swallowtail butterfly

ronx · #1 (**permalink**) 12-07-2010, 08:44 PM

I saw a swallowtail butterfly in the woods of Cranbourne Chase yesterday. I have seen them in the Med before but not in UK. It was 20/30m away so could not get a good look. Would this be one that has come over from France? I can see the English Channel from the top of the hill so it is not that far away.

???

aeshna5 · #2 (**permalink**) 13-07-2010, 04:38 AM

If it was a Swallowtail, from your location it will have been a migrant. Our native sub-species britannicus is restricted to the Norfolk Broads where it's food plant Milk Parsley grows. I suspect the first generation here has gone over now.

If you are totally confident of your ID, they are pretty distinctive, let Butterfly Conservation have your record. They (ssp. gorganus) are quite a scarce migrant here so an excellent sighting.

ronx · #3 (**permalink**) 16-07-2010, 04:44 PM

Yep no mistaking it. I have seen them in Italy and France. I should think it is regretting moving north now the colder weather has arrived.

aeshna5 · #4 (**permalink**) 16-07-2010, 07:04 PM

I've just be reading a migrant update for first half of July + interestingly 2 days after your observation another Swallowtail was noted over Berry Head, Devon, another south facing coastal site.

UB4 gardener · #5 (**permalink**) 17-07-2010, 09:49 PM

i've been meaning to get up to Cranbourne Chase, I live in Verwood not too far away, but every time i get around there i never see anywhere to park, any suggestions?

Thanks in advance
Chris

ronx · #6 (**permalink**) 18-07-2010, 12:10 PM

Yes there are loads of places. Drive to the roundabout on the salisbury blandford road A354 and go straight over to Sixpenny Handley.

Then as you drop down into the village take a right turn to Bowerchalke. You can then follow this road right up through a huge row of beeches. Just at the end of the beeches, turn Left to Ebbesborne Wake. This straight road is the ox drove. Follow it to hard RH bend and there is room to park where the ox drove becomes a track rather than a road. Fab views and lots of footpaths in all directions from around that area.

There is also a good carpark if you turn right at the roundabout towards Salisbury and then follow the road for a mile or two, and car park for Martin Down nature reserve on the RHS.

Have fun!