I saw that the first Silver Studded Blues had been recorded at Prees Heath so G and I took a trip down there. The first SSBs we saw were a pair in cop, oblivious to the rest of the world. There was a major emergence and we were in danger of stepping on the little jewels anywhere off the main paths. Several other enthusiasts were there with cameras and all were equally excited to share their finds, especially the one who had found newly emerged SSBs being 'cleaned up' by ants. It is my failing that I forget to swap names - who knows which luminaries we may have met!
Small Heaths, together with the Blues were harassing the Cinnabar moths, and a couple of fresh Small Coppers caught our attention. A Lacewing was ovipositing on the underside of a leaf, making it difficult to get a photo but here are my best efforts.
One man told us he had come across from Whixall Moss where he had seen Large Heaths so after enjoying our fill of SSBs we went there - I just love that drawbridge over the canal! It seemed quiet at first but out on the moss we started to see flutterings, and it was not long before the LHs availed themselves for portraits. It was a rich area for other species too and we saw a few each of Brimstones, Large Skippers, Small Coppers, a Green Hairstreak which perched on young birch (no bilberrries in sight), and there were a number of Brown Silver-line moths playing hard-to-get.
We explored the ponds and to my delight I accidentally caught a photo of the rare White-faced Darter which settled momentarily on the ground in front of me, but despite searching we could not find any more although there were dozens of Four-spot Chasers and damsel flies, and something small which bit my hand.
Along the wooded track near the Manor House car park we disturbed a number of newly emerged Meadow Browns which were my first of the year apart from a suspected one which I'd glimpsed at Coombs Dale the day before. A lovely bright Red Admiral was showing its delight in life and landed on G's hat! A Speckled Wood hovered in the bushes and an indeterminate White did a fly-by.