Chevalier aboyeur …

Greenshank (Tringa nebularia)

Despite a lack of any strong colour or pattern T. nebularia is an elegant species and one, which is a fairly common passage migrant and scarce winter visitor to Sussex. Chichester Harbour is recorded as the most favoured site in the county, with an autumn maximum of around 100 roosting at Thorney Deeps. This is about 6% of the national total, making this one of the top six sites in the country. Considerably smaller numbers pass through other coastal wetland sites, especially Pagham Harbour and Rye Bay. T. nebularia is also regularly seen at our larger inland wetlands with groups of up to 10 being recorded at Pulborough Brooks and Weir Wood Reservoir.

A beautiful bird that is often first noted due to its triple piping call …

References:

Barfield, C., 2014. Greenshank. The Birds of Sussex. Thetford: British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) Books on behalf of the Sussex Ornithological Society, pp. 283-284.

Smith, D., 1996. Greenshank. Birds of Sussex. Sussex Ornithological Society, pp. 285-287.

BirdLife International (2014) Species factsheet: Tringa nebularia. Downloaded from www.birdlife.org on 13th December 2014.

Royal command ...

Queen of Spain Fritillary (Issoria lathonia)

I. lathonia is an extremely rare immigrant and transient resident to the British Isles with the first recorded specimen coming from Gamlingay in Cambridgeshire in 1710. It was first noticed in numbers in 1818 and was seen every year until 1885 - with the highest total of 50 records in 1872. Since then, sightings are few and far between with an additional 42 records up until 1939. Between 1943 and 1950 an additional 75 records were added and, since then, there has again been a dearth of sightings with no sightings at all in some years. In 2009, 9 individuals were seen near the Sussex coast, including a sighting of a mating pair. Even so, there have been less than 400 sightings in total since it was first discovered. To date there have been just over 50 confirmed accounts from Sussex.

Although females have been seen egg-laying, neither larvae nor pupae have been found in the wild except in the Channel Islands, where larvae were found in 1950. Larvae were again found in 1951 and 1957. However, in 1945, 25 individuals were recorded at Portreath in Cornwall, suggesting that a migrant female had deposited her eggs in the vicinity and that this concentration of adults were her offspring.

The vast majority of UK sightings are from the south coast of England, with a fairly even spread from Cornwall to Kent. There are fewer records further north and several records from southern Ireland. It is believed that the presence of this species on our shores is dependent on individuals originating in northern France. Unfortunately, the number seen there is also decreasing due to loss of suitable habitat and this undoubtedly has a knock-on effect.

The sexes are similar in appearance, although the female is slightly larger, with a shorter, more rounded abdomen than that of the male and a more extended greenish hue around the basal area of the upperside wings; the black markings also tend to be more bold. The characteristic silver spots on the underside hindwings mean that this butterfly is unlikely to be confused with any other species. The four images all depict males.

References:

www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species.php?species=lathonia

www.learnaboutbutterflies.com/Britain%20-%20Issoria%20lathonia.htm

Hulme, N., 2010. Queen of Spain Fritillary in West Sussex - Evidence of breeding by The Queen of Spain Fritillary butterfly (Issoria lathonia Linn.) at Chichester, West Sussex in 2009. Sussex Butterfly Report (2009). Sussex Butterfly Conservation, Issue 2, Spring 2010, pp.12-17.

Pratt, C. R., 2011. Queen of Spain Fritillary. A Complete History of the Butterflies and Moths of Sussex. Peacehaven, East Sussex: Colin R. Pratt, 2, pp. 265-267.

Urban warrior ...

Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)

A young male Kestrel waits patiently and watches …

Like many British birds of prey, gamekeepers heavily persecuted the Kestrel during the 19th century and numbers fell dramatically. Since then numbers have fluctuated considerably; a variety of reasons for this have been suggested, but they were certainly hit hard by the use of organochlorine pesticides in agriculture in the 1950s and 60s. Kestrel numbers probably recovered to such an extent in the late 1960s and early 70s that it became Britain’s commonest bird of prey. In Sussex, the county population was estimated at 600 pairs in 1964-67, a figure that was revised to 800-1150 pairs in 1980. Numbers nationally have since fluctuated, but appear to be falling once more, with numbers down by 30% during 1995-2011 and an 18% decline in southeast England during 1995-2010.

