Sunday 13th July

I managed 2 hours out today. An hour and a half at New Hythe followed by just under half an hour at Holly Hill just up the road.

Principally I was looking for butterflies and was quite pleased in the end with my haul. At New Hythe I saw 2 Purple Hairstreak, 3 Red Admiral, 2 Comma, 2 Small White, 1 Large White, 3 Essex Skipper, several Small/Essex Skipper, 6+ Gatekeeper and 10 Meadow Brown. Also at New Hythe was a single Water Vole, 2 Slow Worm, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2+ Reed Warbler singing, a Green Woodpecker and family parties of Whitethroat.

Up to Holly Hill I added 6 Marbled White (my first here), a fresh Chalkhill Blue, 20+ Small Heath and 40+ Ringlet. 6 Slow Worm but no Adder seen here.

Around home this lunchtime I have had a Yellowhammer singing in the tree next to my garden and a few Speckled Wood and Large White around.

Comma

Chalkhill Blue at rest and in flight (lucky shot!)

Essex Skippers (New Hythe)

Gatekeepers (New Hythe)

Marbled Whites (Holly Hill)

Meadow Brown (New Hythe)

Purple Hairstreak (New Hythe) - bit distant!

Ringlet (Holly Hill)

Small White (Worn) Holly Hill