My Butterfly Trips to Cumbria

My Butterfly

• trips to Cumbria

by James Mann

High Brown Fritil/,ary

• • Iii • • • • • • • • • • • ••• On 23rd July, 1996 we travelled to Barrowin-Furness to collect our granddaughter. I decided to make a detour to visit Smardale Gill to see Scotch Argus. Unfonunately, the weather had deteriorated by the time we arrived with the rain coming down in stair rods! After a while it did stop so having made the journey I decided to walk the old railway, at least I would be able to see the famous viaduct. Before long the rain staned to fall heavily again but undaunted, I continued my walk to be rewarded by splendid views from the top of the viaduct.

With the rain easing, I walked on to the far side and on coming across some brown bunerflies in the wet grass no matter how much I willed it to be otherwise, they remained as Meadow Browns and not Scotch Argus. I then spotted and photographed a small brown butterfly but on shaping for a dose up shot the lens revealed a Chimney Sweeper moth and not the hoped for Northern Brown Argus! However, my luck improved quite remarkably when having staned my return walk I saw a flash of orange-brown which on settling, I recognised as a High Brown Fritillary. I saw three in all, they were not keen on the weather either as one was even happy to sit on my hand for warmth. I returned to the car with a light-hearted step. The next day, despite the threatening weather, I decided to do the rounds and my first stop was Gait Barrows in the hope of finding Scotch Argus.

On talking to the English Nature warden he informed me that Scotch Argus had never been seen here but that I would be able to see them in a few weeks time at Arnside Knott. I was also told that Large Heath could have been seen a week or two earlier at Meathop Moss. Having thanked him for his help, I did a 'Gary Roberts' and sat down on the limestone pavement and sure enough, I was soon joined by several High Brown Fritillaries which were searching for a warm place to bask. In a grassy area dose by, I was delighted to see a solitary Northern Brown Argus which obliged me by posing for photographs with both open and dosed wings.

Arnside Knott was my next destination to see at least where I might find Scotch Argus later on. More High Brown Fritillaries were encountered at the top of the Knott but it was too late for other F ritillaries. I drove back towards Barrow via Meathop Moss. Having parked and followed a meandering route I arrived at the site whereupon I came across a sign indicating where I should park and telling me how to get from whence I had came to reach this sign! I am still confused but the two L\rge Heaths made my day particularly when one eventually posed for photo's. I had now seen three species that were new to me including High Brown Fritillary at three sites in two days, marvellous! On 20th August, we returned one granddaughter to Barrow. En route the weather was most promising that is, until we were within 20 miles of Arnside Knott! Fonunately however, the rain held off so up we climbed to the top of the Knott to find but not one Scotch Argus. Retracing our steps we were greatly relieved to see two of these lovely little butterflies on the way down and ultimately we were to find ten just above the road to the car park. They appeared oblivious to the weather and seemed to delight in settling in the trees rendering my photographic opponunities as most difficult indeed! My target for Cumbria was four species. I managed to see them all making my trips well worthwhile and also proving that it is possible to see butterflies in even the most inclement weather.

Scotch Argus

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