Lancing Ring meadows

23 June 2005
I saw my first Marbled White and Brown Argus Butterflies on Lancing Ring meadows, (but Ray Hamblett had already seen these butterflies this year). Unidentified skippers could have been the first Small Skippers of the year, but they would not remain still long enough for identification. I think they were Large Skippers. The first blue was a Holly Blue, the second a confirmed Brown Argus before I found by first Common Blue in just a small area of Lancing Ring meadows. Meadow Browns were at first counted and then estimated at over 75 and this was only part of a much larger population.



Kidney Vetch on Lancing Ring meadows

Nine species of butterfly were discovered on a brief visit to Lancing Ring with two species found elsewhere.

Webs of the large predatory spider Agelena labyrinthica were seen amongst the grasses and herbs on the Lancing Ring meadows but none of the spiders were visible. Kidney Vetch was common in the undergrowth this year, but despite a brief search no Small Blue Butterflies were found. There was a Cinnabar Moth just north of the cemetery near Lancing Ring.

The highest air temperature this year, so far, was 28.4 ºC at 5:16 pm to 5:40 pm, humidity 52%.

Adur Nature Notes 2005

Saturday Walk

A walk around the low meadow in temperatures of around 24C a few butterflies were active.
Most obvious were Common Blues I counted at least 8.
Meadow Browns made an appearance, I made a mental note of six individuals.


A Small Heath flittered around the edge of the meadow by the low path.
On the other side of the path on Dogwood a Red Admiral took off as I passed.
From the edge of a clump of shrubs a large Dragonfly took to the wing.
As I walked towards the Dewpond a large Rabbit sat poised on it's haunches to get a better view of any potential danger. It remained as I photographed it's pose.

A few feet further ahead of me a small Fox with it's back towards me turned to watch me approach before disappearing into cover.


Before I left a Burnet Companion Moth caught my attention.

Yellow Shell Moth

This blogger is for all visitors to Lancing Ring to add their own sightings of any wildlife they encounter.
First post 2.2.2005

To take part send an email to ray hamblett requesting an invitation.
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In addition to the sightings mentioned previously I also saw this Moth which I have now idendified with help from Ian Kimber at UK Moths
as a Yellow Shell

Lancing Ring Nature

Lancing Ring Nature

Lancing Ring Nature Notes from Andy Horton

Early Marbled White

For an hour's meandering amble around Lancing Ring on a bright blustery day I think I did well to see Marbled White, Common Blue, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown and Red Admiral butterflies mostly in the sheltered places away from the force 4-5 breeze.
My star find for the day was a single stem of Grass Vetchling, (Lathyrus nissolia, I have only seen this elusive plant once before on the Meadow, the plant is not nationally rare but it is on Lancing Ring.



My Marbled White is early, previous sightings have been in early July


It's nice to see the Greater Knapweed showing again, this one is a bit early


There was a lot of birdsong on the way and one distinctive call led me to see a red chested Linnet perched on top of a Hawthorn clump.