Things hadn't improved much b y the time we got to Noar Hill, and I had a sense of deja-vue, as last years visit was abandoned and we had what turned out to be a nice visit to Wisley garden. However it was a lot warmer this time so we persevered. Singing Yellowhammers, Whitethroats and Blackcaps was a good indication and it wasn't long before the sun came out. Took a long time to find any butterflies though.
Most of the Early Purple orchids had gone over, the Common Spotted orchids were just emerging, but the Twayblades looked good. For quite a long time the only butterflies we saw were Common Blues which seemed to be on every sunny bank. Eventually a few Green Hairstreaks put in an appearance and Colin found a Small Blue, a species we hadn't seen here before. Eventually three Duke of Burgundies were found, rather tatty individuals. A search of the northern fence line produced a single White Hellborine in flower and a couple of blind plants. With hindsight we should have perhaps searched for Frog orchids as well as they are out in places.
A quick stop off at Bentley Wood was productive. Its dried out considerably since our previous visit, but I was concerned at the lack of flowering plants with only a few bugles and bluebells out. However in a short space of time we saw at least six Pearl Bordered Fritillaries and met up with a couple of guys watching a Marsh Fritillary.
The afternoon was spent at Martin Down. I had realised by then that I had forgotten to bring my tablets with me. Not a serious problem, but with the heat and humidity building up I was starting to tire rapidly so we didn't spend a lot of time taking photos.
My intention was to take the track from the Sillen Lane car park, walk south west and then head north along the dyke, but we soon changed our minds when we heard Turtle Doves to the south. We walked south to the farm fields, and could hear maybe five birds purring, but could we see any? No, and neither could the couple we met who had been searching for them in the thick hedges and copses here. We did get a tip from them and headed of to the high slopes to the west where we saw hundreds of Greater Butterfly orchids spears over several acres-a great sight.
Butterflies were abundant everywhere. Lots of Common Blues of course, a few Small Coppers and various whites and Brimstones. Down at the dyke, Adonis Blues, Small Blues and Brown Arguses were seen regularly, with Small Heaths and a couple of Marsh Fritillaries. Once we reached the Burnt orchids (four plants, three with single spikes and one good one with nine flowers) we decided to return to the car. The chalky track back was where we saw even more Small Blues-dozens at times, with a few Grizzled and Dingy Skippers and one Red Admiral.
In total we had 17 butterfly species over the course of the day, but missed a few things like Speckled Wood, Comma, Peacock and Tortoiseshells.
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