Hello - wondered if anyone can help here - we are in Somerset at the moment and wondered about going to Mount Fancy to see Wood Whites. They seem to be flying at the moment (Somerset BC site has reports of them in Somerset though not at Mount Fancy) but have seen some info that they are not at Mount Fancy but at Staple Common? Does anyone know where they are?
Many thanks in advance
PS We had a fantastic day at Priddy Minories yesterday - SPBF all over the place. Parked in the FC car park and walked through the forest for a while too - very good for butterflies. GH, CB, SH, SPBF, SC, LW, GVW, OT, LS
Somerset Wood Whites
Re: Somerset Wood Whites
Hi George,
As far as I know Staple Common is the only Wood White site in Somerset at present. It's not a part of Somerset I know but the general grid reference is ST2614.
As far as I know Staple Common is the only Wood White site in Somerset at present. It's not a part of Somerset I know but the general grid reference is ST2614.
Re: Somerset Wood Whites
Hi Matsukaze,
Thanks for the reply - have googled this and found it (also Staple Fitzpaine) Seems the best place to park is at the Forestry Commission entrance off the lane from Staple Hill to Staple Fitzpaine, ST 266158.
Now all we need is sun and Wood Whites!!
Will let you know tomorrow if we find any.
George
http://www.gfcphotography.co.uk
Thanks for the reply - have googled this and found it (also Staple Fitzpaine) Seems the best place to park is at the Forestry Commission entrance off the lane from Staple Hill to Staple Fitzpaine, ST 266158.
Now all we need is sun and Wood Whites!!
Will let you know tomorrow if we find any.
George
http://www.gfcphotography.co.uk
Re: Somerset Wood Whites
Well we found Staple Common but no Wood Whites! Met the farmer who farms at Ruttersleigh who told us that the area the FC all Staple Common is not actually Staple common and directed us to a car park at Stape Hill. So we went there to find some what looked like brand new paths with vegetation strimmed to ground level and full of dog poo! Not a butterfly in sight - we walked down the hill to find what might have been Mount Fancy (there were parts of old BC signs around) but it looked so overgrown that I dont think it could have been. We did see 2 GH and 4 SpW though but nothing else.
We examined some likely looking paths but could not find any Wood White so concluded that we were in the wrong place - and having spent several fruitless hours with very few butterflies left to go to Buckland Wood. What a difference! This is a lovely place with very clear signs of good management and loads of butterflies. CB, BA, MB, RA, DS, GVW, B, LS were all spotted as well as some magnificent dragonflies.
Tomorrow off to Collard Hill for Large Blues!
We examined some likely looking paths but could not find any Wood White so concluded that we were in the wrong place - and having spent several fruitless hours with very few butterflies left to go to Buckland Wood. What a difference! This is a lovely place with very clear signs of good management and loads of butterflies. CB, BA, MB, RA, DS, GVW, B, LS were all spotted as well as some magnificent dragonflies.
Tomorrow off to Collard Hill for Large Blues!