A beautiful bird and one that evokes fond childhood memories …

References:

Prevost, L., 2014. Kestrel. The Birds of Sussex. Thetford: British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) Books on behalf of the Sussex Ornithological Society, pp. 203-204.
Hope, C., 1996. Kestrel. Birds of Sussex. Sussex Ornithological Society, pp. 202-204.

Chic chicks ...

Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)

In 20 years, the Little Egret (E. garzetta) has gone from being a rare vagrant in Sussex to a regular breeding bird, present throughout the year. The first record in Sussex was in 1952, when a single vagrant was recorded at Manhood End on 10th June 1952, and nearby, on the eastern side of Chichester Harbour, from 2nd July to 1st September 1952. Thereafter, there were occasional sightings in the county, with a total of 27 birds recorded during 1953-88, mainly along the coast. E. garzetta is now a fairly common resident which has bred in Sussex since 2001. This was just five years after the first UK breeding record - recorded from Dorset in 1996.

In Britain, the Little Egret is at the northernmost limit of its range. A warmer climate is likely to lead to an increase in the breeding numbers found in Sussex, but an exceptionally cold winter will lead to a profound drop in numbers.

An elegant bird and one that is always a delight to see …

References:

Collins, B., 1996. Little Egret. Birds of Sussex. Sussex Ornithological Society, pp. 120-121.
Watson, B., 2014. Little Egret. The Birds of Sussex. Thetford: British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) Books on behalf of the Sussex Ornithological Society, pp. 163-164.

First light ...

Marbled White (Melanargia galathea)

Waiting for the sun ...

More at:

www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species.php?species=galathea

Shades of green ...

Dark Green Fritillary (Argynnis aglaja)

The Dark Green Fritillary (A. aglaja) is the most widespread fritillary found in the British Isles. Its name is derived from the green hue found on the underside of the hindwings, which are peppered with large silver spots. This butterfly can be found throughout the British Isles, although it is less common in central and eastern England. Outside of central Scotland and southern England, it is most frequently found in coastal areas and is the only fritillary found on Orkney and the Outer Hebrides. Despite its powerful flight, it is somewhat surprising that this species is not particularly mobile, generally staying within its breeding grounds.

A freshly emerged male prepares for flight ...

More at:

www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species.php?species=aglaja

Finding mnemon ...

Mountain Ringlet (Erebia epiphron)

The Mountain Ringlet (E. epiphron) is probably one of our most difficult species to see. It is only found in discrete colonies in remote locations, has an extremely-short flight period (a few weeks only) and can be difficult to find in anything other than warm bright weather, since the adults tend to remain sheltered deep in grass tussocks in overcast and cool conditions. Given the right temperature this butterfly will take to the air as soon as the sun shines, bringing an apparently dormant landscape to life. As its name suggests, this butterfly is found in mountainous areas, typically at altitudes between 450m and 800m AMSL though can be found at both lower and higher levels; as per the example figured (from around 350m AMSL). E. epiphron forms discrete colonies in particular areas of the mountains they inhabit and, on good sites, may be seen by the hundred. This is typical of epiphron - localities may be few and far between, but where they occur the butterfly is often found in abundance.

E. epiphron is found in two main regions in the British Isles. In England, it is found in the Lake District of Cumberland and Westmorland. It is also found in western central Scotland, primarily in the counties of Argyllshire, West Inverness-shire and Mid Perthshire with a few scattered colonies elsewhere. It is surprisingly absent from Snowdonia and the Pennines. On the basis of four specimens in total (seven are reputed, with four considered by most authorities to be genuine), this butterfly is also thought to have occurred in Ireland (see references below).

There is one generation each year, with adults emerging at the start of June in the Lake District and early July in Scotland.

