Lynchcombe Steps

Meadow Pipit - Deerleap, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_9964

Meadow Pipit – Deerleap, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_9964

Each week my walk around Lynchcombe nature reserve starts with a stroll along the Deerleap path.  This is the field next to the popular car park and picnic site at the top of the big hill above Wells in Somerset.

The last few weeks this field has had two big draws.  The obvious one are the skylarks and meadow pipits.  The less obvious are the large numbers of chimney sweeper moths.  To some the second may be a bit strange.  What is the attraction of a small black moth? I can think of at least two things – first they are day flying, and second they perch in tall grass so easy to spot.

Chimney Sweeper (Odezia atrata) - Deerleap, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_0257

Chimney Sweeper (Odezia atrata) – Deerleap, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_0257

Butterflies

Moving from unfamilar moths to popular butterflies.  The news here is not so good.  I have been counting butterflies on the Lynchcombe reserve for nearly two decades.  This year has easily the worst numbers and number of species I have recorded.

The meadow brown is one of the most common butterflies.  I have counted over 400 on a single day.  This year the numbers barely reach 40.

Meadow Brown - Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_0439

Meadow Brown – Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_0439

The same is true for ringlets and many other species. Others are missing completely such as brown argus, small copper, coma and silver-washed fritillary.  There is time yet – so fingers crossed.

Ringlet - Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_0562

Ringlet – Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_0562

At least the gatekeepers have already made an appearance.

Gatekeeper - Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_0652

Gatekeeper – Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_0652

Rusty the Fox

Lynchcombe has a resident fox.  I was going to call her Sleepy, after I stumbled across her fast asleep in the middle of a field.  But eventually she became Rusty.

Fox - Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_0483

Fox – Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_0483

Dawn is the best time to check out a few favourite spots across the reserve.

Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) - Lynchcombe, Somerset, UK. ID JB1_7183

Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) – Lynchcombe, Somerset, UK. ID JB1_7183

Roe Deer

Deer are doing well.  I have seen more this year than in any previous year.  It is a joy to catch a glimpse on one moving between Lynchcombe and Deerleap.

Roe Deer - Deerleap, Mendip Hills, Somserset, UK. ID IMG_9518

Roe Deer – Deerleap, Mendip Hills, Somserset, UK. ID IMG_9518

The grass is nearly tall enough to hide a deer.  And hide photographers from them 🙂

Roe Deer - Deerleap, Mendip Hills, Somserset, UK. ID IMG_9559

Roe Deer – Deerleap, Mendip Hills, Somserset, UK. ID IMG_9559

The downside of all those deer is the number of ticks.  At times the place feels like a sea of ticks.  So do some research and take care.

Roe Deer - Deerleap, Mendip Hills, Somserset, UK. ID IMG_9798

Roe Deer – Deerleap, Mendip Hills, Somserset, UK. ID IMG_9798

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