Trip to Daneway Banks
Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2016 8:07 pm
A planned meet up with Wurzel on the Sunday 19th (Father’s Day) for Collard Hill Large Blues was put on the back-burner thanks to the recent atrocious weather and gloomy forecasts. Though there was very little sun on the horizon out west, the forecast offered a glimmer of hope before noon further eastwards. So, on the morning 19th I made my way out to Whitecross Green Wood hoping for a Black Hairstreak sighting. I was able to made good time on M40 the motorway only to take a wrong turn on the Headington Roundabout and get stuck in a dual carriageway traffic jam caused by cones and road-works with, you’ve guessed it no road-works actually taking place 
. All U-turn exit roads to get back onto the other side of the carriageway were blocked off so there was only one thing for it first gear crawl till eventually a roundabout allowed for an about turn to put me back on track. 40 minutes or so lost 
.
At WGW the weather was cool and the cloud was soon to thicken up (just my luck). As it was father’s day my youngest daughter respected my wishes for her to come along with me
. She was a very good extra pair of eyes, spotting almost everything before I did 
. Two species new for the season were Meadow Brown and Marbled White. Also seen were Large Skipper and Common Blue. We made our way to the far end of the ride where we’d been tipped-off about a Grass snake atop a compost heap. When we got to the spot the Grass snake was there but alert to our arrival and moved off into the undergrowth leaving only its tail showing. My daughter wanted to know why it was brown (olive brown) and not green as she had expected 
. I told her that was the general colour of the Grass snakes. Some illustrations tend to exaggerate the green-ness I think.
Suddenly my daughter cried out “what’s that dad”? and there it was a Black Hairstreak jinking around the flowers of a dog rose 
. I stood there transfixed as it was looked for all intents and purposes, like it was going to land … but it didn’t. Just a couple of small laps then over the rose and bramble and out of site into the scrub beyond.
We didn’t get see another that day, but met False Apollo who’d told me he’d seen at least half a dozen or so and showed us a good spot. However, catching a sight of one was on condition that the sun put in an appearance, which it didn’t
. During our time there the sky had turned from white to dark grey cloud so it was time for us to go.
On the M40 it was rush hour(s) and the journey back was slow slow quick quick slow, concertinaing traffic on it and the M25 all the way back to Woking. The only thing that made that part of the journey worthwhile was seeing the dozens of Red Kites floating on the updrafts above the motorway . Some photos from Whitecross Green Wood:-
So with both me and Wurzel feeling cheated of our weekend we rescheduled our Large Blue foray for the following Sunday. As for the previous weekend, the early forecast offered hope for the weekend only to get worse nearer the day. Nevertheless, it looked promising up to Midday so I made sure to get to Salisbury by 08:00. Wurzel had got it all planned out and suggested Daneway Banks instead of Collard, for a few good reasons. Firstly, it was a new site for us to explore a site that has been receiving more compliments in recent times from other UKB’ers. Secondly Essex Buzzard presented an excellent and encouraging report in his Personal Diary from his visit just the day before, and thirdly staying away from Collard would avoid the risk of getting snarled up in Glastonbury traffic. Though further distance-wise, Wurzel’s knowledge of the back-roads (SatNav assisted) and rally driving skills ensured we got there in good time 
.
For anyone considering going to Daneway Banks be aware that there is a steep knackering hill to climb up if you park by the Daneway Inn pub. There is space for a couple of cars by the reserve South-west side entrance though I’m not sure whether it is entirely legit to park there (three cars were parked there and opposite when we left).
A trio of ramblers out to look for the Large Blue followed us up the hill and into the reserve. One of them took it upon herself to tell us all where we needed to look so we stayed with them in case local ‘expert’ knowledge would turn up trumps
. It seemed like ages but was probably less than 5 minutes before Wurzel found one in flight, noticeably darker and slate coloured unlike say a Common Blue. It showed no sign of wanting to land and eventually we lost sight of it as it headed down the hill and over a bank. However, it wasn’t long after that when the rambling groups self appointed ‘leader’ found one and we were able to get some shots off before the group’s ‘second in command’ found another one settled but felt the need to ask us what species was …. It was Large Blue. After that Wurzel and I decided it was time to split.