A recent visit to Irton Fell, with my good friend Peter Eeles, produced numbers in excess of 150 (a male is figured above), with the peak of sightings being achieved on the higher slopes close to Greathall Gill and Whin Rigg. We were particularly pleased to watch a female ovipositing on Mat-grass (Nardus stricta). The eggs, which are pale cream at first, develop red-brown blotches after a few days. They are relatively large compared with the size of the butterfly, with each female laying up to 70 eggs. This stage lasts around two or three weeks depending on the weather

A beautiful butterfly in fabulous surroundings …

More at:

www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species.php?species=epiphron

Summer evenings and stiff necks ...

Purple Hairstreak (Favonius quercus)

The Purple Hairstreak (F. quercus) is our commonest hairstreak, and may be located in oak woodland throughout southern Britain, and more locally elsewhere. It is often difficult to locate, due to its habit of flying high in the tree canopy, where it feeds on honeydew; groups of several individuals chasing one another is not an uncommon sight. However, the adults are occasionally seen feeding and basking at lower levels, on various small trees, shrubs and bracken. This butterfly is found across southern England and Wales, with scattered colonies further north. It is also found in parts of Ireland, mainly between Wicklow and South Kerry.

It is primarily found in woodland containing oak trees, the foodplant of the larva. However, the species can be found in any location where oaks occur, including lanes, parks, gardens, and other urban areas. The primary larval foodplants are Pendunculate Oak (Quercus robur), Sessile Oag (Q. petraea) and Turkey Oak (Q. cerris). Evergreen Oak (Q. ilex) is also used.

Eggs are laid singly (or less commonly, in groups of 2 or more), usually at the base of a plump oak bud, or cluster of buds, but can also be found on an adjoining twig and at various heights. They are laid on branches that are sheltered and receive full sunshine - such branches are therefore on the southern side of the tree. There also appears to be a preference for solitary trees, such as those found at the edges of woods, or those that form part of a hedgerow. Eggs are also most-often found on relatively mature trees (since these have the plumpest buds) on branches that are twisted and gnarled. Eggs are relatively easy to find in suitable locations during the winter months before the oak buds burst. Emergence occurs from the last week of June, through July and into August, with adults still being found into September. There is generally a peak at the end of July and early August, or later in Scotland. There is one brood each season.

Check out the oaks near you ...

More at:

www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species.php?species=quercus

The prophetess ...

Marsh Fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia)

This delightful butterfly, a female pictured above, is one of our most threatened species and has suffered severe declines in recent decades. Although declining throughout Europe, the British Isles is considered one of the few strongholds for this species. However, the reclamation of wetlands and the ploughing up of downland has meant that E. aurinia has now disappeared from many counties and has also suffered severe declines in the British Isles; this butterfly is therefore a priority species for conservation efforts. Although still widespread in some parts of its range, this butterfly is reputedly declining by over 10% each decade. The deteriorating fortunes of this species are believed to be the result of inappropriate habitat management, coupled with the need for sufficient habitat for the butterfly to form meta-populations, where local extinctions can be reversed by recolonisation from neighbouring colonies. It is currently found in southwest England with a small population in northwest England, the islands of southwestern Scotland and the adjacent mainland, and northwest and southwest Wales. It is also locally widespread in Ireland.

On a positive note, aurinia is an easy species to breed in large numbers in captivity and one, which lends itself to reintroduction or establishment in suitable areas where its main foodplant, Devil’s-bit Scabious (Succisa pratensis), grows in some profusion. My late good friends, the respected entomologists Peter Cribb and Peter Taylor, both kept healthy stocks of this species going for well over 25 years and bred thousands of healthy specimens for release purposes in various counties in the south of England. In Sussex, the former Ditchling Common colony originated from this source with the original stock coming from just over the border in Surrey.

Colonies of E. aurinia are known to fluctuate wildly in population density. It may be present in good quantities one year, only for the population to crash dramatically the following season without any apparent reason - before recovering just as unexpectedly. It does not do well in adverse weather conditions and can suffer significantly from the attentions of parasitic hymenoptera during the larval stage. Adults, which typically emerge in the middle of May, reach their peak in early June. In northern Scotland they emerge slightly later. There is one generation each year.

Where it occurs, aurinia uses several different types of habitat, including chalk hillsides, heathland, moorland and damp meadows. A factor common to all habitats is that they are in full sun, their higher temperature aiding larval development. As previously mentioned, the primary larval foodplant is Devil’s-bit Scabious (Succisa pratensis). Field Scabious (Knautia arvensis) and Small Scabious (Scabiosa columbaria) are also used.

