Not the smallest glimpse of one today, Wurzel. Two months is about all they manage, sadly - my first this year was on 7th April.
![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)
But onward and upward!
A lucky juxtaposition of a rare extra day off work and a favourable weather forecast meant there had to be an excursion somewhere. Car problems dictated that public transport would be the choice (being stranded with an immobile car in Bentley Wood isn't something I would relish. My phone has no signal there for a start...). So, Travelcard in hand, I set off for Croydon and Hutchinson's Bank. South London suburbia actually looks quite attractive at this time of year in brilliant sunshine, surprisingly enough, and the tram ride down to New Addington was very pleasant.
Another ten minutes walk or so, and I was making my way up Farleigh Dean Crescent, through the trees and into the "cutting". My eye was immediately caught by a flash of orangey-pink - a Glanville as quick as that? But no - it was actually a fresh-looking and rather small Painted Lady.
However, a few yards further on there was indeed a male Glanville, with an audience of several folk keen on capturing his likeness. I joined them. Though cooperative, the butterfly chose to lean on a few blades of grass, spoiling the view of its glorious underside somewhat.
Eventually it moved on, and I set out to see what else was out and about.
Small Blues were to be found almost anywhere, with one or two attracted to muddy puddles down on the lower path.
Whilst following one of these I nearly trod on another Glanville Fritillary. Bearing no grudge, it settled again a bit further along and allowed a few photos before taking off into the trees.
Though my two sightings were some distance apart, I am not convinced I didn't see the same butterfly twice!
Brimstones and Common Blues were the most frequent species here today (as on my visit last year), and I saw Small Heath, both Dingy and Grizzled Skippers and a couple of Peacocks.
Others talked of Green Hairstreaks, but I saw none. However, as seems to have happened a lot this year, I came across a female Holly Blue - a very worn individual though.
Having enjoyed this splendid site, I made my way back to the tramstop through the woodland, where Speckled Woods provided a suitable escort in the cool dappled shade.
A couple of hours later I was home, but decided to have a quick look nearby - no surprises, but Common Blue numbers are very good this year so far. By the look of this one, they are still emerging.
Dave