Longest Day

 I took an after work wander around Brookfield Plantation this afternoon before passing through Willowbrook Industrial Estate on my way home. The weather was for the most part warm and sunny which brought out a few interesting insects to look at.

Ringlet, Comma, Marbled White and Dingy Skipper

As we get closer to July more and more brown butterflies are on the wing with Meadow Browns, Ringlets and Meadow Browns all appearing in ever greater numbers. With Small Heaths and Speckled Woods also on the wing we're only waiting for Gatekeepers now! A first Comma for several months was a welcome sight indeed, this is one of the species that seems to have had a bad year so far, a Red Admiral was also appreciated! Large Skippers are now becoming commoner though a late Dingy Skipper provided the biggest surprise of the day, I believe that this is my latest ever. Other butterflies making it on to my list were Common Blues and a tatty and faded Brown Argus. Three species of dragonfly were noted and they were Broad-bodied and Four-spotted Chasers as well as a Black-tailed Skimmer. A small party of Fallow Deer were the only other nature of interest.

Large Skipper, Black-tailed Skimmer and Fallow Deer

At Willowbrook Industrial a similar selection of butterflies were on offer though my first Small Skippers of the year were a nice addition to the day list. Not much else to report apart from a few Pyramidal Orchids.

Small Skipper and Pyramidal Orchid