I went on a butterfly walk this afternoon at Raw Nook NR. As expected the numbers of all species were down however, I managed to find 10 different species but all in low numbers.
On the negative side I failed to find a single Small Tortoishell and Meadow Browns and Small White number were well down on what they should be at this time of the year. Only A single Common Blue male was observed which is worrying for the species.
Other species observed were Ringlet, Small & Large Skipper, Red Admiral, Large White, Speckled Wood and Gatekeeper.
Now for the positive…I was surveying the meadow area when I saw 2 Gatekeepers chasing each other but one was ‘ aberrations ‘ as below. At this stage I am not sure which aberration this one belongs to but I will update when I have further information. But at the end of the day a good find and something I have never seen before..
Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus
