Blank Wood and Military Orchid Site

On the Way back to Croydon we first stopped off at the Red Helleborine site, now closed off to public, then onto Blank Wood, one of the Ghost Orchid sites in the 1980s, and more recent ? 1999. Nothing at the 1986 site, but its suitable for them again, but only saw Yellow-Birdsnest. Onto the other location, where Ted and myself got separated, again only Yellow-Birdsnest, in the dark, around the ditches.

Just down the road is the 1947 Military Orchid site where J. E Lousley a Surrey Botanist rediscovered this species on a picnic with his family. Ted & Myself did not manage to join the list of discoveries by travelling Surrey Botanists. Military Orchid in Seed, and Narrow-Lipped Helleborine in Bud. After a late lunch we joined the M25 Queue at Junctions 15 to 11.

Finemere Wood

I did a trip with Ted to some old haunts from the 1990s today, first stop was Finemere Wood, were we could see Purple Emperor and Black Hairstreak if we were lucky.

Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Small White, Marbled White, Gatekeeper, were all seen on the track upto the reserve entrance. Along the main track well known for Purple Emperors, two photographers were taking pictures of something on the track, we walked up to them, and a Purple Emperor was drinking wet mud from a puddle.

After a lot of photos it flew off and around us, looking to land on the track again, which it did a little way off, more photos,

but a landrover wanted to drive up the track and over the butterfly, so it crawled onto my finger and had another drink.

More photos were taken, after a few minutes we moved it back onto the track, so it could feed again in without disturbance. Silver Washed Fritillary, Purple Hairstreak, Large and Small Skippers were also seen.

We walked back down the track hoping to see the Black Hairstreak, but couldnt get to the area as it is now fenced off. So onto the next site.

Great Train Journey East & West

Butterfly Conservations Butterfly & Train walk, was in variable conditions,starting from Betchworth Station, which has a train every 2 hours.

 The train arrives at 11.13 hopefully with some butterfly walkers on board.

About 12 people have arrived for the long walk to Dorking.

The Great Train Journey West started at Dorking Deepdeane, a train trip to Gomshall, then a walk up the hillside to White Downs. Where we saw our first Silver Spotted Skippers and Chalkhill Blues.

 Along the North Downs Way we saw pairs of Common Blue, Meadow Browns, A Brown Argus was seen at the lunch spot.

 Along the top path we found the lovely caterpillar of the Alder Moth feeding on Dogwood, Then a walk down the hillside to the bottom carrageway.

 

 The Carrageway was blocked by a few cattle, taking a rest from their work.

Riddlesdown

This mornings walk at Banstead Heath produced only a few butterflies, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Marbled White, Small Heath etc.

On the way home we stopped off at Riddlesdown, looking for the Pendulous Flowered Helleborine, and maybe a Chalkhill Blue, we found 3 Helleborines, without much searching, but no Chalkhills yet. THere were plenty of Pyramidal Orchids, and a small clump of Common Spotted Orchids.

Ashtead Common

Our walk around the common, was in damp conditions, with light rain, but the sun came out a few times.
We had Purple Hairstreak female, and White Admiral, My First Peacock caterpillars were also seen.

Glanvilles Still About 5th July

I visited the South London Glanville Site today, they were still flying, 3 were seen on transect. A Dark Green Fritillary was also seen in the bottom of the valley.

Bookham Common

A wet walk around Bookham Common, but I did see Purple Emperor at the top of a tree. White Admiral, Comma, Large Skipper, Meadow Brown were the other butterflies seen.

Wimbledon Common

Our walk at Wimbledon Common was wet, but a few butterflies were seen, including Small White, Large Skipper, Meadow Brown, Small Heath. Cinabar Moth larvae of various sizes were seen on Ragwort.

Oaken Wood

The Purple Emperor walk at Botany Bay/Oaken Wood was in wet weather, with the odd sunny spell.

 A few butterflies of note were seen, including Ringlet, White Admiral.

 A white form of the Common Spotted Orchid was also seen in the Triangle meadow.