Queen of Robbers on the Queen of Downs. 17th August 2020

The Wrens (and Wrenlings) were down this way for the weekend I had agreed to meet up this morning at Queendown Warren for possibly my last downland butterfly session of the summer.

Despite some bubbling cloud it was actually quite warm and the sun even decided to come out during our fairly short visit and when it did the slopes erupted with Blues and Browns. Everyone was happy.  

Wild Basil seedheads

Chalk Hill Blue

Chalk Hill Blue

Chalk Hill Blue

Gren veined White

Small Heath

There were definitely more Adonis on the wing and we even saw a couple of females while there seemed to be less Sliver Spotted Skippers zipping around at hyper speed. A single Painted Lady was the only ‘big’ butterfly seen but a Gatekeeper sized ‘Small’ White was disturbing but eluded any pics.

Sliver Spotted Skipper

Adonis Blue

Adonis Blue

Treble Bar, Pyrausta despictta and aurata were seen and Silver Ys were nectaring on the Marjoram and I had two quality Robberfly encounters with a quite large species devouring a fly and then an enormous female Hornet Robberfly lounging leisurely on a flint in the sunshine.  I have probably not seen one of these for about ten years and that was on a summer Thursley visit and stumbling on this beauty was one of those proper ‘Wow’ moments that keep you out there looking at all the natural world has to offer.

Hornet Robberfly - Asilus crabroniformis

Robberfly sp

Nowicki ferox

 

Nowicki ferox

Nowicki ferox

 

Platydracus sp - a Rove Beetle

I paid better attention to the Grasshoppers this time and we got some great views of Rufous stridulating and making advances on a female who seemed completely non-plussed by his antennae waving, head bobbing and knee rubbing.

Rufous Grasshopper

Rufous Grasshopper

Put the volume up and you will hear him stridulating - along with a louder Meadow Grasshopper in the background

Stripe-winged Grasshoppers were also seen well as we descended the slope to Look at the Autumn Lady’s Tresses before two over tired hungry young lads and the first few spots of what was to became a much needed wet afternoon had us retreating to the cars. 

Stripe-winged Grasshopper

Stripe-winged Grasshopper

Autumn Lady’s Tresses

A recuperative cuppa and then I set them on their way back to an equally damp Suffolk coast after our fortuitous break in the weather.

Koniks - Wonder if they are the Wildwood herd?