I had recently discovered the existence of this small reserve so when looking for somewhere local to visit on a warm sunny day, but with limited time at my disposal I decided explore it for the first time as it is situated less than 30 minutes away.
I arrived just after 11 am, parking in the small car parking area just outside the reserve. It was almost a cloudless sky with temperatures gradually rising. One other car was already parked there, and I could see someone in the distance at the other side of the meadow, However he went shortly afterwards so I had the reserve to myself. I followed the flattened grass path which led from the gateway and started to meander through the reserve. However it soon fizzled out and I was left to find my own path amongst the many wild flowers growing there.
I soon spotted meadow browns and gatekeepers but it was a little while before the number of butterflies flying began to steadily increase. However I eventually l made a good count of 16 species of butterfly,
Although butterflies were present throughout the whole of the reserve area, some large patches of wild marjoram were attracting the most species.
These included small blue, common blue, chalkhill blue, small copper, small heath, peacock, small tortoiseshell, meadow brown, gatekeeper, brimstone, small white, green veined white, brown argus, marbled white, ringlet and small skipper.
brown argus
chalkhill blue
entrance to reserve
path through reserve
green veined white
marbled white
meadow brown
peacock
ringlet
small blue
small copper
small copper
small skipper
small white
chalkhill blue
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