Tortoiseshells, tadpoles and a Willow Warbler

Willow Warbler, Phylloscopus trochilus

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This morning I joined Mark for a trip to Ferring Rife to see the Small Tortoiseshells that Neil reported recently. It was misty early on, cleared up but remained cloudy all day south of the downs. We had about 25 sightings of Small Tortoiseshells and a few Peacocks by the Ferring Rife, some in good condition. However, they were quite skittish and didn’t stop for long anywhere, especially on the green foliage where we like to photograph them. There were tadpoles of various sizes in the ponds. There were plenty of House Sparrows on the brambles and warblers, probably several species. While researching the identity of this warbler I have learnt a major difference between a Willow Warbler and a Chiffchaff - the Willow Warbler has orange/pink legs whereas the Chiffchaff's legs are black/grey. A bonus was seeing a Snipe fly off in front of me.

Peacock, Inachis io

Small Tortoiseshell, Aglais urticae

Willow Warbler, Phylloscopus trochilus

tadpole

tadlets