Duke of Burgundy
Noar Hill Nature Reserve
Seborne, Hampshire, UK
About the reserve
Once the site of medieval chalk workings, this 20 hectare nature reserve is now carpeted with an array of beautiful chalk downland flowers every spring and summer, including juniper and pyramidal orchid. The vibrant flowers and the butterflies that feed on them create an oasis of colour among the surrounding fields of crops. A walk through this unusual and historic landscape is always a fascinating experience with its ridges, banks and hollows that create little niches for all kinds of plants and animals.
Our main reason for visiting Noar Hill was for the rare and seriously declining Duke of Burgundy butterfly. It often occurs in small colonies on north or west facing slopes on scrubby chalk and limestone downland, but may also be found found in coppiced areas and sunny woodland glades, where it used to be much more common.
(detail from Pocket Guide to the Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland)
The Duke of Burgundy's numbers rise and fall over the years with our day being successful but limited in numbers as to other years.
It was pleasing to see other species with many Dingy Skippers on the paths but sadly no Grizzled Skipper as we'd expect. Delightfully the Small Blue were flying. Personally I love this smallest of British butterfly with its pearl-grey underside, lightly spotted and spray of blue on its upper wings.
The Dingy Skipper can be described as it name suggests but I find it has wonderful markings and one not to be missed.
Small Heath were in abundance too, lightly skipping over vegetation and squabbling with the Dukes or other Small Heath.
Brimstone, Common Blue, Orange Tip, Whites, Peacock and Red Admiral were also seen on the wing. Importantly, 4 Painted Lady were seen on the ground salt feeding or flying through.
Duke of Burgundy
Noar Hill Nature Reserve
Seborne, Hampshire, UK
About the reserve
Once the site of medieval chalk workings, this 20 hectare nature reserve is now carpeted with an array of beautiful chalk downland flowers every spring and summer, including juniper and pyramidal orchid. The vibrant flowers and the butterflies that feed on them create an oasis of colour among the surrounding fields of crops. A walk through this unusual and historic landscape is always a fascinating experience with its ridges, banks and hollows that create little niches for all kinds of plants and animals.
Our main reason for visiting Noar Hill was for the rare and seriously declining Duke of Burgundy butterfly. It often occurs in small colonies on north or west facing slopes on scrubby chalk and limestone downland, but may also be found found in coppiced areas and sunny woodland glades, where it used to be much more common.
(detail from Pocket Guide to the Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland)
The Duke of Burgundy's numbers rise and fall over the years with our day being successful but limited in numbers as to other years.
It was pleasing to see other species with many Dingy Skippers on the paths but sadly no Grizzled Skipper as we'd expect. Delightfully the Small Blue were flying. Personally I love this smallest of British butterfly with its pearl-grey underside, lightly spotted and spray of blue on its upper wings.
The Dingy Skipper can be described as it name suggests but I find it has wonderful markings and one not to be missed.
Small Heath were in abundance too, lightly skipping over vegetation and squabbling with the Dukes or other Small Heath.
Brimstone, Common Blue, Orange Tip, Whites, Peacock and Red Admiral were also seen on the wing. Importantly, 4 Painted Lady were seen on the ground salt feeding or flying through.