Early November on Pevensey Levels

 During the last week of October it seemed that the butterfly season was coming to an end. I hadn't seen a Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) since August and there had been no signs of an Autumn brood appearing on Pevensey Levels. 

However, the first two weeks of November were very mild, with some lovely sunny days and a few Clouded Yellows started to appear.

Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) (female, form helice)

On 6th November, this was the only butterfly (of any species) that I saw, on a warm, sunny, still day.

On 8th November, on the same walk, I saw another five Clouded Yellows. These looked very fresh and consisted of  3 males and 2 females (including another helice). 

The weather is now about to turn much cooler and wet. I saw what will probably be my last Clouded Yellow of the year, a male, on 13th November.

The only butterfly that stopped for a photograph was a Red Admiral, basking about 15 feet up in an Oak tree.

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) (female) (8th November)

There were still plenty of Common Darters about, including 3 mating pairs seen ovipositing and at rest.

Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) (mating) (8th November) 

Here are some images of fungi seen in the last couple of weeks.

Petticoat Mottlegill (Panaeolus papilionaceus)

Brown Mottlegill (Panaeolina foenisecii)

Peziza vesiculosa  (a species of cup fungus)

Some Moths during October

 Night-time weather conditions remained favourable for moth-trapping during October and although some expected species failed to appear, there was nonetheless a good variety of autumn species attracted to the garden.

Red-green Carpet (Chloroclysta siterata)

Common Marbled Carpet (Chloroclysta truncata)

Pine Carpet (Thera firmata)

Spruce Carpet (Thera britannica)

Cypress Carpet (Thera cupressata)

Autumnal Rustic (Eugnorisma glareosa)

White-point (Mythimna albipuncta)

Blair's Shoulder-knot (Lithophane leautieri hesperica)

Green-brindled Crescent (Allophyes oxyacanthae)

Merveille du Jour (Dichonia aprilina)

Chestnut (Conistra vaccinii)

Red-line Quaker (Agrochola lota)

Yellow-line Quaker (Agrochola macilenta)

Brown-spot Pinion (Agrochola litura)

Barred Sallow (Xanthia aurago)

Rush Veneer (Nomophila noctuella)

This micro-moth is a very common migrant.