Glanville Fritillary in Somerset

Andrew Mc · Post by **Andrew Mc** » Thu May 24, 2007 3:53 pm

Photographed at Sand Point today. A real treat.

david king · Post by **david king** » Thu May 24, 2007 4:23 pm

Andrew
Are there many on the wing and is there a best place to find them? I was contemplating a visit to the Isle Of Wight this weekend and this is a much easier trip.
Thanks
david
PS Is this considered to be a self-sustaining colony?

Andrew Mc · Post by **Andrew Mc** » Thu May 24, 2007 6:10 pm

David
Head up the hill to the trig point at ST327660. From there follow a rough path down towards the south west. After a couple of styles there's an obvious clearing with lots of large daisies growing. We saw three individuals, sufficiently approachable that I was able to photograph them using my mobile phone.

When 'Butterflies of the Bristol Region' by Barnett, Higgins, Moulin and Wiltshire was written in 2003 "the last confirmed sighting was on 7 June 2000." This suggests there may have been a re-stock.

Andrew

Post by **Pete Eeles** » Thu May 24, 2007 6:27 pm

30-40 (fresh) Glanville Fritillary sighted today at Hurst Castle, near Keyhaven. None seen so far at Hordle Cliff.

I'll be updating the Hants BC website, hopefully, later today.

Cheers,

- Pete

eccles · Post by **eccles** » Thu May 24, 2007 7:32 pm

Well spotted Andrew, and thanks for posting. I hope the forecast rain for next week doesn't wash them out.

sandraandkevin · Post by **sandraandkevin** » Fri May 25, 2007 5:45 am

We were also thinking of going to the Isle of Wight tomorrow as we have never seen them before. However this would seem an easier journey.
Are they in any special area at Hurst Castle and as we have not been to that area of Hants before any directions would be appreciated.

Post by **Pete Eeles** » Fri May 25, 2007 5:48 am

The only info I have is on the Hants website:

http://www.hantsiow-butterflies.org.uk/sightings.html

Cheers,

- Pete

david king · Post by **david king** » Fri May 25, 2007 7:39 pm

I visited today from 11:30-12:45 am. Cool and breezy with occasional hazy sun.
Saw three inc this one:

.

Met someone who said there had been eleven present earlier this week.
Also saw Brown Argus, Large Skipper and Common Blue.
Thanks for the info Andrew- saved me the IoW trip
d

Gruditch · Post by **Gruditch** » Sat May 26, 2007 7:44 pm

Went down to Hurst Castle today (26th) good numbers of Glanville Frits, got some good pics of them and got some good pics of a Cream-spot Tiger Moth and got a parking ticket when i got back

Gruditch

Post by **Pete Eeles** » Sat May 26, 2007 7:53 pm

Thanks all.

Gruditch ... sorry to hear about the parking ticket ... do you (or anyone else) have precise details for the Hurst Castle location. I've received a couple of emails from disappointed visitors. Sightings seem fairly "binary" at the moment - you either see none or 30+!!!

Cheers,

- Pete

Rogerdodge · Post by **Rogerdodge** » Sat May 26, 2007 8:46 pm

Went to Sand Point for a couple of hours today, and saw just one Glanville, but exactly where Andrew Mc had seen his.
The weather was not ideal - mostly overcast and very blustery with a cold wind.
Met a couple of local ladies who said that the Glanvilles had been out for 3 WEEKS they certainly knew what they were talking about.
What a wierd season.
Roger Harding

Gruditch · Post by **Gruditch** » Sun May 27, 2007 7:27 am

Thanks all.

Gruditch ... sorry to hear about the parking ticket ... do you (or anyone else) have precise details for the Hurst Castle location. I've received a couple of emails from disappointed visitors. Sightings seem fairly "binary" at the moment - you either see none or 30+!!!

Cheers,

- Pete

The grassy area right in front of Hurst castle, next to the castle entrance, It is a large grass area split by two paths and a train track. We did see one indvidual futher away near one of the two old cottages, but all the rest were near the castle.

Cheers Gruditch

martin bevan · Post by **martin bevan** » Sun May 27, 2007 9:56 am

hello every one i also heard there a site on berry head in south devon and they have been there for the last three years and no one no where they have come from. there was a report one today in the week of three glanville seen. cheers hope of some help.