Meathop Moss & Arnside Knott (Cumbria) 08/07/21

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Two reserves within a 30 minute drive of our hotel at Lakeside. Weather on the day was overcast, though warmish.

Meathop Moss is a peatbog with a range of unusual plants. A boardwalk runs through the site.

The reserve is important for a variety of insects though dragonflies were quiet at the time, possibly due to the lack of sunshine. The main quarry was Large Heath butterfly, approx. five adults being eventually seen. Like Small Heath the butterfly always rests with its wings closed.

Common Lizards were easy to find on the boardwalk, and allowed close observation.

Then to Arnside Knott, a coastal limestone hill, well known as an important site for butterflies. I was hoping to see High Brown Fritillary and climbed towards the summit of the hill.

The most visible species was Ringlet, still fresh in appearance. About eight large fritillaries were seen, all very active. However, from what I could tell they all appeared to be Dark Green Fritillary, though only one settled to show the underwing pattern, a key identification feature to separate High Brown from its commoner relative.

A rather worn Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary was a surprise find, though somewhat more expected were two Grayling, typically found resting on bare ground.

Meathop Moss

Large Heath



Common Lizard



Ringlet



Dark Green Fritillary



Dark Green Fritillary

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary 

Grayling



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