Hollybrook Greenway to Valley Gardens, via Southampton Common

We decided to stay closer to home today. In the morning, we explored more of Hollybrook Greenway, where I saw beautiful demoiselles earlier this month.

We basically walked the bottom half of the route shown on the map; some parts followed a stream, whereas other parts were more open.

Highlights of the Greenway? Eleven species of butterflies, a common darter, a golden-ringed dragonfly, and several beautiful demoiselles.

Then, in the afternoon, to the Valley Gardens on the university's Highfield Campus. This meant walking across Southampton Common, and it would be rude not to keep an eye out for butterflies and dragonflies, right? Highlights of the Common: emperor, migrant hawker (first of the year for us) and a gorgeous golden-ringed dragonfly. 

Because of covid and working from home, the last time I was in the Gardens was early May, when I saw just a handful of butterflies.

Not that more butterflies this time, but we did see a common darter and, just as we were about to leave, a golden-ringed dragonfly.

Today's theme really was 'golden-ringed dragonfly', wasn't it?

My three top photos of butterflies (green-veined white, comma, painted lady).

And my top three photos of damsel/dragonflies (common darter, beautiful demoiselle, golden-ringed dragonfly).

Isn't she gorgeous?

Tables combine relative totals across the day (one = 1; few = 2-4; several = 5-9; many = 10+):