Lack of sunshine means butterflies feel the heat

Above: a comma butterfly, seldom seen locally despite its spread northwards in recent years. This one was photographed on thistles near the canal on August 9th. Anecdotal evidence suggests that locally this is another poor year for butterflies: too much rain and not enough sunshine. 

Above: a red admiral suns itself on buddleia, near the canal on August 9th. Nationally most butterfly species have been hit hard in the last few decades by climate change and modern farming practices. 

Above: a meadow brown feeds on honeysuckle in a glade in a local wood in July.