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

Wednesday, 8 Jul 2026

Chalk Hill Blue feeding on Wild Marjoram

This was essentially just a long hot walk. Apart from butterflies, greenbottles, flesh flies and the odd hoverfly, as well as the continuing Red Soldier Beetle invasion, there was very little insect activity today. The grass of the common is already beginning to take strain under the baking heat, which is forecast to last for […]