High flier

Dark Green Fritillary, Arnside Knott: feeding on marsh thistle.

This is the commoner of the two big fritillary species that fly over the limestone grasslands and woodland edges of Arnside Knott. I haven't seen the much rarer High Brown Fritillary yet this year, but they will surely be on the wing soon, if they are not already. It is butterfly paradise on the Knott at the moment, with large numbers of these flying and interacting, small pearl bordered fritillaries looking a little more ragged, small heaths and meadow browns. The graylings are also doing well in the more stony grasslands. All pointing to the success of the National Trust's management of the scrub and our friends the Highlands and other cattle grazing the grasslands.

I've said it before, but the early morning light is wonderful for butterflies, and being early paid off this morning because it soon clouded over. When seen backlit from below, the wings are illuminated like church windows. You can see the proboscis on this one, probing for nectar in the thistle flowers. Not only do the thistles provide good feeding, but because they are taller than the surrounding vegetation, it is possible to get a view looking up to the underside of a feeding butterfly.

As for the rest of this brilliant Summer's day, what about that Wimbledon Men's final? I'm so glad I stayed in to watch it. Murray was inspired, inspiring, quite extraordinary. Ever since I was small, my Dad has spoken of the last Briton to win: Fred Perry 77 years ago. I don't think my Dad was there as an 11 year old, but he might as well have been, it was always vivid in his memory. The old flyer will be happy tonight having watched Murray come into his own on the greatest tennis court in the world.