A dig at Framfield and another day at the Rifle Range

Fruit of the vine, White Bryony,  Bryonia dioica 

Yesterday I attended a dig at Framfield, East Sussex at 10am. It was dry until I returned to the car at 4pm, then the heavens opened. The pickings in the stubble fields were sparse considering that over 100 attended.

The FLO recorded an Elizabeth I sixpence, a couple of other coins and tokens, a piece of Roman pottery and a few other pieces. I found a 1918 penny, a George II/III halfpenny which had no recognisable marks and a button with ‘buttons limited’ on the back. This company was formed in 1907 when several of the largest button companies merged.

Speckled Wood

This morning I arrived at Steyning Rifle Range again at 10:30am. Other Brown Hairstreak fans arrived steadily after that. The BHs were mostly damaged. Sherie found one male on the ground which although very worn and damaged enabled me to get close-ups. On Saturday the BHs started appearing by 10:30, today the first was seen at 11:40 and only half the number were seen during the day.  In spite of a clear sky there was a cold north wind which must have made it difficult for the butterflies to warm up.
Apart from the Speckled Woods, most of the butterflies I photographed were worn and damaged.

female Brown Hairstreak

male Brown Hairstreak underside

male BH worn and torn

female BH and below

The Brown Hairstreak is one of Britain's rarest butterflies. It seems to be found in Sussex wherever there are blackthorn, sloe or other prunus to lay on and ash nearby to roost on.

worn Common Blue

torn Small White

Meadow Brown

Common Darter, Sympetrum striolatum above + below

Garden Cross Spider, Araneus diadematus

Western Honey Bee, Apis mellifera

Hoverfly, Syrphus spp.

Scabius