Butterflies & Moths 2020

Just passing the Covid time so decided to catalogue the butterflies that I see on my walks. Hopefully all will have pictures, not necessarily in good focus but good enough to show what they are. Initially these will be restricted to my local woods, river, beach and golf courses but expecting at least a dozen varieties. Hopefully later in the year I might get some of the Northern species. The blog will be updated when a new sighting comes around.

Peacock

My first sighting this year was in March and was the beautiful Peacock. Common in garden later in year but plenty around the woods and golf courses just now.

No more were spotted until April when the sun came out and the butterflies emerged. First was the Orange tip, definitely one of my favourites. One has taken our garden into its patch, first time I am aware of this. But this was taken in Shewalton Woods and plenty on Western Gailes as well.

Orange Tip Male

Then next up was another white variety, The Green Veined. Just beside the railway line going into Shewalton woods, as I write this is still the only one that I have spotted.

Green Veined butterfly

Next up was the Small Tortoiseshell. Abundant in the woods feasting on the dandelions but a few on the golf course as well. The vibrant blue edging at the bottom not showing as well in the photo.

Now the Small White. A morning walk along the golf course and was lucky enough to get this just as I was finishing.

Small White

I had read read that locally there were good views of the rare Holly Blue, a butterfly I have never spotted before. They like holly trees obviously and we have one in our garden. Sitting in my study I spotted something fluttering at said tree. Grabbed camera and ran outside, panicking the good lady and delighted to have added this stunner to my collection.

Holly Blue

Getting frustrated as not been able to my collection. However, in the woods today there was little butterfly movement with this exception. They are probably getting to the end of their first showing but a female Orange Tip. The male is pictured above.

Orange Tip Female

Now into May and after a barren spell suddenly it was all go again. I had spotted a Small Copper weeks ago but could not get a decent snap. It took quite a few walks before I spotted another and although quite numerous they are very small, a normal thumbnail and they like to sit with there wings closed. Still persevered and was rewarded with this.

Small Copper

As i walked back chuffed at getting the Small Copper I noticed an equally small butterfly or moth flying. To the naked eye it looked different but it was not resting for long and when it did it was buried in the grassy stalks and wings closed. But it did show itself and another first this year a Small Heath. Luckily it has an eyespot at the tip to give it away.

Small Heath

And then, not finished yet. Just before I left the golf course this pink/red and black moth looked spectacular in the sunlight. What a busy moth it never stopped for more than a few seconds. As soon as I raised the camera it was gone but it did stop briefly enough to let me snap my first Cinnabar moth of the year.

Cinnabar Moth

When I was walking back from Kilwinning (see blog) I detoured via Eglinton Park and was delighted to get my first Red Admiral of the year. Sadly a combination of the bright sunshine, not so good camera and my photographic skills the colour is more orange than red. 
(Replaced original with garden visit today. I have included two shots, the upper one traditional pose but the lower one is with it's wings closed and you can see the fabulous camouflage particularly if against bark.

Red Admiral top side

Red Admiral wings closed

As I came back over the golf course this small moth appeared a few times asking for its picture to be take. There are over a thousand UK moths and this one has me guessing. After research I think it is the Common heath, the feathery antennae prominent clue.

Common Heath Moth

On a roll just now as on my bike ride today I spotted a few Large Whites flying about but not stopping on any vegetation, but there again I was on a workout so i was not wanting to hang about. By chance in the afternoon one appeared in the garden for a brief period before a Red Admiral chased it off. I am sure I will get a higher quality snap as the season moves on.

Large White (female I think)

A couple of new moths around. The first spotted on the golf course just as evening approached. So focused on snapping it nearly got clobbered by a golf ball, my fault, not used to having golfers on the course.

Silver ground carpet moth

Out on Fell of Fleet there was an abundance of these but they were very difficult to snap. They would only sit on the heather for seconds before flying off a good distance. Very frustrating considering how many there were. Plus my small walking camera has difficulty focusing on items in mixed ground. I am told it might be a Sandy carpet moth.

