of Dungeness

Clouded Yellow

Now the title has grabbed your attention, here is the reality. On what was a beautiful warm day - thankfully not too hot, I visited  Anchor Bottom in search of a Clouded Yellow. Parking at the Beeding Hill car park I wandered down the fence line past the rabbit warren. Of course I located my first specimen just behind Dacre Gardens, should have used the lower car park!  A second specimen showed soon after and try as I might I couldn't get close, finally one settled about 15ft away and I managed a record shot.

 

Apart from the usual Common Blues and Meadow Browns there was little else moving, the occasional Marbled White flew past. Near the rabbit warren I stumbled upon this Wall basking in the sunshine.

 

 

Also it was nice to see some of the flowers, especially the thistles, in bloom.

 

Common Centaury, Centaurium erythraea

Carline Thistle, Carlina vulgaris



 

Unfortunately all the Ragweed and thistles that were so abundant next to the lower entrance have been cut down.

 

I also noted the vast number of Grasshoppers present, they seem to have a peaceful time of it with no predators about.

 

Field Grasshopper, Chorthippus brunneus

  



So, eventually recuperating after the long uphill walk back to the car, I visited Mill Hill, parking in the car park next to the A27 bridge, and walking down the path to the lower slopes. The place was alive with butterflies, mainly Meadow Browns but also a large number of Chalkhill Blues. What I believe to be a "blue" female Common Blue caught my eye. also the Small Heaths were posing well.

  

A "blue" female Common Blue - many thanks to Colin Knight for the ID



The final list was:

Red Admiral
Peacock
Clouded Yellow
Brimstone
Large White
Small White
Common Blue
Chalkhill Blue
Marbled White
Small Heath
Speckled Wood
Meadow Brown
Wall
Dark Green Fritillary
Painted Lady
 

Mill Hill and Anchor Bottom (II)

Opportunities to visit the Downs with my able Cameraman's Assistant and Dark Background Holder don't manifest themselves very often. So with Liz driving we set off for Anchor Bottom - target Fragrant Orchid. Only two specimens found - perhaps just a bit early -  by the end of the week more will be showing. With a dark background I couldn't resist some shots of the Common Spotteds which were showing nicely.

 





With

 

Without

                

On to Mill Hill where the background holder became somewhat redundant. Liz just watched the antics as I manoeuvred to get even more butterfly shots. I was particularly pleased to capture a fresh Cinnabar Moth just as we were leaving.  And the Birds?  Well a couple of Kestrels, supported by Chiffchaffs, Whitethroats and a particularly good flyby of a Raven - too many leaves on the trees to see much else.