Commas and Brimstones

Brimstone, Gonepteryx rhamni

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This morning I visited Ferring Rife again to test my malfunctioning Sigma 180mm lens. I soon abandoned it and used my Lumix. There were plenty of Small Tortoiseshells around, some nectaring on Celandine. I counted over 20, including several pairs and a threesome. Also a Brimstone and a Peacock. Then to Angmering Woods where I saw several Commas, my first of the year, plus a few Peacocks and Brimstones, including a pair. I spotted two Brimstones fluttering around ivy and one landed, showing off its wonderful camouflage. Both its wing shape and colouring made it blend into the ivy perfectly. The Brimstones nectared on celandine and primrose. A Comma chased a bumblebee, and there were territorial disputes between Commas and Peacocks, who both chased Brimstones. On the way back I spotted a Roe Deer hind. We stared at each other for many minutes before it ran off with great leaps every few steps.

Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale

Lesser Celandine, Ranunculus ficaria

Peacock, Inachis io

Small Tortoiseshell, Aglais urticae

where the Ferring Rife meets the sea

Angmering Woods:

Brimstone, Gonepteryx rhamni
camouflaged on ivy

Brimstone, Gonepteryx rhamni
nectaring on Lesser Celandine

male and female Brimstone

Brimstone, Gonepteryx rhamni
nectaring on Primrose

Comma, Polygonia c-album

Common Dog-violet or Wood violet, Viola riviniana

Primrose, Primula vulgaris

Roe Deer hind, Capreolus capreolus

Small Tortoiseshells, Brimstones and Peacocks

Small Tortoiseshells, Aglais urticae
male behind female

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My first visit today was to Cissbury Ring where I had many male Brimstone sightings plus a courting pair, plus a Peacock. On the way to Ferring Rife I saw more male Brimstones. The rife was alive with Small Tortoiseshells and I witnessed many pairs flying, a couple of trebles and one foursome. There was much courting occurring on the ground. I estimate that I saw over 40 Small Tortoiseshells plus two Peacocks.

Kestrel, Falco tinnunculus
at Cissbury Ring

Ferring Rife

Peacock, Inachis io

now you see me , now you don't

Small Tortoiseshell, Aglais urticae

Small Tortoiseshell and Buzzards

Small Tortoiseshell, Aglais urticae

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Following Neil’s report about Small Tortoiseshells at Ferring Rife I visited it on Friday. There was no sign of the butterflies initially but after the sun had raised the temperature I spotted a pair of Small Tortoiseshells flying from the east bank to my side. After they landed the male fluttered in front of the female in the grass, but she was not interested and eventually flew off. I raised a Jack Snipe from the marshy area and spotted about 50 batches of frogspawn, mostly at the southern end of two ponds. There were 3 herons in a field.

On Saturday I joined many visitors at Arundel WWT. I watched a Buzzard being mobbed by two Crows. Later six Buzzards soared above the hill. I saw my first male Brimstone of the year flying along the path by the Lapwing and Ramsar hides.

Daffodil, Narcissus pseudonarcissus
by Ferring Rife

Frogspawn, Rana temporaria

Frogspawn, Rana temporaria

Frogspawn, Rana temporaria

Grey Heron, Ardea cinerea

Grey Herons, Ardea cinerea

Small Tortoiseshells courting, Aglais urticae

Small Tortoiseshell, Aglais urticae

Arundel WWT:

Buzzard, Buteo buteo mobbed by Carrion Crows, Corvus corone

Great Tit, Parus major

Lapwing (Peewit), Vanellus vanellus

Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos

wonderful colours on Mallard's head which change with the angle of the light