12 August 2015

Fontmell Down & The SSS

Date: 12/08/2015

Location: Fontmell Down
Weather: Temp Rising all day to 25c - but some cloud and gusty wind. 
Other Species: Brimstone, Large White, Meadow Brown, Chalkhill Blue, Commom Blue, Small Skipper, Silver Spotted Skipper, Clouded Yellow, Small Heath, Dark Green Fritillary, Brown Argus, Small Blue, Small Copper.

Observation:  Up over Spread-Eagle Hill, blue skies and a full car park ! Waited 10 mins and a space opened up so headed off in search of Silver Spotted Skipper. Seemed to be two groups of people on opposite hill but carried on alone searching with nothing. Saw lots of Chalkhill, Common Blues and Brown Argus then a Clouded Yellow with wings open but missed the shot !

The wind was a little gusty and the butterflies were not posing for long.


More Chalkhill Blues than anything else on lower slopes.



5 or 6 Small Copper's around



Then after speaking to the other groups who were BC-Somerset  BC-Dorset  they found our first Silver Spotted - Camera Bad Setting ! Doh !



After another hour searching backwards and forwards along hill 10 or so hands seem to waving at me ? I rushed over and in a jar they've found another! After it was released it disappeared completely! A tricky thing to find on Fontmell may try again in week or two .


  
A Pretty Chalkhill on Knapweed 



Back towards car park now and down little track, the old Quarry on left always a good bet for Small Blue. Feeding on Kidney Vetch



And finally Brimstone Male
I Checked on Google Earth to see how far I walked, 5 miles, felt like 20!
But with nice people stunning views and some beautiful butterflies a Great Day was had!


Thanks For Looking !

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