MILL HILL WILDLIFE REPORTS 2006

Meadow Brown (female)	Wall Brown	Common Blue	Chalkhill Blue

Noticeable plants of the upper meadows include Greater Knapweed, Hardheads (=Lesser Knapweed), Field Scabious, Meadow Cranesbill, Alexanders, Pyramidal Orchids, Yarrow, Eyebrights, Musk Thistles, Perforate St. John's Wort, Sweet Violets, Horseshoe Vetch (in May) and many others.
Some Indicator Plants of Ancient Downland (Link)
Spring Butterflies (Mill Hill)

OVERVIEW: A large part (724 acres) of the downs including Mill Hill were presented to the people of Shoreham in 1937.  Just over 30 acres still remain as public open land. This is divided into about 11 acres of grassland and meadows above the ridge, about 9 acres of scrub, the copse and glades at the northern end, and about half of the prime Chalkhill Blue area of 6.4 acres of herbland remaining. The casual visitor will usually miss the  best area. Six acres of butterfly land was lost to a Sycamore woodland on the southern slopes.  This is low fertility chalkland not suitable for grazing. The top area is effectively a wild meadow and the lower slopes a rabbit warren dominated by prostrate (not the upright form) Horseshoe Vetch.	MILL HILL  2005 MILL HILL HOMEPAGE LOWER SLOPES 2006 MILL NATURE RESERVE & MAP
Chalkhill Blues: Mill Hill is nationally important because of its population of Chalkhill Blue Butterflies. Estimates of the numbers are notoriously inaccurate. In the 1950s the population was estimated by R. M. Craske to be 50,000. This may be an exceptionally good year. I would estimate the numbers at that time to be nearer 25,000 for Mill Hill only. After the cattle grazing and thorn incursions the numbers plummeted to the most reliable estimate in 1960 of 6,000. The new road and Sycamore woodland further denuded the Horseshoe Vetch and bare chalk downland to a figure I have estimated at a top figure of 3,000 Chalkhill Blue Butterflies at the turn of the millennium (counted in 2003). Almost all these butterflies are now to be found on the six acres of the lower slopes.  Graham Hart in the 1990s estimated the numbers at 6,000. This is not out of the question and this would accord with the R. M. Craske estimate of 50,000. This would be the maximum population density that could be expected on the carpets of Horseshoe Vetch (based on German figures).  Protection of the current population requires man management of the scrub incursions, which means removal of the Privet.  Text by Andy Horton
"Our family lived at The Mill House, Mill Hill, from around 1933 until about 1967, and every July we saw the "Butterfly Men" walking past onto the Downs. My father used to tell us that they were interested in the blue butterflies." Heather Clark (née Eager), Ryde, Isle of Wight

Mill Hill Wildlife Reports 2007 (Link)

17 December 2006
A brief visit located at least three flowers of Sweet Violet in a patch on the steep slopes of the southern Mill Hill, just the one Hawkweed? seen on the lower slopes of Mill Hill, a diminutive 12 cm Ragwort* on the Old Erringham pasture, followed by a Small Scabious on the ridge of Mill Hill. The count was ten species in about an hour. The frequent flowers of Carline Thistle on Mill Hill were assumed to be dead and their leaves were silvery. (* Species not defined and could be Oxford Ragwort?)
(? Not absolutely sure of the the ID: Image. The leaves were not be seen.)

21 November 2006
The South Downs Conservation Board were constructing their unpopular water troughs for cattle. There is local opposition (almost unanimous) to putting cattle on Mill Hill. The land is not suitable for grazing and the cattle will quickly and permanently destroy the butterfly food plants.

16 November 2006
There were no signs of any butterflies or flying insects on the overcast afternoon, after the showers (3.81 mm) in the morning. I spotted a male Kestrel resting on a Privet bush with his back to me, and below me as I walked along the ridge, and it was there for 30 seconds before he spotted me and flew off. Later a Wren (probably numerous on the scrubby downs) flitted in front of me and a Robin called territorially from the top of a Hawthorn. The remains of a Field Mushroom were seen on the ridge north of the Reservoir.

13 November 2006
Four Clouded Yellow Butterflies and one Red Admiral were seen on Mill Hill. One of the Clouded Yellows rested on my finger. It was rather bedraggled.

9 November 2006
Eleven Clouded Yellows, including one form helice were seen at Mill Hill in the afternoon about 3:00 pm. Despite the fair (11.8 ºC) weather they were rather sluggish, spending most of the time on either warm scree or the wooden boards of the steps and tilting themselves perpendicular to the sun's rays.

