Dark Green Fritillary

This one was a first for me. But we got to see quite an array of new flora and fauna on our walk today.

The walk started just outside Buxton in The Peak District, along the A6, right next to a working Quarry! After walking along the River Wye, we climbed out of the valley up the limestone rock face of Chee Dale Nature Reserve. You could have just left me there for the rest of the day. It was so full of wildflowers.

We visited two very quiet dales - Horseshoe and Deep Dale. The latter is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Including this fritillary, we spotted the Bloody Cranesbill plant, and a Chimney Sweeper moth. We also saw Biting Stonecrop and Marsh Thistle (which was white and not pink) in Horseshoe Dale - see extras.

It will be a walk I'll return to again and again at this time of year.