NORTH DOWNS & BEYOND

Thanks to a tip off from Chris Wilkinson I found myself once again entering the dim and dank interior of a North Downs pill box, this time to successfully see a hibernating Tissue. The bleached out image above does show the apparently characteristic pinkish-purplish tinge to the upper wing and the strongly scalloped edge of the underwing. The image below illustrates quite clearly the beads of condensation that have formed across the moth. There were a number of Herald moths also scattered about the confines, with Chris reaching a grand total of nine. The box (at TQ1125848663) was on the roadside (at White Down) that runs down from Ranmore to Abinger Roughs, and being that bit more closer to human activity did have plenty of rubbish inside (including the rusty springs of a small single mattress). I wasn't tempted to have a lie down...

The Tissue (Triphosa dubitata) is a species of moth that can sometimes be found hibernating during the winter months in caves and out-buildings. I have yet to see one, so I thought it was about time to put that right. I know of a line of Second World War pill boxes that adorn the western-most heights of Ranmore (above White Down), looking out southwards across the flat hinterland towards the Sussex South Downs. Hitler, fortunately, didn't make it. These concrete boxes remain intact and mute, reminders of a conflict that is quickly slipping away from the living memory. I checked four pill boxes in all. Each allowed easy access and were surprisingly free from rubbish and signs of any unsavoury human bodily functions. The passage of time is all too obvious here, as the observation slits in these defences look out into thick beech woodland, and not the open vistas to which they were positioned for. Pill Box at TQ1211749330 Having the most open exterior aspect of the four. O...

It's not just in the realms of sci-fi and horror films that disturbing creatures exist. I came across this Devil's Coach Horse at Ranmore Common this morning. If it were the size of an elephant I would have run a mile (come to think of it, if it had been the size of a cat I would have also run).

At last some hot, sunny, dry and calm weather. Ranmore was my place of choice, with the slopes at Denbigh's and White Downs being checked. There was a lot more insect activity than of late, but butterfly numbers were still poor, although these did include 4 Adonis Blues. Day-flying moths were to the fore, with 100+ Five-spot Burnet, 4 Lace Border, 3 Burnet Companion and single Mother Shipton and Clouded Buff. I was pleased to finally catch up with Woundwort Shieldbug, found on Hedge Woundwort. A smart little fella. Lace Border - restricted to the North Downs in Surrey and Kent, plus outlying colonies in Gloucestershire and Norfolk Burnet Companion - foodplants are clovers, trefoils and vetches Mother Shipton - named after the outline of the old crone's face Five-spot Burnet. Why isn't it Narrow? Don't ask me, but earlier flight time and habitat would point to this species. Woundwort Shieldbug on a Hedge Woundwort leaf

This is Adela reaumurella , a fairly common longhorn moth that I found in good numbers at Ranmore Common yesterday, along with three Hawfinches (click on the image to appreciate this little beauty all the more). Nearby, on Denbigh's Hillside, a good selection of butterflies included Dingy Skipper, Grizzled Skipper and Green Hairstreak. This late April has felt more like high July, although the pessimist within me predicts jumpers and thermals will be required once more within the next few weeks.