Thursday 31 May 2018

Bathed in a Yellow Wash

At this time of year, the pasture meadows on Pevensey Levels are covered in buttercups and the ditches are lined with yellow flag iris. It is as if the landscape has been bathed in a yellow wash.

 The Wall (Lasiommata megera) has not reached the numbers of last spring and I have only seen them one or two at a time. The butterfly of the moment seems to be the Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus) whose numbers are steadily increasing daily and the Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus) is also doing well.
 
 
 
 
Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus)
 

 
 
The Small Heath only ever settles with its wings closed but this one is showing a glimpse of upper forewing.
 



A mating pair.
 

 
 
Wall (Lasiommata megera) (female)

 
 
Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus) (mating)

 
 
Water Stick-insect (Ranatra linearis)
 
Having only seen my first ever linearis a few weeks ago, I spotted another one as I was checking the ditches this week. 

 
 
Fen Raft Spider (Dolomedes plantarius) (female)
 
This female is heavily pregnant and it wont be long before she will construct a silken sac in which to lay her eggs.

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