Hazelbury Common (aka Wadswick Common)

Leader: Geoff Hiscocks
Limited to 10 participants
Start: 10.30
Finish: 13.30 (approx.) back in the car park
Meet: in the public car park in Box behind Selwyn Hall, Valens Lane, off the A4. Landranger173/Explorer 156
(ST 8237 6863), what3words: ///roadmap.tolerates.dancer
There is very limited parking space at the Common itself. Accordingly, there will be a walk up the A365 from the car park for about a mile to the site along a pavement, except for the last 100m, after turning left off the main road up a narrow lane to the Common (ST 837 676).
Focus: Butterflies, day flying moths, other invertebrates, birds and spring flora.
Description: a slow walk around and across the Common covering both sides of the lane which bisects it. This site is the best place to see Marsh Fritillaries in the defined Bath Nats recording area. Over 25 butterfly species are found at Hazelbury in most years and we are likely to see other spring species such as Dingy Skipper, Orange Tip and Brimstone. In 2024 Adonis Blues AND Common Blues were seen at around this time.
Fairly even walking along grassy paths, but in the recent absence of adequate management the grass has become rather long. Sturdy shoes or walking boots are advised for both parts of the walk.

Please book with the Leader in advance. Members can find contact details in their 2025 Spring/Summer newsletter. This has several benefits for all meetings: the Leader is aware who is coming and can deal with any queries before the meeting (such as car-sharing, if required); in the unlikely event that arrangements need to change or the meeting has to be cancelled, attendees can all be contacted promptly and easily.
If you have booked but then are unable to attend, please contact the leader as soon as possible. The leader can then contact other members if there is a waiting list.