Rank : 10.0 (average on 1 votes)Coordinates : 51.253938,-2.654832 (
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Subjects : Many butterfly species including Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary, Green Hairstreak, Common Blue, Dingy Skipper, Orange Tips etc
Many macro and micro moths, Silver Y, 5 Spot Burnet, Forester Moths etc
Adders, Grass Snake, Slow Worm and Common Lizard.
Many different Beetles, Flies, Dragonflies, Damselflies, Bees,
Southern Marsh and Heath Spotted Orchids
Roe Deer, Fox and other small mammals.
Many bird species
Recommended equipment : I use macro lenses like the Sigma 180 and mp-e65, a good stable tripod with a cable release for most insects.
For larger insects and reptiles I use a 300mm telephoto with extension tubes when necessary.
Best months : Best months to visit are between May and September, preferably early mornings and evenings. May and June are the most prolific months with the orchids in flower and many other insects about. This site is about 800 feet above sea level on the Mendip hills and the therefore early mornings can be good for dew covered insects.
How to get there : The site can only really be reached by car from a number of different directions including from Cheddar Gorge on the B3135 and then turn right on the junction on to the B3134, about quarter of a mile and the car park at Stockhill Forest is on the left with Priddy Pools on the right had side of the road. It is actually easier to enter the coodinates into google maps then input directions from your location.
Visits : This site is free, parking is available at the Stockhill Forest quite literally on the other side of the road to the Priddy pools at this location 51.259451,-2.647857. There is also a couple of laybys in which to park on the side of the road. Decent waterproof gear is recommended, particularly in the early mornings if the night before was clear, the grass can be over 3ft high and you will soaked from the waist down, but always worth it.
Notes : Also worth pointing out that the site has a history of lead mining in the past and as such there are a couple of old mine workings, not all capped! So a bit of care is needed in places if not keeping to the main paths.
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