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Thursday, April 24, 2025

HARBURY SPOILBANK NATURE RESERVE-WARWICKSHIRE

This afternoon, I explored a charming new nature reserve in Warwickshire, a site with a rich history dating back to the construction of the Leamington to Oxford railway in the 1840s.

The highlight of my visit was adding two new butterflies to my list: the Dingy Skipper and the Grizzled Skipper. Both species were surprisingly easy to locate on the reserve, and their delicate markings were a delight to observe.

Dingy Skipper

Grizzled Skipper

The reserve itself proved excellent for wildlife. Along my walk, I recorded a diverse range of birds, including:

Orange Tip


Willow Warbler

Chiffchaff

Garden Warbler

Sedge Warbler


It was a wonderfully peaceful afternoon, combining historical interest with the simple joy of spotting new species in the wild. Between the two new butterflies and the variety of warblers, it was a memorable outing and a fantastic addition to my Warwickshire wildlife experiences.