Sunday, 19 May 2013

Ivinghoe Beacon & Pitstone - 16 May 2013

A day with potential for butterflies, so I headed off to Ivinghoe Beacon. You could tell the spring has been bad, as the number of people utilising the semi decent weather meant there were more people than expected wandering around the Beacon looking for Dukes. At least 4 Duke of Burgundy were seen, one which was all but expired, together with a couple of Grizzled and three Dingy Skippers, three Green Hairstreaks, together with Orange Tip, Brimstone and Large White.

 Grizzled Skipper

Green Hairstreak

Duke of Burgundy

Dingy Skipper


After a brief visit to the local garden centre cafe, a turn around the old quarry at Pitstone in the hope of an early Small Blue, was almost rewarded, but it was seen by someone else after I left, but there were at least seven Dingy and five Grizzled Skippers, four Green Hairstreaks, together with Brimstone and Red Admiral.

Dingy Skipper

Grizzled Skipper