Lynchcombe Steps

Approaching Storm – Over Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID BR54073

Late summer brings a different atmosphere to the Mendip Hills and the Lynchcombe nature reserve owned by the Somerset Wildlife Trust.

Mendip Evening – Overlooking Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somserset, UK. ID BR53300

Sheep graze the neighbouring nature reserve of Cooks Fields that overlook the sycamore trees on Lynchcombe.

Autumn Berries

It is the middle of August and the reserve is already covered with berries, including blackberries, sloes, hawthorn and rose-hips.

Rosehips – Lynchcombe, Somerset, UK. ID JB1_6331

Butterflies

There are still plenty of butterflies hanging around.

Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus) – Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_5879

Brown argus have been popular this year.  The second brood of common blues are also out in good numbers.

Brown Argus (Aricia agestis) – Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_6183

Small heath’s have had a good year.  Other butterflies such as small coppers, silver-washed fritillaries and comma have been rare this year.  I’m not sure what they all have in common.

Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus) – Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_7311

Speckled woods were once the first butterflies to appear back in spring.  Now another batch is out in large numbers.  Some have clearly had a bashing.

Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) – Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_7253

As always, meadow browns are the most common.  This year numbers have not reached the hundreds seen on a single walk.  But they are still common all over the reserve.

Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) – Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_7134

Getting Dry

The last few weeks it has been getting dryer and dryer.  The grass and bracken is turning yellow and brown.

Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus) – Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_6463

Migrant hawkers and common darters dash across the reserve.

Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) – Lynchcombe, Somerset, UK. ID 825_6414

Thistles cover the reserve.

Thistles – Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_6297

And finally…

Sheep graze the reserve seeking out fresh grass.

Sheep – Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_6353