Re: Bugboys mission
Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2022 5:00 pm
August 2022
Sunday 7th. The following day there was little chance of returning to Bookham to try and improve on the shoddy Brown Hairstreak count, or nearby sites for that matter on account of various works going on on the lines to that part of the world. Southern rail however were running a normal Sunday service so I had a look to find a suitable spot to spend a sunny Sunday away from the crowds. Remembering Neil Hulme’s recent post (complete with Brown Hairstreaks) about an unspecified patch of relatively unexplored countryside near Burpham village, and fancying a little adventure exploring somewhere new, I had a look on google maps, chose the most likely looking field after noted it was within walking distance from the infamous North Stoke site, and set off early to make a day of it.
Walking through the Burpham Meadow complex at North Stoke I found the usual selection of late summer species, Red Admirals and Commas being the only ones that settled. Out the other side I followed the footpath that leads to Burpham village, noting how much of the surrounding farmland has large set aside borders filled with wild flowers. The edge of one field in particular was covered in Fennel, I kept an eye out for Swallowtails, but none were seen.
Approaching my target field, I was temporarily distracted by some Brimstone flitting around some Burdock. Backlit Brimstone, always irresistible. The field itself looked rather innocuous, and like the rest of Sussex, rather sunburnt, and off course I still wasn’t sure if I was in the right place, I had to locate some Silver-spotted Skippers to prove that. One thing that was immediately apparent was that Birds of Prey liked the place, for my entire stay a Kestrel, some Buzzard and a trio of Red Kite kept me company, the Kites in particularly regularly drifting quite low overhead, the stuff of nightmares for Katrina
!
Butterfly life was mostly centred around patches of Wild Marjoram, almost the only nectar source in the field. Here I found Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Chalkhill & Common Blue and Brown Argus.
I walked slowly up to the top of the slope but didn’t manage to find any Skippers, however the views were non too shabby, all the way to Arundal castle. At the top in another field that was full of Sunflowers, a male Cloudie was scooting around non-stop.
A slow walk back down the slope however confirmed I was in the right spot, I found around half a dozen SSS, as usual focusing their attention on the scabious that was scattered here and there.
I’d already noticed some rather large Ash trees (one greets you at the entrance to the site), along the bottom hedgerow so next it was Brown Hairstreak hunting. Along the bottom hedge were some patches of thistle and Marjoram and I added Small Heath, Small Copper and Comma to the sites tally along with Small, Large and Green-veined Whites but despite much searching, there was no sign of any Hairstreaks, even flitting around the treetops.
Walking along the hedge I’d seen Blues regularly flying up and over the hedge. I’d assumed they were Holly Blues until one landed halfway up and told me it was a Common. A little way back down the lane I’d noticed a small gate leading into the adjacent fields. There was no lock and no private signs, so I ventured in to have a look. A broad set aside border had obviously benefitted from it being farmed and had remained very lush and green with oodles of nectar sources, including lots of Birds-foot Trefoil. Flitting amongst the already seen Whites, Browns and Blues I also added Wall and a ghostly SmEssex Skipper (I’m not convinced I’d have been able to ID it even if I’d potted it!)
By the end of my visit, I’d scraped my way to 18 species.
After stopping off at the local pub in Burpham for some much-needed shade and cold drink I made my way back to North Stoke and home, adding Painted Lady to the days tally. Even without the Hairstreaks, a very satisfying days butterflying.
Sunday 7th. The following day there was little chance of returning to Bookham to try and improve on the shoddy Brown Hairstreak count, or nearby sites for that matter on account of various works going on on the lines to that part of the world. Southern rail however were running a normal Sunday service so I had a look to find a suitable spot to spend a sunny Sunday away from the crowds. Remembering Neil Hulme’s recent post (complete with Brown Hairstreaks) about an unspecified patch of relatively unexplored countryside near Burpham village, and fancying a little adventure exploring somewhere new, I had a look on google maps, chose the most likely looking field after noted it was within walking distance from the infamous North Stoke site, and set off early to make a day of it.
Walking through the Burpham Meadow complex at North Stoke I found the usual selection of late summer species, Red Admirals and Commas being the only ones that settled. Out the other side I followed the footpath that leads to Burpham village, noting how much of the surrounding farmland has large set aside borders filled with wild flowers. The edge of one field in particular was covered in Fennel, I kept an eye out for Swallowtails, but none were seen.
Approaching my target field, I was temporarily distracted by some Brimstone flitting around some Burdock. Backlit Brimstone, always irresistible. The field itself looked rather innocuous, and like the rest of Sussex, rather sunburnt, and off course I still wasn’t sure if I was in the right place, I had to locate some Silver-spotted Skippers to prove that. One thing that was immediately apparent was that Birds of Prey liked the place, for my entire stay a Kestrel, some Buzzard and a trio of Red Kite kept me company, the Kites in particularly regularly drifting quite low overhead, the stuff of nightmares for Katrina
![Wink :wink:](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
After stopping off at the local pub in Burpham for some much-needed shade and cold drink I made my way back to North Stoke and home, adding Painted Lady to the days tally. Even without the Hairstreaks, a very satisfying days butterflying.