www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

On holiday for two weeks after this week and hoping to get up to the M40 woods for Black Hairstreak (Lifer). Has anyone got any tips for access, parking best places to look as I understand it's a bit complicated with access etc.
Thanks in advance Roger

Hi Roger,

There is a useful map of the M40 compensation area, with detailed grid reference, at http://www.ukbms.org/SiteFactsheet.aspx?siteId=1315

Although it is adjacent to the M40, the only access route is from the Oakley Wood car park (SP611117), from where it is quite a long trek along the main forest ride. If you carry a bike in your car, it's a useful asset for this site.

Another very good site in the same area is Whitecross Green Wood. The entrance is at SP599150 opposite Panshill Cottage. Drive through two gates and there is a small carpark, just inside the wood. There are several good locations within the wood - sometimes you even see them in the carpark! Sightings of eight BH were reported there, yesterday, at http://oxfordshirewildlife.blogspot.co. ... -june.html

I may visit there myself in the next couple of days, so will post an update if I have more info.

Mike

Willrow and I managed to find the compensation area last year but we had to rely on directions from a gentleman we met earlier and, it has to be said, a bit of hopeful tramping through rather lugubrious woodland.

You need to go right to the end of the forest track and where it does a loop go straight on and follow a barely visible 'path' until you see daylight ahead.

As Mike says, Whitecross may be better, as you'll find the 'pond' area pretty easily (just look out for the other BH spotters). Bill and I saw about a dozen around that spot in 2013.

Agree with you David, Whitecross Green Wood is undoubtedly the easier of the two, in fact the M40 Compensation area is a maze to find and quite a trek getting there as you so rightly make reference to.

If I were you Zoylander I would concentrate on Whitecross which is a really nice location. Black Hairstreak are superb butterflies and are real knockouts when fresh...hope you get your 'lifer'

Bill

"When in doubt...venture out"

Thanks guys for your help it sounds as if Whitecross Green Wood is where I'll be heading to next week.

Willrow wrote:Agree with you David, Whitecross Green Wood is undoubtedly the easier of the two, in fact the M40 Compensation area is a maze to find and quite a trek getting there as you so rightly make reference to.

You're quite right, Bill, but I feel a sense of 'unfinished business' there. If I go back this year it will be the weekend after next, because I fancy a Heath Fritillary search this coming weekend followed by a 'High Brown Experience' at Alun Valley. The first males were sighted there yesterday (along with early Ringlets!!).

Great news David. I'm considering a return to Exmoor myself (possibly Thursday) having tried Bincombe as an extension to my negative Sand Point excursion for Glanville Frits thinking I could be lucky because the Heath Frits were already reported as out in Cornwall, did not realise that Cornwall are always somewhat ahead of Exmoor at the time these things are hard learned!!!

Regards 'unfinished business' I'll PM you sometime next week (if that's okay?). At present there's just so much happening at the same time with so many species - its hard what to choose...but its great ain't it

Bill

"When in doubt...venture out"

The sun was shining this afternoon, so I decided to make a quick visit to Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon.

I can report that there are good numbers of Black Hairstreak on the wing now and have written a report of my visit in my Personal Diary.

Mike

Went to Whitecross Green Wood today, what a fabulous place. We saw 8-9 Black Hairstreaks but the weather conditions weren't brilliant with a lot of heavy cloud cover. Fantastic binocular views were had but they never came down in the three hours we were there to have anything like a chance to take decent photographs. Also a fresh Silver-washed Fritillary and good numbers of Large Skipper, Ringlet, Marbled White & Meadow Brown. Thanks again for everyone's help Roger.

Pleased to know you saw your 'lifer' Roger and a lovely fresh Silver-washed Fritillary as a bonus

Bill

"When in doubt...venture out"

Indeed, Silver Washed was certainly a bonus.

Had the sun shone for any length of time the day prior then I'm sure Willrow and I would have seen a few in nearby Bernwood Forest.

Sadly, it wasn't to be.