Alcombe Common

[wavelea1]

Thanks to Simon C's epic hike earlier this week Eccles, Xmilehigh and I set off Fri morning to Minehead to hopefully retrace some of his steps and find the Heath Fritillary.

We went down by car (satnav enabled) and found the site quite easily however parking posed a problem. Left with quite a hike to the top of the Common we left the car on a nearby housing estate. Both Eccles (the tic collector) and Xmilehigh were again armed with ped satnavs - the wonders of modern technology.

After a dodgy start and the need to climb a very steep hill we found a small colony of about 20+ HF feeding on brambles. Plenty of evidence of mating and new emergence, and quite a marked difference in the size of some of them, wingspans varying from about 25mm to 45mm. I took more than 70 pics and some are not bad.

A great day out - thanks to the guys, nice to meet you both at long last.

Mike

[eccles]

Apart from crocking myself slightly when attempting to climb over a fence, and feeling a right wimp in doing so, I also had a great time with Mike and Jerry. Heath Fritillary was a much prized first tick for me too. Our major spot was pretty much where Simon saw them at grid SS967437 although we saw them at a couple of other locations along the Macmillan Way. Another great first sighting while walking back down the hill was a golden ringed dragonfly.

[Gruditch]

I saw may first Golden Ringed last year Eccles, big ain't they.

If their not all warn and knackered by then, we may give the Heath Frit's a go around the end of the month.

Gruditch

[eccles]

I saw a couple of HFs that were getting on a bit but there were also several that were fresh, and I think Jerry or Mike saw at least one with crumpled wings, i.e. a new emergence, so you might still be ok for a week or so. Parking is difficult close by. We turned into Ellicombe Lane from the A39 at the roundabout junction to Seaward Way, down Ellicombe Lane for a couple of hundred yards then right along the narrow Combeland Road, parking in a lay by on the edge of a housing estate on Combeland Road. We walked back, following Ellicombe lane southeast which narrows into a dirt lane then into a bridle path up the hill to the Macmillan Way footpath at the hilltop. Turn right along the top footpath west until you reach grid point SS967437. We tried to be clever, cutting across a field to follow our GPS co-ordinates more directly instead of sticking to the path and got lost for a while.
Be prepared for the Butlitz crowd clagging up the A39 if you travel during the weekend.

[xmilehigh]

Definitely better then being at work ! . Thanks for a great day out gentlemen, most enjoyable.

The Golden Ring was a definite bonus sighting, it's really awesome looking Dragon Fly.