Speckled Wood

Pararge aegeria

Common woodland butterfly with a wingspan of about 45mm. Often seen resting on bramble along woodland paths. Adults fly in two broods from April to early June and again from July to September. Males normally bask in sunlight and chase away trespassers encroaching on their territory. Both sexes visit tree tops to feed on honeydew made by aphids. This species rarely visits flowers to feed except early and late in the year when supplies of honeydew are low. The caterpillars feed on various grasses including false brome, cock's-foot and Yorkshire fog.

Speckled Wood

Pararge aegeria

Common woodland butterfly with a wingspan of about 45mm. Often seen resting on bramble along woodland paths. Adults fly in two broods from April to early June and again from July to September. Males normally bask in sunlight and chase away trespassers encroaching on their territory. Both sexes visit tree tops to feed on honeydew made by aphids. This species rarely visits flowers to feed except early and late in the year when supplies of honeydew are low. The caterpillars feed on various grasses including false brome, cock's-foot and Yorkshire fog.

Speckled Wood

Pararge aegeria

Common woodland butterfly with a wingspan of about 45mm. Often seen resting on bramble along woodland paths. Adults fly in two broods from April to early June and again from July to September. Males normally bask in sunlight and chase away trespassers encroaching on their territory. Both sexes visit tree tops to feed on honeydew made by aphids. This species rarely visits flowers to feed except early and late in the year when supplies of honeydew are low. The caterpillars feed on various grasses including false brome, cock's-foot and Yorkshire fog.

Speckled Wood

Pararge aegeria

Common woodland butterfly with a wingspan of about 45mm. Often seen resting on bramble along woodland paths. Adults fly in two broods from April to early June and again from July to September. Males normally bask in sunlight and chase away trespassers encroaching on their territory. Both sexes visit tree tops to feed on honeydew made by aphids. This species rarely visits flowers to feed except early and late in the year when supplies of honeydew are low. The caterpillars feed on various grasses including false brome, cock's-foot and Yorkshire fog.

Marbled White

Melanargia galathea

The Marbled White visits meadows containing thistle and knapweed from late June until August. Despite its white appearance it is a member of the Brown Family (Satyridae).

Meadow Brown

Maniola jurtina

Possibly the most abundant butterfly flying in the meadows over low vegetation. Adults are spotted flying in dull weather when most other butterflies are inactive. They often rest with the wings shut.

Gatekeeper

Pyronia tithonus

Also called 'Hedge Brown', sexes are easy to tell apart because this butterfly spends a lot of time basking with wings open. Males have distinctive dark bars on the forewings. The larger female is usually lighter in colour.

Gatekeeper

Pyronia tithonus

Also called 'Hedge Brown', sexes are easy to tell apart because this butterfly spends a lot of time basking with wings open. Males have distinctive dark bars on the forewings. The larger female is usually lighter in colour.

Gatekeeper

Pyronia tithonus

Also called 'Hedge Brown', sexes are easy to tell apart because this butterfly spends a lot of time basking with wings open. Males have distinctive dark bars on the forewings. The larger female is usually lighter in colour.

Small Heath

Coenonympha pamphilus

A small species that flies from May to September. Its larvae feed on a range of fine-leaved grasses. It has a preference for rough grassy locations.

Small Heath

Coenonympha pamphilus

A small species that flies from May to September. Its larvae feed on a range of fine-leaved grasses. It has a preference for rough grassy locations.

Ringlet

Aphantopus hyperantus

The number and size of wing spots vary and sometimes the black rings are missing. Medium-sized species measuring up to 50mm across. Usually found flying near bramble along the shaded forest paths. The larval feed on coarse grasses.

Ringlet

Aphantopus hyperantus

The number and size of wing spots vary and sometimes the black rings are missing. Medium-sized species measuring up to 50mm across. Usually found flying near bramble along the shaded forest paths. The larval feed on coarse grasses.