Blue

It was back to work for me today, although the place is fairly quiet at the moment so I can make some progress on some longer term things without getting too distracted.

I popped out to Woodhouse Moor at lunchtime. There was only intermittent sun but it was still warm so I did manage a Big Butterfly Count contribution: meadow brown, small skipper, small white, red admiral, silver-y (extra) and a shaded broad-bar.

On my way home I made time to visit the large urban meadow behind Shipley station for the first time this year. I’d been hoping for marbled white and possibly white letter hairstreak, both of which I’ve seen there before, but no luck. I may have missed the marbled whites for the year as the fine weather has the effect of shortening the flight season. Over the other side of Bradford Beck I did find this single holly blue blue, which is my first of the summer brood.