The sunny conditions of the last week (3-10 August) have encouraged a profusion of the rare Scotch argus butterflies to take to the air.

Clouds of the very dark butterfly with subtle sumptuous red eyespots can be experienced floating all around you and is an experience not to be missed.  It can be seen for approximately two miles along the easy walk of the nature reserve, which is owned and managed by Cumbria Wildlife Trust.  They are likely to be around in good numbers for another week , depending upon the weather.

Andrew Walter, Reserves Officer for Cumbria Wildlife Trust, said: “This is a rare sight for Britain as the butterfly is at the southern limit of its natural range and there are only two populations south of the Scottish border. The flight of the Scotch argus is one of the many high points that Smardale Gill National Nature Reserve has to offer. It is awash with flowering plants and buzzing with wildlife.”

Smardale Gill is 3.5 miles long in total and lies close to Kirkby Stephen. The footpath is flat and level being the track bed of the old Darlington to Tebay railway line. The path takes the visitor through ancient woodland and species-rich grassland habitats that are positively exploding with colourful flowers and native animal wildlife, from bugs to birds. In addition, the route takes in two magnificent railway viaducts, it passes ancient Romano British settlements and cuts through fossil-rich carboniferous limestone in the gorge of Scandal Beck. When visiting please respect the tranquillity and unspoilt nature of the reserve.

To find out more about visiting the nature reserve click on the Smardale Gill page