Silver-washed

Walking in the morning sun at Castor Hanglands NNR I was dazzled by the sheer numbers of butterflies, mostly Ringlets, Meadow Browns and Skippers but with a scatter of other species - Purple Hairstreaks fluttering around the top of the oaks, White Admirals gliding through the bushes and the dazzlingly bright-orange male Silver-washed Fritillaries patrolling the rides, stopping now and then for some bramble nectar. 


And it wasn't just butterflies - still plenty of ride-side flowers appearing including the first Narrow-leaved Everlasting-pea and Nettle-leaved Bellflower. I stopped by the pond to admire the orchids, which are now past their best, but was delighted to see the tiny and inconspicuous flowers of Marsh Arrowgrass along the path - so easily overlooked but rather lovely when viewed closely (see extra).