Whixall......

20 June - A study day near Birmingham gave me a chance to call in to Whixall Moss to see and hopefully photograph White-faced Darters, at their southernmost location in the UK - a rare and mainly Scottish species. The Darters were active and obliging in the current hot conditions, and several males were seen, giving good photo opportunities. A striking species, fairly small with erratic fast flight. Quite a few Large Heath butterflies also seen, similarly active in the heat. A superb location, surprisingly remote for the midlands - and difficult to find !