Copper

A rather beautiful little butterfly today, seen flitting around the ragwort flowers, a Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas).

These charming little butterflies are rather common in the British Isles. The caterpillars feed on the many different species of sorrel plants, while the adults are drawn to Ragworts and Thistle flowers among others. Seen here feeding with a Green-bottle and a Hover Fly.

Everywhere there are signs that what little Summer we have had, is coming to an end. No more so than in the hedgerows of the Nutbrook Trail, where the Blackberries (Rubus fruticosus) are starting to ripen. I have rarely seen so many Blackberries as are currently turning the hedgerows black.