Of Dingy Skipper Butterflies, Glanville Fritillary Caterpillars and Wild Flowers

Straying away from home territory, we attended a Butterfly Walk, kindly organised by the Surrey Branch of Butterfly Conservation, around the Hutchinson's Bank Nature Reserve (in the London Borough of Croydon):

The unsettled weather alas, put paid to our seeing many Butterflies, although we were super-pleased to see our first ever Dingy Skipper Butterflies viz.

And we were super-fortunate to both see and photograph a Glanville Fritillary Caterpillar viz.

We also noticed a couple of Orange-Tip Butterflies and a single Red Admiral Butterfly.

Although the Butterfly sightings were limited it didn't matter too much since we had two objectives in mind for this, our first visit to the Reserve. To see Butterflies, Wild Flowers &c., obviously, but perhaps just as importantly, to understand the lay-out of the Reserve for future visits. And this we most certainly accomplished.

We shall be returning fairly soon in the hopes of seeing Butterflies including Glanville Fritillaries, Grizzled Skippers and Small Blues (all new to us). Also to visit the nearby Chapel Bank Nature Reserve (home to nationally scarce Mat-Fescue Grass, Orchids &c.).

Wild Flowers &c. seen during our visit included:

Bugle viz.

Common Bird's-Foot-Trefoil viz.

False Brome viz.

Germander Speedwell viz.

Horseshoe Vetch
Kidney Vetch viz.

Salad Burnet viz.

Wayfaring-Tree viz.

and Wild Strawberry