https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/16/driving-for-exercise-allowed-under-lockdown-rules-police-advised-coronavirus This article gives helpful guidance as to what is allowed and what is not allowed during lockdown. I am glad to see that they have stated that driving a short distance to an op...

It looks like the police have been told to wind their necks in, after dyeing a lake black, criticising shopkeepers for selling Easter eggs, and issuing a summons to someone for "buying non-essential items": https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/mar/30/uk-police-guidelines-coronavirus-lo...

These examples do seem rather extreme to me and will surely lead to resentment. As someone commented, better to walk in an isolated place than on busy streets near home! On the other hand, I can see the point in steering people away from popular tourist spots, like Snowdonia and the Lake District, ...

Well I just drove a couple of miles to a local park (Stanmer Park on the outskirts of Brighton) to take my daily exercise. Roads obviously were quiet and I didn’t see a single police car on the way there or the way back. There were a few people dotted around the park in ones and twos but it wasn’t c...

A point that was made to me is that driving 50 miles to go for a walk carries a higher risk of crashing your car (increasing burden on emergency services), and means you will need to refuel sooner (petrol stations carrying an elevated risk of transmission between strangers). Yes I have heard that a...

...Spring with fresh greenery, dandelions, migrant birds, and yes, Orange Tips is the most wonderful time of year. I won’t have many more springs and to be told that if I do enjoy the outdoors, I’m being selfish might just cause me to explode. Concur with this, Jack. If prolonged 'house arrest' is ...

Quote from Boris Johnson's speech this evening: People will only be allowed to leave their home for the following very limited purposes: shopping for basic necessities, as infrequently as possible one form of exercise a day – for example a run, walk, or cycle – alone or with members of your househol...

Hi people, The government has said that people should "avoid non-essential travel" in order to reduce the spread of coronavirus. Does this apply to going into the countryside to look for butterflies? Personally I can't see a problem with driving in your own car to a site and then walking i...

I was planning to come but unfortunately something family-related happened at the last minute :-( I am often busy on the last Saturday in November - it's quite close to Christmas - I wonder if an earlier date might be possible next year, e.g. the second Saturday in November. Or sometime in January, ...

By a stroke of good fortune, I managed to turn up at Ditchling Common shortly after the pupa that Neil Hulme and Dave Cook had been watching emerged :D It was quite windy and I took lots of photos with it bobbing around in my camera view screen, luckily this one was in focus. blh - 1.jpg Ditchling C...

Hi Trevor. Although I was there for a different reason today, I won't be spending much time at the Rifle Range this year. Unfortunately, the cattle ate most of the Brown Hairstreak caterpillars :( . Hi Neil, Is anything been done to remove the cattle from the site? I was there on Sunday and the cat...

Came across this at Fermyn Woods a couple of weeks ago:
July 14 2019 4.39pm, Fermyn Woods

Cheers
John W

I was fortunate enough to be given a guided tour of the Rockingham Forest site on Monday June 3rd by the Back from the Brink project officer. Unfortunately we didn't see any Chequered Skippers on that day, although 4 had been seen the previous day, and some had been seen most days for the previous 2...

Hi Pauline,

I'm sorry that you didn't have much luck with the Black Hairstreaks on Sunday. I had to leave early (about midday) but it sounds like I didn't miss much.

Strangely, it was much better for them on Saturday, despite the cold wind.

Cheers
John W

Hi Neil,

Good to see you again today. Lovely shot of the Black Hairstreak pupa!

Cheers
John W

Today at Strumpshaw I saw a perfect specimen on a piece of rough ground by Tinker's Lane, just before the late doctor's garden. Later on Lackford Run I saw a group of 5 Swallowtails chasing each other at high speed over the reed tops, an unforgettable sight! swt-small - 4.jpg swt-small - 5.jpg Cheer...

I visited Strumpshaw Fen today. As Bugboy says, there were a lot of photographers, who didn't seem as friendly as the UKB butterfly crowd. So after getting a few shots at the flower bed by reception, I went out to the fen, where I saw several. swt-small - 1.jpg swt-small - 3.jpg swt-small - 2.jpg sw...

A somewhat disappointing trip to Cotley Hill from Brighton yesterday (27/05/2019). It was very windy so photography was difficult. And there didn't seem to be many Marsh Fritillary. I was on site for about 4 hours and I saw less than 10. Not sure if they were hiding from the wind or just having a po...

A slightly worn but nonetheless beautiful Glanville Fritillary at Hutchinsons Bank this afternoon. According to local expert Martin (aka Mr Spock), Hutchinsons Bank was the site that James Pettiver had in mind in 1717 when he named it the Dullidge (Dulwich) Fritillary. hb - 2.jpg hb - 3.jpg hb - 4.j...

Mark Tutton wrote:Yes John they have been out at Strumpshaw since the 14th
https://twitter.com/rspbintheeast/statu ... 17824?s=12
Kind Regards
Mark

Thanks for the info Mark - looks like there should be some around on the weekend of June 1st/2nd then!

Cheers
John W