To add to the Marbled White sightings at Brockadale Nature Reserve we found our first Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus) of the year (15), this one a male, indicated by the dark patches on the upperside of the forewing, scent producing scales called androconia.
Also Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) (8) similar to the Gatekeeper but lacking the double eyespot.
A female Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris) on red clover, the lack of a chequered pattern on the upperwing differentiates it from the similar Large Skipper.
We watched a couple of Dark Green Fritillary on the wing, dart restlessly over the grassland. Yellowhammers in the hawthorn treetops provided the soundtrack to our visit.
Beautiful photos again Linda. I saw my first Meadow Browns and Gatekeeper last week too although mine wouldn't stop still long enough for photos!
ReplyDeleteLovely set of butterfly photos Linda. I don't get dark Green Fritallary local to me which is a pity!
ReplyDeleteNice to see the Gatekeeper Linda, I have seen a few, but not as many as previous years.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to see the yellowhammer, Linda, a bird I have not seen for a long time. I have seen a lot of Meadow browns this year (inc. one in the garden) and a few Gatekeepers ... and a surprising number of Small Coppers.
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