On emerging from their eggs the larvae spin a silk web, by binding together leaves of the foodplant, in which they live and feed. Larvae build new webs as they grow and even move to a new plant if necessary. In later instars, the webs can be quite conspicuous. Larvae will also bask on the outside of the ‘tent’ absorbing the sun's rays, where their increased temperature aids digestion. After the third moult the larvae build a dense nest of silk low down in vegetation in which they hibernate. Larvae will emerge from their nest with the onset of spring and can be seen basking in warm sun as early as February. The larvae eventually split into smaller groups, continuing to build silk webs where they bask communally to keep their body temperature relatively high, even on cool days. More-mature larvae tend to feed alone and are often found wandering across open ground looking for their next meal or, eventually, a pupation site. There are 5 moults in total. The pupa (pictured above) is formed head down, attached to a twig or plant stem by the cremaster. The pupa is essentially white, with a beautiful mix of black, brown and orange markings. This stage lasts between 2 and 4 weeks, depending on temperature.

More at:

www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species.php?species=aurinia

Against the trend …

Agapanthia villosoviridescens

The Golden-bloomed Grey Longhorn (A. villosoviridescens)

The Cerambycidae, the Longhorn beetles, are a very impressive group of insects. The family, which includes some of Britain’s most impressive beetles, currently numbers around 70 species. Many striking examples can be found abroad. They are predominantly beetles that develop in wood, with the adults being active during the spring and summer months. However, A. villosoviridescens is an exception to this rule, developing in the stems of a variety of herbaceous plants including Cardus, Urtica, Angelica, Chaerophyllum, Artemisia, Salvia and Aconitum. The larvae develop in the above-ground plant tissues. They cut off the plant stalk before pupation, create the pupal cells near ground level, and the adults leave the stalks via a newly created exit hole in the side of the remaining stalk. The above specimen, one of four observed, was found sitting on Hemp-agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum) at a West Sussex wetland site.

My first encounter with this impressive species …

Stoned ...

European Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola)

The European Stonechat (S. rubicola) is a fairly common resident and partial migrant to Sussex. They are associated with two main breeding areas: heathland and downland with gorse and scrub. Ashdown Forest in East Sussex holds about 50-70% of the county total of circa 150-200 pairs; this out of a national population of circa 56,000 pairs. They are typically seen perching on the tops of bushes in otherwise rather open places, with favoured locations being regularly visited.

An attractive bird and one that is always a pleasure to see …

References:

Scott-Ham, M., 2014. European Stonechat. The Birds of Sussex. Thetford: British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) Books on behalf of the Sussex Ornithological Society, pp. 518-519.

Scott-Ham, M., 1996. Stonechat. Birds of Sussex. Sussex Ornithological Society, pp. 424-425.

Black magic ...

Black Guillemot (Cepphus grille)

The Black Guillemot (C. grille) is a very rare vagrant to the coastal waters of Sussex with only fifteen individuals recorded as of 2010. The British population, which is of the subspecies C. g. articus, is the second largest in Europe only to Norway and contains approximately 38,000 individuals (Seabird 2000) out of a European population 100,000-200,000 breeding pairs. Its UK distribution is very biased towards the far north and west, half of the population breeding in the Northern Isles, particularly Shetland; the nearest breeding populations to Sussex are small populations in southeast Ireland and Anglesey.

They typically nest in crevices or cavities between boulders, and occasionally in holes in harbour walls. Diving to feed, their diet is comprised of small bethnic fish and crustaceans.

References:

Hobson, J., 2014. Black Guillemot. The Birds of Sussex. Thetford: British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) Books on behalf of the Sussex Ornithological Society, pp. 346.

Fairbank, R., 1996. Black Guillemot. Birds of Sussex. Sussex Ornithological Society, pp. 347-348.

BirdLife International (2014) Species factsheet: Cepphus grylle. Downloaded from www.birdlife.org on 31st May 2014.

Spring pearls ...

Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria euphrosyne)

This beautiful woodland butterfly occurs in scattered and isolated colonies south-west of a line running between Denbighshire in the north-west to East Kent in the in south-east. There are also colonies in Westmorland and West Lancashire. It is also widespread in central Scotland, but very local or absent in the north and south of the country. In Ireland, it is found in the Burren limestones of Clare and southeast Galway. It is absent from the western and northern Isles of Scotland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. B. euphrosyne survives in West Sussex thanks to carefully managed Sweet Chestnut coppice in several important woodlands which allows the Common Dog-violet (Viola riviniana), the main larval foodplant, to grow in appropriate conditions.

This is the earliest of our fritillaries to emerge. In good years, the butterfly emerges at the end of April in the south. Most adults emerge at the start of May, but may not appear until the end of May in more northerly locations.

B. euphrosyne is typically found in deciduous woodland containing open areas, such as woodland clearings, that provide the right conditions, foodplants and nectar sources for this species to survive. Suitable sites are generally habitable 2 to 4 years after a woodland clearing has been formed, when the foodplants and nectar sources are optimal for this species. However, these sites can quickly become overgrown and, unless there is suitable habitat nearby or regular habitat management undertaken, colonies are often lost.

Larvae feed by day and generally rest in leaf litter, but can also be found, especially after hibernation, basking on dead bracken. They eat the entire leaves, leaving just the stem intact. They will also feed on only the leaf lobes, at the base of the leaf, leaving characteristic feeding damage that can give away the presence of a nearby larva. After moulting for the third time the larva enters hibernation, generally in a dried leaf, emerging in the spring to complete its growth. There are 4 moults in total.

The two images show a male, referable to ab. interligata, Cabeau (1919) + ab. transversa, Vorbrodt (1911) recently found in West Sussex.

More at www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species.php?species=euphrosyne

On your marks, get set …

Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus)

The taxonomic Order Lagomorpha comprises the hares, rabbits and pikas. The Brown Hare (L. europaeus) is the largest of the British lagomorphs. Since there is no evidence of their presence in Britain before Roman times, it was probably introduced by man. They are widespread on low ground throughout England and Wales. In Scotland, L. europaeus is found on farmland and rough grazing to the far north of the mainland, but is absent from parts of the North West. L. europaeus is replaced by the Mountain Hare, L. timidus, in upland areas of Scotland and central England.

Brown hares generally live in exposed habitats, and they rely on their acute senses and running at speeds of up to 70kph (45mph) to evade predation. Hares do not use burrows, but make a small depression in the ground, known as a form, amongst long grass. They spend most of the day on or near the form, typically moving out to feed in the open at night. Tender grass shoots, including cereal crops, are their main foods. Though generally solitary, hares sometimes band into loose groups when feeding.

Breeding takes place between February and September and a female can rear three or four litters a year, each of two to four young. The young, known as leverets, are born fully furred with their eyes open and are left by the female in forms a few metres from their birthplace. Once a day for the first four weeks of their lives, the leverets gather at sunset to be fed by the female, but otherwise they receive no parental care. This avoids attracting predators to the young at a stage when they are most vulnerable. Foxes are important predators of young hares and where foxes are common there are likely to be very few hares. Adults typically live to 3 or 4 years.

Numbers of hares have declined substantially since the beginning of this century, though they are still locally common animals in many parts of the country. The main reason for this decline seems to be a change in the way modern agriculture is managed. Today's farms are often intensive and specialised, either growing crops like wheat and oilseed rape, or raising livestock for meat and dairy produce. A hundred years ago most farms were varied enterprises. Mixed farms have a patchwork quilt of fields, which provide year-round grazing for hares as well as long crops for them to hide in. Modern cereal farms provide little or no food for hares in late summer and autumn, and livestock farms have few crops for them to shelter. Modern farm machinery and pesticides also kill many hares.

References:

Bjärvall, A. and Ullström, S., 1986. The Mammals of Britain and Europe. Beckenham, Kent: Croom Helm Ltd., pp. 60-62.

Corbet, G. B. and Harris, S., (eds.) 1991. The Handbook of British Mammals (3rd Edition). Oxford: Blackwell Scientific Publications, pp. 154-161.

The Mammal Society (2014). Species fact sheet: Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus). Downloaded from www.mammal.org.uk on 1st May 2014.