6 November 2006
On a clear day, 11 (to 13*) Clouded Yellow Butterflies were seen on Mill Hill (6 -8* on the lower slopes and one on the ridge by the Reservoir) and on Old Erringham pasture (4). One of the Clouded Yellows had white upper wings but conventional (if slightly paler) underside, and one was a faded yellow and very tatty. They were very flighty, rarely stopping for more than a few seconds at each flower, and on the lower slopes of Mill Hill they visited Devil's Bit Scabious (in hidden places I had not noticed it before) and Autumnal Hawkbit and Wild Basil. On the Old Erringham pasture near the stile adjoining Mill Hill Nature Reserve, two of them were courting rising together vertically, and their preferred nectar plant was Dandelion.
(* The Clouded Yellow Butterflies were flighty, chasing each other at speeds of an estimated 10 mph and the lower figure of 11 seen means that no butterflies were counted twice. They appeared to be resident in the area, rather than just passing through. One of their caterpillar food plants, Bird's Foot Trefoil, is abundant on Mill Hill. )
Butterfly List 2006
 

27 October 2006 I spotted what were half a dozen probable Lactarius pubescens (a type of Milk-Cap)* on the verges of Mill Hill Road where the Bee Orchids were discovered earlier this year. They were on grass and herbland about one metre from two Silver Birch trees.    * Probable Identification by Mark Pike on the Fungi of the British Isles (Yahoo Group)

23 October 2006
Amongst a patch of long grass near (west of) the Reservoir and surrounded by Hawthorn bushes, the tall mushroom Volvariella gloiocephala was spotted to the side of me as I walked along the path.
Adur Fungi 2006

20 October 2006
Butterflies at Mill Hill, Shoreham in the sunshine out of the breeze after a very wet morning: 1 Red Admiral; 1 Meadow Brown (very tattered) and an amazing 10 Clouded Yellows.

12 October 2006
Under the midday sun a remarkable air temperature of 16.6 °C was attained which brought seven species of butterfly out: Red Admirals (26), Comma (2), Large White (1), Clouded Yellow (3), Meadow Brown (9+), Common Blue (3) and a Peacock Butterfly (1). This was the first ever record of a Peacock Butterfly during the month of October recorded on these Nature Notes. It is seen very clearly before it flew upwards and away. All the butterflies were seen in just over an hour on Mill Hill and the approaches to this small public open space nature reserve north of Shoreham-by-Sea.
Full Butterfly Report
Adur Butterfly Flight Times
Shoreham Weather Reports 2006

7 October 2006
Two Comma Butterflies, one Red Admiral, one Meadow Brown and one Clouded Yellow were seen on Mill Hill.

3 October 2006
There were at least seven Common Blue Butterflies and 18 Meadow Brown Butterflies all on the lower slopes of Mill Hill, and one Small Copper on the Devil's Bit Scabious.
Adur Butterfly List 2006

11 September 2006
A Small Copper Butterfly that landed on a path in front of me through the long grass on the Mill Hill gentle slope west of the upper car park came as a surprise with the ordinary fare of butterflies on a sunny early afternoon. The butterflies are fading earlier this year and the upper meadows on Mill Hill had only a small population of the frequent Common Blues. The lower slopes were much reduced as well. The overall numbers of the others were Speckled Woods 10+, Large Whites 15+, a few Green-veined Whites, Clouded Yellows 8, Small Heaths 13, Adonis Blues 22, Chalkhill Blues 2, a few Red Admirals, a possible Brown Argus or a few (to be confirmed), one bright Comma in the Hawthorn wood of the north-west, and with the most numerous Meadow Browns 40+ that was it. Treble-bar Moths (25+) were frequently seen on the lower slopes of Mill Hill.
The dragonflies known as Common Darters and Southern Hawkers (including mating pairs) were seen occasionally.
A handful of Swallows and/or House Martins swooped low over Mill Hill.

6 September 2006
With the sun out and the air temperature rose to 24.2 ºC at 1:15 pm, humidity 74%, I just could not stay in so I went for a small cycle ride after the gales of two days ago.
On a humid day the first Autumn Gentian and Autumn Lady's Tresses (an orchid) were spotted in flower on the upper part of Mill Hill (just north of the Reservoir). These are both small plants that can only be seen in the short sward.
 

Mill Hill blown about by a negligible Moderate Breeze added a further selection of butterflies including 49 Adonis Blues, very frequent Meadow Browns on the lower slopes with, occasional white butterflies, occasional confirmed Brown Argus Butterflies, but just the two mating Chalkhill Blues. The scrub in the north-west added a Comma that flew over the lower slopes, and at least five Speckled Woods. Just a small part of the top area visited was attractive to three Small Heath Butterflies, a Brimstone Butterfly with a few mostly female Common Blues and occasional Meadow Browns.
 

