I was very lucky to get the weather window I did. Those female Large Blues must have known the rain was coming - the egg-laying activity was frantic while the sun was out. I hope you get to see them, Trevor: they should be around for another week at a guess.
Saturday 25th: I had planned (if it hadn't tipped it down) to overshoot Taunton after Collard Hill, and carry on over to Haddon Hill for Heath Fritillaries, before coming back to stay with my old chum. However, the weather put paid to that plan, and on Saturday I continued with the original scheme I had hatched for this day, which was to visit the Heddon Valley on the North Devon coast. Luckily, my friend was happy enough to come along, and we took the coastal route via Minehead, Porlock and Lynmouth. I'd forgotten how small some of the roads were, and how steep the hills as well, but the scenery was stunning, and there was even sunshine patchily along the coast. Eventually we arrived at Hunter's Inn and walked down to the sea and back.
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The paths didn't quite match the map, and despite some brightness and shelter from the wind, we saw no butterflies for most of the walk. However, on the return trip, I spotted some activity over a stand of bracken quite close to the stream. With my friend shouting helpful directions (it was difficult to look all ways at once), I tracked down a settled butterfly that he thought was a bit larger and more orange than the others. Perched on the bracken was a High Brown Fritillary.
I managed to walk round it for a better view. However, it was spooked by something and instead of flying up, it fell off its perch and took a while to clamber back up.
Eventually, it settled, open-winged, basking under the bright overcast sky. It was a lovely male, quite fresh, but with a small notch out of a hindwing.
After it finally flew, I noticed that there were a few other species flying too in less than ideal conditions. I saw my first Ringlet and first Small Skipper of the year, lots of Meadow Browns and a couple of very worn Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries.
Then I spotted another large orange butterfly which came down onto the bracken and basked like the HBF had earlier. This one was perfect: a brand new male Dark Green Fritillary.
I did not see the underside to be absolutely sure, but it just did not look like the other species. It is really hard to say why! (Someone will tell me now that it isn't DGF at all...
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
). Four new species for the year in about 20 minutes, plus yesterday's Large Blue.
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In the end, a vague plan to take in Haddon Hill on the way back was again thwarted by a stormy sky over Exmoor, and Sunday was dismal. Never mind - it was a very successful butterfly weekend (and beer was also drunk!). The highlight for me had to be getting my first good view of the underside of a fresh High Brown Fritillary.
Dave