A jaunt to Daneway Banks

The weather was so wonderful today, being warm and sunny, I swiftly decided that rather than do my work I would go to Daneway Banks nature reserve near Sapperton, a drive of about five miles. I wondered whether the fabled and rare Large Blue butterfly would be flying there as it is one of the main sites where it has been reintroduced successfully in England.

In fact the noticeboard at the entry to the site said it could normally be seen in June and July, so I was about six weeks too late. I was pleased to be greeted by five Welsh ponies which have been introduced to keep the grass and pasture down to a good level for the unique habitat that the Large Blue requires. There were few other butterflies either, but then  some appeared, for a just a short while as it happened, and I quickly gave chase.  I managed to film this Common Blue, which I think is also very beautiful. (If you want to see a Large Blue check out my Blip from June this year).

I walked around the site and saw no other human visitors.  The ponies followed me and then went their own way to find fresh grassy pasture. I saw several buzzards, two jays, three kestrels, some goldfinches, and other more common birds. I have added some 'Extra photos' of some of the big birds, but they are rather heavily cropped.

I ended up sitting on a carved wooden bench and drank tea from my flask and thought how lucky I was to be there.  We have so many wonderful nature reserves nearby and they are in such beautiful spots.