www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

I've visited Collard Hill twice this year without a Large Blue sighting so far...and the volunteers blog doesn't seem to give out positive vibes for good numbers over the next few days...
As tomorrow might be my last chance to travel down I wondered if there was a consensus on where I should focus my time?
Daneway Banks where numbers might be greater but there's a bigger area and lower density or Collard Hill...where numbers are low but they occur in a compact area...
I'm always happy to back my butterfly finding skills...but it could be strike 3 and out this year if I miss tomorrow...and besides petrol is so expensive...all these trips to see the Large Blues is costing me a fortune...any advice gratefully received!

Hi Jason

I went to Daneway on Friday morning at around 08.30 and within 30 minutes I had already seen 3 Large Blues.

I wasn't even at the hotspot and met a local who said they are having a good year, to the extent that they are being seen across the reserve.

I guess I am saying that it is definitely worth the trip.

I hope that helps!

Flutter on!

CJB

I visited Daneway Banks last Sunday and saw a good number of large blues, the best place to see them is in the field where the ponies are but they can be seen throughout the reserve. The advantage of visiting Daneway is that there are far less visitors there than there are at Collard. I should imagine it won't be too busy if you visit during the week

Thanks for all the help...I'll try Daneway tomorrow and report back!

Good choice, Jason. It can't do any harm to check this site out. I fancy taking a look myself before the flight season's out (and when numbers of curious visitors are much diminished).

I have dropped in a few times and have very rarely seen more than one other person.

I can point you towards the top bank above the inn, which is where I saw my LB's.

I look forward to hearing your reports.

Flutter on!

CJB

Really glad to have visited Daneway Banks..
Even without the Large Blues it would have been an excellent site!
A beautiful mix of meadow, cropped turf and scrubby woodland on a series of SE facing slopes...
The whole area was alive with butterflies...there must have been getting on for 100 Marbled White on the wing...
Counted 10 Species in 2-3 hours on-site (Large Skipper, Small Copper, Common Blue, Brown Argus, Large Blue, Small Tortoiseshell, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Small Heath and Ringlet)
We found 2 ♀ Large Blues Ovipositing just above the old pub...fascinating to watch and very confiding.
Had the site almost to ourselves...there were a few others around but its a big enough area that you have parts of it to yourself...

Hi Jason,

I am chuffed for you that you had success at Daneway and it sounds as though you had a very similar experience to mine, especially the numbers of Marbled Whites and hardly anyone else around.

Flutter on!

CJB