Sunday 23 June 2019

Inside Croydon Wildlife Walk- Roundshaw Downs

A successful visit this morning to Roundshaw Downs with the Inside Croydon Readers group. Roundshaw Downs is part of the North Downs and the habitat is mainly Chalk Grassland with areas of scrub and a small area of Woodland. 

The weather was overcast and fairly cool with a brisk breeze. There were plenty of Skylarks singing and we managed to find a few Chalk Grassland specialities such as Small Blue Butterfly, Pyramidal Orchid, Greater Yellow Rattle, Knapweed Broomrape and good range of other plants and insects.

 Small Blue- we found two in the Paddocks
 Common Blue- a few of these. Other butterflies seen included 3 Painted Lady, Meadow Browns, Marbled Whites, Small White, Brimstone and Ringlet. Day flying moths included Yellow Shell, Burnet Companion and we also found a Heart and Dart.  
 Pyramidal Orchid was the plant highlight of the day. Other chalkland species included Greater Yellow Rattle and Yellow Rattle, Wild Marjoram, Kidney Vetch, Agrimony, Wild Mignonette, Wild Carrot, Hedge Bedstraw, Grass Vetchling and Knapweed Broomrape. 
 Grass Vetchling 
 Broomrape sp. (Knapweed Broomrape is a species listed  for Roundshaw Downs)
Sparrowhawk with what looks like a Great Tit. We also had Hobby, Kestrel and Roger saw a Red Kite. Other bird species included plenty of Skylarks, Whitethroats, the odd Blackcap, Swifts, Song Thrush, Starlings, good numbers of House Sparrow, Greenfinch, Chiffchaff and a few other common woodland species. 
 Inside Croydon Editor Steven Downs and Inside Croydon Readers Group 
 We also bumped into the local Quakers who offered lunch and exchanged a few wildlife sightings 
One from the Beddington Farmlands moth trap last night- Small Elephant Hawkmoth, a new one for the year 

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Sad I missed it, was free last minute after all if had there been space, oh well. Any plans for further walks perhaps at beddington? I learn so much from experts on guided walks rather than thumbing through guide books by myself! Regards Ewald

Peter Alfrey said...

Yes currently making plans for additional local walks. Please email me on littleoakgroup@btinternet.com for more details

Chris Conway said...

Hi Peter, thank you for a very educational walk. The photos on here are very good - I can see the birds I was not quick enough to spot on the day. And you have given me a new hobby - butterfly spotting! There was a little orange and black one in the walked garden on my jog this morning, flitting from flower to flower very quickly, perhaps a red admiral or a tortoiseshell? (from google search). I would normally have just ignored it - at least birds stay still for longer, and they sing. Hope to catch your next walk, if you could let me have details. Chris Conway email cconway59@gmail.com