Sandy carpet moth?

Absolutely delighted today to get my first sighting of the year and to snap one of my favourite butterflies the Small Blue. The first thing you notice is the vibrant blue colour flying around but then it lands and its camouflage kicks in, its underside being totally different to the top. Nature at its best.

Small Blue as you would expect to see it.

Small Blue underwing

Whilst clambering about in deepest Dumfries & Galloway I got a couple of new varieties for the season. The first was this Meadow Brown who was determined to not let me get a decent snap of it. As soon as I focused off it went until I got this under wing but clear what species it is.

Meadow Brown under wing

And by chance today in Eglinton Park there were quite a few flying, mostly landing with folding wings but one did let us see its upper wings.

Meadow Brown upper

My other find of the day was this Fritillary. Now there are various very similar species but I am reliably informed that this is a rather rare Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary. Having studied my reference material and online searching I was still not sure but put it out for expert verification. A stunning orange and black with the white bordering. Apparently it is all about a 7:3:0 dot pattern on the wings, chuffed.

Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary

After the thunderstorms a wee wander around Western Gailes golf course brought another couple of firsts for the season. The first is the Ringlet which I had spotted the other day in a park but it refused to pose. This one did but only for its underwing.

Ringlet underwing

The second was a a small but striking moth whose colour contrasted well with the leaden grey skies around. This is the Yellow Shell moth.

Yellow Shell Moth

In the garden the other morning I noticed movement in some shrubs, going closer it jumped out and snuggled into the grass so sorry not the best quality but first time i have ever seen one of these, a Silver Y moth, presumably named after the two marks half way down, one on each side.

Silver Y moth

The golf course is providing rich pickings with another small moth, this time the Latticed Heath moth. Well camouflaged in the grass perched on the dying seed heads, only had my phone so picture not the greatest.

Latticed Heath moth

Spotted this little beauty high up on Benn an Lochain. Distinctive black wings and a conspicuous yellow body was wrapping itself around the grass as if creating a cocoon. Beyond my ID skills but thankfully the experts recognised it as a Red necked Footman moth. Quite rare so well pleased even though picture quality not high.

Red necked footman moth

If you like your trees alive and dead here is another Galloway special.....Mochrum Fell

Hill: Mochrum Fell

Category: Sub2k

Height: 317m

Wow, I certainly drove some extremely narrow roads once again, these ones might even take the biscuit. Beautifully old fashioned constantly twisting, minimal views ahead and hemmed in by the flora and fauna, times gone by. Praying not to meet a timber lorry coming down but at least I knew Covid had curtailed their operations so that would not happen but a big farm machine, strong possibility.

Well my fears were not matched to reality on the inward trip but not so on the outward, another story.

As I was getting my gear on a buzzard flew low overhead a fat vole/mouse in its talons.

Red Legged Partridge & chicks

Then just ahead I spotted a red legged partridge, quite common around here but it was making an odd pecking motion. Then, to my delight, it was herding 4 chicks into the undergrowth. Just as well the buzzard had already caught breakfast.

Deceptively pleasant walk in

A short walk brings you to a track crossroads where evidence of the forestry work meant a scramble across dead wood.

Crossroads, straight ahead

I was following a GPS track someone had used from 3 years back. A mistake and definitely not helpful as the forestry work and natural growth has changed the terrain big style since then. A few butterflies flying in the heat so spent some time snapping away.

Big sigh head up here

Following the track I had to cut in somewhere so opted for a direct line to the summit. This was on par with with Fell of Fleet, another D&G classic.

Total concentration required as the ferns and nettles were already waist high. The deforested debris with the concealed holes ready to trap you. Throw in new plantation and you get the picture. At least I got some new butterflies for the year. Would have got more but was not chasing them across this terrain to try and get a photo.

Meadow Brown

As I climbed the heat rose and the sweat was pouring off. Interested the flies arrived and out came the insect repellent, Incognito. It didn't stop them buzzing around but they were not landing, job done.

