Creeping

It seemed to me that the Creeping Thistle have been running a couple of weeks late this year, which makes a big difference to those butterflies that rely on them for nectar. They’re here now though, and adding some colour to a somewhat parched landscape.

Having taken a couple of half days this week my Friday inbox was fuller than usual, but I got out for a walk along Moorside in early afternoon. It actually rained while I was out, but not for long. On the wing today: Small White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Gatekeeper and Small Tortoiseshell. And a Yellow Shell moth.

A bonus: it was unusual to see a Curlew exploring these improved pastures; usually they stick to the other side of the moor.