Elusive Butterfly - Bob Lind

After an uneventful two and a quarter hours on the train I arrived at Havant in Hampshire to be met by my dear friend Tess Lifton. A short drive to her and Paul's home in Emsworth where after a light lunch there was a choice of things to do.

It was a case of either staying at home and help my Winger grass cutting, digging, hedge trimming and generally knocking my pan in or

accompanying Tess with her monthly 'Butterfly Survey' wandering the West Sussex countryside in about the best sunshine we have seen in weeks. It was a 'close call' but I eventually opted for the later and headed off with her to Church Norton. In the field for about 2 hours there were few to be seen, but most prolific at

c10 were GATEKEEPER followed by Meadow Brown and Red Admiral.

Large and Small White were both in evidence as were a couple of

RINGLET

a single HOLLY BLUE,

a couple of SMALL SKIPPERs and on the Moth front Silver Y along with The Magpie. With the designated part of the tetrad covered we decided to try for a few birds so headed for

There we found a small flock of Black-tailed Godwit, c5 Common Sandpiper, loads of Lapwing, Redshank and Dunlin

along with c5 Avocet.

During the walk back to Church Norton there were masses of FOXGLOVEs with good numbers of Curlew, c2 Whimbrel and Oystercatchers. The plan tomorrow is to undertake a mini bird race, so here's hoping the weather is as good or better than today.