An afternoon walk at the Devil's Dyke. Butterflies and Birds. 18.08.22.

On Friday 18th August I took the 77 bus to the Devil's Dyke for an afternoon walk. It was sunny but quite windy.

In my three hour walk I saw what I thought was a low level of diversity of species (only Common Blues, a Brown Argus, Small Heaths, Meadow Browns and Speckled Woods seen) and all in low numbers (Common Blues and Small Heaths being the most abundant, but I only saw 10 of each). I did see a couple of interesting things: a couple of Small Heaths which a lot of yellow pollen on their upper thoraces, and a Humming-Bird Hawk-Moth staggering around and resting on a path.

Speckled Woods in the Dyke copse

Small Heaths

one with much yellow pollen on its upper thorax

Common Blue

This area of the Dyke estate (above the dyke itself, to the north) where the wind strength was less, and there were more wild flowers amongst the desiccated grasses, was where I saw most of these butterflies

A Brown Argus

Another Common Blue

A "tired" looking Humming-Bird Hawk-Moth

Another Common Blue

Another Small Heath

A Meadow Brown

Another Meadow Brown

A female Common Blue

More Common Blues

The former chalkpit on Newtimber Hill

A juvenile Stonechat

Another Small Heath

More Small Blues

Kestrel