Heligoland & `Mirrors`

Dungeness - 1030hrs - muggy, sunshine and showers, se2 - On the walk down to the Obs it was good to see a few butterflies on the wing between the showers. Nothing out of the ordinary but in this dreadful summer its a wonder that any have managed to attain adulthood. A curry plant (Helichrycum italicum) in the old garden at Lloyds had attracted several Small Coppers that posed nicely for the camera.
The new double Heligoland trap was officially opened by a "local celebratory" cutting the ribbon, with the associated drinks and nibbles costing a shade under the £27 million pounds being spent on the London 2012 Olympic Games opening ceremony (is it just me, or has the whole Olympic thing spiralled out of control and into some kind of mad fantasy world, wonder how many hospitals or schools could be built for that amount...?).

                                          Small Copper, Lloyds

                                          DBO Heligoland Ribbon Cutting

                                          Lade sound `mirrors`

Lade -1500hrs - Had a wander over the pits where the `mirror` open day enabled access onto the islands. A good show of wildflowers amongst the concrete structures with large patches of Ragged Robins and a several Southern Marsh Orchid spikes. More Small Coppers on the wing and a couple of Marbled Whites, while OL had a Common Sandpiper earlier. Some fairly hefty showers had punters running for cover.