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Whixall Moss
Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 8:38 am
by Debbie
Can anybody please tell me about Whixall Moss and where we should go when we get there?
Any tips welcomed
Debbie (DMS)
Re: Whixall Moss
Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 11:54 am
by David M
I went to Whixhall's neighbour, Bettisfield, last June. There were plenty of Large Heaths on the wing although they will be a little later this year so probably late June/early July would be better.
Giving directions is tricky as the entire site is surrounded by minor roads and it is easy to lose one's bearings.
Re: Whixall Moss
Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 2:07 pm
by Debbie
I parked over the bridge in the NNT carpark from the canal. I then went out of the car park and turned left up the track and into the site by the big gate. To a long grassy area that leads you up to a dirt track cross road (there may be a hide nearby).
Re: Whixall Moss
Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 3:16 pm
by Neil Hulme
Hi Debbie,
Park by the canal in the CP at SJ493354. Walk NW down the grassy track opposite the CP, passing the bungalow to your right. After a couple of hundred metres you will come to a juction at SJ490358, where the moss becomes open and clear of scrub. Turn left and you should start seeing Large Heath in the boggy areas to your right. Bog hopping can be treacherous (and is discouraged) but there should be enough within reach along the track margins. To the left of you will now be the area of birch scrub - keep a look out for Argent & Sable day-flying moths (rare and very pretty). Further along this track, near the scrapes and standing water, you may see the rare White-faced Darter dragonfly.
Good luck, Neil
Re: Whixall Moss
Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 4:20 pm
by Jack Harrison
Crowle Moors in the extreme north of Lincs was certainly good in 2010. Easy to get to, park and find the butterflies.
Mind you, lots of other less appealing insects will find that you make a very tasty meal
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=47 ... 14820&lm=0
Jack
Re: Whixall Moss
Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2012 9:03 pm
by A_T
All around the edge of the Moss where there are trees and wild flowers you might see Peacocks, Brimstones (Spring and then again in August), Green Hairstreaks (May and June), Ringlets and Meadow Browns (late June and July). White-faced Darter and Black Darter dragonflies also perch on shrubs on the edge of the Moss. The course of the old railway line which runs west/east on the northern end of the Moss is particularly good in late summer. For Large Heaths in June and July you need to go inwards away from the trees - in the pools here can be found damselflies.
Re: Whixall Moss
Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 10:31 am
by Debbie
Many thanks to everybody for the information, I did pop up to Whixall last weekend but as soon as I arrived the sun went in
![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)
- my outing was before I read the posts, so a return trip is a must.
On the way there I a saw a white, speckled wood and when I arrived I saw brimstone and a fleeting glance of a brown / green butterfly which I hope would be a GHS. All flying very fast and not coming close enough to try photographing or returning for a second fly past.
I did manage this record shot of this moth - I have not had chance to ID it yet.
Looking forward to my return trip.
Thanks Debbie
Re: Whixall Moss
Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 3:38 pm
by Willrow
Hello Debbie,
Pity about the weather conditions for your trip to
Whixall Moss, hope you have much better weather and luck for your intended return visit
Your moth
could be
Silver-ground Carpet Xanthorhoe montanata - they're easily disturbed from herbage.
Bill
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Re: Whixall Moss
Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 6:20 pm
by LCPete
Good luck on your return visit Neil and AT spot on with directions you should see Large Heaths if you go on a sunny day in a couple of weeks or so
Tricky to be exact as the weather has gone all to pot this year