With the White-throated Robin unexpectedly hanging around, a return trip was made today with my Dad, with the added aim of hopefully getting some photos of it and depending on time and weather doing some butterflying too.
Shortly after arrival at c8:45 it was watched feeding in the borders within the inner bowling green but was still evading my photographic efforts but after a while it flew off over the road and was quickly refound feeding out in the open on the seaward side of the outer bowling green where it gave crippling views for over 15 minutes allowing me to finally get some pics of this absolutely stunning bird and a true Mega.
With the bird safely and quickly in the bag with good photos to boot, we quickly moved on to make full use of the sunny weather that was gracing the north-east. First stop was Bishop Middleham quarry, most famous for its breeding Bee-Eaters in 2002, but also as one of the most southerly sites for Northern Brown Argus with half a dozen or so quickly found including some really good looking individuals which seemingly closely resembled the scottish populations more than the more weakly marked nothern england subspecies 'salmacis', which was good as 'normal' Brown Argus are now being found this north so there was no question over their id.
Note the white spot in the centre of the forewing on the upperside, and on the underwing the much reduced or absent black spots within the white blobs which separate this species from the Brown Argus.
Also seen in the quarry were Small Heath, a pair of Wall in copulation and Large Skipper.
It was then on to Fen Bog on the North York Moors, and although there were still good sunny periods there was a very blustery wind meaning anything that was present was keeping low and out of site and after a couple of hours of searching we only had a Painted Lady and a Wood Tiger Moth for all our effort.
On the way back and not far from the car park my Dad finally stumbled upon our first target species a Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary. However due to the wind it was tucked low down in the vegetation making a photo very difficult but I managed a quick record shot before it took flight and was swept away in the wind out of sight and couldn't be relocated.
Shortly after and whilst searching the area for more I chanced upon our other target a Large Heath and again although it was keeping low down I got a more acceptable image of this one before it flew off across the bog to a more sheltered area where a few more were present but none settled in sight.
Both Keeled Skimmer and Broad-bodied Chaser were briefly seen and on the bird front male Redstart and Whinchat were seen on the moor and a Peregrine was seen overhead with prey. So a really excellent day in the end with superb views of the White-throated Robin plus 3 new species of Butterfly so we returned home very happy.
