Stockbridge Down
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 1:29 pm
The trip to Broughton Down on Friday was abandoned after Gruditch suggested a joint Saturday trip to Shipton Bellinger for brown hairstreak followed by a visit to Stockbridge Down for silver spotted skipper.
Sadly, we only got fleeting glimpses of BH, then the sun disappeared as we entered Stockbridge Down, sending the SSS to ground. Some persistent searching and Gruditch's x-ray vision unearthed the first. forgetting how to operate my camera, I managed to send the insect away without a shot being fired. A couple more were discovered and I believe all of us got photos of sorts. Mine are not competition winners but I'm entirely satisfied that the trip was worthwhile. And I got to meet some smashing UKB members.
Other species encountered were brown argus, common blue, chalkhill blue, small copper, the inevitable meadow brown and some amazing wasp spiders.
Sadly, we only got fleeting glimpses of BH, then the sun disappeared as we entered Stockbridge Down, sending the SSS to ground. Some persistent searching and Gruditch's x-ray vision unearthed the first. forgetting how to operate my camera, I managed to send the insect away without a shot being fired. A couple more were discovered and I believe all of us got photos of sorts. Mine are not competition winners but I'm entirely satisfied that the trip was worthwhile. And I got to meet some smashing UKB members.
Other species encountered were brown argus, common blue, chalkhill blue, small copper, the inevitable meadow brown and some amazing wasp spiders.
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