Hazelbury Common, near Box, Wilts, 22 May 2025

Above: Marsh Fritillary © Geoff Hiscocks

Leader: Geoff Hiscocks
Wadswick Common (as it used to be known) is an area of unimproved grassland, now rather neglected, split in two by a narrow lane. It is small and, although in Wiltshire, is just within the defined Bath Nats area. It is well known for the variety of butterfly species found there. In August 2022 members were shown the Chalkhill Blues which frequent the Common most years in July/August and this walk was designed primarily to see the Marsh Fritillaries, a Spring species for which the Common is well known in May/June.

Because of the rain on the morning of the 21st May, the originally scheduled date, it was decided to postpone the walk until the following day. This year there was no need for the walk up to the Common along the A365 from Box car-park since the relatively few members attending were able to get there in two cars, with no parking problems on arrival.

We came on to the Common at the comparatively sheltered southern end and it was not long before Marsh Fritillaries were observed flying low over the long grass and settling on buttercups and other yellow flowers. The flight season started early this year and some looked less colourful than when freshly emerged. There is sufficient Devil’s-bit scabious ( the larval foodplant) on the Common to maintain the continuity of the species and it appears to have thrived again this year. Hazelbury Common is the best site in the Bath area to see this nationally vulnerable butterfly.

Proceeding up the slight slope towards the top of the Common we spotted another Spring species, Dingy Skipper, a Meadow Brown or two and Large Skippers. The last named were very fresh and the first several of us had seen so far in 2025. During the course of the morning all three of the ‘common’ white butterflies were seen: Small, Large and Green veined.

Somewhat unusually for the site a Forester moth and a Small Yellow Underwing were moths that we saw and photographed, plus a pair of Red and Black froghoppers. A Common Carpet was also added to the moth list.

Having reached the northern end of the Common we prepared to cross the lane over to the smaller section of the site but while doing so we noticed first one and then two Wall Brown butterflies basking on and active around the large rocks on the left hand side of the road. This species is only rarely observed at Hazelbury and certainly never before by me, despite countless transects around the site over many years: a definite high-light of the walk.

Another bonus was spotting a first generation male Adonis Blue in the smaller section of the Common. It is always a treat to see this brilliantly blue butterfly, which posed well for pictures: a less striking Common Blue had been seen on the first part of the walk.

The butterfly species list for the walk as a whole numbered 12, with the final additions being a Small Heath and Speckled Wood as we moved back down the larger part of the Common. It is believed a Redstart was heard by several of us and may have been seen but relatively few birds of particular interest featured during the walk.

An enjoyable stroll around this small site which is so good for butterflies with over 25 species found there in most years . A very pleasant morning after the one before, in good company with the sharing of knowledge amongst the few participants.

Geoff Hiscocks