Postcards from Sussex

Two new detecting finds after a summer drought.

2026-10-19T10:45:33.178+01:00

Having found nothing exciting during the summer drought, my luck changed during the last two weekends.

Firstly this Charles II penny came up in lovely condition, probably due to it being used as a pendant so not in circulation.

Last weekend I had this soldino of the 63rd Doge Michele Steno (1400-1413)

Obverse: Doge standing left, holding standard: star behind over F, MICHAEL STEN DVX.

Little Venice mint.

Reverse: winged and nimbate lion of St Mark facing, S MARCVS VENETI.

It is a medieval silver coin issued by the Republic of Venice, measuring roughly 12mm to 15mm in diameter. (mine is 16mm). In medieval and Tudor England, they were widely imported by galley traders and used as unofficial halfpennies (known as "galley halfpence") due to a shortage of domestic small change.

Obverse (Front): Usually shows the Doge of Venice (the ruler) either standing or kneeling while holding a banner.

Reverse (Back): Most commonly features the winged and nimbate (haloed) Lion of St. Mark holding the book of Gospels.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michele_Steno

Visit to Arundel WWT

2026-08-12T16:35:06.677+01:00

Speckled Wood

Today I visited Arundel WWT for the first time in ages. Plenty of wildlife and the usual birds.I saw a Clouded Yellow, Painted Lady & Emperor Dragonfly. An enjoyable walk around the many paths ending with a very nice tomato soup in the restaurant.

bat boxes

Blue-tailed Damselfly, Ischnura elegans

Chiloe Wigeon, Anas sibilatrix

Common Darter, Sympetrum striolatum

Common Drone Fly, Eristalis tenax on Common Fleabane, Pulicaria dysenterica

Dalmatian Pelicans, Pelecanus crispus

Great Willowherb, Epilobium hirsutum

Greylag Geese, Anser anser

Magpie Geese, Anseranas semipalmata

Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos

Roach, Rutilus rutilus, juveniles

Small White, Pieris rapae

Vervain, Verbena officinalis

Butterflies galore at Kithurst meadow

2026-04-22T19:15:00.000+01:00

Duke of Burgundy, Hamearis lucina

I visited Kithurst meadow, near Storrington, this morning and was not disappointed. The meadow was covered in Cowslips. There were already a few enthusiasts looking for the Duke of Burgundy when I arrived. I was pleased to be able to spot one for them, the first of a few sightings, a pristine specimen. Then there was a succession of species: Brimstone, Green Hairstreak, Red Admiral, Peacock, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Orange-tip and Holly Blue. A pair of Brimstones were courting. I was delighted to find a Green Longhorn moth on a Field maple by the car park. Other insects: Harlequin Ladybird & Hairy Shieldbug.

Brimstone male, Gonepteryx rhamni

Brimstones courting

Bugle, Ajuga reptans

Cowslips, Primula veris, foodplant of the Duke

Duke of Burgundy

Green Hairstreak, Callophrys rubi

Green Longhorn, Adela reaumurella

Green Longhorn

Hairy Shieldbug, Dolycoris baccarum

Harlequin Ladybird, Harmonia axyridis

Holly Blue female, Celastrina argiolus

Holly Blue

Orange-tip, Anthocharis cardamines

Red Admiral, Vanessa atalanta

Speckled Wood, Pararge aegeria

White Crab Spider, Misumena vatia on nettle

Wild Strawberry, Fragaria vesca

Wood Violet, Viola riviniana