Challenging specks

These speckled wood butterflies are very common in the dappled shade of the woodland edge at Filnore.  They perch perkily on leaves, waiting to investigate and challenge any other butterfly or even a human.  You often see two flittering head to head in mid-air.

 

 

I saw one chasing a large white butterfly away and they are certainly cheeky enough to fly up and give you a good look.  These are the males who patrol their own little territories and drive competitors away.  You can still see plenty of them if you visit the woods.