Friday 17 July 2015

And here's a Gatekeeper from above and a Comma both seen today up the Welcombe Hills

Well, the Gatekeepers are out in force so it was easy to get a snap of the upper side of this neat little butterfly. It's thought the name 'Gatekeeper' comes from the many sightings near gates. Makes sense I suppose as you'll find it in the hedgerows on bramble.

The Comma is a remarkable butterfly. It overwinters attached to a twig and resembles a dead leaf. 

It appears to be a good year for our common butterflies so far. The Common Blue though seems to be slow to recover from recent wet springs. 
If you are thinking of joining me on the nature walk next weekend then butterflies and bumble bees will be on the agenda. By then the Woolley Thistles will be in flower. They are magnets for insects.
Also the plan is to find owl pellets and pull them apart to find what the owls ate and we'll check out the dead mens' toenails in the woods…. I can't wait.

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