Thank you all - Coppers every day wherever I go it seems!
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
(and I spotted the collective noun for them, Wurzel!
![Wink :wink:](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
). There will be a few more to come I feel certain...
Monday 17th September: an absolutely glorious warm sunny day transplanted from high summer induced me the 60 miles down to Sussex again, and the slopes of Mill Hill. I think I saw 18 species altogether:
Painted Lady
Red Admiral
Comma
Peacock
Wall Brown
Meadow Brown
Speckled Wood
Small Heath
Brown Argus
Common Blue
Adonis Blue
Chalkhill Blue
Small Copper
Brimstone
Clouded Yellow
Large White
Small White
Green-veined White
Admittedly, some of these were singletons and some were very well worn, but it was an impressive showing.
A round-up:
I counted around 20 Walls, including 5 females which appeared to be egg-laying on the lower slopes. The sunshine made them all very active and I managed only a few shots.
There were at least five Clouded Yellows, mostly along the bottom of the hillside, but some higher up as well and one in the meadow to the north.
I found at least six new Peacocks - I imagine these are second brood from a slightly earlier batch of caterpillars than those described by Neil Hulme in his diary. Theywere the only species taking an interest in the area of hemp agrimony.
Naturally there were a scattering of Small Coppers - how could there not be?
I came across a couple of almost transparent Chalkhills, and some slightly less worn Adonis. I couldn't find any females that were a patch on the ones from Denbies, however.
A Painted Lady appeared on a wholly inaccessible buddleia.
However, if anything the third brood Common Blues were the stars, the females especially with some splendid blue examples.
I also got chatting to guy called Ben from Brighton, recently arrived in the area from north east London, and sung him the praises of UKB!
Another terrific day out.
Dave