Ilkley Moor

On the edges of Ilkley Moor I found my first Small Heath of the year, the diminuitive butterfly featured on the Friends of Ilkley Moor banner graphic .

There was an abundance of Ringlets (30+) amongst the grasses and heather, this one perched obligingly to show off the white wing margin to best effect. And another nectaring on thistle, easily the most popular butterfly on the lower slopes of the moors.

Here's the view from the foot of Ilkley Moor near Wells Road, looking up towards White Wells.

The second most popular butterfly of the day, Small Skippers nectaring on thistles

Ilkley Moor Mipits

Meadow Pipits perched on stony outcrops above the bracken, heather and bilberry at Ilkley Moor.

A Warbler (Willow Warbler perhaps) hopped from branch to branch on a conifer gathering insects.

I spotted 20+ Small Tortoiseshell caterpillars on nettles.