Adonis Blues		Males	Females
	Mill Hill lower	26	10
	Old Erringham pasture	1	0
	Mill Hill, middle & upper	9	3

Butterfly Report

27 August 2006
Adonis Blues (128+) were mating on Mill Hill on a breezy midday. The count was 110 (about 13 females seen) on the lower slopes and 18 males above the ridge. This was the most I have ever counted on Mill Hill. There were occasional Common Blues on the lower slopes and they were still frequent on the upper meadows so distinguishing the species was not always automatic. The Adonis Blues were evenly spread over the lower slopes and I would estimate their numbers on Mill Hill at 350+. All the females were mating or heavily courting (about to mate).

Chalkhill Blues were still frequently seen and the figure of 25+ (20 lower, 5 middle and upper Mill Hill) may be under their numbers as I lost count of them. Meadow Browns (70+) were still very frequent, but Small Heath Butterflies (6) were only occasionally seen, with one Wall Brown that did not settle for confirmation over the lower slopes. Large Whites were frequent over the downs, and at least one Small White was seen in town. Almost all the whites, even the smaller ones were Large Whites (although it was not easy to be sure). About a dozen Speckled Woods were seen in the scrub in the north-west of Mill Hill. Faded Brown Argus Butterflies were confirmed occasionally flitting with the Common Blues on the top meadow.
Butterfly Report

A flock of seven Rooks flew over, but headed towards Old Erringham.

20 August 2006
With the weather forecast predicting rain for the next week, I ventured up the downs even though the conditions (20.2 ºC at 11:00 am, 83% humidity, Wind Force 4 falling to Force 3, direction southerly at Azimuth 158º) were far from ideal for butterflies.
 

The dead heads of Greater Knapweed could be seen all over the meadows of the upper part of Mill Hill

Predictably most of the butterflies were hiding and the numbers on Mill Hill actually seen were down from the last visit. The walk did not involve stopping and the count was Chalkhill Blues (50) and Adonis Blues (49). The Chalkhill Blues were thought to be undercounted as just north of the Reservoir on the upper part of Mill Hill, I instantly saw one Chalkhill Blue Butterfly, but I dawdled for a couple of minutes and a further seven appeared out of nowhere. Only about five female Chalkhill Blues were included and no female Adonis. Most of these were seen on the lower slopes. Common Blues (90+) were the most numerous butterfly, but these were in far greater numbers on the meadow north of the upper car park where an estimated 60 were seen compared to about 30 on the rest of Mill Hill. These were only a fraction of the total as they were the ones disturbed from the tall herbs (with a large amount of Greater Knapweed) in the meadow. Some of the females were a very dark chocolate brown and much smaller, and there were a confirmed handful (probably many more) of Brown Argus Butterflies.
 

Counts	Chalkhill Blues	Adonis Blues	Common Blues *
Lower Slopes of Mill Hill	29	43+	15
Pasture (near the stile) at Old Erringham	0	3	3
Triangle middle are of Mill Hill	3	3	10+
Meadows north of the car park	0	0	60+
Passage over the upper part of Mill Hill	8	0	2+
Mill Hill Cutting (SW)	0	0	2
Mill Hill Cutting (SE)	0	0	8

(*estimated actually seen)

Meadow Browns (75) were widespread with an estimated 50 on the lower slopes where a single pristine Wall Brown and a single Small Heath were noted. Red Admirals were occasional, one Painted Lady was seen in the central area, and four Small Whites in the meadow north of the upper car park, all on Mill Hill. About ten Speckled Wood Butterflies were a familiar sight as I walked through the scrub on the north-west of Mill Hill.
Adur Butterfly List 2006

17 August 2006
Common Blue Butterflies (100+) were still common on Mill Hill, and both the second brood male Adonis Blue Butterflies (66+) and the worn Chalkhill Blues (72+) were very frequently seen on the downs and surrounding areas. The Adonis and Chalkhill Blues were counted, but the plus signs are included because if there as any doubt if it was an Adonis or a Common Blue it was put down as a Common Blue, and with Chalkhill Blues, possible duplicates were excluded and females are likely to have been overlooked. The Adonis Blues were in a bright pristine condition but many of them already showed nicks out of their hind wings. This is the largest count for the second brood Adonis and nearly the largest seen on Mill Hill in one day. The list included very frequent Meadow Browns (75+) on grass and meadows, frequent Speckled Woods (25+) in scrub and shady bits on Mill Hill.
 

