The last of the season

27/9/2019

We knew that this week's weather was set to be changeable and selected Friday for our last transect of 2019. A noticeably cool SW wind was blowing in our faces and the sky looked threatening as we were crossing Section 1 (Hither Field). Towards the end of this section we were checking on the Kidney Vetch (surprisingly, one plant was still in flower) when the first heavy shower hit and through this heavy rain we saw a fast-flying Red Admiral crossing our path, heading for shelter in the bordering trees. The rain eased off and we continued our walk in the hope that that downpour was just a 'clearing shower'. In Section 3 (Fames Rough) it started again but it was there that we saw our second and last butterfly of the day: a Meadow Brown. By this time we were quite wet and after sheltering under trees for a some time we decided to abandon as the conditions were unsuitable for any further butterfly sightings.

Predictably, as we drove out of the Ramblers Rest car park the sun came out!

The last butterfly to be recorded this season: a Meadow Brown in Fames Rough.

Survey on 27-9-19 by Brian G, Graham K and Graham H, submitted to Butterfly Conservation (UKBMS).
Info by Brian G.

Pics by Graham K. Click pics to enlarge.