Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina

Here's a butterfly that doesn't need sunshine to enjoy itself. While most species retreat on cloudy days, they fly readily in overcast, cool conditions — making this one of the most reliable butterfly sightings even on a grey British summer afternoon. They're genuinely built tough.

Males and females look so different that early naturalists classified them as separate species. Males are darker and more cryptic with a small eyespot, while females sport wider orange patches — a reversal of the typical "flashy male" pattern seen in many animals. Despite being one of the most abundant butterflies in Europe, their understated beauty is remarkably easy to overlook.