Widdrington Tip

I paid a visit to this interesting area this week and must thank Stewart Sexton for sending a map and directions which proved most useful. I hoped to see butterflies and wasn't disappointed; Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Common Blue and a great number of Small Skippers were on the wing. And, for the first time in, let me think ... it must be thirty years, I saw and photographed a Six-spot Burnet moth.

Six-spot Burnet (Zyganena filipendulae)
Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris)

Common Blue (Polyomatus icarus)
I also came upon this Mallow growing in the track-side verge. I thought it was a Musk Mallow but it is not so hairy and the upper leaves were deeply cut so I take it to be a Cut-leaved Mallow (Malva alcea) ...

Common Blue at Sidwood

There's been strong wind and quite a lot of rain in the valley recently so, taking advantage of the first fine day to dawn in the last two weeks, I had a drive to Sidwood this afternoon and added a new butterfly to my list, a Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus).


Ringlets, Meadow Browns and Small Skippers were also flying.

Ringlet (Aphanotopus hyperantus)
Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris)
Sidwood - a peaceful place for a saunter