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BACK__________________________________________________________________________________________________
August 2010
Dear Brownhairstreakers,
It's all happening out there! Honour of first Brown Hairstreak of the season
again went to Martyn Ganderton with a sighting on 30th July, the same day as
last year. He does of course have a considerable advantage over everyone else
insofar as he has an assembly tree in his parents' garden! This was quickly
followed by sightings at the other two assembly trees we have been monitoring
for some years. With the exception of the Stock Green tree, where there seem
fewer Brown Hairstreaks so far, numbers have been reasonable and several of
us have enjoyed some good views. Hugh Glennie has again been keeping a close
eye on the Cowsden tree and reported at least 5 Hairsteaks present between 8.05
and 9.05 on 8th August with most activity after 8.30 am. Interestingly, the
butterflies were spotted on various ash trees along the lane rather than on
the assembly tree itself. This is something we noticed last year at Stock Green
very early in the season and it may be that the butterfly on emergence uses
other ashes as "stepping stones" en route to the assembly tree. Certainly, by
the time of a return visit three days later, none were seen along the lane and
all activity was focussed on the assembly tree itself. On this occasion Hugh,
along with Trevor Trueman, saw at least four males in a period of about 20 minutes
from 8.30 onwards. I arrived just before 9 am to continue observations and there
was continual activity on and around the tree for the next hour. As always,
it is difficult to estimate exact numbers but I saw four in flight together
at one point. As well as males, all of which looked absolutely pristine, there
was a definite female. In sunny conditions, the butterflies were basking low
down with their wings open but only for a matter of seconds before taking to
the air. These flights were invariably short in duration and would often involve
aerial chases between two or more males; the butterflies soon disappearing back
into the foliage of the ash or the adjacent hedgerow. Anyway, all good stuff
and great to watch. Action too around the tree halfway between Grafton Flyford
Church and Grafton Wood with 3 males there at 10.15 am on 11th August and another
male at around 4 pm proving that it is worth taking a look at a known assembly
tree at any time of the day. Quite why numbers at Stock Green have been on the
low side is difficult to explain although it may be a reflection of decreasing
egg numbers we have recorded in the vicinity over the past 3 winters. We had
a very successful blackthorn bash in a nearby area of woodland in late July,
however, so we are hoping that any decline will be a temporary phenomenon. It
may, of course, be simply a case of the Hairstreaks shifting their loyalty to
another tree!
We are trying to make a big effort this year to discover new assembly
trees and, following the last ebulletin, we produced a joint press release with
the Wildlife Trust asking members of the public to look out for Brown Hairstreaks
around ash trees. This resulted in a piece in the Evesham Journal, together
with interest from other media. The good news is that we may already have found
a new tree on the Trust's new reserve at Naunton Court Fields with Trevor Trueman
spotting a male on an ash tree earlier this week. In the same way that one swallow
does not make a summer, however, one hairstreak does not make an assembly tree
so further visits will be in order. The next fortnight provides the best opportunity
to find further new trees and we do hope that some of our local champions will
have a try at doing this. Trees do not have to be huge specimens, most of the
trees so far identified have been between 15-20 feet in height but tend to be
in a fairly prominent position within the landscape and very importantly open
to the east in order to catch the early morning sun. Sunny mornings provide
the best opportunity from 7 am onwards until around 10 but adults will fly if
it is cloudy providing the temperature is warm enough. Despite some extremely
dodgy weather this morning, for example, a group of us managed to locate a single
male being blown around on the Cowsden tree. Please report any findings together
with a grid reference or description of where the particular tree is located.
I am away in Devon next week so unfortunately may miss out on some of the excitement.
I shall be back, however, in good time for the highlight of the
Brown Hairstreak year, the optimistically named Brown Hairstreak Day which this
year is on Sunday, 29th August starting at 10.00 am in the Three Parishes Hall,
next to Grafton Flyford Church (surely it can't rain for the third year running!).
We will have various stalls together with the usual homemade refreshments plus
guided walks in search of Brown Hairstreaks. By then, females should be on the
wing and with luck can be seen low down as they search for suitable egg sites.
Do come along if you can. As well as providing a good opportunity, weather willing,
to see Brown Hairstreaks, it is always a good day to exchange butterfly news
and catch up with people you have not seen in a while.
Although winter still seems a long way away, we have been invited
to send a team of handpicked Brownhairstreakers to Hungary next February to
help survey for Brown Hairstreak eggs in a national park (just see how our fame
is spreading!). The idea would be to make a long weekend of it and to take in
some birdwatching at the same time (overwintering geese and owls plus a chance
of Wallcreeper!). Provisional dates are 25th Feb-2nd Mar and if anyone is interested
please let me know. Should be an interesting experience and, having visited
the national park several times before, I know we will be well looked after.
Finally, do take a look at the website for Upper
Hollowfields farm. The Terry family have been great supporters of Brown
Hairstreak conservation over the years, winning a number of wildlife awards
for their efforts, and have now opened up their farm for educational visits
and various courses. See the website for further details.
Mike Williams,
Brown Hairstreak Species Champion,
West Midlands Butterfly Conservation