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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