The first Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) of the summer on the Downs put in appearance this morning – well the first I have really noticed anyway. There was also a small flock of 6 or 7 Common Swift (Apus apus) swooping low over the main grassland area hawking insects.

The insect list continues to swell. New sightings today were Hedge Beauty moth (Alabonia geoffrella), Common Awl Robber Fly (Neoitamus cyanurus), Two-banded Wasp Hoverfly (Chrysotoxum bicinctum), Fabricius’ Nomad Bee (Nomada fabriciana), Black-striped Longhorn Beetle (Stenurella melanura), Meadow Plant Bug (Leptopterna dolabrata) and Striped Oak Bug (Rhabdomiris striatellus).

A further two flowers have started to bloom – Common Restharrow (Ononis repens) and Black Horehound (Ballota nigra).

                                                                                              <<<< Previous page | Next Page >>>>