NORTH DOWNS & BEYOND

An afternoon visit to Headley Heath was fairly uneventful, although a couple of Garden Warblers were seen and heard in amongst the many Blackcaps, at least four Willow Warblers were on territory, my first Large Skipper of the year was on the wing and, at the 'Starfruit Pond', there were many Broad-bodied Chasers in action, including one that kindly kept posing for me on a close branch.

Hot and drowsy, with just the scratching of Whitethroats and the dribbling juice of the Blackcaps to trouble the thick air. A few Common Buzzards, the odd Red Kite and a Sparrowhawk to disturb the clear, deep blue. Spring seems sprung. Summer has unfurled its intent. I had a brief encounter with a female Broad-bodied Chaser at Canons Farm this afternoon. It kept alighting on a small area of vegetation in a woodland ride, but was terribly wary, allowing me snatched images. The backlit picture pleased me, far more than a standard frame filler would have - you can appreciate the structure and fretwork of the wings to a greater degree. These ancient insects are wonders to behold, art nouveau with wings.