During lockdown, there were excellent opportunities to go for walks to nearby Battlesbury Hill, and Middle Hill.
I was helping Dr.Sue Clarke with her butterfly survey work for the Wiltshire Branch of Butterfly Conservation and would take the camera, making a special effort to capture images of the Duke of Burgundy Fritillary.
As the Spring turned into Summer, and lockdown was eased somewhat, I visited some locations elsewhere by motorcycle with my old friend “Fuzzy” Russell for some socially distanced butterfly hunting (picking up our childhoods where we left off).
Our trips took in Aish Tor, Ashclyst Forest, Haldon Forest Park, Clanger/Picket Wood, Green Land Wood, Farley Mount (Pitt Down/West Wood), Fontmell Down, Broadcroft Quarry and Alners Gorse. The highlight was the High Brown Fritillaries of Aish Tor. I was able to get decent images at times. Also, at home, I was regularly “moth trapping”, so would take photographic records of whatever had turned up – nice surprises were the Buff Tip, Small Elephant Hawkmoth and Privet Hawkmoth. – JC