Tuesday 11th May 2021

 Butterfly Species: Holly Blue (1) Dingy Skipper (1) Orange Tip (1)

Ramsons (Wild Garlic)

Another cool and cloudy May day. My trip started about 11am and again, I was not that optimistic about seeing many butterflies. The three I did see made the trip worthwhile. 

Dingy Skipper - Tucking Mill 11-05-2021

The cycle path was looking near it's best with the woodland understorey a carpet of white Ransom flowers, peppered with Bluebells and the yellow Lesser Celandine.

The first butterfly was a Dingy Skipper. This was seen at the top of an embankment where the cycle path runs alongside a meadow. This is one of three locations in fairly close proximity, where you can expect to see these uncommon butterflies.

Further along the path a single male Orange Tip flew past me, busily checking out a variety of flora without pausing and a single Holly Blue fluttered higher up in the shrubbery.

Wild Strawberry - Tucking Mill 11-05-2021
Diverting off the cycle-path and following a footpath across a field, I find a couple of patches of Wild strawberry plants. this is where I often see Grizzled Skippers at this time of year. None that day though.

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