Stoke Camp

Stoke Camp

by Jeff Bevan · Published 2nd June 2017 · Updated 6th June 2017

Saturday morning and after a brief spell of early morning sunshine it was starting to rain. In this weather my butterfly transect on Lynchcombe was being put on hold. So instead I re-visited Stoke Camp on the Mendip Hills.

Stoke Camp – Somerset, UK. ID 822_3086

I hoped the dull weather would make the butterflies easier to photograph. This is a Butterfly Conservation nature reserve after all so things should be good.

Large Skipper

These seem to out early this year and with their bright colours and bold approach to life it was not a surprise that these were out and about ready to be seen.

Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus) – Stoke Camp, Somerset, UK. ID 822_2555

Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus) – Stoke Camp, Somerset, UK. ID 822_0880

Small Blue

During my previous visit to Stoke Camp where were lots of Small Blue butterflies (Cupido minibus) flying around. Today this tiny butterfly was sheltering down amongst the grass. Probably the best place when a drop of rain can be the size of your body – and much heavier.

Small Blue (Cupido minimus) – Stoke Camp, Somerset, UK. ID 822_2663

A string of rain drop pearls.

Small Blue (Cupido minimus) – Stoke Camp, Somerset, UK. ID 822_2803

Small Blue (Cupido minimus) – Stoke Camp, Somerset, UK. ID 822_2812

Common Blue

Do not overlook their big cousin the Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus). The two species do seem to irritate each other.

Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus) – Stoke Camp, Somerset, UK. ID 822_1275

Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus) – Stoke Camp, Somerset, UK. ID 822_2652

Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus) – Stoke Camp, Somerset, UK. ID 822_2626

Bumble Bees

Its not all butterflies. There are more bumbles bees than anything else. The problem is they a very quick even on a cold morning. They also spend much of their time with their heads down. This makes them really tricky to photograph.