Elsted's Saxon Church

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Last Sunday I visited Elsted, West Sussex and enjoyed a walk round St Paul's, the Saxon Church, some of which dates to the 11th Century. Part of it was rebuilt in 1951 to make it useable again. Its history can be read here: https://sussexparishchurches.org/church/elsted-st-paul/  

model of before and after the 1951 restoration

1756

herringbone masonry of the nave indicates 11th C.

Brimstones in Rewell Wood

Coltsfoot, Wood Violet and Lesser Celandines

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On March 23rd I had 14 sightings of male Brimstones during a walk round the rides in Rewell Wood. A couple nectared on dandelions and primroses. Coltsfoot, Lesser Celandines and Wood Violets were also in flower. A Hebrew Character was the first visitor to my moth trap this year.

Primroses, Primula vulgaris

Lesser Celandine, Ranunculus ficaria

Brimstone, Gonepteryx rhamni on Primrose

Hebrew Character, Xestia c-nigrum

A comma in Southwater Woods

Comma, Polygonia c-album

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On Saturday I had a sunny walk in Southwater Woods and was pleased to spot a Comma butterfly. A Buzzard flew up from the woodland floor and while I tried to spot where it had landed in the canopy I saw a Treecreeper hopping up a tree trunk, flying down and repeating the process. Plenty of daffodils and primroses were in flower plus I saw a lone Wood Violet. Three Fallow Deer trotted across a field and a pair of Mallards tried to pretend they were not there in one of the ponds. I found a decaying branch with some orange Witch's Butter fungus.

Fallow Deer, Dama dama

Primroses, Primula vulgaris

catkins

Comma, Polygonia c-album 

Comma take-off

Common Witch's Butter, Tremella aurantia

Daffodil, Narcissus pseudonarcissus

Mallards, Anas platyrhynchos

Wood Violet, Viola riviniana