White Admirals - I've looked but I can't find them.

[Deb London]

I gave up on His Majesty long ago, and last summer decided to try and find some White Admirals instead. There are some Hertfordshire Woods that appear to have a trail marked with the image of this insect, but I have never spotted one there. I was wandering near the trail recently and came across an interesting glade.





I brushed up on the WA when I got home and got quite optimistic about this clearing. There's Bramble for nectar, Honeysuckle as a larval food plant and moisture and mud nearby. What more could they wish for, even though this part of the wood is not deciduous?

Do people think that this area looks promising for a re-visit in late June?

Thanks for any advice.

D

[Za]

Hi Deb, I go to Bookham Common which isnt too far from London and find them there, Purple Emperors are also there(although obviously I have never caught sight of one yet )
Ita a large National Trust area with lots of different habitats from ponds, to woods to commons, so always lots to see, I think its a great place for butterflies.
Saw quite a few White Admirals last year there.
If you go by train you just step off the platform and you are in the woods.
If you look on the National Trust site you will get more info.
Hope this helps.
Za

[Deb London]

Thanks Za.

Bookham Common is definitely somewhere I'd like to visit. Though frequent visits would not be feasible for us at the moment.

[aeshna5]

Bookham is a superb place for White Admiral. For many years now I've lead an insect walk there in July for the London Natural History Society + provided the weather isn't a wash-out they should be guaranteed ( usually see c 10-15, sometimes nectaring on brambles with Silver-washed Fritillary).

Normally always see Purple Emperors at one of the lekking sites. Lots of other good insects too. I think you're an LNHS member (though you don't have to be a member to come) so if you're free this July on e Bookham day + the weather isn't awful come + join us to see several of these smashing butterflies.

I also see White Admiral near me in Ruislip Woods + did find one in Gutteridge Wood where there is some suitable habitat.

[RobinP]

Deb

Bricketwood Common is a dead cert for WA in July, also good for SW Fritillary, the Herts & Middx BC group usually do a Sunday walk about this time.

Here's one I prepared earlier...



Robin

[Susie]

Hi Deb,

If you come on the walk I am doing in West Sussex this summer and the sun is shining I can virtually guarantee them.

As for whether they will be in that spot by you with the honeysuckle, it is hard to say. I would be inclined to remain hopeful and go back when you have some sunny days - you never know! If you have them in the area then it is quite possible you'd see one passing through to feed even if not breeding.

I took this photo at Ruislip woods more years ago now than I care to remember.

[Deb London]

Thank you all very much. Lovely shots Robin and Susie.

Of course, Bricketwood. Yes!

I had assumed because the trail I mentioned had images of these butterflies all along it that it must be good for them. Can't wait to check this wood and some of the others. Roll on July.

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by Deb London

I gave up on His Majesty long ago, and last summer decided to try and find some White Admirals instead. There are some Hertfordshire Woods that appear to have a trail marked with the image of this insect, but I have never spotted one there. I was wandering near the trail recently and came across an interesting glade.





I brushed up on the WA when I got home and got quite optimistic about this clearing. There's Bramble for nectar, Honeysuckle as a larval food plant and moisture and mud nearby. What more could they wish for, even though this part of the wood is not deciduous?

Do people think that this area looks promising for a re-visit in late June?

Thanks for any advice.

D

Might be worth having a larval search in the undergrowth, see if you can find any. Im not sure that this site is ideal, it does look like its got some potential although it may be quite fragmented from other colonies by all of the conifer growth, how close is the nearest known colony?

[Deb London]

Hi D,

It's very close to the butterfly trail as the crow flies. But I think that trail is a long one.

It was very near a long ride. That might be good.

Deb

[Deb London]

Found my WAs first today. In a different wood, in this area:



The butterflies were very fast. Only record shots (spot the butterfly).



However, very pleased to know I have finally found them after several months.