Large Heath (1 Viewer)

[prhodes]

Heading on a mini break to Edinburgh. Mainly a family trip, but hope to do at least a few hours wildlife spotting - well if it stops raining anyway!

Thinking about Large Heath. Half hour on the computer indicates either Red Moss of Balerno (near the city) or Wester Moss (out towards Sterling). Anyone recommend either, or know if they they are on the wing at the moment?

Or perhaps no infomation at the moment, on account of the poor weather.

Thank-you, Phil

 

[SteveClifton]

I've no knowledge of sites near Edinburgh, but have certainly seen Large Heath in Cumbria from 13th June (2010) and 2nd July (2011), though obviously those summers were better than this one!

At the moment we seem to be in an endless cycle of wet weather, but temperatures are warm enough (when it's not raining) that, with a bit of luck, Large Heaths should still be out in the coming weeks when the sun finally appears!

I don't know which route up north you will take, but can recommend a couple of decent sites for LH en route past the South Lakes that are only 5 mins off the M6.

Edit: At least 3 Large Heaths out on Saturday 7th July at their most southerly British site in Wales. See here (half way down the page)

http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=6346&start=20

 

[prhodes]

Thanks Steve. Unfortunately I won't be able to stop on route (as taking my elderly mother), but thanks for the advice.

The weather doesn't look to promising for butterfly spotting in the next few days, but fingers crossed anyway. I'll post any positive results.

Thank-you again, Phil

 

[prhodes]

Managed to see Large Heath, with a few ropey record shots. My wife liked the idea of a good walk in Galloway (before we got to Edinburgh but after I'd safely left my mother at her brothers) so we tried the long walk up to Silver Flowes. Not the best walk we've done along Forest Roads with trucks passing on the way or loaded with timber, but we found the reserve. Unfortunately no luck with the 'holy grail' species Azure Hawker, but the weather was just occasionaly hazy and sunny (but cool). Think the second pic. is a Emperor Moth larva, which I've never seen before?

 

[Davebutterflyman]

Well done on seeing Large Heath Phil. I agree on the Emperor moth larvae id.

 

[prhodes]

Well done on seeing Large Heath Phil. I agree on the Emperor moth larvae id.

Thanks Dave, that large caterpillar certainly caught my eye, whilst looking for the butterflies in the vegetation.