Burnt Ground Heath

09-07-2025

Brimstone (2)

Large White (1)

Small White (1)

Small Copper (1)

Silver-studded Blue (17)

Speckled Wood (1)

Grayling (7)

Gatekeeper (9)

Meadow Brown (2)

 14.00 - 14.30. SSB: 10 male, 7 female. Numbers down on my last visit, mirroring the situation on the adjacent Hampshire heath. Gatekeepers include mating pair. GG (=Grayling! Not had call to use an abbreviation for that species here before, these were my first ever Wiltshire sightings) were a delight. More flighty than I am used to seeing them, and lots of interactions between individuals. Quite hard to keep track of them to count numbers: did a couple of loops of the open area and counted 6 GG first circuit, 7 second. Surprised how regularly they flitted in and out of the areas of bracken bordering the heath area, often disappearing for a while, settling in the shade. One even headed off over the trees. A particular individual showed an unhealthy interest in my trousers (which admittedly were rather sweaty, due to the walk from Clearbury Down, and I am not going to deny they were not fresh on in the morning!). Photo uploaded. Very persistent, repeatedly returning if encouraged to leave, and I had to tread carefully to avoid causing it any harm.

Simon Crampin