Hope Gap, Seaford Head and Charleston area 20/7/10

In and around Hope Gap this morning was an early Nightingale 'croaking' away in the dense undergrowth. Other bits and bobs included 35 Whitethroats, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 7 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Sand Martins and a Common Sandpiper on the river.

Yellowhammer at Hope Gap

Later on in the morning i visited the Charleston Bottom area and Friston Forest and found 2 White-Letter Hairstreak and a Brown Hawker along the ridge.

In the Forest were hundreds of Broad Leaved Helleborines, unfortunately another week before these are out in full flower.

On the bank there were many Small Skippers but i did manage to find an Essex Skipper amongst these, however it was a problem to photograph. Also many Brown Argus, Small Copper and a Chalkhill Blue.

Marbled White, Meadow Brown and Chalkhill Blue at Charleston Bottom