Counts	Chalkhill Blues	Adonis Blues	Common Blues *
Mill Hill Cutting (SW)	8	0	0
Lower Slopes of Mill Hill	57+	57+	20
Pasture (near the stile) at Old Erringham	1	3	4
Triangle middle are of Mill Hill	5	3	12
Meadows north of the car park	0	0	50+
Passage over the upper part of Mill Hill	1	3	2
Slonk Hill Cutting south	0	0	20

(*estimated actually seen)

The correlation between the distribution of the butterflies is both the Adonis Blues and Chalkhill Blues are centred around the presence of the correct prostrate type of Horseshoe Vetch on the short sward. The Common Blues larvae feed on Bird's Foot Trefoil and roost in the tall grass meadows. The pasture and agricultural meadows do not support any larval butterflies, but contain vagrant butterflies. The Holly Blue larvae feed on Holly and Ivy and the adults (imago) of this butterfly is to be found near hedge containing both of these larval food plants. Brown Argus are found in the tall meadows. Their larval plant on Mill Hill is still undecided but it could be Meadow Cranesbill.

Butterfly Report

6 August 2006
It is strange how the Common Blue Butterflies of two days ago quickly diminished or dispersed and the estimate was now less than half at only 100 on Mill Hill. Chalkhill Blues were counted at 176 (lower slopes 108 middle and upper 39 Mill Hill Cutting 29) and the first second brood male Adonis Blue was seen on Mill Hill. Brown Argus (40+) flitted with the silver underwings, and there were sufficient numbers of them in the meadows north of the upper car park on Mill Hill, to be sure of them, if not their numbers which could have been much more than forty, possibly a 100+.
Butterfly Report

4 August 2006
There were so many Common Blue Butterflies in the meadows north of the upper car park, it defied counting them. I must have disturbed at least 200 in 15 minutes or so as I ploughed through the dense meadow. My estimate (conservative guess) of their numbers on Mill Hill was 4500.

Brown Argus Butterflies (20+) were seen frequently on Mill Hill and now confirmed by a photograph which was not successful on the previous visit five days earlier. The figure of 20 is no more than a guess as it was difficult to separate them from the older female Common Blues as the blue butterflies fluttered all over the place at a density of about five a square metre at times in the meadow north of the upper car park, but not everywhere like this on the hill.
 

Confirmed Brown Argus Butterfly from the tall meadows north of the upper car park	Male Common Blue Butterfly (photographed on the nearby  Slonk Hill Cutting)	This dense meadow was typical of south of the Reservoir, near the road. Spot the female Chalkhill Blue on the Hardheads (=Lesser Knapweed)

Chalkhill Blues (122) were counted on Mill Hill only (Mill Hill estimates at 450 on the hill). This puts the Chalkhill Blues past their peak early this year. Female Chalkhill Blues were at 20% on the lower slopes of Mill Hill. They were counted at 100 on the lower slopes, 12 in the middle area and 10 at the top, but I hurried over the upper area and did not stop for any of the visit.
Other butterflies included frequent Meadow Browns and Gatekeepers, occasional Small Whites, Speckled Woods and Red Admirals, two Wall Browns, two Brimstones and one Painted Lady.
The yellow flowers of Great Mullein were just beginning to show at the top of the steps down to the lower slopes.
Butterfly Report

30 July 2006
Chalkhill Blue Butterflies showed just an average year on Mill Hill with just 151 recorded on the lower slopes in the sunshine, and another 40+ on the upper area, which equates with an estimated day record on the wing of about 650 on Mill Hill. This was disappointing compared to 2003. Stemless Thistle was the most often used nectar plant, although Round-headed Rampion was also seen used on one occasion. Females were at 5% only and probably under-recorded. The other butterflies on Mill Hill included Common Blues (90+), Meadow Browns, Gatekeepers, Small Whites, Red Admirals, Large Whites, Speckled Wood, Small/Essex Skipper, Marbled White (10+), Wall Brown (1), Small Heath (1) and Painted Lady (2). Brown Argus Butterflies were suspected, but all the photographs indicated female Common Blues.
Butterfly Report

On the southern part of Mill Hill, A Hornet Robber Fly settled on the path and another one landed briefly on the Pixie Path.
Adur Flies

23 July 2006
It was cooler and just about tolerable to observe 11 species of butterfly during one hour of the morning on Mill Hill. Chalkhill Blue Butterflies led the way with over 163 seen and 136 of these seen within 20 minutes on the short herb sward of the lower slopes of Mill Hill. Some Common Blue Butterflies had emerged since my last visit, and these were seen in the long grass upper meadows, but because of a rain squall, I have no idea of the numbers involved. The other species of butterfly seen were Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Small Skipper, Large Skipper (1), Marbled White, Large White, Red Admiral, Painted Lady and Speckled Wood.
Stemless Thistle was noted as very frequent with Round-headed Rampion, Field Scabious, Greater Knapweeds etc.
Butterfly Report
Adur Moths
 

On the upper meadows the grass had turned yellowish amongst a majority of greenery as illustrated above with a Common Blue Butterfly (there was a Chalkhill Blue nearby as we were swamped by a rain squall) and then a minute later a Large Skipper and Red Admiral. This the meadow area immediately north of the car park where the Meadow Cranesbill seems to be getting swamped out by the long grass. This dried grass is in contrast to the parched green herbland of the lower slopes.
The photograph on the far right above shows the Round-headed Rampion.
 

