Arnside Knott

With showers forecast the rest of the week, today looked the best opportunity for some butterfly action. Where better than Arnside Knott? Overcast when we arrived at 11.30am but by early afternoon the sun came out and so did the butterflies.
Painted Lady and Gatekeeper were the default butterflies for most of the afternoon, but soon our first Fritillary passed through quickly! Soon we came across some of the specialities of this lovely area.

Ringlet (S.Ball)

 Wall (S.Ball)

 Small Heath (S.Ball)

As we moved into more of the stoney grassland areas the butterflies increased in number and another Fritillary appeared. Simon got the all important photos identifying it as Dark-Green Fritillary. Better photos were to come later. Then a very dark butterfly flew past. Scotch Argus! Brilliant!

 Scotch Argus (I.Ball)

 Scotch Argus (S.Ball)

Next came several Grayling, one of which flew around our feet. Migrant Hawkers also flew around the clearings - at least half a dozen seen.

 Grayling (S.Ball)

 Migrant Hawker (S.Ball)

Our final area for searching was the meadow downhill from the car park. Someone had reported High Brown Fritillary in this area last week. Painted Lady, Common Blue, Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown flitted around and then a Fritillary flew straight towards us and landed. Amazing. Lots of pictures taken to check the species. Another Dark-Green Fritillary, but amazing views. The photos showed the 3rd spot on the upperwing in-line and no extra line of spots in the underwing. The green colouration on the body showed well. 

 Dark-Green Fritillary (I and S. Ball)

Butterflies seen:

Dark-Green Fritillary

Scotch Argus

Grayling

Wall

Small Heath

Ringlet

Gatekeeper

Meadow Brown

Holly Blue

Common Blue

Painted Lady

Peacock

Red Admiral

Large White

Small White

Green-Veined White

Speckled Wood

Small Skipper