butterflies

[cappa]

heading to norfolk in mid may. anyone know of any good butterfly sites worth visiting please?

[aeshna5]

You could try Strumpshaw Fen for Swallowtails, though you may be a couple of weeks early, but in some years the first individuals are seen in mid-May. Unfortunately last year was a pretty dismal season for them, so numbers may well be low this year. Normally plenty of the more widespread species here too.

[harasseddad]

Originally Posted by cappa

heading to norfolk in mid may. anyone know of any good butterfly sites worth visiting please?

You don't say quite where in Norfolk you'll be, but in Mid-May I'd also check out
narborough railway line.

There's two butterfly conservation events on in May that might be of interest:
middle_harling_heath on the 11th May, and
foulden common on 17th May.

They're both good sites even if you can't make the events.

[Pete Collins]

I once visited Ringstead Down Nature Reserve (not far from Hunstanton) - lots of Painted Lady and other butterflies, and apparently you can find the Brown Argus there (couldn't find much about the site on the web).

[NickCantle]

I was at Middle Harling Heath just the other day. I live about a mile away from it I can imagine it's excellent in the summer. May I also recommend Helen's Wells which are natural springs between Thetford and Brandon. If I recall correctly, you can walk there from Santon Downham. I find that if I start somewhere like Santon Downham, then I just walk in any direction through woods. It's exciting that way