A few leaves

It looks like it, doesn't it, until you look again. Out this morning with Pip searching for the north west passage - to link up the walk I'm planning. I've been looking for a Brimstone butterfly so was chuffed to find some. A bit further on, as we moved on to Chobham Common, I saw a butterfly I hadn't seen before. Checking the book now I'm back, I see it's a Grayling, so well camouflaged in the trees. But then, so is the Brimstone. I also found a new skipper for me, so I'm running it past i-Spot.

I've mentioned i-Spot before but I'll mention it again because it's the best site I know for helping you to identify species of animals you see in the wild. This evening I added a white fluffy caterpillar and within minutes it was identified as Acronicta leporina, the Miller moth. Still no certainty yet, however, over the skipper.

NB. Just making a quick note here for next year. Looking at i-Spot the best chances of observing (and therefore blipping) a Swallowtail in the UK seems to be early June in Norfolk. Quite a few observations at RSPB reserve at Strumpshaw Fen. Looks like that's a diary entry for next year.

*I changed this from the Grayling I blipped first because Gill said I should have blipped this one and she was quite strident about it. The Brimstone is well matched to the Buckthorn here where it lays its eggs.