Honestly pure bloody luck and by talking to it nicely - I always talk to butterflies quietly and no cake in sight up there - I'll need to take my own picnicPimperneBloke wrote: Fri Apr 24, 2026 4:16 pm Ohh, another good looking place, Cin.... how did you get the Orange Tip to settle??
Travelog 2026
Re: Travelog 2026
Re: Travelog 2026
Always good to find a new place to explore. Does look good for butterflies, nice finds.
Re: Travelog 2026
Fridays and Saturdays adventures couldn't have been more different.
We set off on Friday with the intention of going to Bury Ditches but the weather started to change and I didn't fancy being caught out on a hill top in a possible thunder storm as we were driving also I spotted a sign for a nature reserve I'd not seen before so decided this would be our stop off.
The paths were good but there wasn't a lot of bird life and I made the gross error of choosing the wrong descent - to say I was not happy might be an under statement - over 100 steps down a very steep valley side I actually sat down for one lot and there might have been a lot of cursing, swearing and using Gosh as a hand rail and brace - won't be going there again. On the way back we had a quick stop at Snailbeach to see if there were any Orchids or Harebells yet - none but there were banks of Cowslips that were delightful to see.
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCSCrK
Saturday we made it to Bury Ditches, when you are up on the top it's easy to understand why it was a fort - it's the best visibility I've had up there unfortunately the trig point legend it tricky to read. There were a few flutters around and the Wood Whites were showing well and to be able to watch the courtship display was a real bonus
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCSL1z
Bank holiday Monday will hopefully be at an open garden!
We set off on Friday with the intention of going to Bury Ditches but the weather started to change and I didn't fancy being caught out on a hill top in a possible thunder storm as we were driving also I spotted a sign for a nature reserve I'd not seen before so decided this would be our stop off.
The paths were good but there wasn't a lot of bird life and I made the gross error of choosing the wrong descent - to say I was not happy might be an under statement - over 100 steps down a very steep valley side I actually sat down for one lot and there might have been a lot of cursing, swearing and using Gosh as a hand rail and brace - won't be going there again. On the way back we had a quick stop at Snailbeach to see if there were any Orchids or Harebells yet - none but there were banks of Cowslips that were delightful to see.
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCSCrK
Saturday we made it to Bury Ditches, when you are up on the top it's easy to understand why it was a fort - it's the best visibility I've had up there unfortunately the trig point legend it tricky to read. There were a few flutters around and the Wood Whites were showing well and to be able to watch the courtship display was a real bonus
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCSL1z
Bank holiday Monday will hopefully be at an open garden!
Re: Travelog 2026
Your first stop didn't sound too good, least you made it back up in one piece!!
Lovely photo Caroline, thanks for sharing
Lovely photo Caroline, thanks for sharing
Pardon the Scottish accent
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PimperneBloke
- Posts: 1973
- Joined: Mon May 26, 2025 9:34 am
Re: Travelog 2026
Nice if you to give Gosh a whole pack of bacon to enjoy 
Some lovely pics, and still not seen Wood Whites 
Some lovely pics, and still not seen Wood Whites 
Re: Travelog 2026
He always gets a treat or twoPimperneBloke wrote: Tue May 05, 2026 3:34 pm Nice if you to give Gosh a whole pack of bacon to enjoy
I think you might have to venture into Sussex or go west towards Sidmouth - they are pretty elusiveRe: Travelog 2026
Gosh and I have been up and down the country at lot over the last few weeks - made a quick mad dash to Scotland, then a couple of forays to the South but it was way too hot for adventures so no great photos.
The service station at Lockerbie was a little haven of wildlife and flowers - One scrubby area was full of bird song, Sedge & Willow Warbler, Siskin and Black Cap all in one small section - but I couldn't locate them visually and my travelling companions were pressing to move on.
The last couple of cooler days have meant we could venture out - The walled garden at Attingham is looking good and Prees Heath butterflies are starting to increase.
The service station at Lockerbie was a little haven of wildlife and flowers - One scrubby area was full of bird song, Sedge & Willow Warbler, Siskin and Black Cap all in one small section - but I couldn't locate them visually and my travelling companions were pressing to move on.
The last couple of cooler days have meant we could venture out - The walled garden at Attingham is looking good and Prees Heath butterflies are starting to increase.