With some unexpected sunshine this morning, albeit short lived and still an irritating breeze, I headed up to the patch in the off chance of seeing my first Wall Brown of the year. It was a bit of a long shot, but then I had a phone call from Pete who told me that he had found one at Castle Hill in Newhaven, whilst he was doing a transect with Dave Harris. This is the first time for many years that my local site or Mill Hill hasn't had the first Wall Brown of the year in Sussex.
Anyway, I decided to look even harder, but alas I couldn't find any. Only a Small Tortoiseshell was seen on a disappointing butterfly day. Several micro moths were seen though including my first Pyrausta ostrinalis of the year.
While I was looking for Wall Brown pupa I did find 2 Marbled White larvae. My 2nd and 3rd of the year. These were both tiny at around 1 cm long.
Marbled White larva.
Marbled White larva.
A couple of days ago I came across a Dotted Bee-fly resting along the valley. This is the rarer of the 2 Bee-fly that are found on the patch. The Dark-edged Bee-fly is found all over the area but the Dotted is generally only in a couple of areas there.
Dotted Bee-fly.
It won't be long until you are spoilt for choice with the camera I expect. We need a few sunny warm days.
ReplyDeletethe second photo is so exciting.
ReplyDeletehave a great day