Fast food ...

Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis)

A. pratensis is a common but declining resident and very common passage migrant and winter visitor to Sussex. It is a bird of open, extensive rough and grassy habitats, from sand dunes and salt marshes to wet grassland, heaths and unimproved chalk grassland, where it feeds on insects and other tiny invertebrates collected from the ground. Flocks of migrant Meadow Pipits are always worthy of closer inspection since they can often be good carriers for wagtails and rarer pipit species.

Ignore them at your peril ...

References:

Scott-Ham, M., 2014. Meadow Pipit. The Birds of Sussex. Thetford: British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) Books on behalf of the Sussex Ornithological Society, pp. 542-543.

Scott-Ham, M., 1996. Meadow Pipit. Birds of Sussex. Sussex Ornithological Society, pp. 398-399.

BirdLife International (2014) Species factsheet: Anthus pratensis. Downloaded from www.birdlife.org on 30th April 2014.

The very hungry caterpillar ...

And other stories ...

I have many fond memories of reading to my children when they were young and The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle certainly brings back warm memories ...

The above image shows a final instar larva of the White Admiral (Limenitis camilla) feeding on honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum). On emergence from the egg, the light brown larva eats the shell before moving to the leaf tip to feed. Here it feeds on each side of the midrib on which it rests, leaving the midrib intact and producing characteristic feeding damage that is quite easy to spot. The larva initially decorates itself with faeces which it uses for camouflage, although this is abandoned after a week or so, after which the larva rests quite openly.

Toward the end of the summer after the second moult, the larva builds a winter retreat, known as a hibernaculum. This is constructed by securing a leaf to the twig with silk (so that the leaf remains attached to the foodplant even after it has died), removing the edges of the leaf, and then folding what remains of the leaf edges together and forming a compartment within which the larva overwinters. The larva emerges from the hibernaculum in the spring and, at the final moult, turns green in colour and starts to feed on the leaf edges rather than from the tip. The full-grown and exotic larva is a spectacular beast which has a curious habit of resting along the centre of a leaf with both front and back ends raised. There are 4 moults in total.

More at www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species.php?species=camilla

Early season ...

Wood White (Leptidea sinapis)

On Monday, 21st April 2014, I spent much of the day walking the rides and glades within the key Surrey sectors of the Chiddingfold Forest complex; my target, a spring brood Wood White (L. sinapis). Despite weather conditions being ideal, to detect both flying and resting individuals, only two were seen during my entire visit including the above male found roosting on Bitter Vetch (Lathyrus linifolius); one of its larval foodplants.

Easter egg hunt ...

Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni)

The skittle-shaped eggs of G. rhamni are laid singly on the undersides of the youngest Buckthorn leaves at all heights on the foodplant. Although several eggs may be found together, as in the image above, this can be either the result of different females using the same leaf, or, as in the case depicted, the same female revisiting the spot on more than one occasion. Freshly laid eggs are a delicate pale green, turning yellow, and eventually grey as the larva develops within. The egg stage lasts between 1 and 2 weeks. The above picture was taken within minutes of observing the eggs being laid.

More at www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species.php?species=rhamni

Swan song ...

Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)

The beautiful Whooper Swan (C. cygnus) is a bird of the tundra and lakes of Iceland, northern Scandinavia and Russia. Here they breed before flying south with western populations migrating to winter on lochs and fens in the countries bordering the North Sea. About 15,000 winter in the UK; mostly in Scotland, northern England and Ireland. Very few are recorded in Sussex and, in some years, none at all; a situation that has changed very little in the past 60 years.

References:

Hughes, P., 2014. Whooper Swan. The Birds of Sussex. Thetford: British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) Books on behalf of the Sussex Ornithological Society, pp. 82.

Mason, M., 1996. Whooper Swan. Birds of Sussex. Sussex Ornithological Society, pp. 136-137.

BirdLife International (2014) Species factsheet: Cygnus cygnus. Downloaded from www.birdlife.org on 8th April 2014.

Pretty as a picture ...

Eurasian Teal (Anas crecca)

A common and welcome winter visitor to Sussex.

A male in full breeding plumage ...

