Grayling

One of several butterflies we are fortunate to have on Arnside Knott is the 
Grayling. This one we found on the rocky path well up towards the summit.
They are rarely seen with their wings open. They prefer to lay on rocks at an angle so that the whole of one side is facing the sun.
They are also one of the group of species which use only four legs instead of six. The front two legs have been atrophied and are not used for walking or carrying weight.
We always find them in the same place on the Knott. They fly from June to September and I think this is the earliest we have sen them.