A blog and photo journal about the natural history of north-west England and beyond
The Gatekeeper, Mersey valley close to Chorlton Water Park. Following local pressure the Env Agency have listened and reduced the maintenance of several sections of the river bank to one late summer cut per year. In summer the most obvious result is the huge increase in the number of butterflies. Read More …
Purple Hairstreak feeding on honeydew excreted by aphids on an Ash tree. A few highlights from a visit to the Butterfly Conservation Society managed Alners Gorse in deepest Dorset. Although the weather was a bit mixed – a strong north-westerly breeze, plenty to see. Purple Read More …
Peacock Butterfly on the freshly opened Cherry blossom at the edge of the Orchard in Kenworthy Wood. Also several Small Tortoiseshells and a Brimstone. Great to see the warm sunshine has brought out many of the local butterflies. A male Orange Tip on a fresh Read More …
Marbled White nectaring on Greater Knapweed in the early morning sunshine at Corfe Castle. Surprising to see them on the wing at 7am. Unfortunately by mid-day they’re so active its difficult to approach them with a camera. Musk Thistle covered in early morning dew Read More …