Southern Nature Tours

Summer Wings

Silver studded blue, butterfly (plebejus argus)- Southern Nature Wildlife Tours

Summer Wings

This tour is timed for the height of the summer, focusing on the delicate ‘wings’ of the season—from rare hairstreaks to the UK’s most specialized dragonflies:

  • Butterfly Strongholds: We visit Alner’s Gorse for the Brown Hairstreak and the rare Valezina variant of the Silver-washed Fritillary. We also explore Durlston or Lulworth for the elusive Lulworth Skipper and Adonis Blue.

  • Dragonflies of the New Forest: A dedicated day at Crockford Stream and Matley Bog to find the UK’s rarest insects, including the Southern Damselfly, Small Red Damselfly, and the Golden-ringed Dragonfly.

  • Forest Raptors & Songbirds: While searching the forest, we keep an eye on the canopy for Honey Buzzard and Goshawk, as well as Woodlark and Redstart in the surrounding heath.

  • Quarry Treasures: Our final morning at Portland explores ancient quarries for Chalk Hill Blues and Grayling butterflies, alongside Little Owls and Grey Seals along the shoreline.

We start with a relaxed welcome on day one and finish with a farewell lunch overlooking Ferrybridge.