Headley Heath, Chobham Common, Railway Journey East, Wimbledon Common

A round up of recent walks. A hot walk was at Headley Heath looking for Purple Emperors. At the chalk bank a few Silver Spotted Skippers were found, a second brood Dingy Skipper was flying with them.

At the top of the chalk valley a Purple Emperor flew past at the high point, Purple Hairstreaks were seen around several Oaks. At the Car Park a Purple Emperor was seen flying around the Treetops.

Wednesday a trip with Greenie to Chobham Common, we both missed the last Sundays walk due to other wildlife commitments. Grayling was found around the hump as usual. Silver Studded Blues were still hanging on on the heather.

We then visited the hillside further west of Denbies Hillside, no Clouded Yellows this time, On the area of White Downs we found areas with lots of Silver Spotted Skippers flying.

Thursday was the Great Railway Journey East, Dorking to Betchworth by train then walk back to Dorking. I started at Betchworth, so had to hang around for an hour, so i visited the area i found last year for Brown Hairstreak, and had sightings around the Blackthorn hedge and treetops. At the lunchstop at Brockham Quarry we had Purple Emperor again, a female Clouded Yellow flew past, after the climb lots of Chalkhill Blues and Silver Spotted Skippers on the Dukes slopes.

Sunday was Wimbledon Common walk, Purple Hairstreaks were down on the paths and feeding. Holly Blue was also photographed. After the walk had finished a few of us stayed on and found Ringlet and Small Copper.

A quick stop for lunch at Hutchinsons Bank, we added Marbled White, Small Skipper and Chalkhill Blue to the days sightings. A male Oak Egger moth was flying around the cutting, but we never found where the female was calling, but it must have been nearby.