Collard Hill
Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2011 4:48 pm
It was blisteringly hot on the slope at Collard on Sunday (26th June).
Although there were lots of visitors, the area absorbed them with ease. Most headed for the main slope, where the Large Blues were extremely active, offering little scope for photography. The quarry, close to the entrance gate, offered better opportunities and I was lucky to find a mating pair in that area. Compared to previous visits, the buterflies are now ranging much more widely across the site.
As a bonus, the warden pointed out the locations of several Wasp Orchids, which are an unusual form of the Bee Orchid.
My son had brought some pheromone lures and we successfully attracted several Six-belted Clearwing moths.
Other butterflies on the site included abundant Meadow Browns, Large Skippers, Marbled Whites, Ringlets, and Common Blues. There were also a few vanessids, including Small Tortioiseshell and Comma.
Mike
Although there were lots of visitors, the area absorbed them with ease. Most headed for the main slope, where the Large Blues were extremely active, offering little scope for photography. The quarry, close to the entrance gate, offered better opportunities and I was lucky to find a mating pair in that area. Compared to previous visits, the buterflies are now ranging much more widely across the site.
As a bonus, the warden pointed out the locations of several Wasp Orchids, which are an unusual form of the Bee Orchid.
My son had brought some pheromone lures and we successfully attracted several Six-belted Clearwing moths.
Other butterflies on the site included abundant Meadow Browns, Large Skippers, Marbled Whites, Ringlets, and Common Blues. There were also a few vanessids, including Small Tortioiseshell and Comma.
Mike