A surprise sighting at Friston Forest today, near the Gallops was a teneral Norfolk Hawker. Last year many were seen in Sussex, so hopefully 2024 will be even better. British Dragonfly Society Sussex Wildlife Trust 🦔 Sussex Biodiversity

Better late than never! I've written a blog post about a fabulous 2 day trip last year to see the Large Blue and Lulworth Skipper 🦋 - both species were new to me. You can read about it here:

lisagsaw.co.uk/a-butterfly-qu…

Butterfly Conservation 🦋 Bob Eade

With two visits to Kent, mainly for the beautiful Anania funebris, and many excellent orchids, my new blog post tells the story bobsbutterflies.blogspot.com/2024/05/double… Kent Wildlife Trust Butterfly Conservation Kent & SE London Butterfly Conservation 🦋

There are not many things nicer than a fresh Lace Border. The first brood has just started in both Sussex sites. This beauty was my first of the year today. The Friston site kicked off on Friday. Butterfly Conservation 🦋 Sussex Butterfly Conservation Sussex Wildlife Trust 🦔

On my birthday last week I spent time with a Duchess in Kent. I also enjoyed my favourite micro, Anania funebris as well as a rather nice Ancylis unculana. Butterfly Conservation 🦋 Kent Wildlife Trust Butterfly Conservation Kent & SE London

Despite the cloudy conditions this morning, it was actually warm. I wasn't however expecting to find a couple of Green Hairstreak nectaring on the Garlic Mustard. The male Orange-tip was more expected. Butterfly Conservation 🦋 South Downs National Park Sussex Wildlife Trust 🦔 Sussex Butterfly Conservation

The sunshine has certainly made the butterflies make the most of their opportunities to mate. Orange-tips one day, the next day Green Hairstreaks. This shows them trying to split, after nearly 2 hours!! Butterfly Conservation 🦋 Sussex Butterfly Conservation Sussex Wildlife Trust 🦔 Sussex Biodiversity

My contribution to #WorldRobberflyDay is a mating pair of the Hornet Robberfly. Check out that talon in the eye of the female. Also, a favourite prey seems to be Grasshoppers here on the South Downs. Sussex Biodiversity South Downs National Park Sussex Wildlife Trust 🦔

I was fortunate to see a pair of Orange-tips yesterday coming together in Abbotts Wood. Great being able to photograph them from both sides as they were preoccupied. Butterfly Conservation 🦋 Sussex Butterfly Conservation Sussex Wildlife Trust 🦔

Having given up on the weather, it was a case of searching for roosting butterflies. Female OT and male GVW found eventually in Friston Forest. Butterfly Conservation 🦋 Sussex Wildlife Trust 🦔 Sussex Butterfly Conservation

A common moth that I have struggled to get a decent shot of over the years is the Green Carpet. They generally fly deep into bushes when found, or are so faded they are not worth photographing. Last week however. Sussex Moth Group Sussex Wildlife Trust 🦔 Butterfly Conservation 🦋

An interesting day looking at the lovely Early Spider Orchids. The first time I have seen the solitary bee Andrena nigroaena trying to mate with the flower. Wild Orchids UK & Ireland Sussex Wildlife Trust 🦔 South Downs National Park

A strong emergence of Large Red Damselflies in West Sussex over the weekend. Both Ebernoe Common and Pulborough Brooks supplied these examples for myself and Lisa Saw . Sussex Wildlife Trust 🦔 British Dragonfly Society

A lovely Orange Ladybird from Friston Forest last weekend. Looks like it has a clear plastic raincoat on!! Sussex Wildlife Trust 🦔 Sussex Biodiversity BBC Springwatch

A couple of Scarlet Tiger larvae found yesterday in Friston Forest. Sussex Wildlife Trust 🦔 Sussex Moth Group

The fascinating Small Eggar lays eggs mainly on Blackthorn. Eggs are then covered by body hair from the female to protect against the cold. Y'day I saw my 1st eggs for the year. The cats and moth are also very smart. Sussex Wildlife Trust 🦔 Ian Kimber Butterfly Conservation 🦋 Sussex Moth Group

A further visit with Lisa Saw to see the Sussex Adders. Once again they were fascinating to watch. A few photos taken with 300mm plus to avoid disturbing them. Sussex Wildlife Trust 🦔 Sussex Biodiversity Sussex ARG

As well as the wonderful snakes seen on Wednesday, a lovely display of Bog Beacon seen too. bobsbutterflies.blogspot.com/2024/03/i-adde…
Sussex Wildlife Trust 🦔 Clare Blencowe

A butterfly day turned out to be a reptile day today with Grass Snake, 2 Adders and many Lizards. There were also plenty of butterflies, but I do like a good Adder day. All taken with the 300mm so as not to disturb them!! Sussex Wildlife Trust 🦔

A great day out in the sun today. 11 butterflies seen including 3 Brimstone, 3 Peacock, Comma and Red Admiral. Also a stunning little Rove Beetle, Glow-worm larva and 4 Wall Brown larvae. Sussex Wildlife Trust 🦔 Sussex Butterfly Conservation Graeme Lyons South Downs National Park