Gloucestershire Butterfly holiday
17th October 2020
In: Trips
Sunday 3rd June 2007
Visited Brierley – take track opposite petrol station and walk till you see track to the left. Take this and there is a wider area where we saw Wood White, Common Blue, Dingy Skipper (SO 62915 BNG 14887), Peacock, Speckled Wood, 1 fully grown Small Tortoiseshell caterpillar and 2 Pearl Bordered Fritillaries (unclear if they were Small or not! But probably were).
Monday 4th June 2007
Visited Symonds Yat (Yat Rock) and saw the Peregrine Falcons. Then we eventually found Woodside and Miners Rest. Only found a few Wood Whites, Common Blues and Large Skippers. Also a Speckled Wood.
Tuesday 5th June 2007
Visited Strawberry Banks and found Marsh Fritillary, Small Blue, Green Hairstreak, Meadow Brown, Small Heath, Small Copper, Common Blue, Speckled Wood, Marbled White, Large Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Large White.
Then went to Hailey Woods and saw Speckled Wood, Pearl or Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary, Large Skipper and a tatty Comma.
Wednesday 6th June 2007
Dull and overcast so called in at Stroud (spent an hour in the library on the net!) and then went to Rodborough Common when the sun came out. Saw plenty of blue butterflies – mainly Adonis Blue, some Common Blues. Other species seen were Small Heath, Dingy Skipper, Brown Argus, Large Skipper, Meadow Brown
Thursday 7th June 2007
Dull and overcast so went to Hereford for the morning. Brightened up a little so went to Haugh Wood in the afternoon to see what was around. Found one Wood White!
Friday 8th June 2007
Weather forecast not too promising so went south west in search of sun to Crook Peak. Warm hazy sun most of the day and had a brilliant day. Saw Large, Dingy and Grizzled Skipper, Brimstone, Green Hairstreak, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Speckled Wood, Marbled White (including a newly emerged specimen), Small Heath, Meadow Brown and the highlight so far of the holiday several Small Pearl Bordered Fritillaries – one of which very obligingly stayed on the path for photographs!
Later went to Sand Point – no Glanville Fritillaries but plenty of other species. Red Admiral (lots), Painted Lady (lots), Common Blue, Brimstone, Large, Small and Green Veined Whites, Brown Argus, Large Skipper, Meadow Brown and Marbled White
Saturday 9th June 2007
Visited Prestbury Hill (Bill Smillyes Reserve) – very hot although still hazy sun. Saw hundreds of Small Blues, also Dingy Skipper, Brimstone, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Speckled Wood and Meadow Brown.
Sunday 10th June 2007
Went to Daneway Banks to look for Large Blues – unfortunately although we scoured every inch we found none. Instead we saw plenty of Marbled Whites, Small Blues, Meadow Browns, Common Blues, Large Skippers, Brown Arguses and Small Heaths. Also saw a large golden butterfly which looked like a Silver Washed Fritillary fly towards Sikkington Forest.
In the afternoon went to West Yatton Down but could only find Common Blue, Large Skipper, Meadow Brown, Marbled White, Brown Argus, Red Admiral and loads of Brimstones
Monday 11th June 2007
It was dull and cloudy in the morning so we paid a visit to Gloucester. Sunny spells after lunch so we made our way to Highnam Woods – nice woods with lots of wide glades. However there were not many butterflies – just the usual species Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Large Skipper. Also saw hundreds of Peacock caterpillars (more than I have ever seen in one place before) and a handful of Small Tortoiseshell ones.
Tuesday 12th June 2007
Weather forecast for the week told us that this was likely to be the last good day of the week so we decided to visit Collard Hill to find the Large Blue. Weather was dull and cloudy till we arrived then luckily the rest of the day was sunny and warm. We saw 5 or 6 in total including an egg laying female. We took loads of photos. Also walked to Hatch Hill and saw our first Ringlet of the year. There were also Small Tortoiseshell, Small Heath, Marbled White, Meadow Brown and Large White.
