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DEVIL'S DYKE
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Devil's Dyke, Cambridgeshire. An ancient defensive barrier across the chalk over Newmarket Heath to the edge of the Fens.
It is a public footpath with access at all times from each end and from a car park between Swaffham Prior and Burwell.

The current county boundary runs across Newmarket Heath along the top of the Devil's Dyke. For butterfly recording purposes the earlier boundary is still used. This crosses Newmarket Heath a little further east, just including the Rowley Mile race course, placing both sides of the Devil's Dyke in Cambridgeshire.

The Devils Dyke is known for its populations Dingy Skippers, Chalkhill Blues and Green Hairstreaks. There can also be some spectacular displays from large numbers of Brimstones in season.

Wikipedia entry . Restoration Project

Small photograph of the information board Click on the image to enlarge
Notice Board
25 March 2012
Small photograph of the Devil's Dyke Click on the image to enlarge
Newmarket Heath
26 June 2011
Small photograph of a Large Skipper Click on the image to enlarge
Large Skipper
3 July 2011
Small photograph of a Dingy Skipper Click on the image to enlarge
Dingy Skipper
Female. 12 May 2012
Small photograph of a Dingy Skipper Click on the image to enlarge
Dingy Skipper
Male. 12 May 2012
Small photograph of a Dingy Skipper Click on the image to enlarge
Dingy Skipper
12 May 2012
Small photograph of a Green Hairstreak Click on the image to enlarge
Green Hairstreak
10 April 2011
Small photograph of a Green Hairstreak Click on the image to enlarge
Green Hairstreak
10 April 2011
Small photograph of a Small Copper Click on the image to enlarge
Small Copper
15 Sept 2012
Small photograph of a Brown Argus Click on the image to enlarge
Brown Argus
15 Sept 2012
Small photograph of a Chalkhill Blue Click on the image to enlarge
Chalkhill Blue
Male. 2 July 2011
Small photograph of a Chalkhill Blue Click on the image to enlarge
Chalkhill Blue
Male. 3 July 2011
Small photograph of a Chalkhill Blue Click on the image to enlarge
Chalkhill Blue
Female. 15 July 2011
Small photograph of a Speckled Wood Click on the image to enlarge
Speckled Wood
10 April 2011
Small photograph of a Small heath Click on the image to enlarge
Small Heath
26 June 2011

Personal sightings:

Note: the current OS map shows the Cambs/Suffolk border as running across Newmarket Heath along the top of the dyke.

10 April 2011. Reach end, Burwell Cutting. Numerous Brimstones, 6 Green Hairstreaks, 1 Speckled Wood.

3 July 2011. Newmarket Heath. 6 Chalkhill Blues, 1 Marbled White.

15 July 2011. Newmarket Heath. Many Chalkhill Blues.

31 July 2011. Reach end. Early to mid afternoon, bright intervals, windy. 1 Brimstone, many Chalkhill Blues, 2 Brown Argus, 1 Small Heath, several Gatekeepers, few Meadow Browns.

7 Aug 2011. Essex and Cambs Branch field walk. Fairly bright, windy. Newmarket Heath, c. 30 Chalkhill Blues; Golf Course end, c. 10 Chalkhill Blues.

3 Sept 2011. Sunny, windy. Newmarket Heath. 20-30 Chalkhill Blues all very worn - none were seen to be male. 2 Small Heaths.

25 March 2012. Reach end, near Burwell Railway cutting. TL575652. 3 Peacocks on male Sallow flowers.

12 May 2012. Newmarket Heath. TL614618, 6 Dingy Skippers. By the Golf course near the further Tee (No 15), TL 624609, 2 Dingy Skippers, 1 Brimstone, 1 Green Hairstreak, 3 Small Tort, 1 Peacock.

25 May 2012. Newmarket Heath. TL614618, 2 Dingy Skippers, 3 Orange Tips, 3 Brimstones, 2 Green Hairstreaks, 6 Brown Argus, 3 Small Heaths. Golf Course end. TL 625609. 2 Brimstones, 1 Green Hairstreak, 2 Brown Argus, 3 Small Heaths.

15 Sept. 2012. Newmarket heath. TL614618. 3 Small Whites, 1 Small Copper, 2 Brown Argus, 1 Common Blue, 7 Chalkhill Blues, 1 Comma, 1 Meadow Brown, 9 Small Heaths. 1 Silver Y.

15 Sept 2012. TL5765. In and near Burwell Railway cutting. 5 Chalkhill Blues, 2 Red Admirals, 1 Comma, 1 Speckled Wood, 1 Small Heath.

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30 Mar 2013