Smardale Gill NNR

A visit to this splendid reserve to see the Scotch Argus butterflies, which are on the wing at the moment. Blustery and overcast to start with, but the day and the butterflies came out later on. The peacocks were spectacular and nice to see a dark green fritillary. The broad-leaved helleborines along the sides of the track were abundant. There were good fossils too, in the limestone behind the lime kilns.

The viaduct.

The old railway line.

Looking up the gill and Scandal Beck.

Scotch Argus butterflies.

A superb election of broad-leaved helleborines.

Beautifully fresh peacock butterflies.

Dark green fritillary.

Speckled wood; red admiral; painted lady; small skipper; underside of a painted lady and a grasshopper 

Fossils - corals and below gastropods.