Wednesday 13th June 2007
Rain was forecast but only arrived eventually at 4 pm. Before then we revisited Strawberry Banks but unfortunately the Marsh Fritillaries had all gone. Instead we saw a beautiful fresh Dark Green Fritillary and dozens of Marbled Whites, Meadow Browns and some very fresh Ringlets. Also observed were Comma, Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Common Blue, Small Heath, Brown Argus, Small Blue and dozens of Large Skippers.
Thursday 14th June 2007
Rain – really did rain this time! Visited Cheltenham and before returning home called in at Betty Daws Wood to see some woodland butterflies. Either the weather was not right (although warm and rather muggy) or they were not around yet!
Friday 15th June 2007
Went back to Brierley to see what differences there were. Saw more Wood Whites and Common Blues (though not as many of either) – also Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Speckled Wood and one Grizzled Skipper.
Saturday 16th June 2007
Home
Locations for this trip (supplied by Sue Smith and Simon Glover)
Pearl Bordered Fritillary
Hailey Wood (Sawmills) nr Coates, Cirencester 964016
Best to park just off the A419 at the Coates turn and walk through the wood to the sawmills. There is one particular area which has been felled several years ago where they are mostly found.
Large Blue
Daneway Banks, nr Sapperton, Cirencester 937035
Good for many species but also the site for the reintroduced Large Blue.
Marsh Fritillary
Strawberry Banks Nr Oakridge 910034
2 fields here – best to park at Oakridge near the church and walk down to the two fields known as Strawberry Banks. Also other species here
Rodborough Common 850037
Voted amongst the top 10 National Trust sites for butterflies in 2006 so good for many species
Duke of Burgundy - Edge Common 849092
Good for many species but especially Duke of Burgundy. Park at the Edgemoor Inn and go straight across the road onto the common. Pub is a good place for food but they can be sensitive about people using their car park so a good idea to talk to them or even have a meal there!
Prestbury Hill nr Cheltenham 993244
Owned by BC – great site for small blues
Visited Brierley – take track opposite petrol station and walk till you see track to the left. Take this and there is a wider area where we saw Wood White, Common Blue, Dingy Skipper (SO 62915 BNG 14887), Peacock, Speckled Wood, 1 fully grown Small Tortoiseshell caterpillar and 2 Pearl Bordered Fritillaries (unclear if they were Small or not! But probably were).
Monday 4th June 2007
Visited Symonds Yat (Yat Rock) and saw the Peregrine Falcons. Then we eventually found Woodside and Miners Rest. Only found a few Wood Whites, Common Blues and Large Skippers. Also a Speckled Wood.
Tuesday 5th June 2007
Visited Strawberry Banks and found Marsh Fritillary, Small Blue, Green Hairstreak, Meadow Brown, Small Heath, Small Copper, Common Blue, Speckled Wood, Marbled White, Large Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Large White.
Then went to Hailey Woods and saw Speckled Wood, Pearl or Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary, Large Skipper and a tatty Comma.
Wednesday 6th June 2007
Dull and overcast so called in at Stroud (spent an hour in the library on the net!) and then went to Rodborough Common when the sun came out. Saw plenty of blue butterflies – mainly Adonis Blue, some Common Blues. Other species seen were Small Heath, Dingy Skipper, Brown Argus, Large Skipper, Meadow Brown
Thursday 7th June 2007
Dull and overcast so went to Hereford for the morning. Brightened up a little so went to Haugh Wood in the afternoon to see what was around. Found one Wood White!
Friday 8th June 2007
Weather forecast not too promising so went south west in search of sun to Crook Peak. Warm hazy sun most of the day and had a brilliant day. Saw Large, Dingy and Grizzled Skipper, Brimstone, Green Hairstreak, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Speckled Wood, Marbled White (including a newly emerged specimen), Small Heath, Meadow Brown and the highlight so far of the holiday several Small Pearl Bordered Fritillaries – one of which very obligingly stayed on the path for photographs!
