Smardale Gill

Common Blue

Brown Argus ?

Common Lizard

Kirkby Stephen Macaws

Little Owl

We decided to go west yesterday to one of our favourite spots, Smardale Gill and the Viaduct.  It is always a really good walk for spotting butterflies.  It was a reasonably good day, no wind, warm and sunny intervals.  We could not believe the lack of butterflies however.  Apart from Ringlets the only others of note were a couple of Common Blue and what we think may be a Brown Argus but need clarification on that one.  We spotted a Red Squirrel in its drey and a really obliging Common Lizard, and apart from that on the wildlife front it was very quiet although plenty of orchids about.  Called in to see if our local Little Owl was there and sure enough he was.