Somerset's Large Blues (Day Trip)

Tour Code: GBR229

Join butterfly expert Tom Brereton for a guided day in a hidden-away corner of Somerset in search of the iconic Large Blue, as well as a wealth of other wildlife.

1 days from
£50
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Highlights

Summary

Summary

The Large Blue butterfly became extinct in the UK in 1979, but thanks to a successful reintroduction programme the UK is now an international stronghold for this iconic butterfly. The Large Blue thrives in a small number of thyme-rich grasslands in south-west England and has become an umbrella species for the successful conservation of specialist downland wildlife. On this trip, we will visit a lovely patch of downland managed by Somerset Wildlife Trust which supports one of the highest densities of Large Blue in the world. This tucked away site, one of the best examples of limestone downland and scrub in southern England, supports an excellent range of other wildlife including Bee, Green-winged, Pyramidal and Greater Butterfly Orchids and a good diversity of other butterfly species including Dingy Skipper. The pace on this day will be slow, with plenty of opportunities to photograph and study the wildlife on the site or to enjoy the views of the surrounding countryside. The car park is 1km from the site and stout shoes are recommended as the site is sloping. We will likely walk for up to 5km. The Day Trip will run from 10am to around 3pm.

  • Search for Large Blue with expert guide Tom Brereton
  • Enjoy a range of other downland flora and fauna
  • Dingy Skipper, Common Blue and Holly Blue
  • Flora includes Bee, Green-winged, Pyramidal and Greater Butterfly Orchid
  • £5pp of the Day Trip fee goes towards the work of Somerset WT on this special habitat
Day Trip Location

Day Trip Location

Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost
Mon 9th Jun – Mon 9th Jun 6 £50
Book Tour Show Details
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£50
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Tom Brereton
TL Tom Brereton

Tour Leader: Tom Brereton

Tom has had a lifelong passion for all forms of natural history, and a varied career in wildlife research and nature conservation spanning the last 15 years. After graduating in Environmental Science, Tom spent several years working for the RSPB on a number of bird, botanical and invertebrate survey and research projects. Following an MSc in Conservation at University College, he worked as an independent ecological consultant specialising in botanical surveys. Tom returned to academia in 1993, to complete a PhD on the ecology and conservation of the Grizzled Skipper butterfly. Tom currently works for Butterfly Conservation, as a monitoring and species ecologist, but remains an enthusiastic all-round naturalist, through extensive travel and involvement in a number of voluntary wildlife projects. Tom is active in local botanical, insect and bird surveys, and pursues his interest in seabirds and cetaceans as a founding director of the Biscay Dolphin Research Programme (now Marinelife), which carries out research, conservation and educational work in the English Channel and Bay of Biscay.

Tue 10th Jun – Tue 10th Jun 6 £50
Book Tour Show Details
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£50
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Tom Brereton
TL Tom Brereton

Tour Leader: Tom Brereton

Tom has had a lifelong passion for all forms of natural history, and a varied career in wildlife research and nature conservation spanning the last 15 years. After graduating in Environmental Science, Tom spent several years working for the RSPB on a number of bird, botanical and invertebrate survey and research projects. Following an MSc in Conservation at University College, he worked as an independent ecological consultant specialising in botanical surveys. Tom returned to academia in 1993, to complete a PhD on the ecology and conservation of the Grizzled Skipper butterfly. Tom currently works for Butterfly Conservation, as a monitoring and species ecologist, but remains an enthusiastic all-round naturalist, through extensive travel and involvement in a number of voluntary wildlife projects. Tom is active in local botanical, insect and bird surveys, and pursues his interest in seabirds and cetaceans as a founding director of the Biscay Dolphin Research Programme (now Marinelife), which carries out research, conservation and educational work in the English Channel and Bay of Biscay.

Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

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Why Naturetrek?

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