Heath

I didn't time my walk well today, somehow choosing the only two hours where it stayed dull and cool for much of the time.

The plan had been a late season survey of the Green Hairstreaks but after trudging up and down bliberry laden bell pits for an hour without a sign I gave it up and cut down to Sconce where at least the bilberry and heath were springing with Common Heath moths, like this one.

Along Moorside the haymaking was continuing, today with an impressive array of machinery (extras).

And back home, a quick forage in the graveyard threw up a couple of Large Red Damselflies (extras).

Tomorrow's Bank Holiday excursion will be more adventurous, a train trip to Silverdale where I'll wander up to Gait Barrows NNR in the hope of a late season Duke of Burgundy, a Dingy Skipper and perhaps a fritillary. And perhaps a quick visit to Leighton Moss if I have time before the train home.