Collard Hill in Somerset is known as one of the best sites to see the Large Blue butterfly, though there had been little information on emergence of the adults this June. However, by 16th I felt there was a good chance to see them, and the weather being forecast to break overnight helped make up my mind to travel down.
The view from the top of the hill was spectacular though the butterflies were present on a slightly lower slope where the larval food plant (thyme) was more evident. I saw around five adult Large Blue though most were very active seldom stopping to land, and on the odd occasion when one did the wings were not held open. Fortunately, one adult was found resting up in a hedgerow and which gave extended views albeit only of the underside of the wing.
Less than ten miles away is the great reserve of Ham Wall RSPB, and by good fortune the long staying River Warbler had been reported a couple of times in the morning. Arriving at 2 p.m. the weather was very warm, so made my way towards the Avalon hide, the area the bird has favoured since being found on 4th. There had been no sightings since 11 p.m. and when the sky clouded over at 3 p.m. I began to feel less optimistic. However, a brief burst of song from tall grass no more than ten metres away indicated the whereabouts of the warbler, and by 4 p.m. it began to sing extensively, continuing to be close at first before moving further back towards the reeds.
Other birds seen included several Marsh Harriers and Great White Egrets, plus a Hobby and brief glimpse of Bittern in flight.
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| View from the hill top |
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| Habitat where Large Blue was seen |
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| Large Blue |
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| Ham Wall reserve with Glastonbury tor in the distance |
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| River Warbler |
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