Britain's Dragonflies

Britain's Dragonflies: A field guide to the damselflies and dragonflies of Britain and Ireland

Third Edition, 2014

ISBN: 978-0-691-16123-5

Dave Smallshire and Andy Swash

Published by Princeton University Press, Woodstock, Oxfordshire.

Production and design by WILDGuides Ltd., Old Basing, Hampshire.

I was extremely pleased to receive my review copy of this latest, third edition, of Britain's Dragonflies: A field guide to the damselflies and dragonflies of Britain and Ireland. The Odonata are a group that I have personally not had a great deal of experience but one that I have tentatively been meaning to investigate further. My initial reaction, is that this extremely well planned, comprehensive guide, may well be the excuse I have been waiting for.

The book clearly focuses on the ‘key features’ identification of 63 different species – and this it appears to do well. This includes 56 resident, migrant and former breeding species and, a touch I particularly liked, the inclusion of 7 potential vagrants. Detailed species profiles, complete with stunning images and useable identification charts, deliver concise information on identification, behavior, breeding habitats, population and conservation. I particularly liked, as a newbie to the world of dragons and damsels, the brief ‘where to look’, ‘look-alikes’, and ‘observation tips’ section at the bottom of each page. For those already with more experience, or wishing to probe deeper into their fascinating aquatic world, a section on the identification of larvae and exuviae is also included.

As a desktop reference guide it is clear and concise. As a ‘use in the field’ reference guide it is portable and perfectly designed. My copy came with a protective plastic cover, though I’m not sure if this is standard on all copies but a nice touch nevertheless. A5 in format it conveniently fits the pocket.

Recommended? Absolutely; I can’t wait to go and try it out …

Late afternoon ...

Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa)

The Black-tailed Godwit (L. limosa) is an elegant bird. Standing long-legged and with a bill to match, it is the Icelandic race L. l. islandica that winters in Britain, Ireland and Western Europe, including Sussex. Returning Black-tailed Godwits arrive in Sussex from July onwards, some stopping here to moult before moving further south, others staying on to overwinter. As the population in Iceland has expanded, the numbers visiting Britain have more than quadrupled since the 1980s; though the numbers visiting Sussex have remained relatively stable. Chichester and Pagham Harbours are both internationally important sites for L. limosa in winter, holding up to 3% of the UK total between them. Although this species is widespread and has a large global population, its numbers have declined substantially in parts of its range owing to changes in agricultural practices. Overall, the global population is estimated to be declining at such a rate that the species qualifies as Near Threatened.

Always a pleasure to see …

References:

Barfield, C., 2014. Black-tailed Godwit. The Birds of Sussex. Thetford: British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) Books on behalf of the Sussex Ornithological Society, pp. 271-272.
de Potier, A., 1996. Black-tailed Godwit. Birds of Sussex. Sussex Ornithological Society, pp. 270-271.

BirdLife International (2014) Species factsheet: Limosa limosa. Downloaded from www.birdlife.org on 23rd March 2014.

Posh birds ...

Pintail (Anas acuta)

The Pintail (A. acuta) is a fairly common winter visitor to my home county of West Sussex. Although they are recorded elsewhere, their main populations tend to be concentrated around Chichester Harbour, Pagham Harbour and the Arun Valley to the north; Amberley Wild Brooks and Pulborough Brooks. These sites are favoured as they provide large sheltered areas of open water or wetland. Overwintering birds start to return in late August and early September; the first arrivals showing a preference towards Pagham Harbour. An increase in numbers in the Arun Valley typically occurs during seasonal mid winter flooding.

Large, elegant and slim, the male Pintail in breeding plumage is perhaps the most 'well-dressed' of all surface-feeding ducks …

From small beginnings ...

Purple Hairstreak (Favonius quercus)

Hidden away in the folds of an oak bud a tiny egg glistens ...

A head for heights ...

Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis)

Although their true home is over the wildest, windswept seas of the North Atlantic, the Fulmar (F. glacialis) can often be seen visiting breeding cliffs, even during the winter months, and can be viewed as they sail by on the prevailing wind currents. As one of my favourite sea birds I was pleased to visit one such breeding colony in recent weeks.