Bricket Wood Common

On sunday morning went on the local Butterfly Conservation trip to Bricket Wood Common started off quite Grey but we saw a few Meadow Browns, Ringlets, Gatekeepers and from afar Purple Haistreaks dancing in the oak trees to start off.

Then further along we had good views of at least 4 Silver-washed Fritillary flying along the path and feeding on the brambles along with a Peacock a fresh one mostly likly a new brood. Futher along along the main ride we had sightings of more Silver-washed Fritillarys, 2 White Admirals, Marbled White, Brimstones, Large White, Green-veined white, all 3 Skippers, a few moths and a possible Emerald Damselfly.

On the heathland we came across a fresh looking Purple Hairstreak down on the ragworth most likly due to the weather. Then along on the heath had quite a few Marbled white feeding in the overcast conditions a lone Holly Blue and a Small Tortoiseshell. Then in the afternoon we went to the Purple Emperor Tree where despite the condition had at least 2 sightings of 1 flying over though sadly not the greatest view but a good field trip overall.

Purple Hairstreak with wings over

Purple Hairstreak underside