www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Hi

I know its a little early still for Chalkhill Blues, but I found on this website some info about them being at Barnack Hills and Holes.
Does anyone know if the colony of Chalkhill Blues at Barnack Hills and Holes (TF075045) nr Stamford are still in that area??

Mark

Hi Mark sorry I cant help seems like nobody else can either.

http://www.cambs-essex-butterflies.org. ... hp#Barnack

Hi
Sorry - just picked-up this thread. Above link to Cambs&Essex BC web-site. This is the most northerly colony in Cambs, on limestone not chalk as in the south of the county. I am not yet personally acquainted with this site, but it is on my itinerary for mid-July as I want to see the differences between this and the other colonies. (Numbers there do not seem extremely high from the transect data in 2007 - but the last 2 weeks of July seem spot-on)
The Branch have had one report already of a single sighting of a CHB from the Devils Dyke - a fabulous linear feature that provides for a real spectacle in the height of the season with 100's on the wing. The local Branch and the Newmarket Race Course maintain the habitat there; up to now numbers have been increasing. The nearby Fleam Dyke turns up a few specimens nearly every season now - but numbers are low - less than 20 on the wing at any time, though they appear to have spread N over the A14 in the last few years as scrub clearance opens-up the sward and gives the vetch a foothold. Last place is on the Herts border at Therfield Heath on the chalk near Royston.
N

I visited Barnack Hills & Holes nr Peterborough/Stamford yesterday 22-08-2009 to see for myself if there were any CH Blues at this site.
And the answer is YES!! there is a thriving colony of CH Blues at this site. I spoke to the onsite NE Warden and she told me that she done a transect walk 2 weeks ago and found more than 150 on her walk.
I took a few photos but unfortunatly most of them were a bit tatty so I have sent them to the Recycle Bin!!.
The warden also told me that there had been good numbers of Small Coppers this year but I cant remember how many she told me now.

Mark

Yeah - in my role as Chalkhill Blue "champion" of my BC branch, I visited myself earlier in the year (July) and found it to be a thriving colony; and in nice proportions to other species too. Stood over a patch of wild marjoram (edit: not thyme) and had about 8 or 9 species nectaring around me at the same time. Interesting as it is on limestone rather than chalk like our other colonies in Cambs. Great place and well managed. And yes - saw a few Small Copper there too... N