BACK__________________________________________________________________________________________________
BACK__________________________________________________________________________________________________
July 2010
Dear Brownhairstreakers,
It's time to think about getting your telescope out of the cupboard, setting
your alarm clock for ridiculous times of the morning and staking out your local
ash tree - yes, the Brown Hairstreak season is almost upon us! Last year, the
first Brown Hairstreak in Worcestershire was seen on 30th July which was our
earliest date so far but this year, with the generally good weather, we have
seen early emergence of a number of species so it will certainly be worth looking
a little earlier than this. Males are first on the wing and the best chance
of finding one is around one of their assembly trees ideally before 9 am on
a sunny morning. So far, we have only identified a handful of these trees and
there are many trees out there yet to be discovered. Ash trees along a hedgerow
or near the edge of a wood appear to be favoured. Size of tree does not seem
that important but trees tend to be prominent within the overall landscape.
So, if you saw adult Brown Hairstreaks last year, take a look at where you saw
them and see if you can find an ash tree that might fit the bill. It would be
great to hear of new trees being identified.
While waiting for the Brown Hairstreaks to emerge do take advantage
of opportunities to see other butterflies. Two of Grafton Wood's specialities:
White Admiral and Silver-washed Fritillary are both enjoying an excellent season
and are around in good numbers. There is an opportunity to see both this coming
Sunday (18th July) with a guided walk starting from Grafton Flyford Church at
2.00 pm with refreshments in the village hall afterwards. Cost is £2 adults,
children free and for further details contact John Tilt on 01386 792458. The
following Sunday (25th July) sees our annual Blackthorn Bash at Stock Green
where we shall be working at a privately owned woodland to improve habitat for
the Brown Hairstreak. Generally, we work up until lunchtime and then in the
afternoon enjoy a stroll around the wood. If it does prove an early season there
might even be a chance of spotting the first Brown Hairstreak. We meet again
at Grafton Flyford Church just off the A422 Worcester-Stratford road, this time
at 10.00 am. It is important, however, to be punctual as we shall be driving
on to the work site. For further details ring or text 07802 274552. Finally,
before you put your diary away, advance warning of this year's Brown Hairstreak
Day which is fixed for Sunday, 29th August meeting at Three Parishes Hall for
10.00 am. Full details nearer the day. Copies of the 30 Butterfly Walks in the
West Midlands booklet will be available at all these events if you have not
yet managed to secure a copy. The book is proving very popular and, if you manage
to visit all the sites included at the right time of year, you will have a good
chance of seeing all the species that occur in the region. Copies are obtainable
by post from Annesbrook, 2 Dewberry Close, Stourport, Worcs at £5.95 including
postage. Please make cheques payable to Butterfly Conservation (W. Midlands
branch).
Visitors to Grafton Wood this summer will notice the improvements
to the main entrance to the reserve where the track has now been stoned. This
work has been paid for through a landfill grant obtained on our behalf by Vale
Landscape Heritage Trust from Severn Waste who run the landfill site at Throckmorton.
The grant will also enable us to fence one of last year's coppice plots, carry
out essential ride drainage work to other parts of the wood and undertake further
blackthorn planting in the wider area. We are extremely grateful to both the
Vale Trust and Severn Waste for their support.
Happy Hairstreak hunting!
Mike Williams,
Brown Hairstreak Species Champion