Alice Holt and Thursley Common

D. and I headed to the Surrey heathlands in search of Lepidoptera and Odonata. At Goose Green, Alice Holt, we watched Purple Emperor (Apatura iris) - with one male atop a Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa) - tussling a second male on the wing; and Purple Hairstreak (Neozephyrus quercus) both species being lifers for me.

Also flying: Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus), Peacock (Inachis io), Meadow Brown (Manilio jurtina), Large Skipper (Ochlodes venata), Marbled White (Melanargia galathea), Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonis) and Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia).

Odonata interest was provided by Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis) and Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea).

A Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) overhead was a complete bonus!

His Imperial Majesty (record shot)

Silver-washed fritillary

At Moats Pond, Thursley Common in the afternoon - we counted 14 species of Odonata from pond-side and boardwalks - including two more lifers for me: Black Darter (Sympetrum danae) and Downy Emerald (Cordulia aenea).



Downy Emerald

Black Darter

Small Red Damselfly
(Ceriagrion tenellum)

very worn out fem.
Keeled Skimmer (Orthetrum coerulescens)