A tip-off from Clive saw me down at Cranwich Camp on the prowl for white-letter hairstreaks, which he'd seen busy feasting on golden rod the day before. There were butterflies everywhere, hordes of ringlets, meadow browns, gatekeepers and 13 of the white letter beauties, so engrossed in nectaring that they allowed the closest of approaches. Although some were looking a bit tatty and nearing the end of the days, at least two looked very pristine - surely this is very late in their season for recent emergents? Also common blue and a stunning brown argus there. However, the real excitement came on the big buddleia bush nearby which, when I arrived, was covered in peacocks, brimstones, whites, a painted lady, couple of commas.... and then another butterfly appeared fast and furious, charging around the top of the bush, chasing away other butterflies and then perching usually out of sight. Finally got my bins on it though - a grayling!! Managed a rather poor pic, but evidence nonetheless that this species still hangs on there. What it was doing high up on a buddleia is anyone's guess (apart from the obvious, of course).
Fuzzy, but a grayling all the same!!
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