Brown Hawkers

Today started with a visit to Tilletts Fields in a search for a Brown Hairstreak, we searched diligently in perfect conditions, alas not a sniff, However we did have Silver-washed Fritillary, a nice but worn female, Purple Hairstreak, Holly Blue and the usual browns.

We departed for Lords Piece, hoping to catch up with some dragonflies. As our route took us near to Billingshurst we decided to take a detour via New Bridge on the A272 between Billingshurst and Wisborough Green. This is a noted site for dragons, giving you a choice between the River Arun and the Wey and Arun Canal which run alongside each other.

As soon as we climbed over the stile we could see Banded Demoiselles on the river, just a few but as the sun came out they were numerous. We decided that some of them should be captured so we spent some time chasing both males and females along the bank. Several Brown Hawkers were about and finally we were visited briefly by a coupled pair. I think this is the first time I have actually got a shot of a Brown Hawker that was stationary and in focus.

Martin found another dragonfly perched up in a Hawthorn tree, as we couldn't get close we were not sure of ID but it looked suspiciously like a Migrant Hawker.

 

Finally we left for Lords Piece where, as we parked, we could see plenty of active dragonflies hawking up and down the pond. We found Black-tailed Skimmer, Broad-bodied Chaser, Common Darter and several Emperors.

Emerald Damsel and Black-tailed Skimmer

With all 58 UK mainland butterflies in the bag and reasonable photographic evidence to back it up I began to wonder what I should do next. Just going out into the natural world is not enough for me, as I have said before, I have a latent trainspotting gene, there has to be a list .

 

 

 

So I decided to wipe my records of dragonflies, well they were a bit untidy and not meticulously kept. In one fell swoop and a click of the mouse, my life list returned to zero  and I had a new aim, to see the British List of dragonflies. The list itself is a bit vague, containing species that have been seen only once in the UK and others whose migration to these shores is erratic, in fact totally random. I have a feeling that this may take some time!

 

So Tuesday found me out on Coates Common or Lords Piece as it is otherwise known, the pool just in from the car park has a healthy population of dragons and damsels. First life tick was an Emerald Damselfly, not easily seen but a nice specimen to kick off the new list. Next, an obliging male Broad-bodied Chaser followed by a Black-tailed Skimmer, I felt that I was on a roll.  Common and Ruddy Darters became numbers 4 and 5.

 

 

 

 

The sun was getting stronger and those unpleasant inhabitants of heathland pools the Clegs had appeared, unfortunately I get a pretty strong reaction to their bite so it was sleeves rolled down and a reduction in exposed flesh.

 



 

I think this is a Cleg Fly....

 

 

... whatever it is, there will soon be more of them.

Lords Piece is a picture at the moment - the heather putting on a real show.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the way out this caught my eye - not a usual species at this location.

 

 

 

Just because they are all photographed it doesn't mean they can be ignored. These shots from Pulborough Brooks on Monday, I thought I had the Small Copper perfectly framed, subsequent viewing at home revealed that I hadn't taken enough care with some intrusive blades of grass, I'll just have to do it all over again.

 

 

 

First Clouded Yellow is the 48th species this year.

Marbled White

It was nice to go out in what felt like summer weather, though it doesn't take much of a rise in temperature before we are complaining "It's too hot". Martin had come up with a plan that took in birds, butterflies and dragonflies and we more or less stuck to it. First up was Church Norton, though we did have a peek at Ferry Pool where a splendid summer plumage Spotshank was in residence, just too far away for a decent shot. On the spit at Church Norton the harbour looked a bit devoid of birds and I suspect that the Hudbrel was some way up the creek.

Our next venue was the meadow adjacent to Whiteways café on the road out of Arundel. Lots of Marbled Whites on the wing and one or two just emerging, providing some superb opportunities for photography. I did my annual check of the roundabout, risking life and limb in the traffic, to count the Bee Orchids, just 7 this year and going over already. The Pyramidal Orchids go from strength to strength and it was nice to find a good stand in the field itself.

The female has a distinct yellow/brown rear underwing....

....and a similar colour on the leading edge of the forewing

Next venue was Lords Piece, plenty of hyperactive dragonflies, we found Emperor, Broad Bodied Chasers, Four Spot Chasers and a Common Darter. A full supporting cast of Damsel Flies and the odd Meadow Brown, Small Skipper and the ubiquitous Marbled White.




If an interloper comes near the wings go vertical

 



Very showy caterpillar of the Vapourer - should have recognised this one straight away - the four "shaving brushes" are very characteristic.



Noon Fly, Mesembrina meridian - thanks to Jim Langiewicz for the ID

 

Having visited RSPB Pulborough Brooks for Martin to resupply with bird feed we eschewed the long walk to Black Pool for more dragons and left for Woods Mill. At the entrance to the Mill, just beneath the bridge we found a juvenile Water Rail, apparently photographed by everybody and his dog - I guess we happened to be the last. A Turtle Dove was purring away merrily, deep within the leaf cover of one of the taller trees, shame that it didn't venture up on to its usual perch on the dead tree overlooking the lake.

A great day out, lots of varied material in the viewfinder and plenty of pictures for the blog - what more can you want?