Thursley Common

 Cuckoos heard but not seen (Colin, the cuckoo, famous for its appearances in Thursley photos, is sadly an ex-cuckoo), Stonechat pair, Woodlark against a bright sky but wonderful to hear the "lu-lu-lu" song,  young Dartford Warbler too close to focus well, Dartford Warbler adult moving a bit too fast for my settings, Common Lizards and 3 species of Dragonflies (Keeled Skimmer, Black-tailed Skimmer and 4-Spot Chaser) and 2 Damsels (Common Blue and Large Red Dmaselflies) occupied a very enjoyable day at Thursley Common. 

Newdigate Brickworks

 Newdigate Brickworks opened 1928 and finally closed in 1974. The site was abandoned until the turn of the century when it was decided to build a housing development with the remainder as a nature reserve run by the Surrey Wildlife Trust. There are two lakes and a series of smaller ponds. The mosaic of woodland, scrub, grassland, marsh, water-side and aquatic vegetation communities makes the site particularly diverse. Around 220 plant species have been recorded for the site (including 27 ancient woodland indicator species). Lots to photograph including Butterflies, Moths, Bugs and Bees! Here just a selection of generally common species but I will update when I manage to identify this very small but feisty spider. 

Early Morning at Field Studies Council Juniper Hall

Saturday started at 6am checking what had been attracted to the moth-trap lights during the night and delighted to find it included a Cockchafer - a very large and beautifully marked beetle. It was rivalled by the White Ermine Moth which only shows that striking orange body when alarmed as a hopeful deterrent to predators. There were several bees sleeping on the vegetation which gradually woke up as the sun's rays got to them (a conveniently situated copper prunus tree acted as a great backdrop!!). The Pine Hawkmoth was probably the most unusual moth.

Warnham Nature Reserve Surrey

 The 92 acre site, owned and managed by Horsham District Council,  was designated a Local Nature Reserve in 1988. It includes a 17 acre millpond, marshes, grassland, reed beds, hedges and woodlands. The site provides a haven for a variety of wildlife with over 400 species of plants, and over 100 species of bird, including a thriving Heronry, wildfowl, and all three species of Woodpecker. Thank you Josh for showing us round the reserve on Friday and pointing out the many interesting insects and birds - here a few favourites with a full ID sheet of the species that I photographed during the day (click to enlarge).