 |
| Grayling, Hipparchia semele |
This morning Windover Hill beckoned after reading that the Grayling were out. A wonderful walk from the car park along the South Downs Way gives great views. The many Chalkhill Blues fluttering around give the walk a surreal feel.
As soon as I arrived on the side of the Grayling valley I saw one flying and gliding with its distinctive V wing shape. There were many light coloured Dark Green Fritillaries on the hillside. This was the best year I have had for photographing the Graylings. They landed on stumps of bushes and leaves and stayed put while I put a camera in their faces - amazing. It must be the heat and light wind.
I met Steve, and while we talked a Grayling landed on his shorts. Jim was also patrolling the hillside. None of us saw a Silver-spotted Skipper, they should be out soon. A Grayling flew around me, landed on my hand and took salts from my sweat. It then flew off and landed on my shoulder. A wonderful experience!
I also saw Marbled Whites, Small Whites, a Red Admiral and Meadow Browns. The Yellow Pearl moth, Mecyna flavalis, was plentiful This rare moth inhabits chalk habitat in Southern England.
 |
| Grayling, Hipparchia semele |
 |
| Grayling on Steve's shorts |
 |
| Grayling on a leaf |
 |
| Grayling with flash |
 |
| eyespot goes up briefly when threatened |
 |
| taking salts from my hand |
 |
| Grayling, Hipparchia semele. This unfortunate specimen is malformed |
 |
| Cockchafer, Melolontha melolontha |
 |
| Cockchafer, Melolontha melolontha |
 |
| I didn't see this mating pair until I looked at the photo. So that's what he was looking for in the vegetation. |
 |
| Round-headed Rampion, Phyteuma orbiculare |
 |
| Six-spot Burnet, Zygaena filipendulae |
 |
| Small White, Pieris rapae |
 |
| Yellow Pearl moth, Mecyna flavalis |
.jpg)
