Butterfly Conservation field-trip to Arnside Knott

Hemp agrimony and a view to the Kent estuary

 A drift of hemp agrimony is a nectar source for several species of butterflies we seek.  Saturday 3rd August is sunny and bright with named storm Floris  scheduled to arrive on Monday, bringing unusually high winds for this season, and significant rain.  So the chance of seeing High Brown Fritillary, Brown Hairstreak and possibly Purple Hairstreak has attracted ecologists and butterfly enthusiasts.  Between us we should find them if they show,  if they're here.   Some populations have a tenuous hold at Arnside Knott. 

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There's herb-rich grassland,  a wealth of flowers with a few drifts of Bell heather mingling with Ling,  Erica vulgaris. Entomologist Ali points out  a wraith of a butterfly,  a Northern Brown Argus so worn and faded it's almost transparent against flowers of Marjoram.  There are Harebells at our feet and he tells  of Chelostoma campanular, the Harebell Carpenter Bee. This little bee can spend the night in campanula flowers and could shelter from the wet and windy weather from imminent storm Floris.   It's exciting to share finds and information with so many experts and our leader Chris Winnick involves them all, deploying   Jules  to seek  Grayling on a sunny bank of limestone clitter, and egg-laying Dark Green Fritillary- I think was her quest.
A lifetime of butterfly hunting hones field-craft and experts  are keen-eyed  and knowledgeable so they don't miss much.  Sightings can be sudden and fleeting and  I'm sorry to miss Small copper.  Someone called Sparrowhawk as we climbed through woodland to the open ground where we hoped to find Brown hairstreak. 

Speckled wood is often found on woodland fringes  but it hasn't always been present here at Arnside Knott. Distribution maps show changing patterns with arrivals and departures.  There have always been population explosions, population crashes but climate change puts overwhelming stress on butterflies which cannot adapt quickly enough.  Butterfly conservation is about understanding their requirements and trying to help them.

Three days ago I was  at Smardale where Scotch argus was the highlight. They fluttered through herbs seeking nectar and settled on our boots seeking mineral salts.  Arnside Knott has the most southerly population of Scotch argus but it's under stress. As the name implies it's a northern butterfly and the population here will be the first to be lost. Chris emphasises the micro-climate Scotch argus requires, and it's precise.  At Smardale the butterfly is found on a bank of Blue moor grass above Scandal beck which has the right humidity and temperature, and shelter from too much direct sun, being down in the ghyll.  Arnside Knott has some exposed limestone, some with scant vegetation and it lacks humidity. 

Brown hairstreak were nectaring on Hemp agrimony. An arboreal butterfly which I was pleased to see here once more.  A Painted lady posed beautifully, showing  brilliant colours on  upper-wings and a  lovely pattern of lunules and ocelli on  underwings.  Sunlight through the wings enhances colours. 
Thanks to Chris Winnick for a  rewarding  field trip, one amongst many he has led this season.