There were other butterflies aplenty: - Marbled White; Ringlet; Meadow Brown; Large Skipper and a single female Common Blue were seen. Daneway was the site of my first Ringlets this season. Nice ‘dark chocolate’ examples too .
Continuing to work our way into the reserve along the bottom of the bank by the path I turned up another Large Blue and this one obligingly settled with its wings open, attempting to warm up in weather a bit in the cool side.
We worked our way further into the reserve its lush banks clothed in yellow from trefoils, rock rose and Hawksbeard with a good helping of Pyramidal and Common Spotted Orchid other wild flowers 
.
At this point the weather had continued to hold with light white cloud and blue sky breaks, but the Large Blues seemed to disappear whilst other species such as Ringlet and Marbled White grew in number. We persevered on our route moving further on in and upwards when we came across another butterflier with large camera, tripod and long lens trained on to something (Large Blue of course). He enthused about the area that we were in saying it was good spot particularly for females due to an abundance of Wild Thyme . Soon Wurzel had found us another one, in fact two and then another. There was plenty to see in this spot .
The butterflier didn’t mind our arrival onto ‘his turf’ and in fact was happy enough for us to get in first with our cameras on the ones he found . Gradually though, his demeanour began to change first by criticising “that rubbish Somerset site” 
and then he wound himself up into a rant about his “best mate’s” total lack of photographer’s etiquette because of his consistent knack of barging in and spooking the quarry. It wasn’t raining yet but we were treated to a big shower of expletives . It was banter right on the edge. Needless to say his bet mate wasn’t there, …. just as well . Best impression of a Mr Angry / Frank Doberman I’ve seen in a long time 
The weather then turned gloomier with thicker cloud with barely any sun breaks. A few spots of rain were felt so we slowly made our way back. The plan was to move on to Martin Down for Dark Green Fritillary, but as we got near the entrance area it brightened up and we started to see Large Blue again . Another treat for me was a Small Tortoiseshell, a butterfly I rarely encounter in Surrey .
The sun putting in a final show had tempted us to stay but we decided to trust the forecast and headed off after a stop for lunch. On the way back I kept nodding off 
, perhaps too many late nights and early mornings moth-trapping sessions? It was then that Wurzel decided that the Tidworth Duke site was a better proposition for Dark Green Fritillary being easier and quicker to get to than Martin Down with our time restricted by the bad weather closing in. This turned out to be a great move .
We checked an area where I’d seen them previously in late summer and were only a 100 yards in when there it was, a male DGF nectaring on the only flowering knapweed around (but soon moved onto red clover). I ran off a couple of macro distance shots before its next hop allowed the wind to carry it away (I think Wurzel who spotted it did better).
Rather than chase off in the direction of the butterfly we made for a line of trees which would provide shelter from the wind. On the way we encountered another flowering knapweed but this time it was carrying two male Marbled White who were being buffeted by the breeze.
The gloomy conditions were ideal for getting close to the Marbled Whites which are usually very difficult to get near to on sunny days.
In the sheltered area we found what we were looking for: - Dark Green Fritillary and then I came across a group of three males hunkered down close together . One of these immediately took off then a second made a getaway but the third decided to stay put and close up its wings. I was absolutely chuffed to get my first ever fully lateral shots of the underside of a DGF .
Our final check before leaving was on an area where which is good for Small Copper … sadly not this time but no problem, we’d had a thoroughly enjoyable day’s butterflying . I also got myself a few moth photos to work on too.
Daneway Banks is a brilliant site well worth visiting.
Next foray planned is a visit Durslton or Lulworth for Lulworth Skipper and Wall .. providing the weather (or anything else for that matter) doesn’t conspire.
