Tuesday, 24 April 2012

First Swift of the Summer

Whilst watching the gliding buzzards, hovering kestrel and singing skylarks over the river at midday today - the first sighting of a swift this year, heading around and following the course of the Arun towards the west. It will find plenty of aerial insects to feed on over the river during this very damp weather.
Very faint glimpses of the sun behind the clouds brought some warmth and butterflies out of hiding on the river bank. Orange Tips and Speckled Wood.


Speckled Wood butterfly warming up on last autumn's fallen oak leaf in a glimmer of sun
on the river bank. Fallen leaves have a million uses when left where they fall, including this,
where the dry leaf forms a warm surface on the cold wet ground, encouraging butterflies to
perch and absorb the sunlight. The Speckled Wood enjoys shady woodland and margins where its
speckled markings are perfect camouflage in dappled shade.

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