Alner's Gorse & Fontmell

Date: 30/07/2015

Location: Alners Gorse & Fontmell Down

Weather: Cloud, Slight wind but more sunshine ! 18c

Other Species Butterflies: Brown Hairstreak, Purple Hairstreak, Brimstone, Red Admiral, Silver Washed Fritillary, Meadow Brown, Ringlets, Speckled Wood, Large/Small Whites, Large/Small Skippers, Small Blue & Dark Green Fritillary, Fontmell, Gatekeepers, Comma -16 Total Species.

Observation: 

Missed the Brown Hairstreak last week so of down to Alner's it was. On arriving struggled to park as grass verge very busy, but got in on end of line. Off down track and Brown Hairstreak were already spotted but couldn't locate so carried on around. At this point cloud was overhead and all seemed quiet got round to Buckthorn tree, couple of high up Purple Hairstreak so waited patiently. Then I spotted a Brown Hairstreak !

Almost open wing shot ! Nice

 Spotted 3 in all 

A great looking Butterfly !

Even the Purple Hairstreak came down a bit, still around 7ft into tree.

 I noticed the eyes, a sort of greyish sheen.

This one having a Jaws moment!

Looked hard for 'Valencia' Silver Washed Fritillary's but no good saw stacks of Silver Washed Fritillary's though.

Stayed for around 3 hours on leaving even more cars! Headed now for Fontmell in search of Silver Spotted Skipper, no joy :( Last year it was spotted on the 30th but nothing. In fact not much, no Common Blues, saw Small Blue but not much there. More cloud now and slightly more wind.

This, I think is a Common Footman Moth.

Quite a few Southern Hawkers about.

I'll try again soon ! This final Butterfly of the day Common but a stunner from any angle ! 

Red Admiral.

Thanks For Looking !