Thanks Dave, its amazing you saw no Clouded Yellows just a week before our visit, were those we saw fresh arrivals from the continent?
Thanks Wurzel, Lulworth Skippers do seem hardy little butterflies, with a long flight season!
5th September, continued..
After our success at Durlston we decided to pay a visit to Ballard Down before heading home. We parked in the lay-by and headed up the path to the down until we reached an area rich in wild flowers. Adonis Blues were everywhere, and every nectar source was covered in butterflies.
The Adonis ranged from very fresh to very worn, but there were hundreds on this bit of hillside. Every direction you looked in, blue and brown open wings faced towards the sun to catch its last rays. As we walked along the path and came to a more open area, we soon spotted some Clouded Yellows, about six in total, which appeared to be getting ready to roost.
We then spotted a white butterfly which, when it landed, turned out to be a Clouded Yellow, here was our helice. She was not easy to approach and was clearly not a really fresh individual, but she was beautiful. Our photos are not brilliant and do not do her justice, but we felt pleased to have at least got a couple of shots of her.
In addition to the Adonis and Clouded Yellows we saw Lulworth Skippers, Common Blues, Brown Argus, Meadow Browns, Large and Small Whites and some Speckled Woods. All in all another great day out in a great part of the country
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)