The butterfly count

Had an enjoyable afternoon doing my Big Butterfly Count today. I saw a lot and here is my list:

3 Large Whites
6 Small Whites
4 Green-veined Whites
2 Six Spot Burnet moths
1 Silver Y moth
1 Common Blue
1 Small Copper
1 Ringlet
2 Meadow Browns
5 Small Tortoiseshells (one pictured above)
1 Red Admiral
1 Dark Green Fritillary

I'm really pleased with the amount I saw in the 15 minutes and the Dark Green Fritillary was an added bonus! I snuck up to it to get a photo as it was settled beautifully on a knapweed flower but then it took off and I never saw it again. At least I managed to get it on the list though ;) if you haven't yet done so please please do this count as it is so important to know how our butterflies are faring! Do the Big Butterfly Count!

Also saw a few of these Cinnabar moth caterpillars and yes that is it crawling over my hand! My butterfly bush (or buddleia) has finally flowered in the garden and this photo is another Small Tortoiseshell which I took this morning feeding from it. All in all it's been a rather butterfly-filled day :)