2 photos of the Purple Hairstreak and Essex Skipper.
After yesterdays amazing sighting and coupled with a decent amount of rain I headed over to Hilfield hoping that something good may have been forced down. As it was it was fairly quiet bird wise with a Common Sandpiper on the dam, 85+ Canada Geese and a Bullfinch that was heard near the hide. The day was infact much more notable for the sheer number of butterflies present. Peacock, Red Admiral, Small Tortoishell, Small and Large White, Small Skipper, Large Skipper and Speckled Wood were noted in differing numbers but a few Small Copper and Ringlet were new for the year and near the end of the walk 2 Marbled White were seen. But while trying to see if any of the reserves first ever Purple Emporers from last week were still around myself and Tony Blake watched my first ever Purple Hairstreaks. One in particular landed on a leaf and allowed us to get good views and a couple of photos. A bit further round the res Tony picked up a skipper sp and as this butterly also hung around un-concerned about our presence we were able to get some photos of it that confirmed that it was an Essex Skipper which was also a new one for me. Not a bad few days with 3 new butterfly species seen along with a mega garden tick!
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