Deer and adder encounters at Mill Hill

Meadow Brown

Although it was a dull morning, it was dry and I was keen to have another go at the Clouded Yellows. Every butterfly at Mill Hill was out and about except the Clouded Yellows. However I was well rewarded with other sightings.

First I spotted a deer from the hillside at the same place in the adjacent field that I saw one last year. Roe deer are reported in the area and the lack of horns at this time of year indicates it was a doe.

Then I found another adder thirty meters from Tuesday’s sighting. It was by brambles and bushes, and after a short interval while I took photos, it slowly slithered into the undergrowth.

male Adonis Blue above and below

an extremely worn specimen

view over the River Adue to Lancing College

Meadow Brown on Carline Thistle

Common Darter, Sympetrum striolatum

Dark Bush Cricket Pholidoptera griseoaptera

bumble bee

some brambles are still in flower

Yarrow or Millfoil Achillea millefolium

Milkwort, either Common or Chalk

Hawkweed

there are large patches of Eyebright, some a meter wide

Lancing College across the River Adur