This innocuous patch of Creeping Thistle, at the top of the saltmarsh, held a big surprise!
The day was warm with intermittent sunshine but a strong SW wind was blowing. This patch of thistles, however, was sheltered from the wind by Scargavel Point. Every time the sun came out so did the butterflies - not very unusual for Butterflies as this is what they do. The unusual feature was the fact that maybe up to a dozen of different varieties could all be seen nectaring on the thistle flowers at once. There were a number of Painted Ladies, Peacocks, Meadow Browns,Small Tortoiseshells, Wall Browns and Green-veined Whites. Quite a sight to behold!
Painted Ladies.
Painted Lady . . .
. . . with a Small Tortoiseshell.
Two fresh specimens
A Peacock . . .
A female Meadow Brown. Funnily enough these are the first female Meadow Browns I've seen this Season - plenty of males but no females.
A colourful pair.
A Wall Brown. Only the second time I've seen one on the Reserve this Summer.
Rather ragged male! Perhaps they are more attractive to birds!.
More appeared on this patch as the sun stayed out for longer spells.