On the Chalk .. Oxenbourne Down and Noar Hill

track to Oxenbourne Down

Chalk Hill Blue (Polyomattus coridon)

Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus)

Silver-spotted Skipper (Hesperia comma)

Noar Hill

Pyrausta nigrata

Autumn Gentian (Gentianella amarella)

Autumn Lady's Tresses
(Spiranthes spiralis)

Precious metals and green gems

Oxenbourne Down, Hampshire

Oxenbourne Down

Polyommatus Icarus on Carlina vulgaris

Epargyreus clarus on Scabiosa columbaria

Oxenbourne Down - cracking day out with Butterfly Conservation

We joined a field trip with the Hants and IOW branch of Butterfly Conservation. Headed to Oxenbourne Down, which is adjacent to Butser Hill, and sits within the Queen Elizabeth Country Park. Target species silver spotted skipper (Hesperia comma), chalk hill blue (Polyommatus coridon), small copper (Lycaena phlaeas) and clouded yellow (Colias croceus). We dipped on the last two species but still clocked up 20 butterfly spp including great views of both silver-washed (Argynnis paphia) and dark green fritillary (Argynnis aglaja) on the wing.

Non butterfly highlights included slow worm (Anguis fragilis) and a single roe deer (Capreolus capreolus breaking cover.