In tatters

The dog and I took the afternoon off and went for a walk to Ivinghoe Beacon, a few miles from here in The Chilterns.

Keeping to the well worn track there was not a butterfly in sight, but by taking just one step into the chalkland grass, clouds of Common Blue and Chalk-hill Blue Butterflies flew up in front of us.

It was rather too windy to get a really good shot of any individuals, but this shows a group of 5 Chalk-hill Blues, their wings in tatters still intent on feeding on some dead thistle heads. (the brown one tucked in between the others is a female)

I wonder how many people passed this way without noticing the wonderful variety of wild flowers and insects present.

The management of this area of the Chilterns, by introducing Belted Galloway cattle and a large flock of sheep has significantly improved the chalk grassland habitat, which was in danger of turning to scrubland only a few years ago.