I’ve been feeling a bit ropy this weekend, so the prospect of a quick return to Pulborough to add the Wood Sandpiper to the on-foot list didn’t appeal. Instead we had a rather shorter and slower 15 mile walk up to Cissbury and Chanctonbury rings. Butterflies abounded on a sunny, but breezy day – very different to the flooded north.
Instead of one bird, I added three butterflies to the on-foot list: Chalkhill Blue, Silver-spotted Skipper and Essex Skipper, which was a nice surprise (I know they’re up there, but I thought separating one from Small Skipper would be beyond me).
Common Blue
Stonechat
Chalkhill Blue, male
Six-spotted Burnet
Chalkhil Blue, female
Silver-spotted Skipper, refusing to cooperate
Essex Skipper, easily separated from Silver-spotted, as it hides its backside behind grass instead of its head.
We haven’t seen a Hare for a few weeks, so this was a nice surprise.