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Brown Hairstreak in Worcestershire - Bulletin 15

September 2005

Dear Brownhairstreakers,

The analogy of Brown Hairstreaks being like number 11 buses was again borne out at the Local Champions Day last Sunday when, after waiting around for ages, we suddenly had 4 all at once! Well, perhaps a slight exaggeration, but only just.

Around fifteen people came along to hear an update on the Hedgerows for Hairstreaks project from Jane Ellis, the West Midlands Regional Officer, and myself at the Three Parishes Village Hall, Grafton Flyford before heading off across the fields in very hot conditions to Grafton Wood. We looked first at one of the assembly trees we have been trying to keep under review this year but, like the previous weekend, there was no sign of activity, rather confirming the view that dispersal has now mainly taken place. In time honoured tradition, we then split forces with John Tilt taking a group through to the eastern side of the wood, Ron Hatton going on up to the orchard and myself leading a group to the south end. Then, also in time honoured tradition, absolutely nothing or nearly nothing happened. Despite considerable peering into blackthorn thickets, scanning of ash trees through binoculars and telescopes and lots of walking up and down, the Brown Hairstreaks were keeping well out of sight. Admittedly, both John and myself did have a couple of possibles in flight but not confirmed.

Eventually, after over an hour, when we had already decided to make a move, I received a call from Trevor Bucknall who was with Ron's group on my mobile to say they had one in view egg-laying in the orchard. Moving off briskly in this direction, we had only gone a few hundred yards when we found one of our own. This one, we subsequently found out, had probably been laying eggs on young blackthorn along the ride edge as we found several eggs, including three on the very same blackthorn plant I had found a caterpillar on back in the spring. Perhaps those of a sentimental disposition might ask themselves whether this could this be the progeny of that same caterpillar I had watched complete its development now laying eggs on the very same plant that nurtured its own development? A rather beautiful thought but it has to be said rather unlikely. In any event, the butterfly stayed close to ground level only for a minute or so but was very restless, making it difficult for photographers although Jane Ellis managed a quick shot. It then disappeared skywards in true Hairstreak fashion.

Returning to the Village Hall for refreshments, my son Robert managed to pot a very fresh female still with tails intact just along the hedge leading to the orchard, while John's group found a very tatty specimen (almost certainly a male) down by the side of the farm pond apparently drinking! This pond is within about a hundred yards of the village hall car park and we had all walked past it on our way down to the wood some two hours earlier . I sometimes think these Brown Hairstreaks are having a laugh! Near the same spot, Terry Knight who was in my group saw what he was pretty sure was another one hop over the hedge into the garden of Church Farm. So four definite sightings and another 3-4 possibles constitutes a good morning.

Hopefully, those people who now have their eye in as a result of Sunday and those who have not yet seen a Brown Hairstreak this year, will be inspired to get out into the wonderful Worcs countryside over the coming weeks in search of the butterfly. Most years, Brown Hairstreaks last into early October so there is still probably another month of the flight season to go. Please don't confine your search area just to Grafton Wood itself as we are very keen to hear of records from further afield. Although most sightings will now be of egg-laying females, don't give up totally on those ash trees. Our colleagues from BC Upper Thames branch reported a mating pair in an ash over the weekend and there is also a suggestion that females use trees for roosting in late afternoon. As always, I am pleased to hear of any sightings or other reports.

Mike Williams,
Brown Hairstreak Species Champion

Postscript

Had no sooner sent out issue 15 of the Bulletin last night when I received the following email from John Tilt captioned 'Are we doing this right?'. John writes:

"Went to Grafton this morning (Monday, 5th Sept) to remove the cattle. We were in the wood at about 10:00 - dull warm even raining a little. I stopped counting BHS after 20. 2 by the Church pond the others in the wood - on the rides - we saw 3 or 4 at a time. I went back to the wood at about lunch time to help remove some timber..... By this time very warm and sunny - didn't see another BHS.
So are they far more active and on the wing in the morning when it is cooler? Any ideas?"

Really just the final proof after our struggles of Sunday that Brown Hairstreaks are having a laugh! On a more serious note, John does raise again, however, the old chestnut of the best time of day and best weather conditions to see the beast. Be interested to hear what others think. 20+ Brown Hairstreaks in a morning - enough to make one choke over ones cornflakes!

Best Wishes,


Mike Williams,
Brown Hairstreak Species Champion