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Thanks David. Apparently Cannock Chase is the earliest site in the midlands for Green Hairstreaks, I haven't yet seen any reported from the cluster of sites in Warwickshire where they are usually much later to emerge.
Saturday April 24th.
Our daughter Sarah came round on Saturday with the grandkids and with a bit of pleasant sunshine in the afternoon, we spent most of the time out in the garden. