It would seem that timing is of the essence with yesterdays Coal Spoil Bio Course and todays introduction to a new site for Butterflies that just so happened to be a regenerated coal spoil site. My close friend Craig Constance has been speaking of his secret Butterfly spot for quite some time and we finally got around to going there today. I can't believe I had never been there before! It was such a great place for Butterflies, Dragonflies and Reptiles. It was so nice to see Dark Green Fritillaries is such large numbers, along with many other cool species like Marbled White, Essex Skipper, Grayling, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Gatekepper, Green-veined and many more.
I even found what I thought was a new species of spider for me but I've asked local expert Mike Kilner and was reminded of the many varying colours / patterns of what turned out to be a Common Orb-weaver Spider. Still lots to learn!

Common Orb-weaver Spider eating 5 Spot Burnet Moth

Had such a great day today in Aberdare for todays Coal Spoil Biodiversity course. So much to take in but I think I managed to sap up as much as I possibly could. Appreciated and understanding of coal tips as a habitat has greatly improved so I guess the course was a success! Feeling enthused and ready to venture into our local coal spoil heritage which for the most part, is lost. You know what though, It wouldn't have been the same without the fabulous company. It's so nice to meet others that share the same enthusiasm as yourself.

Stopped off at my Kingfisher perch on the way home.. was very surprised to have a Juvi Redstart bounce on there though haha. I've had that many Kingfishers in my lens this last week I was almost expecting it to catch a fish.

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