Stonehenge area

[Butterfly Gardener]

I will be visiting Stonehenge with my family towards the end of May and I was wondering if anyone could recommend any good butterfly sites nearby?

[millerd]

The National Trust area to the west and northwest of the main car park (the other side of the main A 344 road to where Stonehenge is) has Adonis and Common Blues (at least it did in August 2010). I found these around the base of the tumuli about 500m distant - the first brood should be around at the end of May.

I had just been on a successful hunt for Brown Hairstreaks at Shipton Bellinger, which is within a few miles. I'm not sure what it will have in May, though.

Dave

[MikeOxon]

Not sure how far you might like to roam from Stonehenge but Bentley Wood near Salisbury should have Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary in late May and possibly other species of interest too.

Mike

[Butterfly Gardener]

Many thanks.

[Wurzel]

Alright Butterfly Gardener? I've found the grasslands at nearby Woodhenge good for butterflies or if you can go to the otherside of Salisbury then Martin Down, Coombe Bisset Down or Middleton Down should have some good butterflies. Check out Alan Thornbury's site as there's also a downland site near to Bentley Wood but I can't remember the name of it. Failing that you could always head into Salisbury and visit "Five Rivers", park in the Five Rivers Leisure Centre and then walk to the other side of the football pitch and along the river (most of the sites mentioned I covered in my personal diary). Hope this helps!

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Matsukaze]

Marsh Fritillaries are reasonably widespread on the Wiltshire chalk, I understand especially a bit further west along the A303 around Mere. There are supposed to be a few colonies of Duke of Burgundy in the vicinity as well, though I don't know the locations.

[Butterfly Gardener]

I certainly have a lot to think about. Thanks everyone.