In this photograph you can get some idea of the height of the vegetation in the meadows to the north of the upper car park. The lower slopes are completely different and the herbs are no more than ankle height.

17 July 2006
There was dead Grass Snake on the Mill Hill side of the road bridge over the A27, already attacked by flies in the baking sunshine and right at the edge of the bridge near the footpath and the first house.

It was simply too warm and I gave up recording butterflies after about 12 minutes and returned by the ridge path, now overgrown. The frequencies are from the 12 minutes on the lower slopes only.

Large White = occasional
Gatekeeper  =  frequent
Meadow Brown = occasional
Small Skipper = occasional
Chalkhill Blue  19 =  frequent
Marbled White 16 =  frequent

15 July 2006
I led a small party of children from my sons' school on a butterfly hunt to Mill Hill, Shoreham. We saw 6 Large White, 5 Small White, 2 Large Skipper, 4 Small Skipper, 6 Red Admiral, 5 Clouded Yellow, 1 Speckled Wood and 1 Brimstone. We gave up counting large numbers (30+) of Painted Lady, Marbled White, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown and Chalkhill Blue.

On a day of weak sunshine, the following plants were noted in flowers for the first time on Mill Hill: Wild Basil, Round-headed Rampion and Stemless Thistle. Especially on the upper slopes, the large flower of the  Greater Knapweed, Field Scabious and Lady's Bedstraw* were prominent in the long grass meadows. (* to be checked out for other plants.)
Marbled White Butterflies appeared almost immediately on the lower slopes, followed by four Chalkhill Blues before their season had started. They seem to be much paler than the later emergers and I have noticed this before. Gatekeepers were frequent, the most prevalent butterfly a shade ahead of the Small Skippers with the occasional Meadow Brown and Red Admiral.
Butterfly Report
Adur Wild Flowers
Adur Moths

3 July 2006
A surprise very early couple of Chalkhill Blue Butterflies were seen on the lower slopes of Mill Hill. In the sunshine I was unable to chase the skippers around to discover what they were. There could have been my first Small Skipper of the year.
Marbled Whites led the way with 49 counted, with at least 36 recorded on the lower slopes. Meadow Browns were frequently seen. A handful of Cinnabar Moths and Silver Y Moths were recorded on the upper meadows of Mill Hill.
Butterfly Report
Adur Butterfly First Flight Times

Meadow's Cranesbill was in flower but it looked like it was being overgrown by grasses and other vegetation.

29 July 2006
A female Stag Beetle was flying around in our lounge in Mill Hill Close (south of Mill Hill) after darkness. This is number five we have seen. They were surprisingly nimble in flight but very noisy.

24 June 2006
A Stag Beetle was spotted slowly running around my garden in Mill Hill Close (south of Mill Hill) in the early evening.

20 June 2006
The first Marbled White Butterfly of the year fluttered strongly over the lower slopes of Mill Hill where the Horseshoe Vetch flowers had almost disappeared and the corkscrew-like seed pods could be discovered if searched amongst the emerging herbs and new flowers. The largest yellow patches on Mill Hill were now Bird's Foot Trefoil. Meadow Vetchling was recorded.  Butterflies were frequent (about 50), but not common. The most prevalent on Mill Hill were now Common Blues and Small Heath Butterflies with about 15 each.
The hoverfly Rhingia campestris fed on Greater Knapweed on the middle Triangle area of Mill Hill. It was breezy at the top of the hill. Smooth Sow-thistle, Sonchus oleraceus, was recorded in the copse at the top of Mill Hill.
Butterfly Report & List
Adur Butterfly First Flight Times

15 June 2006
With wild flowers bursting into flower everywhere, the highlight was about a hundred Bee Orchids in Mill Hill Drive. There was one Kidney Vetch flower seen on the Triangle section of Mill Hill. The first Greater Knapweed was seen in flower and Field Scabious.

