Nice sunrise

One side benefit of running a moth trap is being up at first light, especially this morning which was bright, sunny and still. Even in this urban area there is stil a smattering of bird songs and calls and, at this hour, little traffic noise.

This September Thorn was the best and new along with Rustic/Uncertain, Common Rustic agg and Clay. Otherwise just Buff Ermines and Double-striped Pugs plus two common micros and one ID outstanding. For the first time in ten sessions no Heart and Dart.

The afternoon was allocated to a Butterfly walk with other volunteers at Pulborough. On the journey a Kestrel was perched up on roadside wires near Rogate were there always appears to be one or two and a good showing of roadside Common Spotted Orchids. On arrival, and whilst waiting for everyone to assemble, a female Emperor dragonfly was ovipositing on reception pond surrounded by a school-party pond-dipping.

http://www.discoverwildlife.com/british-wildlife/how-does-caterpillar-turn-butterfly

After setting off the first netted and potted butterfly was an Essex Skipper, a season's first for many of us. A short, sharp shower got us sheltering before heading down the zigzag where more butterflies and this very nice Chrysotoxum verralli.

Along the new path a big surprise was a hot sunny spell and a daylight active Barn Owl! Very nice.

Further on, the sea of Yorkshire Fog looks nicer than it really is, engulfing pretty much everything else. A Six-spot Burnett was netted for a closer look. Raising a corrugated sheet produced two Grass Snakes, one adult and one youngster. Further along the path Carey and I had a nice encounter with a Bank Vole being chased towards us by a Chiffchaff with several others alarm-calling. We then realised the vole was being hunted by a Weasel which showed well. The vole came towards us and sat just inches from my foot before barrelling down the path and up to the rest of the group. The Weasel was far more wary and despite obviously wanting to continue the chase was dissuaded by our presence. The Chiffies kept alarm calling.

A final stiff shower got us all wet and the day ended with a short classroom session putting things into context.

The last piece of chocolate cake was washed down with a coffee before heading home where a couple of Egyptian Geese were grazing between the road and Benbow Pond.

The roadside verges and roundabout near junction two have been mowed but a large area is still intact with many Pyramidal Orchids.

This morning's unidentified Eudonia micro had been assigned to lacustrata via Facebook when I signed on.