Given the rain lashing against the window today, it is difficult to believe that this week has provided warm sunny days fantastic for the butterfly surveys that we complete. These not only tell us how well butterflies are doing here, but because we share our data, it helps inform a national picture of how well species are doing and whether there are changes in their distribution or annual lifecycle.
One of the most noteworthy sightings, spotted by one of our sharp-eyed residential volunteers, was our first record of Small Copper (below) this year on The Oa.
It has also been good to see Grayling (below) floating tantalizing along the cliff tops and then disappearing as they land on rocks and bare ground, where they quickly orientate their bodies with their wings closed to become invisible to the casual observer.
If visiting the reserve, other species that we are currently regularly seeing include: an abundance of Green-veined Whites, fresh Peacocks and Small Tortoiseshell that have recently emerged and will now have to look after themselves to make it through the winter, the odd Dark Green Fritillary which are reaching the end of their time on the wing, Small Heath, Meadow Brown and the energetic Common Blues (below).