Today (Monday) my son Alex and I visited the Bedford Purlieus NNR. The Reserve is situated just across the Lincs county boundary in Cambridgeshire and is a favourite trip destination of many Lincs butterfliers. The weather was perfect for butterflies with a cloudless sky, warm temperatures and no wind.
Although many of the target species were seen along the main entrance track (unsigned, off the A47), we concentrated on the southern-most ride. Butterflies along the main track and our chosen ride were in profusion. We saw some 30-40 Silver-washed Fritillaries in the first hour, plus during our visit c.15 White-letter Hairstreaks (which had come down from the trees to nectar on the wild flowers along the ride), 6 male Brimstones, occasional Commas, Skippers and Peacocks, and large numbers of Gatekeepers, Meadow Browns , Ringlets and Whites. We found one Brown Argus and surprisingly, a single Small Heath.
The Reserve was simply teeming with butterflies and we had an enjoyable and successful trip.
Freddy
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