and this is the view in the opposite direction, towards Cross Plain, which is the walk we did, walking on the side of the ridge. You can make out Cheddar Reservoir, which is just beyond Axbridge.
It was sunny when we started out, and at the foot of Crook Peak saw Grizzled Skippers, Speckled Wood, Brown Argus, Common Blue and Large Skipper:
Climbing up the steep slope, also saw Small Heath and Sarah thought she saw a Wall Brown. Could see the weather closing in, so quickly dropped down a path in the direction of Compton Bishop, with immediate success: my first Green Hairsteak of the year, although it is a little lacking as far as streaks are concerned:
There were several Hairstreaks to be seen. Also on the path, a few Small Pearl-Borders Frits flew past. At this point, we stopped for a Drinker!
Actually, we stopped for a sandwich lunch in a sheltered spot. Saw another SPBF which settled briefly:
and spotted a Privet Hawkmoth:
Lots more Brown Argus and Common Blue.
Then continued round the edge of Wavering Down - on a better day, would have gone along the top which is good for SPBF. It brightened momentarily near Cross Plain. The path round the base is best for butterflies. Saw more Small Heath, Common Blue, Brown Argus and Grizzled Skippers:
This is the kind of female Common Blue I like: no doubt here
It was really quite cool now, and that was the last of the sightings on the butterfly front. We did startled a couple of deer on the path to Kings Wood
At this point, you can walk to Winscombe and catch the bus, or, if you are feeling energetic, after a deep breath do what we did and climb Shute Shelve Hill which is good for butterflies when the weather is favourable. Then drop down into the medieval town of Axbridge, which has a pretty town square where you can sit outside the pub and wait for the bus back to Weston-S-M.
Simon
