I think it's been a great year for butterflies - at least, I've seen plenty! - although the dismal grey August was a bit of a disappointment. Even so, there were plenty of blues about and I saw the first ever brown argus in the garden, nectaring on lavender. It was in excellent condition, and joined later that day (13 August) by a rather tattier specimen. Then a torrential downpour came and they disappeared. It was hard to see how they could have survived the tsunami that fell from the sky, but lo and behold, the next morning was bright and sunny and the smarter of the two was back on the lavender! The more ragged individual clearly didn't make it....
Since then, butterfly sightings have dwindled to just a few red admirals, peacocks, commas and the odd brimstone. Until this week, when ace butterfly spotter Sue Pennell - who has already discovered a hitherto unknown population of White Admirals not far from where she lives in Beachamwell, plus a single sighting of a grayling there (also a new site) - was out walking and found a superb male clouded yellow! I haven't seen one in Norfolk since I watched one ripping across Sheringham Park several years ago. With good weather forecast for the next couple of days it's time to keep an eye out for more!
Meanwhile, there have been a few hummingbird hawkmoths about, including one that was whirring about the garden on a very overcast day last week. It seemed especially keen on salvia and verbena flowers, but at this time of year I guess it's grateful for what it can find! It's amazing that these tiny things cover hundreds of miles to get here...
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