Abington Naturewatch: Butterflies in abundance near Hildersham Wood

Tuesday 11 July 2023

Butterflies in abundance near Hildersham Wood

6th July 2023 - whilst walking back from Great Chesterton, Nancy O was walking past Hildersham Wood and into Great Abington parish. In the first fields along there, several wildflower strips have been left along the field edges and, whilst many of the flowers were over, she reported the whole area was alive with hundreds of Meadow Brown and tens of Marbled White and Ringlet. She also heard Corn Bunting and Common Whitethroat singing.

Marbled White

The following day was also warm and sunny, so Andy and Polly M walked up there with a camera. The sight of so many Meadow Brown and Marbled White was indeed impressive. Also there, tucked down in amongst the grass were good numbers of Essex Skipper (or possibly Small Skipper), Small Heath and a few Small White, Brimstone and Comma.

Interestingly, near the Oak trees near the boundary there was also a Purple Hairstreak. Whilst normally found high up in the tree canopy where they feed on aphid honeydew and lay their eggs, this one had taken brief respite from the breeze in the hedge below, allowing Andy to get a photo.

Meadow Brown feeding on Creeping Thistle

A somewhat faded Meadow Brown

Marbled White, feeding on Knapweed

Essex Skipper

Essex Skipper feeding on Knapweed

Small Heath, usually found close to the ground

Small White

Brimstone feeding on Creeping Thistle

Comma on a sunny patch along the path

Purple Hairstreak

Purple Hairstreak

Purple Hairstreak

Oxeye Daisy - largely over now, but still full of butterflies

General view from the top of Chalky Road, looking north

General view from the top of Chalky Road, looking north-east

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The Aims of Abington Naturewatch

At their meeting on 9 April 2005 the members approved this revised version of the aims of Abington Naturewatch:

To monitor and record the wildlife (fauna & flora) within the borders of the Abingtons;
To encourage protection of our wildlife, maintain its quality and foster its diversity;
To promote awareness of the richness, potential and problems of the natural environment of the Abingtons;
To cooperate in improving access to the local natural environment for the benefit of all Abington villagers.

Pat Daunt, Founder

The organisation is informal and communication is by email if possible; members are notified of events from time to time. Contact details are maintained by a small "project team". There is currently no membership fee as costs are covered by voluntary contributions at events.

Members are encouraged to report notable sightings of flora and fauna within the Abingtons to the appropriate sector coordinator and an illustrated record is published annually.

A map of the area covered, with some features noted, is available here: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=213774935674882866424.00000111dca2be9f06ab8&z=13>

For more information or to join, please contact David Farrant on (01223) 892871.

Contributions to our records should be sent to sector contacts or either of the above. Photographs may also be submitted to Andy Merryweather (amerryweather61@gmail.com)