Oaken Wood

Leaders: Phil Darley and Arthur Greenwood (HNHS Members)
Oaken Wood is Butterfly Conservation’s only reserve in Surrey.

Butterflies were the main theme for the day, and the weather was perfect for them. Even before we had entered the Butterfly Conservation reserve, a Wood White fluttered past! Our leader, Phil Darley, introduced us to Oaken Wood and to the ecology of the rare Wood White, which was the principal target for conservation efforts here.

Early-season butterflies were abundant: we soon saw Brimstones, Holly Blues, Small Heaths and Speckled Woods, plus the butterfly-like Speckled Yellow moth. There was also an abundance of moth caterpillars, including Green Silver-lines and the uncommon Blossom Underwing and Drinker. Also appreciating the abundance of fresh leaves was the striking Red Poplar Leaf Beetle, feeding on Aspen. The interesting flora at the site included the uncommon Wild Service Tree and a set of legumes that are possible food plants for the Wood White: Common Vetch, Bush Vetch and Bitter-vetch, the last of which is uncommon and thought to be particularly significant for the butterfly.

On one of the wide woodland rides there was a particular bonanza: Grizzled and Dingy Skippers, Small Coppers, a Comma and, best of all, a Green Hairstreak. There were numerous Wood Whites, two of which were exhibiting courtship behaviour. Other insects attracting interest were a Beautiful Demoiselle and a Long-horned Bee, an uncommon and strange-looking species.

The monitoring and conservation work by Phil Darley and the Butterfly Conservation team is clearly succeeding. Our total of butterfly species for the day was 10, which was remarkable for early May.