A Walk to Smardale

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 I walked to Smardale reserve today and did a circular trip from the house.


My main objective was to hunt for Northern Brown Argus butterflies which are usually on the wing around now. I failed! (its possibly a week or two too early). However there was a lot to see. A stoat crossed the track in front of me at one stage. I had three separate sightings of red squirrel. I heard great spotted woodpecker chicks calling from their nest hole. The flowers were wonderful. I did see some butterflies. I include a photo of a speckled wood. There were several of these in the more shaded woodland areas (between 1 and 2 on the map).
I was also able to photograph both male and the female common blue butterfly. Many people mistake the female for a different species they are so different but you can still see a blue tint to the females.


I am  also showing you a beetle (that I haven't identified!) and a shot of the yellow "rock rose" together with the cranesbill in bloom.


And what about a shot or two of the views?


Diary
Camera traps gave me a roebuck and three separate individual foxes - and a badger. One of the foxes was carrying a rabbit it had caught. I might have caught more in my moth trap if I had plugged it in as well as turning it on! I found this chart on Facebook this week which I thought was useful.














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