There were only a couple of other cars in the layby, and consequently few people visiting the reserve today. I headed towards the area where I saw the Large Blues last week, and before long, found a few butterflies perched on the long grasses (wings closed!) and several flying. It was still sunny, but then a large patch of cloud covered the sun, so I slowly scanned the edges of the paths looking for glimpses of blue amongst the flowers and grass. Eventually I found one, wings almost fully open. Then futher on, a pristine specimen, which posed beautifully for me. Not a great variety of other butterfly species seen today, just the usual meadow browns, marbled whites, small heath and ringlet.
Having only spent an hour there, I decided that I would still have time to revisit Ravensroost again today, to look again for the white letter hairstreak. This time I was the only car in the car park. I slowly walked down the main track, stopping for a while to look for the WLH at the usual place, but seeing nothing. I continued towards the pond where I saw the White Admiral yesterday but none were seen, until I started to return to the car when one came into view, fluttering above the bramble at the edge of the track, before finally settling to feed.
A few silver washed fritillaries rushed past now and then, but then on the track, one of them stopped for a while.
Having another look for the WLH I eventually spotted a small brown butterfly flying about the hazel and then landing; happily it turned out to be a WLH although it never came completely into view.
Overall a good day for butterflies.
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