27th June 2017

Four Swallows were over the farm and a Little Owl was on the east side of Horse Pasture; a Buzzard and a Yellowhammer were also noted at the farm.

An incredible butterfly record involved three White-letter Hairstreaks in Banstead Woods, a first for the recording area as far as we are aware. A Purple Hairstreak showed well by Reads Rest Lane and two Silver-washed Fritillaries were seen in BW, where other butterflies on the wing included an Essex Skipper, four Small Skippers, three Large Skippers, 54 Marbled Whites, a Small White, three Large Whites, four Commas, a Red Admiral, a Small Tortoiseshell, three Speckled Woods, 60 Meadow Browns and 50 Ringlets.

Purple Hairstreak by Reads Rest Lane

Purple Hairstreak by Reads Rest Lan

Duncan Jennings, Stephen Ward (photos) and WoodChips Conservation Volunteers