Explore the diverse flora and fauna on the Downs from season to season through personal observations and photographs

Wednesday, 25 Jun 2025

Small Copper butterfly on a Smooth Hawk's-beard flower

A few showers of rain yesterday, not that you’d notice. Still Marbled White butterflies everywhere you look and both Small Heath and Ringlet seem to be increasing in numbers. First sighting of the summer this morning of a single Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas). Other insects seen were Common Green Shield Bug (Palomena prasina) 3rd instar nymphs […]