Monday 20th September 2010
Brompton Ralph sunshine
What a glorious day in Somerset. The sun shone all day and I spent a long time in my favourite field, the paths through the forest next to it and walking around the village.
In the garden there were 2 Small Tortoiseshells present all day, feeding up, a few Speckled Woods, a Comma and several Red Admirals on the blackberries, plus Small and Large Whites.
Elsewhere in the village another 2 Small Torts, Speckled Woods and Whites were enjoying the sunshine.
The Small Coppers I saw yesterday were in a particular field nearby. I first found that colony last year and it was good to see it was still there, although I think it must be a small one as I saw 1 last year and only 2 were seen this year.
However, my favourite field is in the other direction. It’s very long, has a stream through it and is pretty much bordered by forest on all sides. At the far end is a derelict cottage too. Here it is:
There are patches of hemp agrimony by the stream and also in the forest path that leads to the field along with a few buddleias. On one there were 4 Red Admirals!
Given the dearth of Vanessids in Middlesex recently it was lovely to see so many.
I saw a few Speckled Woods and Whites in the field although no Commas this year. However, I did find another colony of Small Coppers, and larger than yesterday’s. I saw about 10 zipping about.
Later on, while stalking the Small Torts in the garden I inadvertently trod on this Knot Grass moth caterpillar (thanks for the ID Pete). I feared the worse and placed it in a sheltered place. I checked the following morning and all seemed to be ok as it had moved and was stretched out on a blade of grass.
To butterfly meadows, chalk downlands and leafy glades; to summers eternal.