Ox Drove

19-12-2025

Red Admiral (2)

Peacock (1)

 Forecast to reach 10 degrees today but felt much warmer at times. Peacock was basking on the track and when disturbed flew into the entrance of an old badger set at the base of a blackthorn thicket. The Red Admirals were chasing one another at the exact same spot where I had my last butterfly sighting at the end of November. Thought I saw them go to ground so slowly approached to try to get a photo but there was no sign of them. After a minute or two of searching I gave up, but raising my gaze saw one of them at eye level catching some rays on the trunk of a tree.

Simon Crampin