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Brown Hairstreak in Worcestershire - Bulletin 31

August 2006

Dear Brownhairstreakers,

At long last the Brown Hairstreak season is underway with the sighting of an immaculate male by Bob Steele on creeping thistle yesterday afternoon near Stock Green. Up to this point, it has proved to be a frustrating season in Worcestershire with adults being very elusive. The two assembly tree surveys on 29th July and 5th August led by Rob Mabbett proved complete blanks, although the weather was less than ideal on the second of these. Other regular recorders like Grafton Wood reserve manager John Tilt have also been surprisingly unsuccessful and we were all beginning to feel a little despondent especially after reading that, in other parts of the UK, there had already been several Brown Hairstreaks seen. Rob is hoping that this coming Saturday, 12th August might prove a case of third time lucky and if anyone, particularly those disappointed on the last two outings, wants to join him then please ring 01242 233792 for meeting arrangements.

It is interesting to learn that just over 50% of the early sightings recorded by our colleagues in Upper Thames Butterfly Conservation were in oak trees rather than ash, so may be we have just been looking in the wrong trees! It is so typical of Brown Hairstreaks that just when you think you have them sussed they do something to throw you. Quite why things should be so atypical this year is hard to fathom but presumably connected to the relative abundance of aphid secretion on different trees.

On a personal level, I can already lay claim to my first Brown Hairstreak sighting on 30th July. Unfortunately, this was not in Worcestershire but in the Orseg national park in Hungary! The Brown Hairstreak was one of a 100 species of butterfly seen on a very interesting 2 week trip from which I returned last weekend. Hungary can be strongly recommended to anyone looking for perhaps a slightly different wildlife holiday and if anyone is interested in hearing more please get in touch.

Much closer to home is our annual Blackthorn bash arranged for this coming Sunday, 13th August. Late July/early August is the ideal time to cut blackthorn to avoid the terrible loss of eggs which occurs over the winter months. We are meeting at 10.00 am at Grafton Flyford Church and driving on to our destination which is the same place as where Bob Steele saw his Brown Hairstreak male on 9th. If you are planning to attend please try to arrive on time or contact me for directions if you think you may be late and have not been before. We shall be spending a couple of hours cutting over-mature blackthorn within the woodland and then spend some time looking for Brown Hairstreaks which hopefully should be around. The first females have been spotted egg laying in Oxfordshire so we may not have to spend all our time gazing upwards but instead have a chance of seeing one or two within camera range. Last year, I finished up catching a Brown Hairstreak in a beer glass so will try to remember to bring a more suitable container. This is always a very sociable occasion and refreshments will be provided. If you can come along, please bring gloves and suitable hand tools but don't worry too much about this as we will have plenty of spares. Hope to see you there. Don't forget binoculars and/or telescope for the lunchtime walk and please make sure to report all your Brown Hairstreak sightings in the weeks ahead.

Mike Williams,
Brown Hairstreak Species Champion