NORTH DOWNS & BEYOND

Rosy Footman - one of my favourites. This week has not produced much in the MV, although a Small Rufous was only the second garden record and this Rosy Footman only the fourth.

A cousin of my wife phoned yesterday afternoon to say that he had taken a photograph of a rather striking butterfly in his Slinfold, West Sussex, garden. Would I mind taking a look, he wondered? As I waited for the photograph to be emailed to me, I pondered as to what it might be. I knew that he has more than a passing interest in wildlife, so thought that at least a photograph of a Painted Lady may arrive, possibly a hairstreak. I didn't expect this... Slinfold is a village well endowed with trees, although I do not know exactly how close the nearest colony of Purple Emperor is. All I know is that I would have turned cartwheels had one chosen to alight in my modest suburban plot.

Under blue skies and in high temperatures, a motley collection of Beddington birders gathered for a botanical wander across our fair sewage farm. Johnny Allan, Peter Alfrey, Frank Prater and Keith Miller joined me in looking down, rather than up, for a few hours. We were briefly joined by Grant, Tank and the Prof. Recent rain has given the vegetation a much needed boost, and there are parts of the farm that are virtually impenetrable, with chest-high nettles, mallow and hogweed making progress slow and tricky. However, our route around the south lake, along the stream, through the mounds to 100 acre, (via Pongo Park) rewarded us with a good mornings plant list. Highlights were Marsh Dock (a population discovered last year on a bed on 100 acre), Dittander (by the northern enclosed lagoon), Narrow-leaved Water Plantain (south lake), Fool's Watercress, Horseradish and Water Figwort. The boys spent a great deal of time quizzing me on identification features of melilots, ...

This adult Southern Hawker was found in its final stage of leaving the larva earlier this morning. Shortly after the photograph was taken it took its first flight.

On the border between Nonsuch and Cheam Park, some kind-hearted soul has decided to create a wildflower meadow. I stood mesmerised by the sympathetic and frankly exciting mixture that had been chosen - Corn Chamomile, Cornflower, Corncockle, Corn Marigold - all that was missing was Corncrake! This is how I imagine all field edges appeared when John Ray wandered the countryside in the late 17th century. Simply stunning. Corncockle Cornflower - the colour of summer skies... ...with the sun in the middle, courtesy of Corn Marigold

Knotted Clover - in good number Birdsfoot - I've never seen so much Burrowing Clover - hidden amongst the dwarf vegetation Annual Knawel - still going strong As you leave Reigate on the A25 heading towards Dorking, you will see a cricket pitch on your left hand side, flanked on one side by a row of chocolate-box cottages. This is the edge of Reigate Heath. Now park up and walk towards the bus stop that you can clearly see not 100m away. Now turn towards the cricket square and walk no more than 10m. At your feet you will find a marvellous selection of all the plants pictured above. If you carry on further, maybe another 70m, you will start to find Chamomile. All of these are diminutive plants in stature and all are doing well if todays visit is anything to go by. Maybe they all like dry springs followed by a wet, cooler spell. But hurry - they can all be burnt off if the sun returns!

The back garden MV was enlivened by two easy to identify tortrix moths, Agapeta hamana (top) and Agapeta zoegana (bottom). As much fun it might be to spend time examining plain micros, it makes for an easy life to come across such colourful and distinctive species as these.