Beautiful demoiselles du Bandon River

SEPTEMBER 27 brought the advent of butterflies, the first fall or hatch we’ve seen this butterfly-less summer. 

Butterfly Sunday, one of our walker friends insisted on calling it. On a 4km stroll in bright sunlight and temperatures of about 18C, we spotted 10 red admirals, two tortoiseshells, and a single peacock, almost all feeding on the nectar of ivy flowers, though not yet fully in bloom.

Ivy is a rich source of nectar. Hover-flies were also clients on the yellowish-green flowerheads, as well as the occasional honey bee.