What a start to my walk today! Just 3 minutes after setting foot on the Downs I realised that there were a Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) doe and her fawn walking towards me along the path. So I fired off a quick couple of shots and ducked into the trees to my right, trying to work my way closer without frightening them and having them bound away. I took more shots whenever I could through gaps in the trees and managed to halve the distance before they eventually ran off. I did manage, though, to get my best ever image of this deer before they disappeared into the trees.

Chalkhill Blue and Gatekeeper are still present in good numbers and by far the most common of the butterflies on the wing, while I can still count on one hand the number of Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) seen this summer.

Latest insect additions for this year were European Beewolf (Philanthus triangulum) and Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris). Having seen my first ever Small Emperor Moth (Saturnia pavonia) caterpillar just over two weeks ago I managed a photo of another one.

Also added to this year’s list was Common Rough Woodlouse (Porcellio scaber). Despite looking like it should be a beetle, the woodlouse is actually a crustacean.

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