Grayling Festival at Windover Hill

Grayling, Hipparchia semele

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This morning Windover Hill beckoned after reading that the Grayling were out. A wonderful walk from the car park along the South Downs Way gives great views. The many Chalkhill Blues fluttering around give the walk a surreal feel. 

  As soon as I arrived on the side of the Grayling valley I saw one flying and gliding with its distinctive V wing shape. There were many light coloured Dark Green Fritillaries on the hillside. This was the best year I have had for photographing the Graylings. They landed on stumps of bushes and leaves and stayed put while I put a camera in their faces - amazing. It must be the heat and light wind. 

  I met Steve, and while we talked a Grayling landed on his shorts. Jim was also patrolling the hillside. None of us saw a Silver-spotted Skipper, they should be out soon. A Grayling flew around me, landed on my hand and took salts from my sweat. It then flew off and landed on my shoulder. A wonderful experience!

  I also saw Marbled Whites, Small Whites, a Red Admiral and Meadow Browns. The Yellow Pearl moth, Mecyna flavalis, was plentiful This rare moth inhabits chalk habitat in Southern England.

Grayling, Hipparchia semele

Grayling on Steve's shorts

Grayling on a leaf

Grayling with flash

eyespot goes up briefly when threatened

taking salts from my hand

Grayling, Hipparchia semele. This unfortunate specimen is malformed

Cockchafer, Melolontha melolontha

Cockchafer, Melolontha melolontha

I didn't see this mating pair until I looked at the photo. So that's what he was looking for in  the vegetation.

Round-headed Rampion, Phyteuma orbiculare

Six-spot Burnet, Zygaena filipendulae

Small White, Pieris rapae

Yellow Pearl moth, Mecyna flavalis