This  barrier was sending a message

Cleared this rubbish to reach the tree line which simply became a case of finding a gap going through it, finding another etc very slow going.

Finally broke out to find the trig not far away, no photo as the memory card was full!! Decent views over to the Solway and looking down, in particular how much tree planting has gone on around here. The flies are now buzzing aplenty and very annoying so not hanging about.

Looking back from barrier Cairnsmore of Fleet on horizon

From up here with the benefit of height and hindsight I found a fire break to descend, still awkward but far better going.

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary

Then headed back via the track to the car. At a small deforested clearing a few cracking fritillaries were flying about and it turned out to be quite a rare one so that made my trip worthwhile. Thankfully I had snapped it on my way up.

Short but not so sweet. Another one with the box ticked but not a chance I will be back. At least I got some new butterflies and the chicks.

Wildlife: Buzzard; Vole/mouse; Red Legged Partridge; Meadow Pipits; Crossbill; Meadow Brown; Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary.

Time: 1.21

Ascent: 391m

Distance: 4.1k

Two Border Donalds and a lot of Turbines.....Hudderstone & Hillshaw Head

Wallk: Hudderstone & Hillshaw Head

Category: Donald(s)

Height: n/a.

I wanted to get Hudderstone off my to-do list and the weather looked favourable. Because of it’s location it is normally completed as a one off or part of a big Culter Fell circuit. However, I also had Hillshaw Head to cover and again it would be awkward having to tick that as a solo hill.

Looking at the map the walking between Hudderstone and Hillshaw was about an hour but more importantly it remained at a high level. Next step was Google maps which initially threw me a curved ball, it looked like the huge Clydesdale wind turbine scheme had encroached up to this level. Turn the negative into a positive, there would at least be hard packed road rather than moor to speed up progress.

Turn left at bridge to start, descent track on hill in middle

Decision made to do Hudderstone and decide after that.

Arrived at the farm to find they had closed the gates to traffic going up to where I was going to start. They weren’t stopping walkers so parked up here and it just added a couple of miles to the overall trip.

I noticed 4 cars at the other side of the V junction some sort of meet up?

I headed through the farm with a ‘beware of the dogs sign, but thankfully no noise as sheepdogs can be vicious beasts.

Plenty of sheep and young lambs in the fields, rural farmland scene.

I found my crossing and headed up grassy slopes heading to Ward Law. Wow, after my big hill a couple of days ago the calve burn was intense until I got to the top.

From Ward Law view to Hillshaw turbines in the distance

Thankfully it eased off as I followed an ATV track just below ward Law and over to Woodycleugh Dod, I love these names.

Good views from up here on my left was Culter Fell. Looking right Tinto. Behind the Pentlands as well as many beautiful rolling green hills, delightful walking.

Woodycleugh ahead, Hudderstone behind it

Down and then up and over some humps Hudderstone is now in view. A decent 100m descent and reascent of 150m but on good ground. At a junction just follow the fence upwards and turn right with it. Hudderstone doers not even have a couple of stones to mark its summit but the highest point is obvious.

Hudderstone summit

I had made good time so Hillshaw was on, Turbine city ahead. I crossed the moss soaked moor for a bit before joining the turbine road, descending about 100m. This road helped me make good time but it was sore underfoot and I was glad when I re-joined the fence to clamber up over the moor to Hillshaw Head summit, which is marked by some old fence poles, the highest point today at 652m. 

Mountain hare trying to hide at the fence

A couple of mountain hares so not just sheep around. Not even any turbine maintenance crew around very surprising.

Hillshaw top, Culter Fell on left and Gathersnow on right

It was now very windy and some of the clouds were rain threatening so no hanging about. I spotted a couple coming off Gathersnow but quite far away.

Upper Cowgill reservoir

Looking down to the Upper Cowgill reservoir the lack of water is evidence of the dry spell we have had since Covid began. 

The only other human contact was another couple coming from Hudderstone but they were off on the moor, waves of recognition was as close as it got.

