A Many-Skippered Summer

Essex Skipper in Sussex

Notes for July - from 2nd to 24th 2014

Skipper numbers have continuously increased from the 2nd of July, most notably frequenting the dry subsoil area on the river bank where native wild flower and wild grass seed was planted. Most were Small Skippers, ceaselessly skipping from plant to plant, the flowering Ribwort Plantain being their favourite but there were Large Skippers and Essex Skippers amongst them. Meadow Brown butterflies, Commas and Small Tortoiseshell butterflies continued to roam the bank side grasses and nettles.
 On Thursday 3rd July - another warm day, two Gatekeeper butterflies were seen here for the first time this year accompanied by Small Tortoiseshell and Comma butterflies along the banks, with good numbers of Small Skippers and Meadow Browns on the wild flowers and grasses.
Friday 4th July - yet another warm day, the same species were active, with several Commas flying very strongly over the bank nettles. In addition Brimstone, Large White, Small White and Green-veined White butterflies were active over the banks.
Many Azure Damselflies were drifting over the nettles, with two Beautiful Demoiselle and several Banded Demoiselle damselflies were ranging the banks. These were just noted in passing together with birds - the most welcome sight was of a juvenile Green Woodpecker flying up from the river bank - heard as well - giving rather high-pitched jaffles. Another juvenile was seen in a group of blackbirds and sparrows feeding on the grass and an adult jaffle was heard briefly.
Several Blackcaps were singing at different locations, together with Chiffchaffs and Song thrush. 

On Sunday 6th July the damp warm air brought out the insects and the Swifts followed, feeding over the river. The following day, 7th July, was cooler but sunny, with red and white Clovers increasing with Bird's Foot Trefoil flowering well, attracting the Skippers - and Ringlets were active too, probably brought out by the damp conditions of previous days.  Swifts were again foraging in the air, with a few Black-headed Gulls. A whitethroat sang on the Reptile field (nesting in brambles), with goldfinches singing in the Blackthorn thicket. An song thrush was seen with several juveniles exploring the river bank and another song thrush was seen further down carrying food.

Essex Skipper on Ribwort Plantain

On July 8th, as the clouds moved in, the swifts appeared low over the river displaying  their acrobatic flight,  finding plenty of insects under the low cloud - whilst a buzzard soared high.

A grey heron suddenly flew up from its hiding place on the river and flew north upstream.

Sunday 13th July was very warm and the Gatekeeper butterflies were now out in force, all along the river banks, mixing with Skippers and Meadow Browns and Banded Demoiselle damselflies all on the same patch where the unexpected Musk Mellow was also flowering well amongst the Clovers and Trefoil.

A quick look at the river on Tuesday 15th July revealed much activity again in the heat.

6 Mallard ducklings were progressing downstream and several groups of Banded Demoiselle damselflies and a few Beautiful Demoiselles, both male and female, were seen in various sheltered and sunny locations. Today the heavier dragonflies were about, flying high and low, in sun and shade with rapid wing movements and sudden changes in direction making it difficult to observe colour and pattern but those seen today were probably Brown Hawkers. 

Gatekeeper butterflies were again out in large numbers, great to see them as their main flightpaths in previous years were along the verges of a path now closed and 'weed free'. Red Admirals, Commas, Meadow Browns, Ringlets, large numbers of Skippers together with Red-tailed, White-tailed and Buff-tailed bumble bees were foraging on the wild patch and extending along the river bank either side.

Directly overhead, a kestrel was gliding, carrying a fat vole with ease in its claws, flying for some time before selecting a place to land and consume its prey. Swifts were hunting and blackcaps and willow warblers still singing strongly, with Chiffchaffs making contact whistle calls and robins seen but quiet.

Swifts were seen hunting every day over the river course, on some days joined by House Martins.

On 16th July the first fresh Peacock butterfly was seen - the caterpillars had been seen on nettles indicating that good numbers of fresh Peacocks could be expected. On the night of 17th/18th July we had and electric storm with some spectacular and continuous lightning.  On 18th, three juvenile green woodpeckers were seen moving around in an oak, silently. After a while they flew across the river into the grasses, in search of ants on the Wild  Meadow.

On Tuesday 22nd July - morning - a field survey of butterflies on the Wild Meadow. Record to come.

On 23rd a Fritillary butterfly was seen gliding along through the trees sometimes quite high and then descending along the banks - almost certainly a Silver-washed Fritillary male.

Common Blue nectaring - note the long tongue

Male Gatekeeper basking on fresh Bramble leaves on the river bank