Wildlife
Wildlife in my woods
Some of the wildlife that I have found in my woods. (I always try and use my own photographs and video footage where possible).
Wild Boar
Wild Boar have returned to Sussex
I captured this video footage of a Wild Boar on my trail cam. I was quite surprised as the locals had informed me that the Wild Boar had been driven away several years ago. Ironically, Boar were driven to extinction 300 years ago through hunting and persecution. Thoughts are that the current UK population is from a wildlife park which had it's fences damaged in the 1987 hurricane. My trail cam is only 20 meters from the house.....
Polecat
A rare glimpse of the elusive Mustelid
The polecat (Mustela putorius) is of considerable conservation significance in Britain. This rare and elusive mammal is rarely seen. A nocturnal animal that mainly feeds on rabbit. This still frame picture comes from my trail cam videos that have captured this Polecat on several occasions
Silver-washed Fritillary Butterfly
Scientific Name: Argynnis raphia
This is one of my favourite butterflies to see flying in my woods.  The unmistakable bright orange colouring with pretty wing markings make this a real treat to watch. Although found flitting along sunny rides and glades it prefers to breed in more shady woodland. This pretty butterfly and increased in numbers in recent years
White Admiral Butterfly
Found mainly in southern England favouring woodland
The White Admiral although once common in southern england has declined rapidly in the last 20 years. As such, it is now a priority species. The adult is quite shade tolerant and lay their eggs on honeysuckle - in abundance in our woodland.
Common Lizard
The UK's most common reptile
I see these lizards most often in April and May as they are out and about mating. Although they are our most common reptile, they are still a threatened and protected species. If you try and catch one by the tail, it's response is to shed it so it can run off. The tail that is left behind continues to wriggle thus distracting the predator.
Common Toad
Scientific Name: Bufo Bufo
The Common Toad is an amphibian and found throughout the UK. They have a very strong migratory instinct that draws them back to their ancestral breeding ponds each spring. Due to recent declines, they are now listed as a Priority species. I found this toad buried in the earth as I was clearing the ground for my greenhouse.
Red and black froghopper (also known as a spittlebug)
Scientific Name:Â Cercopis vulnerata
I love this colourful little insect. These unmistakable creatures are one of the largest homopterans. When they mate (see picture) they are side by side at angle of less than 45 degrees. These two were found on my jumper near the greenhouse.
