Male redstart in ash tree, Scout Scar Swifts are screeching, high in a blue sky. The morning is warm and still, I hear the soft footfall of a runner
'Shame about the crowds and the awful weather', she grins. Love the irony. And the chance of solitude..
Quiet and peaceful. Somewhere in the distance a cuckoo calls, across the Lyth Valley. I hear a redstat singing and sit close to the cliff-edge to try to locate him. It's the territory of two days ago. He's close, he must be in the nearest ash on the fringe of the wood. The cuckoo is calling as I try to pin-point the redstart song. A glimpse of orange-red and there he is beautifully lit against the fresh green of the hanging wood. A butterfly flits along the cliff-edge where the yellow flowers of bird's foot trefoil appear. The aura of May envelops me.
From a sunlit bank I listen to the distant cuckoo, seeing small pale butterflies flying low and settling onto a flower of bird's foot trefoil, onto a crisp-dried cow pat, into short turf. Dingy Skipper, I think. I shall see confirmation.
Time is to intensity, said Thomas Hardy. The secret of contentment (in lock-down) is to find a moment of wonder- and make it last. Being a Nature writer is my way.
Time is to intensity, said Thomas Hardy. The secret of contentment (in lock-down) is to find a moment of wonder- and make it last. Being a Nature writer is my way.
ID confirmed by Chris of Butterfly Conservation
100% Dingy Skipper! They like the limestone grasslands of South Cumbria ......especially where the grass is very short and even better where there is some bare earth and/or bare limestone.
It is widespread in South Cumbria but it seems like it is having a better year than usual.....and will love the weather!
Nationally it is much more localised and is missing completely from half the UK...... it will tolerate some brownfield sites in big cities..........but there it is under threat from re-development.
Thanks to Chris for ID and information on Dingy Skipper habit, habitat and distribution.
100% Dingy Skipper! They like the limestone grasslands of South Cumbria ......especially where the grass is very short and even better where there is some bare earth and/or bare limestone.
It is widespread in South Cumbria but it seems like it is having a better year than usual.....and will love the weather!
Nationally it is much more localised and is missing completely from half the UK...... it will tolerate some brownfield sites in big cities..........but there it is under threat from re-development.
Thanks to Chris for ID and information on Dingy Skipper habit, habitat and distribution.
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