Big butterfly count

G invited me to a spur of the moment visit to Rushmere to take part in the big butterfly count.  For this, you have to spend 15 minutes in a sunny spot and note now many of each species you see at any one time. Needless to say, the sun decided not to consistently appear for 15 minutes and it was quite windy.  We saw a five-spot Burnet Moth (see extra) - the recording chart only had the six spot.  We saw several Small Skippers - the chart only included the Large Skipper. We did see a brown butterfly, but despite G tracking it through the long grass with her camera, neither of us got close enough to identify it.  However, we did see three Marbled Whites at the same time - two of which are in the photo above.

We did, however, have a lovely bimble, cup of tea and ice cream.  Plus we spent a very pleasant couple of hours sitting in our portable chairs in a wild flower meadow in intermittent sunshine, having a chat and listening to the birds. It was also entertaining to watch a group of long tailed tits cavorting in a tree. I love the unexpected trip out and newly discovered simple pleasure.  Who said I'd miss working?!?!