Large Blue at Collard Hill anyone?

eccles · Post by **eccles** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 6:29 pm

Has anyone been here in the last week?
Thanks..

Matsukaze · Post by **Matsukaze** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 7:58 pm

Several (but not huge numbers) on Friday. Possibly still early in the season for them.

eccles · Post by **eccles** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 11:16 pm

Thanks. I may get down there tomorrow if it's fine.

eccles · Post by **eccles** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 6:52 pm

I visited Collard Hill today, getting there around 1pm. I went immediately to the top of the hill, to the far end of the reserve and within five minutes I saw my first one, a male, that is assuming that I've got it right that the males are brighter blue than the females. It fluttered about a bit then dived into cover and I lost it. I saw another male later and that did exactly the same thing. Then a National Trust person appeared there, ready and willing to point out the spots that he'd already seen them, about 12 that day, and on his tipoff I got a bit more luck, finding a mating pair. The female's wings were rather crumpled so he had evidently been rather eager! I saw two other females which were amenable to photographs. Anyone familiar with the site will know where to look but the best spot appears to be within 25 feet downhill of the line of fenced off blackthorn bushes. Also, the path that leads relatively easily down to the bottom of the hill showed several according to the NT man although I didn't see any there. The way is marked with blue posts and blue rope.
So, in about two hours I saw two of each sex plus the mating pair. I had a bit of a bad field day unfortunately, and this was the best photo that I took:

Still, I did get to see the species, and there was also a bee orchid on the slope so watch where you put your feet.

I'll probably try and get down there a bit earlier next time to try and catch basking males. BTW there were roadworks on the A39 at Street causing quite bad tailbacks so next time I shall take A37 through Shepton Mallet then the Somerford road from Lydford.

Matsukaze · Post by **Matsukaze** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 7:03 pm

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eccles · Post by **eccles** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 3:18 pm

I visited Collard Hill again this morning, getting there ahead of the rain. In about two hours I saw fourteen although I couldn't say for certain that the same individual wasn't seen more than once. They certainly don't seem to be taking off as in some previous years. I captured a mating pair yesterday plus a very worn looking butterfly this morning.
The resident NT person thought that they will probably have peaked by next week. I think maybe another visit when the weather is next fine and that'll probably be it for this year. I was a little disappointed in the numbers, and also my inability to spot the better looking specimens when going to ground. That steep slope is a killer!

But it was still a privilege to see this rare butterfly, and when refracting that deep blue whilst in flight it's a rather special sight.

Rogerdodge · Post by **Rogerdodge** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 4:48 pm

[The resident NT person thought that they will probably have peaked by next week. I think maybe another visit when the weather is next fine and that'll probably be it for this year.]

Hmmmm...........

That doesn't bode very well for the Green Down open day on the 23rd.

I also fear that the Black Hairstreaks may be over by this weekend - but I shall be there anyway!!

http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/phpBB2/v ... .php?t=896

This is becoming a very odd year indeed!

Sweepstake for the first Brown Hairstreak anyone?

My guess is July 15th!

Roger Harding

Chris · Post by **Chris** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 9:48 am

Maybe we'll get some unusual second and third broods this year?

eccles · Post by **eccles** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 10:01 am

@Roger, if I get down to Collard Hill again next week I'll post the prognosis here to give you some idea of your prospects, but 23rd June is only 9 days away so you may hit the peak.

Rogerdodge · Post by **Rogerdodge** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 4:40 pm

Collard Hill again next week I'll post the prognosis here to give you some idea of your prospects

That would be very kind.
Thanks
Roger Harding

eccles · Post by **eccles** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 9:36 am

@Roger, I had hoped to visit Collard Hill today (17th June) or tomorrow (18th June) but the weather doesn't look very promising. It's cloudy now in Bristol with a weather front moving up from the south, so Collard Hill will be just as bad or worse. Rain is due later today with a wet week in prospect so I doubt if I'll be able to give a further update. Different colonies may emerge at slightly different times in any case so a phone call to the SWT may be your best option before setting out.

Rogerdodge · Post by **Rogerdodge** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 6:50 pm

Thanks for trying anyway.
I went to Glapthorne today (as did just about every butterflier in the country I reckon) excellent views of BH.
Fingers crossed for next weekend.
Thanks again.
Roger

Andrew Cunningham · Post by **Andrew Cunningham** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 10:41 am

Crossing my fingers too Roger. Grim right now in Tiverton.

Simon C · Post by **Simon C** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 8:26 am

I was at Collard Hill on Saturday - thanks to accuweather, whose better take on the weather was enough for me to chance it. The BBC on Friday were predicting rain throughout the day whereas accuweather reckoned it would be broken cloud with a shower just after mid-day, and were spot on.

