Lynchcombe Steps
Back up to the Somerset Wildlife Trust reserve of Lynchcombe to check on things and count the butterflies.
Small Skippers
This week the thistles arrived and with them the small skippers (Thymelicus sylvestnis). They have aways liked the taste of thistle nectar on Lynchcombe.
Ringlets
Often overlooked and often confused with meadow browns. Unlike the meadow browns their hindwings are uniform brown apart from the rings. This is a beautiful butterfly with its dark velvet wings edged in white.
They day that dark butterflies warm up quicker on overcast days. This group had clearly warmed up and very keen.
A pair broke off for some privacy. No chance.
And Finally…
There were more than skippers and ringlets today. I recored 130 meadow browns and 23 marbled whites. In the windy weather they had concentrated in the lower parts of the reserve. Still no sign of the elusive silver-wash fritillaries. Several red admirals, like this one, enjoyed the sun.