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Brown Hairstreak in Worcestershire - Bulletin 32

August 2006

Dear Brownhairstreakers,

Despite a slow start, things seem to be hotting up nicely with reports of Brown Hairstreaks at last being seen in good numbers. In 2005, we had our first sightings before the end of July but this year we had to wait until 9th August for our first report. Honour of first Brown Hairstreak of the year is shared by local woodland owner Bob Steele (see previous ebulletin) and local Hairstreak Champion Wendy Johnson who is 90% certain that she saw one in her Inkberrow garden on the same day. After two unsuccessful assembly tree surveys, 12th August proved third time lucky for Rob Mabbett with three females all spotted on the western side of Grafton wood. Rob also found the first egg on the same day. Sightings on trees have been virtually non-existent this season in Worcestershire and it has only been over the last week with egg-laying now well underway that Brown Hairstreaks have been regularly reported.

A big thank you to those who turned up at the annual blackthorn bash on 13th August. This was well attended and we managed to coppice a fair amount of blackthorn. Unfortunately, the weather was not really good enough to entice Brown Hairstreaks into flight and best spot on the day was a single Humming-bird Hawkmoth. The poor weather continued for much of the following week and it was not until 22nd August that John Tilt was able to report a further 3 Brown Hairstreaks, again all female. Two days later, John saw another four on his transect walk including a female feeding on ripe blackberries which was an interesting observation.

The bank holiday weekend proved extremely productive for Brown Hairstreaks especially the Sunday with Rob and Rose Mabbett together with John Coates reporting nine sightings at Grafton Wood and a further eight at Bob Steele's woodland (the latter in just 40 minutes). Rob's Grafton sightings included three within a few feet of one another which he was able to show a couple of Butterfly Conservation members from Derby who had booked into a local Bed & Breakfast for the weekend in the hope of being able to see and photograph Brown Hairstreaks. Two very satisfied customers! It never ceases to amaze me just how far people will travel to see a scarce butterfly and over the years we have received visitors from all quarters of Britain.

Seventeen Brown Hairstreaks in a single morning is quite a total and must be a record for Worcestershire. The same day, Trevor Bucknall and myself went to a different part of Grafton Wood where we ran into John Tilt and saw at least six individuals. John had also seen another couple on his walk to the wood. One thing that was particularly noticeable was that the specimens we were seeing were still very fresh, suggesting perhaps that peak emergence has been a little later this year compared to last. I took my telescope with me and spent some time scanning the trees where we have noted adult activity in previous years but without any success.

We have decided this year to try to obtain a better understanding of when the majority of eggs are laid and have selected a couple of blackthorn plants near the southern end of Grafton Wood for study. These are the same blackthorns where Rob had spotted his first egg earlier in the month. The idea is to undertake weekly searches and count how many eggs we find. We have prominently marked the plants, reusing the tags we used earlier in the year as part of our caterpillar study. On 27th August, 'Colin' held five eggs including a double and 'Eric' three. If over the coming weeks, any passing Brownhairstreakers could make a point of spending a few minutes searching these plants and letting me know the results I would be very grateful.

Just a reminder that next Sunday, 3rd September is our annual Brown Hairstreak Day starting from Grafton Flyford Church at 2.00 pm. (just off the main A422 Worcester - Alcester road). There will be a guided walk in search of adults followed by refreshments in the Village Hall afterwards. We will be joined by members of our neighbouring Butterfly Conservation branch from Warks . Do come along if you can and keep your fingers crossed for some good weather.

Mike Williams
Brown Hairstreak Species Champion