Ringlets and a Marbled White

Ringlet, Aphantopus hyperantus

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This morning after Sue's hospital visit to Southlands we called in at Mill Hill to do my weekly butterfly transect. Conditions were perfect, little wind, 90% sun but not too many butterflies: 2 Meadow Browns, 17 Small Heaths and a Marbled White, my first of the year. After lunch I visited Rewell Wood and saw one female Silver-washed Fritillary nectaring on the Marsh Thistle. I saw many Ringlets, again a first for the year, Meadow Browns, Large Skippers and a pristine Red Admiral. Also a new moth for me, the Brown Silver-line. I disturbed several Roe Deer and a large deer dashed across the path though too fast to get the camera on it.

Mill Hill:

Dropwort, Filipendula vulgaris

Pyramidal Orchid, Anacamptis pyramidalis

Red Poppy, Papaver rhoeas

Rewell Wood:

Brown Silver-line, Petrophora chlorosata

Horseshoe Vetch, Hippocrepis comosa

Agrimony, Agrimonia eupatoria

Large Skipper, Ochlodes faunus

Red Clover, Trifolium Pratense

Ringlet, Aphantopus hyperantus showing the spots on the upper wing

        

Tutsan, Hypericum androsaemum 

10cm long juvenile Slow-worm, Anguis fragilis

adult Slow-worm, Anguis fragilis

I found 2 slow-worms and a common lizard under one mat