Butterflies were the focus of 10 keen walkers at Stapeley Common on a rather muggy summers Sunday. After some introductions and briefing on the methodology of butterfly surveying (following UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UK BMS) Welcome to the UKBMS | UKBMSUKBMShttps://ukbms.org) the group set off. Very soon the first butterfly was spotted, a Small Heath. Further up the hill several individuals were observed fluttering around a patch of rushes near a stone wall.
The walk continued up to the first peak of Stapeley Hill, Large White and Small White were spotted on route; with Stonechat and Skylarks heard all around. A rest point at the cairn that marks the peak led to discussions around the mythology of Mitchell’s Fold and the area more generally. From there the group headed down, skirting along the edge of the hill, the sound of Curlews heard in the wind. With the sun peaking out, and into the bracken the first Ringlets were spotted. Further down on a rock face a Comma was resting and a shower of drizzle passed over.
Reaching the recently-cleared woodland at Black Marsh, Ringlets were all around! Meadow Brown and Spotted Wood were also spied fluttering among the vegetation in the area. Common Spotted Orchids at the side of the access road attracted attention, standing tall and proud among the grasses. A Broad Bodied Chaser dragonfly was also seen basking in the sunlight. Blighted by horseflies the group moved swiftly back up onto Stapley Common from Black Marsh. On the way up two Orange Tips were spotted fluttering beside the path in the sunshine. With that the group made their way along the path back to the car park, with Large White and Ringlets spotted along the way.
All in all, a pretty successful survey with eight species recorded. Ringlets were by far the most numerous, mainly through the lower slopes of the hill and into Black Marsh. RVCWG extend their thanks to our former secretary, Steve Oats for leading the walk and lending his knowledge!
Common Spotted Orchid at Black Marsh – The group climbing towards the cairn on Stapeley Hill – Ringlet Butterfly