Portsdown Hill June 2014

Photos are mainly taken within Compartments 1 and 2 along the transect route - although the yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella) - was recorded in the compartment above Paulsgrove Chalk Pit - a singing male was heard within the compartment on the 20th June.

Butterflies seen this month include: small skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris); marbled white (Melanargia galathea); meadow brown (Manolia jurtina); dark-green fritillary (Argynnis aglaja) - all recorded from 13th June onwards. Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus) - recorded on the wing from 20th June. These dates are record dates from transect not emergence dates.

marbled white



comma



dark-green fritillary

C.f. narrow bordered five spot burnet moth
(Zygaena lonicerae)

dark-green fritillary

emperor dragonfly (Anax imperator)

large skipper (Ochlodes venata)



roe (Capreolus capreolus) hind with twins



speckled wood



yellowhammer

ringlet

another day on Portsdown Hill ..

The Week 9 butterfly transect in Compartments 1 and 2 on Portsdown Hill produced sightings of brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni), large white (Pieris brassicae), orange tip (Anthocharis cardamines), small blue (Cupido minimus), common blue (Polyommatus icarus), small tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) and speckled wood (Pararge aegeria) along with a single large skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus); burnet companion (Euclidia glyphica) moth was also recorded.

common blue



large skipper

large skipper (underwing)

burnet companion

In Compartment 3 the caterpillars of the lackey moth (Malacosoma neustria) and brown tail moth (Euproctis chrysorrhoea) were very evident, along with common carpet moth (Epirrhoe alternata).

 

A second (and probably third) large skipper was also seen in the Paulsgrove Chalk Pit area. Bee orchids (Ophrys apifera) are also showing well in the Chalk Pit.

 

brown tail moth caterpillar

common carpet moth

lackey moth caterpillar

burnet companion

bee orchid