Woodside Farm sighting by Clive Haley

Woodside Farm sighting by Clive Haley

Now, I know you're not going to believe this, but...

Not actually on the reserve, but about 300 yards south-east of the reserve boundary 'as the skipper flies', near the junction of Summerfields Way and Rayneham Road in the Shipley View estate, I had a very good close-up view of a Dingy Skipper butterfly buzzing around and basking on a flowering shrub in someone's front garden yesterday at 15.15 hrs. I understand that they breed on the old overflow car-parking areas at the former American Adventure Theme Park site, although I admit I have never seen any there (or anywhere else for that matter!) but I had a good long, close-up, look at this one and then checked out my trusty field guide at home and there was no mistaking it - I know it was wildly off-course and totally out of its typical habitat, but it was quite breezy yesterday and if they do indeed breed on the reserve, it's not too crazy to imagine one getting blown into the housing estate! Anyway, I'm satisfied! Best wishes.