Horseplay

 I decided to brave the heat after work and head into Brookfield Plantation where the shade provided some welcome relief from the strong sunshine. On my way I checked our local Peregrines and found one sitting in its favoured spot, it was joined by its mate a little later on. These could possibly be the least productive pair in the county as I've yet to see them with young!

Peregrines sensibly avoiding the heat.

In the plantation those areas in direct sunlight were alive with butterflies though they were supercharged by the heat and seem very reluctant to settle. Not unusually for this time of the year the bulk of the species on view were browns with Marbled Whites, Meadow Browns and Ringlets supplying most of the sightings, a Speckled Wood and three Small Heaths were also noted. Large and Small Slippers were also present with the former being fairly common. The regular three whites were also on the wing and they were joined by a Painted Lady.

Small Heath, Meadow Brown and Marbled White

Other wildlife included my first Southern Hawker of the year which sensibly avoided the heat by hunting in a shaded ride. I really wished that it had taken an interest in the horseflies which were plaguing my walk, it's reaching their peak time when they hit maximum nuisance levels. Often I had to decide whether to take a photo or try and swat the little b****r that was trying to suck my blood, normally violence won. I'm looking forward to a couple of productive insect watching weeks but I wish those pesky horseflies would just buzz off!

Small and Large Skippers and Painted Lady