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 ...