Cerne Abbas

[Wildmoreway]

I am hoping to visit Cerne Abbas some time next week. would be grateful to know what butterfly species are likely to be present around the area of the "giant". Cheers.

[essexbuzzard]

Things are running much later this year! But last year we went in late may and early june. What did we see? The answer is- lots! Firstly,we have never seen so many Marsh Fritillaries-there were hundreds of them! Then there are the usural chalkland suspects Adonis blue,Brown argus, Dingy and Grizzled skippers etc. If the good weather keeps up,you're in for a treat,let me tell you-Cerne Abbas Giants Hill is not to be missed!

[Susie]

I want to see marsh frit this year, is this a good site for someone who doesn't know the area or is hod hill better?

All advice welcome.

[William]

Susie and Wildmoreway,

I have been to Cerne Abbas several times and you're virtually guaranteed Marsh Fritillary there. On a good day there you'll easily see 50 plus along with Brown Argus (fairly common) and Adonis Blue (seem to have suffered recently but I saw 20 odd in 2011 and 2012), Small Heath (lots), Dingy Skipper (common basking on the chalky paths) and Grizzled Skipper (slightly less common but present in decent numbers). Dukes are meant to be there in pretty good numbers too, though I never saw them, I think they tend to stick to discreet hotspots.

When I visited I parked in the village below (I recommend the pub's crab sandwiches) which is well worth a visit, the ultimate chocolate box village if ever there was one. I then followed the footpath up from the village and made my way through the woods to the giant.

I'd recommend parking in the National Trust car park below the giant and following the footpath up from there, wherever you go on the slopes (the giant itself isn't open to the public) you're pretty much guaranteed butterflies by just following the chalky paths around. If you want a more methodical approach the transect route is here....

http://www.ukbms.org/SiteFactsheet.aspx?siteId=2206

And that seems to turn up a lot of butterflies.

As for Hod Hill I've never been myself, but looking at the transect, Marsh Fritillaries don't seem to be doing so well there, some details here...

http://www.ukbms.org/SiteListbyYear.asp ... &year=2013

Hope this Helps ,

William

[Susie]

Thank you, William, that is extremely helpful and just the information I was looking for (even down to the crab sandwiches!)

[Lee Hurrell]

I also was thinking of venturing west for Marsh Fritillary this year...

[RobS]

Certainly the Hod Hill count for Marsh Frits in 2013 doesnt look too encouraging.
However i visited the site on a sunny day in June 2012 and found at least 20 individuals on the wing and displaying well in the south facing ditch.
Perhaps 2013 was just a bad year. Please keep us posted if anyone goes there in search of them.

cheers
Rob

[FISHiEE]

I was at Hod Hill on Saturday and there were 20 or so Marsh Fritillaries on the wing. Also loads of dingy and grizzled skippers plus a few common, Adonis and small blues, brown argus, Green hairstreaks. Small copper, orange tip, large and small white, brimstone, peacock and speckled wood. Probably my lowest ever count for marsh fritillary at the site but certainly my best count for number of species! Marsh fritillaries were initially hard to find. None at all in areas that were full of them 3 Years ago and had to explore all over to eventually find them in good numbers in one small area. The south west corner used to be the place to go but now half way along the eastern bank seems to be the hot spot.

The site seems far less heavily grazed these days and perhaps things are layer as result. I used to visit first week in may and normally by now several if the butterflies would be past their best by now whereas they were all pristine on Saturday so maybe over the next few days numbers will increase to more like I have seen in the past and they will perhaps be a bit more widespread too.

[RobS]

Thats good news Fishiee. If the weather is good i will take a trip down there early next week.
cheers
rob