Friday 15th September 2023

Species: Brown Argus (1) Large White (2) Meadow Brown (3) Painted Lady (1) Red Admiral (2) Small Copper (2) Small White (2) Speckled Wood (1)

Southern Hawker Dragonfly - Horsecombe Vale 15-09-2023

The afternoon of the 15th September was warm and sunny with the temperature peaking at 21c. I head first to the embankment.

Common Darter Dragonfly - Tucking Mill 15-09-2023

A Common Darter dragonfly was perched on the barbed wire fence that runs along the top boundary of the embankment. It seems to be a favoured perch for this species at this time of year.

Painted Lady on Devils' Bit Scabious - Tucking Mill 15-09-2023

On the other side of the fence, a Painted Lady butterfly was nectaring on the abundant Devil's Bit Scabious.

Southern Hawker Dragonfly - Horsecombe Vale 15-09-2023

Horsecombe Vale was quiet butterfly wise but I did spot a Southern Hawker dragonfly perched on some vegetation. This is a common species, but pretty spectacular none the less.

Small Copper - Tucking Mill 15-09-2023

There were a few butterflies to be seen in the fields. Two Small Coppers and a faded and battered Brown Argus were the main attractions. These two species are often amongst the last to be seen in patchwork of grasslands that connect the woodland in the valley.

Brown Argus - Tucking Mill 15-09-2023

Along one border of the grassland, a large quantity of Devil's Bit Scabious was flowering. This plant seems to be doing particularly well this September. I don't recall seeing it flower in this location before.

Devil's Bit Scabious - Tucking Mill 15-09-2023


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