On Monday 30 December we are undertaking essential maintenance so the web site will be unavailable. PS/MK
We invite members of Sussex Butterfly Conservation and others to upload your photos ...
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The Daffodils in South Road car park, Hailsham, are a little late compared to those of John Heys, but should make a fine display over the Christmas hols. Image taken on 16th December. (Trevor Rapley, Hailsham) - TQ527021
11°C and sun was enough to bring out a Peacock at Lancing Ring. An early Christmas present! (Lindsay Morris, Lancing Ring )
Also a great day to take some exercise. Martin K
December Comma, Cradle Valley.
A stroll along Cradle Valley today with Clare Mayers hoping for some Firecrest was very successful as we not only got the Firecrest, we also had a surprise of a Comma. As I didn't bother with a camera today, Clare managed a long distant record shot of it. This is the 2nd year running I've seen a butterfly in every month of the year, another sign no doubt of global warming!! (Bob Eade, Cradle Valley)
As a butterfly enthusiast, I find this an interesting record (see my report of a Peacock, today) but it is all rather worrying. On BBC South today there was a report on Honey Bees. In the winter months when it is above 8 degrees, the bees are likely to disperse into smaller swarms, but a strategy that works well in the summer months can prove disastrous in mid-winter. Also, they don't do so well in damp weather as they deplete their reserves more quickly. Finally, they don't do well in spells of summer drought as there is less nectar available. It would seem that mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers are not good for the well-being of Honey Bees. Whilst it's nice seeing a Peacock and a Comma in mid-December --- Martin K
I spent a couple of hours watching Marsh Harriers on Amberley Wildbrooks and was wandering back to the car when I spotted a Peacock in flight, just by the footpath. That was at 12.15pm. I don't remember seeing a Peacock in December before. I blinked twice and the winter is behind me. I wish! (Martin Kalaher, Rackham Woods) - TQ047145
daffodil
narcissus
Global warming as evidenced by bulbs which were planted in our front garden years ago. These have both been flowering for a week (the daffodil) and longer (the narcissus). They have, occasionally, just about been in flower on Christmas day before but never as early as this. (John Heys, Aldrington, Hove) - TQ270050
It's all topsy-turvy, John. We have lived in Cherry House for 27 years. The Camellia by the driveway used to come into flower in January, then it blossomed in December and this year it came into flower in October, 2+ months earlier compared to yesteryear. No wonder the birds and insects get confused. Admittedly Camellia is a non-native, so less important to our wildlife, but even so. Martin K
On a large circular walk from home I decided to have a very quick look in one of the main areas where I regularly find Wall Brown larvae. Despite the area being damaged recently by some cattle that were mistakenly allowed on the site I was amazed to find 10 larvae in less than 20 minutes of hunting. The first 3 tussocks searched turned up 4 larvae!! This is by far my highest pre Christmas count as they are not easy to find until mid January onwards when they have grown a bit. It seems the large 3rd brood had a successful time breeding and egg laying. (Bob Eade, High and Over)
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map showing eggs and one adult BH locations around South Chailey, East Sussex.
Here's a map showing Brown Hairstreak eggs and one adult sighting around South Chailey, East Sussex. the yellow marks are eggs, the green dot is an adult female BH seen in 2016. this years eggs were marked with pink ribbon, just in case you spot one. Peter Farrant (PETER FARRANT, AROUND SOUTH CHAILEY, EAST SUSSEX) - TQ400183
In the 2010-2014 county survey there were no reports in TQ41. In the map shown, Markstakes Farm is just inside TQ41. Making contact with Simon Linington, he confirms that he and his friends in the Barcombe Cross/Knowlands Farm area have had six reports of Brown Hairstreaks in the past couple of years. These locations are also in TQ41, and marginally to the east of Peter's records. In summary, Brown Hairstreaks have edged a little bit further east in East Sussex. If there is Blackthorn to the east of these locations there is no reason why they shouldn't edge a bit further east, in time. Martin K
Two male Brown Hairstreak were nectaring on hemp agrimony in my garden most of the day 11/08 A female was sen on the 13/08 but unfortunately not photographed (Dave Palmer, Peacehaven) - TQ416029
IMPORTANT MESSAGE REGARDING TOMORROW'S WORK PARTY: Neil Hulme has made contact to say that he is unwell this weekend and cannot lead the work party at Rowland Wood and Park Corner Heath tomorrow, and so this work party has been postponed. Martin K (Martin Kalaher, Storrington wildlife garden) - TQ082140
IMPORTANT MESSAGE === PLEASE READ!!!!
