This site is a vast network of sand dunes (the 2nd highest in Europe, apparently), and is a place where Grizzled Skippers have been recorded. After the obligatory Orange Tips and GV Whites in the light woodland next to the car park, my first big surprise of the morning was the sight of a Painted Lady, looking a little faded but otherwise fine. No doubt if they've made it into Wales then a fair few more must be have arrived in southern counties of England.
The next surprise was one, then two, then three and eventually as many as ten Cinnabar moths. They were shortly followed by a Small Copper, which I can graciously thank for bringing my attention to the first Grizzled Skipper of the day, as it shot off its perch as the marauding Pyrgus buzzed by.
I never thought I'd see a day where Grizzled Skippers were the most numerous species, but that's how it went as I eventually spotted twelve. I only really covered the very easternmost part of the site, so if their numbers are replicated elsewhere on the dunes then there could be hundreds of them about, particularly given that it's so early in the season.
They seemed to prefer the sun-facing lower slopes of the crater-like dips in the dunes, which wasn't surprising because there were plenty of wild strawberries and cinquefoil type plants growing there.
At one point, two were flying around one another, but I noticed one was particularly dark so I tracked it until it settled. Unfortunately, it shot off before I got to take a photo but it was either a female Common Blue or a Brown Argus, which I know is extraordinarily early, but given the microclimates created by these low lying areas perhaps not so surprising.
All in all, the butterflies (and their numbers) I saw were:
1. Grizzled Skipper 12
2. Orange Tip 5
3. Green Veined White 2
4. Peacock 2
5. Small Copper 2
6. Holly Blue 1
7. Painted Lady 1
8. Large White 1
9. Common Blue/Brown Argus 1
- First of the year
- Grizzled Skipper
- This was the habitat they were found in
- Hard to track but they will settle for a while if undisturbed by other insects
- Small flowers seem most attractive
- But larger ones are used too!
Have you been up to the Cross Hands (Caeau Ffos Fach) site to see the Marsh Fritillary Larvae? I also went up there a couple of weeks back and I couldn't see any foodplant, let alone caterpillar webs. 