About half of the 25 Adonis Blue Butterflies on Mill Hill showed signs of raggedness and age, whereas the Common Blues appeared fresher. I spotted my first Meadow Brown Butterfly of the year on the lower slopes, where I was surprised at a settled late Grizzled Skipper and I had a better look at a Large Skipper. There were eleven different species in an hour.
Full Butterfly Report
A Silver Y Moth, a Burnet Companion, a Treble-Bar and two pretty Mother Shiptons, Callistege mi, were all seen on Mill Hill.
A Skylark rose into the air.

12 June 2006
The first Meadow Brown Butterfly of the year was seen on Mill Hill. Other butterflies seen were Dingy Skipper (1), Small Heath (10), Adonis Blue (many, including several egg laying females), Common Blue (20), Brimstone (2), Small White (4), Painted Lady (1).

11 June 2006
Amongst the long grass meadow north of the top car park on Mill Hill, I had a brief sight of my first Large Skipper of the year (the only skipper of the day). I did not get a good a look as I would have liked to identify it, but Large Skippers precede the Small Skippers, so that is what it was. Adonis Blues (45 to 53 +) were most numerous on the lower slopes and the other species recorded were Common Blue, Large White, Speckled Wood (6), Holly Blue, Red Admiral and Small Heath (8).
Eight species.
Adur Butterfly First Flight Times
Butterfly Report (all sites)

Near the reservoir a group of five Magpies followed by a sixth were making a tremendous chattering racket.

On the lower slopes the Horseshoe Vetch had diminished considerably (it could not be seen from a distance), but the later growths on the middle and upper slopes showed patches even amongst the long grass with a handful of Adonis Blue Butterflies.
 

29 May 2006 The Old Erringham pastures were examined for their flora. It was quite different from Mill Hill with a higher proportion of grasses, but with a selection of herbs (excluding grasses), especially noting that the dramatic explosion of Bulbous Buttercups, with the blue Milkwort doing very well, and both Horseshoe Vetch and Bird's Foot Trefoil noted in small amounts.  Images Adur Buttercups

28 May 2006
Adonis Blue Butterflies were mating on the lower slopes of Mill Hill, with three mating embraces seen and at least another thirteen of these unattached bright blue butterflies flying around. Butterflies were seen in the morning included five Dingy Skippers, two Large Whites, and one each of Holly Blue, Red Admiral and Small Heath. This was less than usual for late May.
Adur Butterfly List 2006
 

The prostrate Horseshoe Vetch was prevalent on the lower slopes, at about 70% of its luxuriance. Some flowers have not yet opened and it has appeared at the northern end which it usually does first, and has not yet appeared very much on the steeper banks, which are always a week later. In the Triangle area the Horseshoe Vetch was sparser than normal and on the upper plateau it was not prominent and was not instantly visible. Surprisingly there were some small patches of Horseshoe Vetch lost amongst the superabundant Bulbous Buttercups and a handful of patches of Milkworts in the Old Erringham pasture to the north-west of Mill Hill Nature Reserve. Also, in the meadow north of the upper car park, an erect variety of Horseshoe Vetch was spotted amongst the long grasses with a longer stalk (over 30 cm high, but still lower than the sward) and less leaves than the plant on the lower slopes. Summary: the Horseshoe Vetch is flowering over a week later than the last two years.
 

I traversed the meadows around the upper car park and I did not note any butterflies although a Small Heath Butterfly was seen in the short sward near the reservoir. There were a few flying insects illustrated above in the dense meadows and at least one mushroom was noted in the short turf. The wasp mimic is a hoverfly, a species of Chrysotoxum.
 

21 May 2006 Three Swifts were seen (from southern car park of Mill Hill) flying over Frampton's Field before the cloud descended and obscured visibility and turned into steady rain that continued for the rest of the daylight. Shoreham Weather News Image: Alexanders and Cow Parsley on the southern part of Mill Hill Nature Reserve

15 May 2006
My first two Silver Y Moths of the year flew from Frampton's Field, Old Shoreham. My first two Wall Brown Butterflies and my first Brimstone Moth were seen on a brief visit to Mill Hill. Two female Pheasants took flight from the Old Erringham buttercup-strewn pastures immediately to the north-west of Mill Hill. Silverweed was flowering on Mill Hill. The leaves of the Greater Knapweed were everywhere.
Full Butterfly Report

14 May 2006
An attractive Eyed Hawk-moth, Smerinthus ocellata, was discovered on a Daffodil in my garden in Mill Hill Gardens, which was at one time part of Mill Hill.

