17th April 2021 - Grizzled Skipper

 


The early part of April continued the trend from March with frequent night frosts and daytime temperatures struggling to exceed 10c most days. 

The sheltered valley to the south of Bath can be counted on to be slightly warmer than the hills. Even so, I was surprised to see this early Grizzled Skipper on a woodland path some distance from the cycle-path and the fields where I would normally expect to see them The path leads along the edge of a wood between a brook and a grassy bank that rises up the side of the hill. It is a slightly odd place to find a Grizzled Skipper, but I have seen one there before. 

The books will tell you it can be found in woodland rides, as well as grassland habitats. I'm not sure which of these this sighting would fall into. Anyway, a very welcome sight!

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