Tucked away amongst the farms and fields around the Rotherfield Estate, Noar Hill is a delightful little reserve that has a wonderful reputation nationally and in the county. Every year towards the end of April for quite sometime now I have been visiting for one thing, the Duke of Burgundy. Noar Hill is a prime site for this little butterfly, the chalk pits and rolling hills provide micro climates in early spring, with temperatures warmer than the surrounding area, couple that with plenty of the butterfly's feed plant, Cowslip and it is ideal for them.
Whilst the temperatures have been low over the last few days there has been plenty of sunshine, so I had high hopes of finding some this morning. I arrived mid morning and as I walked up the slope to the reserve the wind was still quite chilly. I walked into the first chalk pit but other than a Green-veined White that flew through nothing showing. As I came out there were several Early Purple Orchids in bloom.
Walking around the slope to the first hollow a Peacock was nectaring on a dandelion bloom.
There had been quite a bit of clearance and chopping back done through the winter and these had created a few more sheltered spots. I found a cleared pit close to the large Junipers and there on the moss was my first Duke of Burgundy.
It would fly up, but would always return to a similar spot.
Had to get low to try and photograph the underwing.
This was a male, the males have four functional legs, the front to not used for anything. The females have six functional legs.
Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps sang around the bushes and trees, mostly hidden behind the leaves. The Whitethroats though would sing from a prominent place.
I walked through the reserve trying to find new locations. I came to one that I knew well and found another male around the ant hills.
Sat up on a leaf.
The wind blew and tipped it over again showing the under wing.
Originally thought to be a Fritillary, due to the chequered pattern on the wings, it has since been classified as close to the metal mark, the only one of that group found in this country.
I found another male close by, so up to now I had seen three individuals
I walked to the far end of the reserve to another sheltered spot where a Green-veined White sat nicely on a leaf.
A lovely Early Purple Orchid in the pit.
A Speckled Wood settled on the ground.
I chased this Orange Tip for ages, it would pause at the Self Heal flowers but never settle, but finally it did.
I walked down the bridleway and it was dominated by Holly Blues, they seemed to be everywhere. Not all would settle but a few did, this one on the Ransome's, or wild garlic.
This one on a branch of the hedge, initially with the sun behind the cloud, but as the sun came out it opened up.
The Bridleway comes out into the open and view aout across the fields was spectacular with the white fluffy clouds.
I then met another person who was looking for help in navigating the reserve, so I walked with him back to the first chalk pit. He had not seen one before so was happy to come with me. As we walked to the far side of the pit another male was sitting on a leaf in full sun
The slope on the pit allowed me to get low again to see the underwing.
I walked back through the reserve and found another three Duke of Burgundy taking my day total to seven. Not a bad count for my first visit this year and some of my earliest sightings.
As I walked past the newly cleared area near the junipers I heard a Firecrest singing and I waited and it showed nicely.
I was hoping to find a Dingy Skipper, but there weren't any about. I did manage to see Large and Small White though, but again they did not stop.
I walked back down the bridleway once more with more stunning views.
A Song Thrush was hunting on the grass amongst the Cowslips.
It wasn't until I made my way out that I found another butterfly, the Comma.
Walking out of the reserve another spectacular sky in front of me, the clouds and sky colour reminding me of the cartoon Simpsons Sky!
Great to see the little Duke once again and to spend time around the lovely reserve, I would have liked a Dingy though, but there is still plenty of time.
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