Another birder from Swindon was just heading up to the slopes so I caught up with him and he told me what he thought would be around today. Apparently one marsh fritillary had been seen so I hoped I would find it!
path to the main part of the reserve
On the path a dark butterfly flew past which he informed was likely to be a wall brown, which indeed it was, although it hardly stopped for a second before moving off very quickly along the path in front of us, where it circled for a while with a second individual and then they separated out of sight. That, at least, was one to tick off for today.
A few whites were around and a brimstone, none of which stopped, then I headed off alone down to a sheltered corner where I knew butterflies often can be seen. Here, I spotted a dingy skipper, then to my surprise, a small copper which, before I could get my camera ready, was disturbed by... a marsh fritillary. I hardly knew which to follow, but opted for the marsh fritillary. In the end I spotted at least four marsh fritillaries, which were only too willing to pose for photos, whilst I never did see the small copper again! There were good numbers of dingy skippers , also some brown argus butterflies all quite active in this sheltered corner of the reserve.
dingy skipper
marsh fritillary
Heading back to the path leading down to the carpark, I found a rather tatty green hairstreak, and spent a while chasing wall butterflies up and down the path eventually one did settle long enough to photograph with wings shut, the best I could manage!
Back at the car park I spotted a couple of common blues amongst the long grass by the picnic area.
With three butterflies added to my list today, it now stands at 21. I reached 46 last year , so with a bit of careful planning I aim to increase that this year.
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