![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
Friday 24th April. Yet another day of warm sunshine - a high of 22 degrees today - and the total butterflies seen reached around 120, the highest yet this year, of ten species. Curiously, no Commas were amongst them.
During this morning's excursion, I found myself following a Speckled Wood along the path. I spotted another one coming the other way and expected the usual interaction of a frenzied tight spiral under the trees which might go on for some time. However, the approaching individual was dived upon by the one I'd been with, and virtually pinned to the foliage. A female - but rather than playing dead to reject his advances, some courtship behaviour ensued. I can't say I've ever seen this before, with the two butterflies face to face in this way. It didn't last for long at ground level - the pair quickly took off into the trees to continue matters, and this was my last view of them. I've already noted that the Holly Blues hae been taking minerals from damp spots along the paths. The continued dry weather seems to have had other species doing it too, and I encountered a Peacock and a Small Tortoiseshell not far apart indulging in the same way. The Hollies continue to entertain, and today's bit of curious behaviour was from this female apparently laying on some cow parsley. Close investigation after the event revealed no eggs were laid on this unlikely plant, but it seems from this and from previous years that they will think about laying on almost anything in the spring. Another highlight of the day was actually getting a couple of decent shots of Large Whites for the first time this year. Red Admirals are around every day now, in the same places but not usually the same individuals each day. Another sign that summer isn't too far away - my first Silver-Y moth of 2020 characteristically playing very hard to get. Finally, the day would never be complete without one of these. Dave