Bickland Wood, Somerset

[Rogerdodge]

It was with great anticipation that I planned a visit to Buckland Wood just outside Taunton today.
The weather forecasts last night were pretty contradictory, but most suggested (at least) some sunshine!
It is a great and reliable site for Grizzled and Dingy, Green Hairstreaks and Dukes.
In the end I had some light drizzle, well overcast, with just some tiny breaks in the cloud around midday.
I arrived at 09:00, and, when I left at 13:00, I had only seen TWO butterflies - but they were both Dukes, so I was quite happy.



Simon C - they turned up just 10 minutes after you left.
Hope you did better later on!

Cheers

p.s. Just had another look at this photo - doesn't my sensor need a jolly good clean

Roger Harding

[Denise]

Crackin photo Roger. I hope to see some myself this year.

Cheers
Denise

[Simon C]

Hi Roger,

You luck b****r.

After Buckland Wood, I walked to Witch Lodge Fields, and on to Thurlbear Quarrylands, and didn't see a single butterfly at any of these sites, let alone any Dukes that I was hoping for.

Still, it's great countryside and I saw my first Holly Blue en route. And there were dozens of Orange tips patroling the lanes and field edges.

Cheers,

Simon