Date: 19th June 2026
Time: from 8:30 a.m.
Weather: dry, sunny, light wind, 21°C to 24°C
It was extremely warm already when I arrived at the reserve at 8:30 a.m. and, not surprisingly, this led to a very good visit for butterflies.
I recorded 8 species of butterfly including most notably my first site record of Marbled White with a single seen, but unfortunately not photographed, in the Thorny Wood Meadow.
I also added Large White and Small White (a combined total of at least 15) and Small Skipper (a combined total of at least 10 with Large Skipper) to my 2026 site list.
Other butterflies seen included: Common Blue (2), Comma (3), Meadow Brown (at least 30).
In addition, I saw 2 day-flying moth species: singles of Silver-Y and Burnet Companion both in the Thorny Wood Meadow.
There was a complete absence of any dragonflies and damselflies on Meadow Pond but I did see c.10 Common Blue Damselflies in the vegetation adjacent to the East Meadow path and another c.10 in the Thorny Wood Meadow.
The notable birds seen during my visit were as follows ….
Blackcap: at least 5 singing males heard but none seen
Chiffchaff: at least 5 singing males heard but none seen
Great Spotted Woodpecker: single birds heard calling but not seen near the storage shed and near Puckles Pond
Moorhen: 1 heard calling on Meadow Pond
With regard to mammals, I saw a single Grey Squirrel in the woodland near the Spanish Steps
Species recorded during this visit were as follows (heard only records in italics):
Site
totals for 2026 to date (2025 and 2024 totals in brackets):
Love nature .... act now
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