Spent a few hours this afternoon lazing around Botley Wood with my youngest son, Jake. I was hoping to see plenty of butterflies on the wing given the weather and I wasn’t disappointed. Painted Ladies were out in large numbers as were Large Whites and Meadow Browns. Smaller numbers of Peacocks and Red Admirals were also to be found. Happy also to come across several Brimstones. Not as many Dragonflies as I was hoping for but quite a few Emerald Damselflies around Toby’s pond. The woods were awash with colour in some of the open glades. I have looked in my flower books and I am going with Tufted Vetch, Common Fleabane and Common Knapweed. The chances of all three being correct are 50/50 but I will stick my neck out with the ID’s.

Tufted Vetch, Common Fleabane and Common Knapweed, Botley Wood, 16 Aug 2009

Brimstone on Common Knapweed, Botley Wood, 16 Aug 2009

Painted Lady on Common Fleabane, Botley Wood, 16 Aug 2009

Peacock on Common Fleabane, Botley Wood, 16 Aug 2009

The flower above gets its name from the fact that when it was burn't in the middle ages it was said to keep fleas at bay. Of course this statement will only be true if this in fact is Common Fleabane.

Large White on Common Knapweed, Botley Wood, 16 Aug 2009

Emerald Damselfly, Botley Wood, 16 Aug 2009

Was not overly sure if the above Damsel may have been a Scarce Emerald but according to the distribution maps I have it does not occur in Hampshire so hence the Emerald ID.

Steve Copsey