Later went to Sand Point – no Glanville Fritillaries but plenty of other species. Red Admiral (lots), Painted Lady (lots), Common Blue, Brimstone, Large, Small and Green Veined Whites, Brown Argus, Large Skipper, Meadow Brown and Marbled White
Saturday 9th June 2007
Visited Prestbury Hill (Bill Smillyes Reserve) – very hot although still hazy sun. Saw hundreds of Small Blues, also Dingy Skipper, Brimstone, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Speckled Wood and Meadow Brown.
Sunday 10th June 2007
Went to Daneway Banks to look for Large Blues – unfortunately although we scoured every inch we found none. Instead we saw plenty of Marbled Whites, Small Blues, Meadow Browns, Common Blues, Large Skippers, Brown Arguses and Small Heaths. Also saw a large golden butterfly which looked like a Silver Washed Fritillary fly towards Sikkington Forest.
In the afternoon went to West Yatton Down but could only find Common Blue, Large Skipper, Meadow Brown, Marbled White, Brown Argus, Red Admiral and loads of Brimstones
Monday 11th June 2007
It was dull and cloudy in the morning so we paid a visit to Gloucester. Sunny spells after lunch so we made our way to Highnam Woods – nice woods with lots of wide glades. However there were not many butterflies – just the usual species Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Large Skipper. Also saw hundreds of Peacock caterpillars (more than I have ever seen in one place before) and a handful of Small Tortoiseshell ones.
Tuesday 12th June 2007
Weather forecast for the week told us that this was likely to be the last good day of the week so we decided to visit Collard Hill to find the Large Blue. Weather was dull and cloudy till we arrived then luckily the rest of the day was sunny and warm. We saw 5 or 6 in total including an egg laying female. We took loads of photos. Also walked to Hatch Hill and saw our first Ringlet of the year. There were also Small Tortoiseshell, Small Heath, Marbled White, Meadow Brown and Large White.
Wednesday 13th June 2007
Rain was forecast but only arrived eventually at 4 pm. Before then we revisited Strawberry Banks but unfortunately the Marsh Fritillaries had all gone. Instead we saw a beautiful fresh Dark Green Fritillary and dozens of Marbled Whites, Meadow Browns and some very fresh Ringlets. Also observed were Comma, Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Common Blue, Small Heath, Brown Argus, Small Blue and dozens of Large Skippers.
Thursday 14th June 2007
Rain – really did rain this time! Visited Cheltenham and before returning home called in at Betty Daws Wood to see some woodland butterflies. Either the weather was not right (although warm and rather muggy) or they were not around yet!
Friday 15th June 2007
Went back to Brierley to see what differences there were. Saw more Wood Whites and Common Blues (though not as many of either) – also Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Speckled Wood and one Grizzled Skipper.
Saturday 16th June 2007
Home
Locations for this trip (supplied by Sue Smith and Simon Glover)
Pearl Bordered Fritillary
Hailey Wood (Sawmills) nr Coates, Cirencester 964016
Best to park just off the A419 at the Coates turn and walk through the wood to the sawmills. There is one particular area which has been felled several years ago where they are mostly found.
Large Blue
Daneway Banks, nr Sapperton, Cirencester 937035
Good for many species but also the site for the reintroduced Large Blue.
Marsh Fritillary
Strawberry Banks Nr Oakridge 910034
2 fields here – best to park at Oakridge near the church and walk down to the two fields known as Strawberry Banks. Also other species here
Rodborough Common 850037
Voted amongst the top 10 National Trust sites for butterflies in 2006 so good for many species
Duke of Burgundy - Edge Common 849092
Good for many species but especially Duke of Burgundy. Park at the Edgemoor Inn and go straight across the road onto the common. Pub is a good place for food but they can be sensitive about people using their car park so a good idea to talk to them or even have a meal there!
Prestbury Hill nr Cheltenham 993244
Owned by BC – great site for small blues