At 10:00 am the resident Kestrel hovered in the overcast sky before the start of the Butterfly Walk on the lower slopes of Mill Hill which produced just two Small Heath Butterflies and a handful of small Pyrausta nigrata moths. The Horseshoe Vetch was just beginning, only about 5% of its full splendour. The sun struggled to come out in the afternoon and I recorded my first male Adonis Blue Butterfly of the year on the Shoreham Bank with 13 Dingy Skippers, five Grizzled Skippers and three Small Heath Butterflies.
Full Butterfly Report
Adur Butterfly First Flight Times

10 May 2006 The small black flies Empis tessellata were common on the downs.  ID by Laurence Clemons Adur Flies

7 May 2006 A note was made of the Brown-tailed Moth caterpillars in their silk cocoons. The caterpillars seem to strip the upper leaves completely (in the one example noted) but most of the Hawthorn is still in leaf and not stripped bare. In the nearby Hawthorn without caterpillars, no damage can be seen.  On the lower slopes the number of small moths were notable with both Pyrausta nigrata and Pancalia being common (over 100 each). Five each of Dingy Skippers and Grizzled Skippers were recorded with a Peacock Butterfly and a Large White Butterfly. Butterfly Report Adur Moths

1 May 2006
May came in with a shower. On the lower slopes of Mill Hill, the first Milkwort was seen in flower and the exiguous beginnings of the Horseshoe Vetch, Hippocrepis comosa. A single first Grizzled Skipper was recorded, the first of the year, with frequent (10+) small moths Pyrausta nigrata, seen for the first time this year,

26 April 2006
A female Pheasant whirred into flight on Erringham Hill as a Kestrel cruised overhead. South of the upper car park, a Rook probed the ground as a Skylark rose vertically and started singing until it was just a speck in the blue and white cirrus sky.
At the northern end of the lower slopes I spotted my first Dingy Skipper of the year that briefly sparred with a Peacock and the size difference was most noticeable. The Dingy Skipper is the first of I have heard of anywhere this year. A few Sweet Violets still flowered under the shade of the Hawthorn, but it was mostly Dog Violets in the open.
Adur Violets

24 April 2006
Half a dozen silken nests of the Brown-tailed Moths were noticed on Hawthorn trees on the southern part of Mill Hill.

19 April 2006
 

This attractive bee seen on the lower slopes of Mill Hill was the first time the Tawny Mining Bee, Andrena fulva, has been recorded on these Nature Notes pages. It is a female. The species is common and widespread. Report and Photograph by Ray Hamblett (Lancing Nature) on the Bees, Wasps and Ants Recording Society (Yahoo Group) ID by Nicolas J. Vereecken on the Bees, Wasps and Ants Recording Society (Yahoo Group) Adur Bees

There were many silk Brown-tailed Moth nests on Brambles at Mill Hill, Shoreham and a caterpillar noted and shown the photograph. The caterpillar was not connected to the silk nests and has been identified as an Oak Eggar Moth, Lasiocampa quercus, caterpillar (which does not associate with Oak). Report and Photograph by Ray Hamblett (Lancing Nature Gallery) on the UK-Leps (Yahoo Group) ID by Trevor Boyd and Reg Fry on the UK-Leps (Yahoo Group) Development of the Oak Eggar (by Reg Fry) Adur Moths

18 April 2006
Amongst the plants noted first in flower today were Dog Violets and Cowslips on the lower slopes of Mill Hill. But it was a remaining Sweet Violet that attracted a Peacock Butterfly.
Butterfly Report

9 April 2006
My first Swallow of the year flew low over the brow of Mill Hill and followed the country road northwards. Other Swallows had been seen by others in Sussex late in March.

6 April 2006
At last the first butterflies were seen on the lower slopes of Mill Hill: two definite Peacock Butterflies and at least one Comma Butterfly nectaring on the thousands of Sweet Violets in flower. There was a probable Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly as well.
Full Butterfly Report

A solitary Dotted Bee-fly, Bombylius discolor, a declining BAP species, was seen on a path through the scrub in the north-west and a tiny bee on a Daisy. This is the first time this fly has been recorded on the downs north of Shoreham.
Dotted Bee-fly (More Information)
Adur Flies 2006
Adur Solitary Bees

22 March 2006
Spring is imminent. There were Sweet Violets in flower one the slope by the most southerly seat on the southern section of the upper part of Mill Hill. These violets have large leaves. Then there were hundreds over the lower slopes of Mill Hill. These later violets have exiguous leaves. However, none of these violets were seen on the middle slopes in the Triangle area yet. The red stems of Dogwood were prominent. This woody scrub plant is the main incursor on the upper part of Mill Hill.
Adur Violets

2 March 2006
I surprised a female Sparrowhawk perched on a branch in the spinney between the top plateau of Chanctonbury Drive (SE of the bridge over the A27 to Mill Hill) and the A27. This is on the edge of the Mill Hill Cutting.  I got as close as two metres before the raptor flew off, but it was well camouflaged and it was not until I was three metres from it, did I see the bird of prey at all. It was much bigger with marked hooded eyes than the familiar Kestrel and I estimated its height at 40 cm. This is much larger than the book size of the male which is only record to 30 cm.

