More butterflies...

This year is turning out to be one of the best years I've known for the sheer number of butterflies on local sites. Today, as hot weather was forecast, we headed off early for the Lincolnshire Coast, where Pete and Chris are doing some survey on the Sea Banks. Usually there's a refreshing breeze on the coast, but not today!

While they worked, I pottered on the saltmarsh where the Common Sea-lavender was providing a plentiful nectar source for a range of butterflies including all three species of white, Small and Essex Skippers and Gatekeepers. I returned along the sea bank, where huge stands of Creeping Thistle were also smothered with butterflies, including Peacocks, Small Tortoiseshells, a few Ringlet and singletons of Red Admiral and Painted Lady. 

By 11 a.m. the thermometer was heading towards thirty degrees, so we headed home (taking a devious journey across the fen using many back roads) and were back in time for lunch!