Thanks Dave and David. I suspect those were the last of 2019 for me - I haven't made it back down and won't again until next Weds at the earliest.
03/08/2019 - Uldale Fells
A visit to my parents in the Lakes this weekend was tactically planned - it's a good time of year to visit Cumbria! On Saturday I set myself the challenge of proving that there are Bog Orchids growing within walking distance of their house. The first part of the challenge - finding the orchids in question - was made simple by a bang-on grid reference and some helpful marker twigs.
The second part - walking back to their house - was an 18km hike that passed over the highest summit of the Uldale Fells (the group sitting north-east of Skiddaw)!
The hills themselves were swarming with butterflies - mainly Painted Ladies, Peacocks and Small Heaths, with a few whites and Small Tortoiseshells for good measure.
A particular highlight was the ford over Burntod Gill, just below Trusmadoor - about 13km in, and with only downhill left to go! Marsh Thistles lined both sides of the stream here and were a honeypot for the butterflies. I stripped off my boots and socks and did a 15-minute butterfly count whilst stood ankle-deep in the cool water!
04/08/2019 - Smardale Gill
On Sunday morning, I said my goodbyes and headed back towards Yorkshire, but only as far as Smardale Gill. Obviously the target was Scotch Argus, and it was fabulous to see that this population is still thriving (given the concern expressed last year about the colony at Arnside). Numbers must have been well into triple figures, and at least one pair were ensuring there will be numbers next year, too!
To my surprise, there was also a single Northern Brown Argus still clinging on, though looking much worse for wear.
Just like Saturday, the most abundant species by some distance was Peacock, and there were lots of Painted Ladies amongst them, as well as a single, very fresh, Comma.
Every time I've visited this reserve I've seen Red Squirrels, and this was no exception.
Finally, it was interesting to see this wasp totally smashed on the intoxicating nectar of a Broad-leaved Helleborine!
From the far north last weekend, to the far south this weekend: look out for me if you are in the Surrey Hills (especially Denbies) on Saturday!