Rotting blackberries seem to provide a welcome alternative to nectar for lots of species, Ernie, but I think that's the first Small Copper I've seen indulging.
Thank you for the moth ID, Neil - I was surprised at how numerous they were.
Cheers, Wurzel - it does look a bit nippy in the overnigt forecasts, but it does mean sunshine during the day by all accounts, which can't be bad.
Wednesday 26th September. A case in point: it was quite chilly overnight, but it swiftly turned into a beautiful warm late summer day. I set off once again to the south coast and the slopes of Mill Hill in particular. I was not the only one with this idea - I soon came across Katrina, Trevor and Dave Cook amongst others, and we were joined not much later by Bugboy who had been down at Southwick with a Clouded Yellow or two. Great to see all of you again in such terrific surroundings.
A wide variety of species were seen again today, though some (like the last few Adonis females) were getting very worn. There were perhaps half a dozen Clouded Yellows in various spots - one demonstrated for me what good camouflage their markings are at this time of year.
Plenty of Walls were flying, though most seemed too be females lower down the hillside.
I did find a mating pair of Meadow Browns - they do seem to leave this activity till very late in the year here.
There were still good numbers of quite fresh Common Blues...
...and the surprise of a Brimstone woken from its winter slumbers by the sun and warmth.
However, the highpoint of today was the large patch of flowering hemp agrimony I'd seen last week with a couple of Peacocks on it. Today they had been joined by several very fresh Red Admirals and Painted Ladies and made a splendid sight in a season that has been largely lacking in all three nymphalid species.
Finally, Dave Cook located the famous Peacock chrysalis for us down in the nettles.
Bugboy and I followed up with a look down at Widewater Lagoon (Lancing) where Vince recently reported Clouded Yellows - we managed to see one (it may have been two), but not close to.
There were a few Common Blues and Small Whites as well.
Another splendid day out.
Dave