I think most would agree we’ve had a summer this year, rather than a warm wet welly-clad few months thinking, "is this it, is this summer from now on?" Wildlife in general has played catch up this year following a few consecutive washed out summers. Nature needed this respite. Although lots of groups of insects have boomed this summer one highly visible group have put on a great show...The Butterflies. The re-wilding of Free Rangers paddock is paying off. Nineteen species of butterflies have been recorded this summer alone, just in about half an acre of paddock. The list below is not only for butterfly lovers to peruse, but also to record some brilliant common names of arguably the most flamboyant of insects:

Orange Tip, Ringlet, Small Tortoiseshell, Brimstone, Red Admiral, Peacock, Small Copper, Common Blue, Painted Lady, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Large White, Green Veined White, Small White, Marbled White, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Speckled Wood, Comma.

Why so many? Conserving the existing habitat and restoring areas by planting well known native nectar rich plants, such Birds foot trefoil and Red clover. Plus a good summer. Simple requirements really. Then get out and ID any flying object.

Until the next Paddock Report...

Vince

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