16-08-2021
Small Skipper (3)
Small White (1)
Small Copper (4)
Brown Argus (6)
Common Blue (11)
Chalkhill Blue (1)
Adonis Blue (1)
Painted Lady (1)
Small Tortoiseshell (2)
Peacock (3)
Wall Brown (16)
Gatekeeper (1)
Meadow Brown (48)
Small Heath (1)
13.30-14.15. Never really explored the slopes here before – they are heavily grazed by sheep and lack the abundant wild flowers that come with cattle-grazing at Knap Hill just to the west and Huish to the east. So they have never looked sufficiently promising to tempt me down, but the strong breeze on the day made the shelter of the deep undulation on the scarp more attractive than normal, although it is rather precipitous. I didn’t explore more widely. Surprising number of WBs loitering around where the chalk is exposed through animal and weather erosion – from afar some of the exposed chalk takes the appearance of fanciful animals – surely something similar was the original inspiration for the Uffington White Horse? WB also numerous along with the single AB and ChB seen, on Greater Knapweed growing just over the fence at the foot of the scarp.
Simon Crampin