Black Hairstreak, Glapthorn Cow Pastures, 30th June 2013 - the reserve is managed for these tiny butterflies so there is plenty of blackthorn, the food plant of the caterpillar. It was a sunny day, but windy, so we looked for the butterflies in sheltered spots.
The first butterfly had obviously had a damaging encounter with a bird....
.... and others were hard to spot.
.....but this one was perfect.
