Ox Drove

15-09-2024

Clouded Yellow (1)

Brimstone (1)

Large White (11)

Small White (50)

Green-veined White (29)

Brown Hairstreak (1)

Small Copper (1)

Common Blue (1)

Red Admiral (126)

Painted Lady (2)

Small Tortoiseshell (1)

Comma (13)

Speckled Wood (2)

Small Heath (1)

 11.15 - 13.15. Fantastic trek from Ugford Red Buildings at SU083323 to Lodge Coppice at SU017338. This is a favourite walk of mine, and this year has got even more favouriter. I have been doing it for over a decade in all weathers and all seasons, and know it inside out with all the best areas for plants, fungi and butterflies. But this year I recorded my first White Letter Hairstreak along it (sorry Mike - I still haven't uploaded my records from earlier this year, they will be with you soon) and on this visit Brown Hairstreak - only the third I have even seen in the wild and remarkably only 20 metres from the place I saw the only BH egg that I have ever found. Female, seen at SU034331 (photo uploaded). Also saw my first ClY of the year (at SU067326), and lots of whites and red admirals all along the route - RAs especially numerous at the western end.

Simon Crampin