Monday 25th
A quick two day visit down to the West Country for butterflies in the main, but also any dragonflies or damselflies. Our first point of call was Hembury Woods, a place we'd never been before. There was a bit of a false start when the directions were misinterpreted and we headed off on a path that took us to a stream rather than the river. Eventually we reached the clearing at the top next to Hembury ancient hill fort, where we saw a couple of High Brown Fritillary butterflies, albeit they remained in flight and impossible to photograph. In addition Dark Green and Silver-washed Fritillaries were seen, with other species present including Marbled White and Small Skipper.
Beautiful Demoiselle female
Small Skipper
Silver-washed Fritillary
Marbled White
The second location that we wanted to try was Aish Tor. Here we took a footpath that started off by the river Dart. However it didn't take us up on to the slopes so we returned to the car and further explored the road beyond the carpark. There were more parking areas and we managed to find a relatively confined area where the butterflies were nectaring on low lying brambles between the ferns. There were quite a few High Brown, mixed in with Dark Green Fritillaries. We also had a single Green Hairstreak, and a few other common species.
High Brown Fritillaries
Dark Green Fritillary
Tuesday 26th
We decided that, considering the reports that Aish Tor was the best site,we'd return there rather than try our other options. But first a visit on to the disused railway line at Lydford for Heath Fritillary. We were fortunate to track down a few feeding along the steep sides of the embankment.
Heath Fritillaries
Gatekeeper
We then drove south towards Tavistock, and found this isolated church on top of a Tor with no evidence of any immediately nearby residencies, other than the grave yard.
Brentor Church
We stopped off breifly at Meerivale checking for Dippers on the river.
Banded Demoiselle male
Another stop, and a walk along the north end of the Dart Valley NR.
River Dart
Dipper
Grass Snake
Dark Green Fritillary
Aish Tor, was slightly less busy than the previous day, but we got here an hour or so later, but again quite a few High Brown and Dark Green Fritillaries were seen. Although this was a butterflies trip, we can never ignore the birds. At Aish Tor we saw Raven, Yellowhammer, Willow Warbler, Redpoll and Swallows.
Dark Green Fritillary
High Brown Fritillary
Willow Warbler
Lesser Redpoll