2nd July 2026
When walking with the Field Club it is invariably handy to have sharp eyesight. On this occasion, eight pretty sharp-eyed people joined Roger Newman for the walk and our joint ocular prowess really paid off!
Our mission was to follow the same transect as on our previous visit of 3rd August 2022 with a view to compare findings of butterflies and plants with that visit. Within moments of starting off we spotted a Ringlet sitting perfectly still on an ivy leaf. Good start.
On to the cemetery, where we encountered a variety of butterflies, including a Painted Lady, Skippers, a Small Heath and more. The conditions were perfect for butterflies, with warm, but not hot sunshine, a gentle breeze and plenty of pollinating plants. Ladies Bedstraw seemed popular with the Skippers and Ragwort was covered in Cinnabar moth caterpillars.
Click on an image to enlarge.
Through the gate onto the Wigwell Reserve we again found a plethora of butterflies. Knapweed and thistles seemed a major attraction. Meadow Browns and Gate Keepers in abundance, and a Comma or two were noted. A Hummingbird Hawkmoth buzzed by while a Burnet moth lazed on a thistle. As we walked alongside the brook the vegetation was lusher, attracting slightly different taxa. Perhaps the star of the show was a White Admiral in full view so that we could all admire its graceful gliding flight over the vegetation. A Banded Demoiselle was nearby as was a female Southern Hawker, clinging to a Hawthorn branch.
We headed back via the allotments, where a Large White was almost certainly enjoying the brassicas. Finally, as we approached town, two Holly Blues added themselves to our list.
Click on an image to enlarge.
Our walk was accompanied by a variety of birdsong, with a Marsh Tit heard as well as Whitethroat and Greenfinch.
So how did our findings compare with our last visit? Well, in 2022 we numbered our butterfly findings as they were few. Admittedly, it was overcast and rainy that day, so its hard to compare. This year, we couldn’t keep track of numbers as the butterflies were so abundant. The only butterfly not apparent this year but was around in 2022, was a Red Admiral but arguably, the White Admiral made up for that, being probably, a first sighting for Wigwell.
Thank you, Roger, for a great walk and also to Brenda for listing all the plant species. The list of butterflies seen this year can be found here, and the plant species list here.
If you would like to compare details of the findings from 2022, you can find the 2022 list here.
Julia Reid
WEST OXFORDSHIRE FIELD CLUB 