Zig-zag in the heatwave


The heatwave continues, with the Met Office suggesting that here in the south-east we might be hitting 34C today. This mornings check of the garden MV was disappointing. Before the weather conditions became too oppressive, I visited Juniper Bottom (to the NE of Box Hill) that offered a handful of Dark Green and Silver-washed Fritillaries, and then the Box Hill zig-zag, where up to 400 Marbled Whites (above) and 60+ Dark Green Fritillaries danced above the grassy slopes. I also came across 5 spikes of Musk Orchid (below) - without my DSLR, the bridge camera struggled to focus on the plant, as it blended in seamlessly with the grass stems in front, alongside and behind it!


A single Marsh Tit was heard calling. Also present at both sites were a number of Banded Demoiselle (below), some way from water, the nearest source being the River Mole, some half mile away. This female can be told from the similar Beautiful Demoiselle by exhibiting a white (and not buff) spot near the tip of the outer wing.


Comments

Gibster said…
SIXTY Dark Green Frits?!?!? Think I've seen about three at a time up there... Still jumper weather up here, I pulled the window to earlier. Just too darn chilly!
22 June 2017 at 00:52
Steve Gale said…
The highest numbers I've seen there Seth - had I covered all the slope it would have been higher!
22 June 2017 at 07:31
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