Butterflies and Bee-flies

Warm, sunny day, if a bit breezy on Tuesday so went for a walk from Twiston to Downham. Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs singing in the trees and wild ramsons, bluebells and red campion flowering. Lots of butterflies sunning themselves on a wall and drinking water or salts off moist stones in damp area. Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock butterflies looked very ragged - but looks aren't everything, they've survived hibernating here. Watched a female Wall Brown sunning itself, beautful cryptic markings on the underside of her wings. Saw a  Speckled Wood drinking from a salty patch on the wall. All the butterflies were near a large patch of wild ramsons in full sun.Watched a Bee Fly on a sandy bank wondered if it was a female looking for nests of solitary bees to lay it's eggs in.

Female Wall Brown butterfly.

Speckle Wood drinking.

Wall Brown showing underside of wings.

 

Small Tortoiseshell - A bit worse for wear but alive.

Peacock Butterly.

Speckled Wood.

Bee Fly.