Phil
. All U-turn exit roads to get back onto the other side of the carriageway were blocked off so there was only one thing for it first gear crawl till eventually a roundabout allowed for an about turn to put me back on track. 40 minutes or so lost . At WGW the weather was cool and the cloud was soon to thicken up (just my luck). As it was father’s day my youngest daughter respected my wishes for her to come along with me
. She was a very good extra pair of eyes, spotting almost everything before I did . Two species new for the season were Meadow Brown and Marbled White. Also seen were Large Skipper and Common Blue. We made our way to the far end of the ride where we’d been tipped-off about a Grass snake atop a compost heap. When we got to the spot the Grass snake was there but alert to our arrival and moved off into the undergrowth leaving only its tail showing. My daughter wanted to know why it was brown (olive brown) and not green as she had expected . I told her that was the general colour of the Grass snakes. Some illustrations tend to exaggerate the green-ness I think. . I stood there transfixed as it was looked for all intents and purposes, like it was going to land … but it didn’t. Just a couple of small laps then over the rose and bramble and out of site into the scrub beyond. We didn’t get see another that day, but met False Apollo who’d told me he’d seen at least half a dozen or so and showed us a good spot. However, catching a sight of one was on condition that the sun put in an appearance, which it didn’t
. During our time there the sky had turned from white to dark grey cloud so it was time for us to go. On the M40 it was rush hour(s) and the journey back was slow slow quick quick slow, concertinaing traffic on it and the M25 all the way back to Woking. The only thing that made that part of the journey worthwhile was seeing the dozens of Red Kites floating on the updrafts above the motorway
. Some photos from Whitecross Green Wood:- - Muntjac deer
- Bombus hypnorum or Tree Bee
- Leptopterna dolabrata or ferrugata, Myrid bug nymph
ensured we got there in good time .For anyone considering going to Daneway Banks be aware that there is a steep knackering hill to climb up if you park by the Daneway Inn pub. There is space for a couple of cars by the reserve South-west side entrance though I’m not sure whether it is entirely legit to park there (three cars were parked there and opposite when we left).
A trio of ramblers out to look for the Large Blue followed us up the hill and into the reserve. One of them took it upon herself to tell us all where we needed to look so we stayed with them in case local ‘expert’ knowledge would turn up trumps
. It seemed like ages but was probably less than 5 minutes before Wurzel found one in flight, noticeably darker and slate coloured unlike say a Common Blue. It showed no sign of wanting to land and eventually we lost sight of it as it headed down the hill and over a bank. However, it wasn’t long after that when the rambling groups self appointed ‘leader’ found one and we were able to get some shots off before the group’s ‘second in command’ found another one settled but felt the need to ask us what species was …. It was Large Blue. After that Wurzel and I decided it was time to split. . . . Soon Wurzel had found us another one, in fact two and then another. There was plenty to see in this spot . . Gradually though, his demeanour began to change first by criticising “that rubbish Somerset site” and then he wound himself up into a rant about his “best mate’s” total lack of photographer’s etiquette because of his consistent knack of barging in and spooking the quarry. It wasn’t raining yet but we were treated to a big shower of expletives . It was banter right on the edge. Needless to say his bet mate wasn’t there, …. just as well . Best impression of a Mr Angry / Frank Doberman I’ve seen in a long time The weather then turned gloomier with thicker cloud with barely any sun breaks. A few spots of rain were felt so we slowly made our way back. The plan was to move on to Martin Down for Dark Green Fritillary, but as we got near the entrance area it brightened up and we started to see Large Blue again
. Another treat for me was a Small Tortoiseshell, a butterfly I rarely encounter in Surrey .- Calocoris roseomaculatus, Mirid Bug
, perhaps too many late nights and early mornings moth-trapping sessions? It was then that Wurzel decided that the Tidworth Duke site was a better proposition for Dark Green Fritillary being easier and quicker to get to than Martin Down with our time restricted by the bad weather closing in. This turned out to be a great move .We checked an area where I’d seen them previously in late summer and were only a 100 yards in when there it was, a male DGF nectaring on the only flowering knapweed around (but soon moved onto red clover). I ran off a couple of macro distance shots before its next hop allowed the wind to carry it away (I think Wurzel who spotted it did better).
who were being buffeted by the breeze. . One of these immediately took off then a second made a getaway but the third decided to stay put and close up its wings. I was absolutely chuffed to get my first ever fully lateral shots of the underside of a DGF . . I also got myself a few moth photos to work on too.Daneway Banks is a brilliant site well worth visiting.
Next foray planned is a visit Durslton or Lulworth for Lulworth Skipper and Wall .. providing the weather (or anything else for that matter) doesn’t conspire.
Phil