Lynchcombe Steps

Lynchcombe – Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_7394

Lynchcombe

The nature reserve is approaching autumn very quickly – the bracken has died back and the leaves are already changing.

Lynchcombe – Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB1_7525

Speckled Woods

Speckled wood butterflies just keep going.  They are pretty much the first to appear in the spring and the last to disappear in the autumn.

Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) – Lynchcombe, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_7430

It is not uncommon to find the butterflies resting on a sheltered stone wall facing the autumn sun.  The stone absorbs the sun’s rays and so keep a little bit warner than their surroundings.

Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) – Lynchcombe, Somerset, UK. ID JB1_6780

There are plenty of blackberries on which to feed.

Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) – Lynchcombe, Somerset, UK. ID JB1_7304

Surprisingly, there are lots of small coppers around the reserve.  They like to keep low to the ground.

Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) – Lynchcombe, Somerset, UK. ID JB1_6829

Small heath and meadow brown butterflies share the wild marjoram.

Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus) – Lynchcombe, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_7522

Ladybirds rummage around the dead leaves.

7-spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata) – Lynchcombe, Somerset, UK. ID JB1_7430

And finally…

This may not be a health notice but this snail is making sure it reads all about keeping your distance.

Keep your distance – Cooks Fields, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_7806