Chiddingfold Forest, 23 July 2012
After a brief visit yesterday, a visit to Chiddingfold Forest this morning produced much better results. Apart from all the expected species an Empress, perched low amongst the branches of a sallow and occasionally taking flight around the nearby oaks, gave priviliged audience to myself and three other observers below. A second brood Holly Blue, increasing numbers of Wood White and reasonable numbers of Silver-washed Fritillary, including a male taking salts from the track, were also observed.
My reward in the bag I headed home ...
Chiddingfold Forest, 7 July 2012
I managed two quick visits to one of my favourite sections within the Chiddingfold Forest complex today. The first, at 6am and in very poor light conditions (but at least it wasn’t raining), and the second at around 4pm this afternoon; just as the wind was getting up!
Roosting butterflies were the order of the morning, and I found a reasonable number of Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Small Heath and both Large and Small Skipper in amongst the long and very wet grass. This afternoon’s visit, after a day of family commitments, produced similar species with the added bonus of a freshly emerged and very active male Dark Green Fritillary …
A male Marbled White at rest below ...
Chiddingfold Forest, 9 and 10 June 2012
With exam fever continuing to take over our household, any opportunity to make a dash for fresh air and solitude is grabbed with both hands. A brief chance yesterday afternoon and likewise earlier today was greatly welcomed …
My reward yesterday, a beautiful female Orange Moth (Angerona prunaria). Though pleased, I was rather surprised to see this insect at 3.30 in the afternoon, as the male of this species typically flies at dusk, whilst the rather elusive female, generally much later into the night. It is a widely distributed species and generally only locally common in woodland and heathland across its range. Its larvae feed on a variety of trees and plants including birch, hawthorn, blackthorn and heather. Today as I entered the wood, I was greeted by a small company of the rather enchanting longhorn moth, Nemophora degeerella, gracefully dancing along the edge of the track. Numerous specimens of the highly distinctive Speckled Yellow (Pseudopanthera macularia) were also present, as indeed were numerous Speckled Wood and two Red Admiral making strategic claims for territory.
A male Stag Beetle (Lucanus cervus), the second I’ve found this year, provided a welcome find to end my visit.
Until next time ...
