I had a trip yesterday to Smardale Gill in Cumbria which is managed by Cumbria Wildlife Trust.
The weather was surprisingly good after a poor forecast and we saw lots of butterflies including Male and Female Common Blue, Ringlet, Northern Brown Argus, Large Skipper and Dark Green Fritillary.
We also had a sighting of a Burnet Moth.
In a wooded section we could hear a bird calling very loudly. Closer investigation led to a very close sighting of a Green Woodpecker which was making a lot of noise in some dense trees and bushes. Shortly after a very disgruntled Tawny Owl flew out, presumably to find somewhere more peaceful.
We also saw a Wren singing loudly in a nearby bush and
a female roe deer crossing the hillside.
In the woods we found a scorpion fly and also an unusual insect about 8mm long on a grass head. No idea what it is. Looks like a cross between a dipteran and a caterpillar.
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| Northern Brown Argus |
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| Male Common Blue |
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| Wren |
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| Dark Green Fritillary |
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| Female Common Blue |
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| Large Skipper |
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| Burnet Moth |
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| Scorpion Fly |
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| Mystery Dipteran? |
