Brackley butterflies

Throughout much of July this year, I've spent a lot of time trudging around the grassland and wasteland around Brackley looking for butterflies. It's actually been been pretty worthwhile seeing some good stuff!

The old Brackley Sawmills site in particular has been very worthwhile, with good populations of Marbled White & Essex Skipper among the more common grassland species.

On Saturday 12/07 I was rather surprised to find a Painted Lady sunning itself in the garden at 08:45am! It then swiftly moved onto the buddleia where it stayed until I left at 09:40am. Was the second year in a row we've had one visit the garden having had one on the same bush during early August 2013.

Towards the end of the month the numbers of Brown Argus have become particularly apparent with at least 15-20 seen on 30/07 at Brackley Sawmills. They have to be one of the more subtly stunning butterflies in the UK, especially when fresh, with their bright 'chocolate orange' appearance.