Monday, 12 August 2024

Butterflies galore on Granta Park wildflower meadows

21st July 2024 - the wildflower meadows are in full bloom at the moment, and the propondance of Ragwort, Knapweed, Lady's Bedstraw, Betony and Hawkweed flowers is good news for the butterflies there.

Andy M spotted a good variety of butterfly species; the Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper being seen in good numbers, as were Essex Skipper - distinguishable from the very similar Small Skipper by the black tips to the underside of the antennae (a photo helps here!). A number of  Marbled White were also spotted, as well as a few Red Admiral and Brimstone, and one or two Small Tortoiseshell, that seem much less common this year.

Gatekeeper

Gatekeeper

Essex Skipper, on Lady's Bedstraw flowers

Essex Skipper - note the black ends to the antennae

Essex Skipper - female with pointed abdomen, 
on Hawkweed flower

Essex Skipper - male, with square-ended abdomen

Marbled White

Small Tortoiseshell

Red Admiral

Brimstone, male, on Betony flowers

Ragwort

Knapweed

Pyramidal Orchid

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