Met up with Richard and FoPH for a walk along the south slope to the top field - the one that had a Richard's Pipit back in October 2016.
Gazillions of Pyramidal Orchids but only one CSO and more Marbled Whites than I've seen in ages. Singles of Large Skipper, Small Skipper and Dark Green Fritillary.
Meadow Grasshopper and Great Green Bush Cricket.
Lots of Cryptocephalus Pot beetles.
Best find was a Small Elephant Hawkmoth and a sadly too distant Sharp-tailed Bee spp.
Not being a botanist I'd never come across many Knapweed Broomrape (first with MM at Trottiscliffe in July 1979!!) but lots here today, see below.
Bird-wise just a few Swallows and Swifts, the odd Buzzard and Kestrel whilst it was nice to hear a strongly singing Lesser Whitethroat, a species which seems to have been few and far between this year.