Return route to Hudderstone

Back the same way to Hudderstone where from the top I noticed an ATV track going clockwise to some trees over the ridge of Cowgill Rig so took the chance and went with it to make it more of a circular route.

Descent over Cowgill Rig

As I descended and looked across, doubts set in, I was going further and further away from my out route but checked the map and yes it did turn.

Good views of Tinto on the descent

This now became an estate track which led me back down to the start of the hill ascent then back through the silent farm to the car, still no dogs, or people, all very quiet for a working farm.

Picturesque finish

So much for a quite walking place. Through the trees I could see car after car parked up and I counted 33 of them. Most of the occupants must have headed up Culter Fell. For outdoor people these lockdown restrictions appear well and truly over.

Another good leg and lung stretcher, a high level walk in glorious scenery, turbines excepted. Lots of up and downs to keep me interested. Will be returning soon as still got Chapelgill to complete this set.

Wildlife: Grey Wagtail (1^st this year I think); Pied Wagtail; House Martin; Buzzard; Raven; Curlew; Skylark; Pheasant; Meadow Pipit; Oystercatcher; Mountain Hare; Stonechat; Small Heath.

Time: 4.29

Ascent: 801m

Distance: 19.8k

The big boys are back in town.....Beinn An Lochain

Hill: Beinn an Lochain

Category: Corbett

Height: 901m

It has been a mixed weather week with some violent thunderstorms around. Hopefully my weather research should see this walk completed in good weather.

It was time to get the legs and lungs into another gear and add another Corbett to the list. I have plans for some multiple hills hopefully from next month so walking fitness has to improve.

Start follow path and turn left at the trees

It was a lovely still morning and a good scenic drive to the start.

The parking area only had one other car but by the time we finished it was full.

The breeze was welcome at the start but shoved a light jacket in rucksack just in case it was colder up top.

Not the top

Thankfully with minimal rain the burn was an easy crossing but still had to stand on slabs under running water, could be more interesting at other times.

There is a track to follow right from the start. Initially heading to the trees before curving back and some light scrambling required.

The Cobbler from the ascent

There are good bits of easy scrambling for about two thirds of the way as the track meanders upwards. This is a true peaked mountain so you are climbing constantly from the start without let up.

The Brack & Donich

The views of the Arrochar alps are top drawer already. Every twist and turn of the track brings a different perspective so no hardship to stop and look around. But surprisingly I was feeling really good, COVID exercise obviously working.

Nope that's not the top either

Around the two thirds mark a young guy was coming down, sadly he had took a panic attack with some of the very steep drops but his pal had gone on.

Soon after leaving him we pass the exposed area and the top starts to show itself looking imposing and very steep, still work to do.

First view of imposing top

After another workout you reach a slight plateau and the final section towers above. If you were feeling tired it would look a proper challenge. But no negative thoughts here, I was feeling good so bring it on.

Not so large cairn, lunch at second top behind

Finally and quite surprisingly you reach a small pile of rocks, it is difficult to describe it as a cairn but it is the top.

Panorama looking north

However, on a day like this you cannot adequately describe the stunning views that greet your arrival at the summit, start with breath-taking. Hot as it was the unseasonal coolness of clear air gave a clarity normally only seen in Winter but soak it in.

Obviously all the local alps are showing off. Arran, Jura and Mull far away. Cruachan range and Tyndrum hills. Is the big one behind Ben Nevis, possibly? Crianlarich range including Ben More and many, many others. What a spot for lunch, I can think of much worse.

Descent shows the bulges that hide the top when ascending

As always when you have done some scrambling on the way up the descent is more awkward and care was required, a few backside slides but down safely we got.

Loch Restil & Beinn Ime

A cracking hill walk, views to die for, the big hills are back and I for one am delighted.

Need to keep working on the fitness but not tonight. Sunshine so beer in the garden. Cheers.

Wildlife: Meadow Pipit; Raven

Time: 4.36

Ascent: 754m

Distance: 6.7km