Return to the Downs

 The rolling chalk hills of the South Downs is a landscape that I love. They provide a fantastic habitat for many species (some only to be found on chalk) and since I was a boy, I have spent many hours exploring the hilltops and secret valleys of what is now the South Downs National Park.

In recent years, for one reason or another, I have not been able to spend as much time as I would have liked walking the ancient chalk trackways. However, after two knee operations, I am keen to make up for lost time.

I have made the most of the sunny weather during the last two weeks of May and have been visiting some old haunts.

Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus)

(male)

(female)

(mating)

Adonis Blue (Polyommatus bellargus)

(male)

(female)

(mating)

Small Blue (Cupido minimus)

(male)

Brown Argus (Aricia agestis)

(males)

Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)

Wall (Lasiommata megera)

(male)

Several day-flying moth species were on the wing and a couple stopped for a photograph.

Common Heath (Ematurga atomaria atomaria)

(male)

Yellow Shell (Camptogramma bilineata bilineata)

Burnt-tip Orchid (Neotinia ustulata var.ustulata)

This rare and endangered orchid is only found on short chalkland sward.