Well being as it was a sunny (ish) day we thought we'd try and find the Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary Butterfly on Cannock Chase, There's been a colony in the Sherbrook Valley as long as I can remember.

We know the exact location of the colony but we couldn't find any, it is the right time of year, the Photo below was taken on the 18th June 2006. It's a bit worrying though as we didn't see any last year either. I hope we havn't lost this colony.

Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary 18/6/2006

We did have a great sighting though on walking to the Stepping Stones from the Punch Bowl just around the first bend what should be sitting on the top of one of the conifers on the left hand side, a female Crossbill Great! a year tick. There appears to be quite an influx of Crossbills at present they are being seen all over the country.

Female Crossbill between the Punch Bowl & the Stepping Stones.

Still had no luck with Wood Warbler though. I don't know if its me but the Chase birds have been hard work this year.

Tree Pipit close to the Steppimg Stones

Didn't stay out too long this morning though being as its Fathers Day, I'd had my orders to be home early.