Lizards bask on a wall

European Wall Lizard, Podarcis muralis

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On a sunny Tuesday I completed my first butterfly transect of the year at Mill Hill with these results: Brimstone 6, Comma 1, Peacock 6, Small Tortoiseshell 1. Neil had recorded the first Grizzled Skipper of the year before I arrived. A Pyrausta nigrata moth landed in front of me during the survey. I then enjoyed the European Wall Lizards basking and fighting in the sun at Shoreham beach. Finally I checked out a known Orange-tip site and was amazed by the amount of Cuckoo Flower (Lady’s Smock) that was growing in the area.

Mill Hill:

Peacock, Inachis io

Pyrausta nigrata moth

Small Tortoiseshell, Aglais urticae

Wood Violet, Viola riviniana

Yellow Dung fly, Scatophaga stercoraria

Cattle are currently grazing Mill Hill to keep the scrub under control. This dung fly lays eggs on dung and feeds on insects, nectar and dung.

Shoreham beach

European Wall Lizard, Podarcis muralis

Cuckoo Flower meadow:

Comma, Polygonia c-album

Cuckoo Flower, Cardamine pratensis

Cuckoo Flower, Cardamine pratensis

Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale

Greater Stitchwort, Stellaria holostea

Lesser Celandine, Ranunculus ficaria