Where is "your" best spot

bobbinman · Post by **bobbinman** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 1:25 pm

Hi Everyone

I may have some free time this weekend or next week for butterfly photography

Where would be your favourite spot, say within a 100 mile radius of Bath?near or far it does not matter.

Thanks
Chris

Post by **Pete Eeles** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 3:56 pm

Given the current date, I'd recommend:

a) Old Winchester Hill (Chalkhill Blue, Silver-Spotted Skipper, Clouded Yellow) *AND*

b) Noar Hill (Brown Hairstreak). Saw 8 there today.

These 2 sites are about 10 miles apart. They're also chock full of other good stuff.

At a different time of year I'd have suggested different sites

Cheers,

- Pete

eccles · Post by **eccles** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 6:05 pm

Are those sites within 100 miles from Bath? Bear in mind he's got to find them as well.

eccles · Post by **eccles** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 6:14 pm

Somerford Common is supposed to be good for brown hairstreak and is about 45 minutes from Bath. I found a good selection of many other butterflies when I went there a month ago. Closer still are Morgan's Hill, Bannerdown and Hazelbury Common.

Fontmell Down near Shaftsbury is, I'd estimate, about an hour and a half's drive away, but I don't know what the place is like.

Post by **Pete Eeles** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 6:36 pm

eccles wrote:Are those sites within 100 miles from Bath? Bear in mind he's got to find them as well.

Bath to Noar Hill (nr. Selborne) is 89.45 miles, according to http://www.theaa.com

Yes, there probably are closer sites. I just don't know them

Cheers,

- Pete

bobbinman · Post by **bobbinman** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 7:02 pm

Hi Guys

Thanks for your suggestions! I ended up at Fontmell Down today, parked in the south car park and headed off in the wrong direction into a smaller reserve!

But later found the correct reserve

The weather was hot and sunny but very windy making life more than difficult for photography, I did not get any “wow” shots today.

Spotted
Silver-washed Fritillary both male & female poor condition but got ok ish photos
Comma no photo
Large white photo
Small white no photo
Small Copper photo
Holly blue photo
Speckled wood no photo
Meadow Brown no photo
Gate Keeper no photo
Clouded Yellow photo poor condition
Brimstone photo
Common Blue photo
Red Admiral photo
Marbled White poor photo
Dark Green Fritillary no photo

The best of the shots today attached

Thanks
Chris

Brimstone

Clouded Yellow (bit tatty)

What are the red sections on this common blue??

Holly Blue ?????

Silver-Washed Fritillary (very tatty)

Martin · Post by **Martin** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 9:58 pm

Are those some kind of parasite on the CB?

Martin.

Post by **Pete Eeles** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 4:06 pm

They're red spider mites hitching a lift!

Cheers,

- Pete