On Wednesdays I take Tilly to Stour Row for training, well more like socialising with other dogs and people! Afterwards I take her to Duncliffe Woods a short distance away for a walk before going home. Duncliffe Woods are managed by the Woodland Trust. At the base of Duncliffe there are some untouched meadows and I like to have a look round to see what’s about. I’ve been going a few times now and I have been disappointed by not seeing many Butterflies etc. But this afternoon late in August I had a lovely time!

The first Butterfly I saw was Brown Argus, Luckily I managed to get a picture as I had it later identified for me on the Butterflies and Moths UK Facebook group, who always help with identification. It’s the first time I have seen one so I was pleased about that.

I also just managed to get a picture of the Clouded yellow Butterfly before it flew away, the only one I have seen this year and the season is now getting on, the weather changing so it may be the last for this year.

There were so many Common Blue Butterflies about I didn’t know where to look next, many pitching on the grass stalks allowing me to take pictures at my leisure, they looked in very good condition so maybe they were newly emerged.

There were also a few Painted Ladies about, I didn’t think we were going to see any but suddenly they have arrived and I have seen quite a few round and about now.

I just managed to spot the Small Copper he was in a hurry and soon disappeared.

I was talking a picture at the edge of the meadow of a Common Blue and turned round and spotted the Wasp Spider in the grass, it gave me quite a surprise. This is a female and the male is much smaller and has to watch himself when he gets near the female as he could be eaten, not very friendly!

I was watching a small Moth flying and suddenly it got stopped by a Spider’s web and before I could get down to have a look the spider was out and wrapping the Moth up. I think it was a 4 Spot Orb Weaver Spider although I didn’t get to see the back with the spots on.