16th June - Portsdown Hill and Old Winchester Hill, Hampshire

I decided to go back to Portsdown Hill.  My last visit I missed out o the Bee Orchids, and since then I an had found some in the same spot as the Lizard Orchid.  I parked at the usual spot and then headed down the slope.  The first thing to hit me was the amount of Marbled Whites flitting around over the grass slopes, they appeared to be everywhere and were not stopping.  

The tide was out in Portsmouth Harbour and in the hazy sunshine there was a wonderful view of Portchester Castle.  Portchester Castle is a medieval fortress that was developed within the walls of the Roman Saxon Shore fort of Portus Adurni at Portchester.  The keep was probably built in the late 11th century as a baronial castle and Portchester was taken under royal control in 1154. The monarchy controlled the castle for several centuries and it was a favoured hunting lodge of King John It was besieged and captured by the French in 1216 before permanently returning to English control shortly thereafter.

Occupying a commanding position at the head of Portsmouth Harbour, in the medieval period Portchester was an important port. The castle saw the embarkation for several campaigns to France led by England's kings. In anticipation of a French invasion during the first quarter of the 14th century, Edward II spent £1,100 repairing and reinforcing Portchester Castle. A plot to overthrow Henry V was discovered and the culprits apprehended at Portchester; this event features in Shakespeare's play, Henry V. Later in its history, the castle was used as a prison.

I reached the bottom of the slope with even more Marbled White around me.  This slope was covered with Marbled Whites, the chalk cliffs behind them.

Knapweed at the bottom of the slope in a sheltered spot was attractive for the Marbled White to nectar on.

 I walked along the bottom of the hill towards the Orchid triangle.  I had been given two places to check for the Bee Orchids, but despite some extensive searching I couldn't find them.  I was then distracted by a mating pair of Marbled White.  The female has brown markings while the male is more black.

The continued searching then came across this cricket, the long antenna separating it from  grasshopper.  However I haven't been able to identify it.

Moving away from the cricket, I looked down and there was a single stem with for flower heads of a Bee Orchids!

They are a delightful flower, with the pink leaves/sepal emphasising the beauty of the "bee".

The yellow nodules hold the pollen that is deposited on the insects.

The first Bee Orchid appeared to have been trampled, there was a long stem that went along the ground before then appearing to rise with the flower heads.  I turned around and right beside me was another, this one with three flower heads.

Success with the Bee Orchids, I had a good look for the Lizard but couldn't see any.  I decided to walk up the side of the cliff and then along the top back to the car.  The Marbled Whites just kept coming, more now settling.

A nice collection of Common Spotted Orchids.

A Dark Green Fritillary amongst the grasses, a first for the year.

From Portsdown Hill I headed over the downs to Old Winchester Hill.  The number of Marbled Whites at Portsdown gave me hope for some good butterflies at Old Winchester Hill.

I walked from the car park and along side the flowering bramble bushes.  First quality butterfly was a Small Tortoiseshell on the bramble.

A small White on the bramble.

And a Red Admiral.

The first Large Skipper of the year.

And a smart newly emerged Comma.

There were several Cinnabar and this Five Spot Burnet moths amongst the bramble.

I walked the slope to the fort, but like my last visit there were very few butterflies.  Heading down the slope to Woodpecker Wood I had six Dark-green Fritillaries fly past me, never stopping.  The bottom of the slope was also quiet, a very faded Common Blue the only butterfly of note.

Ahead of me I could see a couple of Red Kite, but when I reached the bottom of the slope, looking up towards the car park there were five Red Kite in the dead tree.  However by the time I had the camera ready three had flown off.

The five I believe to be immatures and they are all going through some form of moult with primary wing feathers and tail feathers missing.

I walked up the slope and was almost at eye level with the kites.

Walking up the slope a yellow butterfly went past me, no doubt it was a Clouded Yellow but as is to be expected it didn't stop, carrying on down the hill and out of sight.

At the top of the slope on the flowering bramble was a Painted Lady, a nice end to the day.

There was a lack of sunshine today but it was still and calm, which produced quite humid conditions, great for butterflies.  A very good day.