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Brown Hairstreak in Worcestershire - Bulletin 46

August 2007

Dear Brownhairstreakers,

  I thought I'd better get a quick ebulletin in to update everyone on the season so far and to remind people about our annual Brown Hairstreak open day this coming Sunday, 2nd September meeting at the Three Parishes Hall next to Grafton Flyford Church for 11.00 am.  Things seem to be shaping up well with a number of sightings of Brown Hairstreaks at low level over the past week but also continuing activity amongst the tree tops.  Perhaps the most significant discovery of the month came on 11th August when Martyn Ganderton reported 'countless' numbers of Brown Hairstreaks flying around a group of ash trees centred on his mother's garden in Stock Green.  Activity apparently started around 8.30 am and peaked between 9 and 10 with both male and females present.  It was very difficult to estimate exact numbers and apparently there were some Purple Hairstreaks present as well, but it certainly sounded an impressive sight.  Went to have a look myself the following day which coincided with our Blackthorn Bash at Bob Steele's wood but didn't arrive until past 11 am and, although there were a few hairstreaks flying high in the canopy, it was impossible to tell whether they were Brown or Purple.  More evidence it would seem to support the theory that Brown Hairstreaks are most active earlier in the day.  Thanks to everyone, by the way, that supported the event at Bob's wood.  Around a dozen people turned up and we managed to create a large clearing near the northern edge of the wood which should soon be colonised by regenerating blackthorn creating ideal hairstreak habitat.  Thanks also to Bob and his wife Sue for their excellent hospitality and for leading a tour of the wood in the afternoon.  No hairstreak sightings this year but lots of dragonflies along the woodland rides.

  The more recent Brown Hairstreak reports have all been of females generally still in near mint condition.  John Tilt saw four on 24th August and, as he so aptly put it in a recent email, "you can't beat a fresh female"!  Various of our local Brown Hairstreak champions have been out and about and have similarly reported success.  John heard of a further two being seen in the orchard also on 24th and, the previous day, Hugh Glennie saw one low down on a hedgerow on the eastern side of the wood.  I made a short visit to Grafton on 25th and managed a brief view of a female basking in an ash tree near where Hugh had his sighting on 23rd.  Don't run away with the idea, however, that spotting Brown Hairstreaks has suddenly become easy.  Simon Primrose relates an oh so familiar tale when he tells of tramping around the wood earlier today without seeing anything and then, on his way back to his car around 1.30 pm, suddenly saw two together in a young ash 200 metres along the woodland edge from the main entrance to the reserve! 

I tend to be an ever present when it comes to Worcs Brown Hairstreak events but I am off to Cornwall for a holiday this weekend so will miss the event on Sunday.  The weather forecast sounds encouraging so it promises to be a good day with hopefully some worthwhile photo opportunities.  Some excellent homemade refreshments are on offer in the village hall afterwards courtesy of MiriamTilt.  Do keep sending in all your Brown Hairstreak records and, as well as the date and grid reference, I would also be interested in having the exact time of any sightings.  If anyone manages any decent photos I will include them in the next ebulletin due out mid-September.  Good hunting on Sunday and in the coming weeks.

Mike Williams,

Brown Hairstreak Species Champion