The Lyons Share

I found this Pointed Snail half way up our fire place this morning. Took me a while to figure out where it came from. I picked up a Rabbits skull from Malling Down a few days ago and it must have stowed away inside the brain pan, it must of been a tight fit! Apparently sheep selectively graze these snails.  They have a mostly southern and western coastal distribution but they are quite common on the chalk-grassland of the South Downs.

Whilst I am on the subject of wildlife in my house, this crisp Common Emerald came to a lighted window the other night too. It's rare to see them so fresh, the green pigment in moths seems to be quite unstable. I have seen a Small Emerald with entirely brown wings with the exception of the part of the hind wing that is hidden from view by the forewing. I would think then, that sunlight has some impact on this pigment.