Volunteer Gary reports on his 'rounds' on Tuesday...
Pulborough Brooks rarely disappoints, and it didn't disappoint today either. It helped being a beautiful day with plenty of warm sunshine and a nice cooling breeze. Butterflies were everywhere, perhaps they knew it was The Big Butterfly Count that runs until the 9th August.
My own tally today being – meadow brown, gatekeeper, small skipper, large skipper, large white, small white, comma, red admiral, painted lady, speckled wood, peacock, ringlet and holly blue. Meadow browns and gatekeepers were especially numerous on the bramble, and when the fleabane on the zigzag comes fully into flower, I'm sure it will be even better (if that's possible).
In flower at the moment is one of my favourites the beautiful delicate pink centaury which can be seen on Adder Alley. If you want to see it, make sure its not late in the day, as the flowers start to close in the afternoon.
Two peregrines livened things up on the North Brooks, sending the lapwings into the air. They buzzed backwards and forwards unsuccessfully for some time, perhaps it was the constant pursuit by kestrel and hobby that put them off. Also on view were two green sandpipers and five little-ringed plover, and a large group of pied wagtails amongst the highland cattle. Try as I might I couldn't turn one into a yellow wagtail – perhaps in a week or two.
I must admit that I love seeing something new, and today it was a cricket. I've probably walked past one a hundred times without taking any notice but this time it was in the middle of the path; a rather handsome roesel’s bush-cricket.
Another of our volunteers, Graham, sent through this photo of a cuckoo seen in the field in front of the visitor centre over the weekend.