Park Rash, Kettlewell
Situated on the road between Kettlewell and Coverdale, Park Rash is a steep climb well known to the cycling community. Fortunately I have only ever cycled down it, on my way back to Skipton, as part of a weekend away with a cycle tour company called ‘Red Spokes’. I was younger and fitter back then and walking down Park Rash today made me glad I wasn’t going up it, as I watched a group of cyclists having to get off and push.
It was a cracking day today and it was my second outing, this year, to check on the Scotch Argus colony up Park Gill. I had previously popped up in the week but the weather had forced me to abandon. Today, however, looked promising. Despite the bad weather earlier in the week, I had spotted one Scotch Argus hiding from the drizzle, which led me to believe there must be others.
Scotch Argus Habitat
Just after midday I made my way along the gill. At first I only spotted a few Common Blues, what may have been a Gatekeeper and a pair of Skippers but it wasn’t long before I came across several Scotch Argus butterflies, making the most of a sunny bank, opposite ‘Dow Cave’. In total I must have seen up to 25 in close proximity, the same place I have found them in previous years. We can only speculate how they came to be there but, when other species are suffering, it is encouraging to see this species apparently doing well.
Scotch Argus
Hi
I am amember of Yorkshire, Lancs, and a commttee member of Cumbria branches of Buttefly Conservation. I am very interested to follow up your Scotch Argus record for Park Gill Beck. I took advantage of the brilliand weather today (28.10.2019) and did a recce to attempt to id the habitat . I parked at the roadside building at Park Rash and picked up the footpath towards East Scale Lodge. Is the SA location close to where Caseker Gill Beck flows into Park Gill Beck before the path climbs towards East Scale Lodge? I do a lot of work on the Scotch Argus sites in Cumbria.
Cheers, any help appreciated.
I don’t know if you sorted this in the end. We didn’t get chance to have a look this year, but if you are thinking of going up again this year drop me a line thowson6@gmail.com. That is the only site I’ve seen them, but I think they are in Bastow Wood too (I may be wrong on that).