Prees Higher Heath

Shropshire isn't a place I know well but I did see the red-footed falcon there last year. This time I was fulfilling a long-held plan to go to see the silver-studded blues at Prees Heath. It's a pretty long drive and I was glad to find space in the small car park which meant no long walk to the reserve. [The reserve website suggests you park at a truck stop and walk. It looked a very long slog to me!]

Anyway, here's the reserve.

Prees Heath, Shrops Prees Heath, Shrops I never noticed the man on the right when I took the shot! I wonder what he's doing?!

A lot of local dog walkers were about but, as ordained on various signs, all were on leads and people seemed pleased I'd come to see 'their' butterflies.

Here they are: a lifer butterfly for me, the silver-studded blues. The silver studs are pretty difficult to spot in the field but the butterflies are an intense blue, very low flying and a smidgin smaller than common blues. Silver-studded blue Silver-studded blue Silver-studded blue Silver-studded blue Silver-studded blue Silver-studded blue Silver-studded blue Silver-studded blue Silver-studded blue Silver-studded blue Silver-studded blue Silver-studded blue Silver-studded blue Silver-studded blue Silver-studded blue I had put my 400mm lens down on dry grass and was using the 100mm macro. Eventually I walked back to pick up the lens. I didn't need to wander very far: the butterflies were numerous. Even posing on my lens!

Silver-studded blue Also spotted: a nice stand of strong-growing pyramidal orchids.

Pyramidal Orchids Possible orchard ermine moth. Orchard Ermine Moth

A buzzard soared overhead. Buzzard Buzzard

Buzzard Back over the pennines, I called at Crowle Moors south for large heath but saw none although the conditions seemed perfect and it was the same date as when I saw plenty last year. Final call at Blacktoft en route home: heron and dusky maidens. Spotted Redshanks Heron