Female Brimstone?

We spotted this lovely butterfly on a walk from the industrial estate where we took the car for a service to East Malling and back while the garage did the work.

We did the same walk a few weeks ago while the same vehicle was in for a warranty check. It was good then and even better today. Oilseed rape was in full bloom, the woodlands had plenty of bluebells and blossom was peppering the fruit trees in the East Malling Research Centre.

We called in at Tiffin Tea Rooms in East Malling having passed by the cafe we stopped at last time. Tiffin was OK except it was a very popular place for full English breakfast creating a frying fug inside. So we sat outside, listening to the birds and looking at the village pub whose time had come, it was the King and Queen!

It was on the return to pick up the car that we spotted the butterfly feeding on bluebell nectar. At first Susan thought it was a Green Hairstreak but we think it is a female brimstone.

We completed a few jobs before getting home for lunch then spent a couple of hours at the allotment cutting the ever growing grass with a new strimmer. It worked well.

Tomorrow is a big day of course. I’m on the railway at Wittersham Road. I didn’t realise that when I completed the roster. I’ll be able to watch on the iPad between trains. Weather is not looking good. It was splendid today