Collard Hill is dead easy by public transport. Train to Bristol Temple Meads station, and then the 376 bus from outside the station will drop you off right at the gate at the entrance to the hill. It takes well over an hour, but the scenery is good and there's plenty of time to do the mornings fiendish Sudoku en route

. I recommend getting a return ticket to Compton Dundon, since there is a pub 50 meters from the bus stop, where you can wait if you are early for your return bus. Compton Dundon is about 10 minutes walk from Collard Hill.

I had lots of sightings of Large Blue. They don't half move around the hillside, but many that settled had minor wing damage so it was possible to distinguish some individuals. I counted at least seven. The volunteer warden reckons they will peak this coming weekend. He also said there were 30+ on the wing at Green Down, and that last year the season went on longer there than at Collard Hill, by a week or so. But remember its Glastonbury festival weekend, so take your wellies!

After Collard Hill, I walked on to Hatch Hill, where I got my first sighting of a Ringlet for the year - one of my top five, so a nice spot. After that I went on to Great Breach Wood, hoping for Silver Washed Frits, but no luck, and I also popped by Gilling Down to try for more Large Blue but there were none showing themselves. Great place though.

Overall, a very enjoyable day, with a couple of fair shots of Large Blues.

Simon C

eccles · Post by **eccles** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 4:05 pm

I'm very jealous of that open wing shot, Simon.
I visited Collard Hill again today in a last attempt at getting a decent open wing picture myself. An N.T. rep spotted one for me, but it had gone by the time my camera was ready. Then two professional butterfly scarers turned up that hadn't a clue on how to approach a butterfly. Large blues can be approached quite easily but these people's in-your-face snapping meant that they were adopting a wings up ready-for-flight attitude whilst feeding. There was no time to compose their shots. Two snaps and they were gone.
Conversely, there was a guy last week who sneaked up on a resting butterfly, took several shots, withdrew carefully, allowed me to approach it in the same way, get a few snaps and it was still there when I withdrew. Unfortunately the butterfly was quite tatty looking which is why I didn't post it.

I only saw two today in any case so I think they're about done at this site for the year now.
Nevertheless it sounds like hopeful news for the Green Down open day so good luck to the visitors there.

With deteriorating weather imminent, I stopped by at Velvet Bottom near Charterhouse. I saw two very fresh looking dark green frits but wow they were lively! So no pics unfortunately. There's an area that's cordoned off with thorny twigs with a couple of signs denoting a butterfly conservation project under way. I presume this is for the DGF.

On a plus note I saw two small torts at Collard Hill and another three at Velvet Bottom, two males chasing a female. I also saw one yesterday at my local patch so I do hope they're on the rise again.

sidwemn · Post by **sidwemn** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 8:26 am

I'm starting to get worried about seeing Large Blue again this year. It's a long trek from Middlesbrough.

Last year the only weekend I could get down with my son he was ill. This year due to work commitments, this coming weekend is my only chance. It's beginning to look like it might be too late, plus the weather is not looking good.

I'll make a decision Friday evening/first thing Saturday morning!

Cheers
Martyn

eccles · Post by **eccles** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 10:43 am

@Martyn, the N.T. have a Large Blue hotline that you might want to call before setting off. It is: 01793 817732

Chris · Post by **Chris** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 11:24 am

Martyn.

I too live near Middlesborough and often worry at the expense of heading South to see some of the more southern species... I won't be able to see the Large Blue this year, but am hoping to head south later in the year to see Brown hairstreak and Adonis blue (second brood), both of which I've never seen.

I'd also like to see Lulworth skippers, but that might be TOO far!

I'd be happy to share the driving and expenses if you're interested... my car has a universal insurance policy, which is handy, so anybody can drive it. I'd be looking at going the third week in August.

PM me if you're interested.

Cheers, Chris

sidwemn · Post by **sidwemn** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 8:08 am

After seeing the weather forecast on Friday evening I bottled it. I didn't think it was worth the journey. I'm working this coming weekend, so it now looks like next year. I'll see them eventually!

Cheers
Martyn

Rogerdodge · Post by **Rogerdodge** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 4:19 pm

I live just far enough away from Green Down for it to be a fair trek, but close enough to share the same weather (70 miles).
As such, at 08:00 on Saturday morning I calledthe chap I was taking and cancelled the trip as it was absolutely heaving it down.
I should have listened to the wife, and her old Devonian saying "Rain before 7, fine by 11"
Ho Hum.
Roger Harding
p.s. Today it has rained from 05:00 to now, 17:00 without a break, so she isn't always right!