Monday 11th July 2022.
With Harry, Norma and Maureen about 7 miles. Weather very hot, so we chose a route which offered some shade. We set off from Wakerley Woods car park at 9.45 and made our way along the Jurassic Way footpath - though signage is not brilliant. Along the first wide path Harry saw a White Admiral butterfly or possibly a Purple Emperor.
A hare crossed the path and went into the woods, and we saw several silver-washed fritillaries, spectacular large butterflies.
We emerged from the woods near Laxton Hall, and followed the unshaded path southeast, then east towards the A43 - a pain to cross, but easy enough with patience.
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| Shade-seeking sheep |
Once across the road we continued to the concrete bridge over the dry stream,
and followed the path uphill past Fineshade Abbey, then through woodland, and another open field to the access road to Fineshade Top Lodge.
We chatted to a couple with binoculars who said they had seen a Purple Emperor, and a Purple Hairstreak.
We all ordered coffee in the cafe, and a snack. Once refreshed we decided to walk round the woods and try our luck with butterflies.
We saw fritillaries and another White Admiral(or was it a Purple Emperor?), lots of meadow brown, at least one ringlet.
We passed the playground
and the Danish Shelters
A pause in the shade of the bird hide, where there were some butterflies and a few birds including a jay and a buzzard. Not like the old days when the RSPB kept the feeders supplied, but agreeable. The water scrape/ pond is very low just now.
We decided to have lunch in the cafe before retracing our steps down to the A43, and back through Wakerley Woods. One spot in the sunshine was full of different butterflies, including commas, tortoiseshells and brimstones.
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| Gatekeeper butterfly |
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| Silver-washed fritillary |
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| Brimstone |
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