17 February 2006
A flock of sheep are on the private agricultural hay meadow to the west of Mill Hill feeding on the stubble and grass as is usual for short periods in the winter.
There was absolutely not the remotest sign of the Sweet Violet clump flowering on the southern slopes of Mill Hill.
Adur Violets

1 February 2006
The cattle have been removed from the "lambing field" or intermittent pasture to the south-east of Old Erringham Farm and will not now venture on to Mill Hill. This is probably because the grass on the land has now been grazed to its optimum and is best left for the spring growth. This pasture is of no butterfly value although the fringes may contain the occasional wild flower.
January Cattle Report

30 January 2006
There are cattle all over Mill Hill from Old Erringham Farm enriching the low nutrient hillsides with their dung and threatening the flora (Horseshoe Vetch) and the internationally important population of Chalkhill Blue Butterflies. It looks like the fence was broken down deliberately, probably at the instigation of the South Downs Conservation Board on public land given to the people of Shoreham. There is also the danger or erosion, breaking up the steps under the hooves of the cattle and reduction of the amenity value of the downs. They were timid cattle and they were shooed of the vulnerable lower slopes by the public. Most of the dung was on the steps near the stile in the north-west corner of Mill Hill Nature Reserve.
First Draft of the Article for the Shoreham Society Newsletter

18 January 2006
There were a couple of House Sparrows next to a small eight caravan illegal encampment in the upper car park of Mill Hill which are unusual for this area. On the pastures to the east of Mill Hill a handful each of Rooks and Magpies were foraging and on Mill Hill there were a few Crows. It is muddy under foot when human feet had trampled, with squelchy bits and puddles.
 

One tree on the upper slopes sported at least four of the common local lichens.

13 January 2006
My first visit of the year in the afternoon to the southern area and lower slopes of Mill Hill failed to find anything remotely newsworthy. The lower slopes looked more grassy than normal after the rain and there was still discarded chopped down Privet laying about. The remains of Carline Thistle were showing and the scrub was adorned by the straggly remains of Clematis. There was a discarded mushroom, which was probably Honey Fungus.
Pixie Path to Mill Hill (Link)
 

Mill Hill Wildlife Reports 2005 (Link)

LINK TO  THE WILDLIFE REPORTS FOR  AUTUMN - SUMMER  2004

Lower Slopes of Mill Hill
 

LINK TO THE MILL HILL WILDLIFE REPORTS  FOR WINTER & SPRING 2004

The other species may breed on Mill Hill, but there main breeding area will be adjoining fields or slightly further away. e.g. Small Blue (included above), Small Copper, Small Tortoiseshell, Green-veined White, Peacock, Ringlet, Small White, Large White, Comma, Holly Blue, Orange Tip. (=10)

The following are immigrants &/or hibernators:  Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Clouded Yellow.

The following have not been positively identified (because of ID difficulties):  Essex Skipper. This species is now included for a local field on the Adur Levels within 500 metres of Mill Hill.

(=30)

The following may occur but it has not been positively identified (because it is elusive and hard to spot): Green Hairstreak.
The next one is no longer found on Mill Hill but were there in the recent (reduced drastically to almost extinct by 1948 last record in  1968) past: Dark Green Fritillary (Records of this butterfly in 1857, 1938, and 1945 when it was common.)
The next one is no longer found on Mill Hill but were there in the distant (1947) past: Grayling.
The next one has been recorded near Mill Hill in the middle distance past:  White-letter Hairstreak

(=34)

The Silver-spotted Skipper does not appear to ever have occurred on Mill Hill
The Silver-studded Blue has never been recorded from Mill Hill

The Short-tailed Blue was recorded as a single immigrant in 1956.
 

Adur Butterfly Page

Link to the Mill Hill WILDLIFE REPORTS up to 2003
with lots of Butterfly observations

Lower Slopes (with Butterfly Reports)

Mill Hill Nature Reserve (including map)

MultiMap Aerial Photograph of Mill Hill

Back to Mill Hill
Triangle
Upper Slopes
Middle Slopes
Lower Slopes
Grasses of Mill Hill
Mill Hill Copse

History of Mill Hill
 

Aerial Map
Lower Adur Levels (MultiMap) including Lancing Clump and Mill Hill

Hippocrepis comosa (Horseshoe Vetch)
First Draft of the Article for the Shoreham Society Newsletter