Green Down / Large Blue Butterfly

Large Blues II

by Jeff Bevan · Published 12th June 2017 · Updated 16th June 2017

The elusive large blue of Somerset. I decided to spend this week visiting Green Down as often as I could to try and experience the large blue season.

Large Blue (Maculinea arion) – Green Down, Somerset, UK. ID 822_4828

Large Blues
I think most of us know the large blue butterfly went extinct in the UK back in the seventies. Since then some new individuals, maybe some what smaller individuals, were introduced to Green Down to grow a new population here in Somerset. Others were introduced to Collard Hill not far away run by the National Trust. For a long time the Somerset Wildlife Trust kept Green Down closed during the summer, only a few who drew the lucky tickets were allowed in. Recently the reserve was re-opened, but this was not widely advertised by the trust and so it has remained a bit of a secret. So this year rather than visit Collard Hill I decide to make the most of Green Down.

Large Blue (Maculinea arion) – Green Down, Somerset, UK. ID 822_4867

This is typical picture of a large blue. Head down in the grass on the wild thyme. We all hope the butterfly will open its wings but we are often disappointed. Today was Monday and it was hot and windy. The butterflies were too active and as soon as they took to the air they were quickly blown down wind – to quick to follow. Today I saw one large blue open its wings and got this grab shot.

Large Blue (Maculinea arion) – Green Down, Somerset, UK. ID 822_4873

I was lucky to see this mating pair.

Large Blue (Maculinea arion) – Green Down, Somerset, UK. ID 822_4883

Its not the photograph I hoped for because there was too much grass around and I could not get a clear view from the best angle. After a they few seconds they flew off. I assumed they would be distracted and stay a while even if I tried to move some of the foreground grass. It was my fault I was too confident they would stay and didn’t take enough care. I tend to dwell on these mistakes too much.

And Finally…

This visit saw the first appearance of the beautiful, but often over looked and under appreciated, ringlet butterfly.

Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus) – Green Down, Somerset, UK. ID 822_4793

It was a very clear evening with blue sky and white clouds but I did not take my standard lens with me. It would have been the perfect evening to capture the views from Green Down. Another bad mistake.