Summer of Wildlife

Purple Emperor, Apatura iris high up in an ash

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On Saturday I ran a Butterfly Conservation stand at the BBC 'Summer of Wildlife' event at Arundel Wildlife and Wetland Trust. There were many other participants including the Sussex Wildlife Trust. I was assisted in the afternoon by Linda and we enjoyed seeing how keen the children were colouring on butterfly and caterpillar cut-outs, and making butterfly id dials. The day was a great success with kids and parents, who promised to contribute to the Big Butterfly Count. I even saw a Red Admiral, Brimstone and Speckled Wood from my shaded area, and avoided being pecked by a huge brood of teenage Canada Geese which invaded the wildlife garden.

 On Sunday I visited Tugley Wood but by the time I arrived around 10am the Purple Emperors had left the ground. There was plenty of aerial activity.

 On Monday I visited Houghton Forest near Arundel late afternoon and saw a Small Tortoiseshell, Large Skippers, Ringlets, Meadow Browns, Silver-washed Fritillaries,. Speckled Woods and a White Admiral.

BC Sussex 'Summer of Wildlife' exhibit

She's pleased with her butterfly mask

Tugley Wood:

Musk Mallow, Malva moschata

Musk Mallow, Malva moschata

Purple Emperor high up in an ash

Houghton Forest:

Large Skipper, Ochlodes sylvanus

Large Skipper, Ochlodes sylvanus

Nettle-leaved Bellflower, Campanula trachelium

Nettle-leaved Bellflower, Campanula trachelium

Ringlet, Aphantopus hyperantus

Ringlet, Aphantopus hyperantus

Roe Deer, Capreolus capreolus

Silver-washed Fritillary, Argynnis paphia