Holy Island

Dark Green Fritillary butterflies were the target species  for today, to add to the Butterfly Quest total, so after a couple of blank sorties nearer home I decided to go for a banker venue and it came up trumps.
Holy Island dunes north from the Straight Lonnen.
Before I got to the end of the lonnen I saw my first two

In the first hour from 10.30am I counted at least 50 of these cracking butterflies and then stopped counting as they were spotted over all the areas I covered.

This little group were seen along the lonnen

and this was a small group of a much greater gathering of seals on the east side of the island

Heleborine?

A little wander through the East Chevington dunes, where I failed to see my target species, but was pleased with the sight of these which I believe to be Dune heleborine. If I have this coreect, I would be pleased with any more detailed info about which one they may be.
This species might be a good choice for next years 'find out about' Quest.

What the.........?

Peering into the garden pond this morning, I caught sight of what appeared to be transparent caterpillars on the stems of the dwarf water lily.
I turned over one of the leaves to find these on the underside.
Any ideas?

Lots of colour

Had the opportunity for an hour at East Chevington around midday and while I was hoping for, but failed to see, a Dark Green Fritillary, I did manage to see loads of other colours

Come in number 26

I had seen sightings recorded for the Small Blue at Workington Wind Farm site over the last few weeks and decided now or never this morning.
Its food source, Kidney Vetch was just about finished, and some were looking a bit worn, but I managed to see about ten of these tiny butterfly to take my butterfly Quest total to 26 so far.

Little Pearls

Following a fantastic tip I went to Sweethope Lough yesterday and was rewarded with sightings of these little crackers to add to my Quest total.

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary

Thick and fast

The butterflies are on the move now and helped my Quest with another two today. During one of the few and short periods of sun there were lots of Common Blue, Wall, Large Skipper and these two all on the wing in quite a small sheltered spot. Magic.
Ringlet

and Meadow Brown