Lynchcombe Steps
Lynchcombe is full of butterflies.
Gatekeepers
Gatekeepers (Pyronia tithonus) are a common butterfly and a bit prettier than the meadow brown. Today they occurred all over the reserve.
Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus) – Lynchcombe, Somerset, UK.
The is a more typical perch of the gatekeeper, sitting on the bracken trying to soak up a bit of sun between the clouds.
Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus) – Lynchcombe, Somerset, UK.
Skippers
Small skippers (Thymelicus sylvestris) were on every thistle, I counted 60 on the transect!
Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris) – Lynchcombe, Somerset, UK.
Holy Blue
The numbers of holy blues (Celastrina argils) seem to go up and down like a yo-yo every few years. Today was the first time I had seen one on Lynchcombe. Its exiting seeing a first for the reserve.
Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus) – Lynchcombe, Somerset, UK.
The Usual Suspects
The other usual suspects were also recorded on the transect. While brambles do take over and need to be cleared back from time to time they do host about half the butterflies I see on the reserve.
Peacock (Aglais io) – Lynchcombe, Somerset, UK.
Comma (Polygonia c-album) – Lynchcombe, Somerset, UK.
Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) – Lynchcombe, Somerset, UK.
And Finally…
Lynchcombe provides some of the best views of Somerset. Here looking west toward Crook Peak and the Bristol Channel beyond.
