Heath Fritillary - Blean Woods

[Matsukaze]

I'm rather unexpectedly finding myself in east Kent this weekend - are the Heath Fritillaries out, and if so, where do I find them?

[David M]

Isn't Haddon Hill easier for you, Chris? There are plenty there, although I believe in good years at Blean they can be super-abundant.

[Matsukaze]

I'd be going to one of the Exmoor sites this weekend if I wasn't in Kent then anyway!

[millerd]

Hi Chris.

In previous years, I've always found the car park in East Blean Woods to be a good starting point. Though the exact area varies from year to year because of the way the wood is managed for them, a bit of searching should turn them up. One year I saw the first ones before I'd even got out of the car!
https://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/na ... n-wood-nnr
Parking used to be free, but no longer it seems.

I believe Heath Fritillaries can be found more widely in the whole Blean Woods area, but you probably need local knowledge for that!

Cheers,

Dave

[Matsukaze]

Excellent, thanks Dave!

[sifenn]

Opportune to see this conversation as I have a chance to be in N Somerset/ N Devon next weekend 26/27th and was wondering if Heath Fritillary is still likely to be around ?
I last visited Halse Coombe in 2011 in mid-May when they were already on the wing, but I think that was an 'early' year.
A morning with Heaths and an afternoon with High Browns would be a great tonic. thx

[Medard]

You may have missed my post of yesterday
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=11002&start=100

Today on Exmoor.
I arrived at 7-am, the sky was overcast, not at all promising, experience has taught me it only needed a ray of sunshine to bring the winged wonders out , I had to wait until 11am and a break in the gloom, a half hour of sunshine did the trick

.

https://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com/

[sifenn]

thanks Medard and I'm bringing trip forward a bit as forecast looks promising tues-wed this week
I spotted a thread about Glanvilles near Warminster but can't find it now.... Can anyone help with approximate location and if they are still around ?
many thanks
SiFenn

[David M]

White Sheet Hill, near Mere is the location for the Glanvilles, sifenn. Not sure if they'll still be around. They were fresh looking when I visited on 4th June.

[Matsukaze]

Heath Fritillaries at East Blean Wood on Sunday. Thanks folks!

At least 30 about in mostly overcast conditions (the only species of butterfly there). They looked freshly emerged, and posed nicely for photos.

[False Apollo]

I visited Blean Woods RSPB ON 15th June and was rather disappointed as I only found 3 Heath Fritillaries mid-PM. I then went on to East Blean Woods and what a difference, I saw at least 10 in one small area, some had been out a while, some were extremely fresh. It was late afternoon by this time but they were still very active and sunning themselves. I rarely visit Kent but there has been and impressive showing at East Blean in previous visits.

[Jack Harrison]

White Sheet Hill, near Mere is the location for the Glanvilles

I'm intrigued (although will never vist). Introduction I presume?

Jack

[sifenn]

thanks David M, will have to save Glanvilles for next year as I ran out of time.
I found a few Heath Fritillaries at Halse Combe and then spent the afternoon watching High Brown Fritillaries whizzing around the Heddon Valley. Some high level cloud and a bramble patch finally enabled me to grab a few shots for positive ID.
Thursday looked a washout, but a bright patch in the morning enabled me to see White-letter Hairstreaks on Clifton Down in Bristol and then Silver-studded Blues at Prees on way back north. A very happy, leppy minibreak
Looks like Sunday could be good for a Mountain Ringlet excursion....

[David M]

I'm intrigued (although will never vist). Introduction I presume?

Yes, Jack. Seems to be becoming a pastime lately.

[Neil Freeman]

White Sheet Hill, near Mere is the location for the Glanvilles

I'm intrigued (although will never vist). Introduction I presume?

Jack

More info here Jack.

https://www.dorsetbutterflies.com/category/news/

Although this is in Dorset, apparently White Sheet Hill is only about 20 miles from Compton Down and it is believed that the same culprit is responsible.

Cheers,

Neil.