Gatekeeper A cloud of white butterflies flitted over the garden. I wish, like Patrick Barkham, a gatekeeper had been amongst them. I'm pleased to have seen one recently at Arnside Knott.
The range of species I've recorded locally at The Ghyll recently is surprising. I have not previously seen Comma and Painted lady so close to home and I'd love them to visit the garden too.
They pop-up on a Buddleia bush at The Ghyll but I wonder about the flight-paths hereabouts, and how they connect as butterfly rides- or are there obstacles that bar their way?
The range of species I've recorded locally at The Ghyll recently is surprising. I have not previously seen Comma and Painted lady so close to home and I'd love them to visit the garden too.
They pop-up on a Buddleia bush at The Ghyll but I wonder about the flight-paths hereabouts, and how they connect as butterfly rides- or are there obstacles that bar their way?
Naturalist Patrick Barkham's article in The Guardian is thought-provoking. Delighted at this summer's seeming 'abundance' of butterflies, he questions whether this is a one-off. Last summer's butterfly count revealed the worst ever figures, so we can't be complacent. We need to cherish what we have and encourage wildlife.
Here's a link to Patrick Barkham's excellent article
suarasakti.com
https://www.suarasakti.com › this-summer-brought-an-abundance-of...
Introducing my two printed books to my website, I reread Wings- a chapter in Cumbrian Contrasts that I had not read for a while. What struck me is the richness and sensuality of the butterfly experience. There has not been such a day on Scout Scar this summer. I've seen a very few six-spot burnet moths and a small number of fritillaries. There are drifts of yellow compositae where once I've followed fritillaries. Even the shiny green beetles that favour them are absent.
Patrick Barkham is right that we simply have to keep hope alive and work to create and protect the habitats wildlife needs. He reflects on how different the experience of Nature for Victorian and Edwardian naturalists. Reread some of my nature writing from ten years ago and there's a perceptible sense of a shifting base-line. You have to search to find nature which once was 'abundant', although earlier naturalists would have scoffed at what we now think of as abundant.
Here's a link to Patrick Barkham's excellent article
suarasakti.com
https://www.suarasakti.com › this-summer-brought-an-abundance-of...
Introducing my two printed books to my website, I reread Wings- a chapter in Cumbrian Contrasts that I had not read for a while. What struck me is the richness and sensuality of the butterfly experience. There has not been such a day on Scout Scar this summer. I've seen a very few six-spot burnet moths and a small number of fritillaries. There are drifts of yellow compositae where once I've followed fritillaries. Even the shiny green beetles that favour them are absent.
Patrick Barkham is right that we simply have to keep hope alive and work to create and protect the habitats wildlife needs. He reflects on how different the experience of Nature for Victorian and Edwardian naturalists. Reread some of my nature writing from ten years ago and there's a perceptible sense of a shifting base-line. You have to search to find nature which once was 'abundant', although earlier naturalists would have scoffed at what we now think of as abundant.
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