a truly Purbeck butterfly

...we had to be in Axminster today so, as the day grew sunnier and brighter, we were delighted to be able to get away earlier than expected. After getting home, we went for a fabulous early evening walk to Dancing Ledge and Seacombe. I was actually looking for some rare plants but, as is often the way, I found something entirely different and equally exciting, by accident!

The Lulworth Skipper Thymelicus acteon is one of the UK's smallest butterflies and is not as bright as the other skippers. Although common on the continent, in the UK it is only found on the south facing downs of Purbeck between Weymouth and Swanage.

As we walked down to Dancing Ledge from Langton, we were shocked to find that the usually delightful grass path has been turned into a motorway of mud as a result of the recent dreadful weather...