Snuff Mill Lane in June

It had been almost a year since I had a proper wander at Snull Mill Lane fields. The main path into the fields from the car park was blocked by brambles and nettles, but another path had been opened into the woodland of hawthorn and this was an unexpected surprise (top shot and below). 

I come then to a glade rejoining the old path. Blackcaps, chiffchaff and Whitethroat singing, a Bullfinch calls.

A Bullfinch called from a Hawthorn.

In a clearing I find the first Volucella pellucens of the year, hovering first, then it sat for a while

The main field.

After crossing the main field, I move onto the field by the railway track field at the back. I'm hoping to see some Chimney Sweeper moths. They are small black moths that fly like butterflies in bright sunshine. It doesn't take long to find them, Two males were patrolling the patch of Pignut, their foodplant, flying bobbing up and down, but with some speed. Photographing them is a different matter, as they stop very briefly, so I have to content myself with a couple of record shots.

The pond. There was a loud plop, maybe a Mallard or a Moorhen.

Pignut.

Conehead nymph.

Meadow Brown.

Chimney Sweeper moth.

Small Copper.

Ringlet.

The Pignut field.

Volucella bombylans.

Silver Y moth.

Lesser Stichwort.

Red Admiral.

I spend a long time in the field, and make my first butterfly list of the year, 7 butterflies, including 1st Ringlet and Meadow Browns of the year and two day flying moths.