A bit of a catch up
The past week has felt like Spring. The air temperature has warmed up considerably, the ground has dried out a lot and there are insects in the air - all most agreeable, and I've been able to get out a fair bit. Most of my wanderings have been in the Epsom/Walton Downs area, with side excursions onto Juniper Top/Bottom, Banstead Heath, Colley Hill and the North Downs Way. Here are the highlights: 2015 Patch Challenge The total has crept up to 76 species with the addition of Red Kite and Barn Owl on Tuesday (I've already regaled you with these sightings), a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker on Thursday (a rare back garden appearance), plus three Lapwings displaying over Walton Downs yesterday morning. Butterflies Brimstones seemed to burst forth at the end of last week and this week has seen Small Tortoiseshells and a single Red Admiral in the garden. Moths The MV is not yet busy, and the night time temperatures have not been anything other than workable, but the 'NFY...