July on the Heath

[puddleshark]

Keeled Skimmer (Orthetrum coerulescens).




July, and the heath is at its most colourful, though the heather is still looking a little scorched in places from last year's heatwave.



Stonechats and Dartford Warblers perching on the gorse bushes.



Butterflies seen: Common Blues, Silver-studded Blues, Small Heaths, Gatekeepers, Graylings, Silver Y moths.


Swallows swooping around us, to catch the insects we stir up as we walk.


Heading back towards the car, we suddenly had the feeling we were being followed...


The large herd of Dartmoors, Welshies, and miscellaneous hairy cobs who help maintain the heath by grazing.