Darters, Hawkers and Admirals

OUR AIM IS TO PROTECT OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND THE HABITAT IT PROVIDES FOR WILDLIFE ALONG THE RIVERSIDE

TO FIND NATURE NOTES AND RECORDS FOR WILDLIFE CLICK ON:

Hills Farm Wildlife Conservation

Our Meet yesterday on 24th September 2017 was very productive, the main activities being hauling out yet another bicycle from the river Arun and a car tyre from the brook and other fly-tipped items from the river bank, well hidden amongst this years splendid wild flower and plant growth, now beginning to die back but with dry Teasel flower heads standing proud, attracting goldfinches.

There have been record numbers of late summer dragonflies and butterflies this year, with Common Darters being the most common dragonfly, followed by Southern Hawkers. Large numbers of Speckled Wood butterflies are still flying, with leisurely gliding Red Admirals  brightening the riverside.

A perfect perch - a wooden fence rail warmed by the sun also attracts flies

 - easy prey for this Common Darter (Sympetrum striotum)

Riverside Pond vegetation has done well this year, with sufficient 

rainfall to prevent it drying out. It forms a sheltered warm habitat

for amphibians as well as dragonflies throughout the summer,

with Purple Loosestrife attracting bees.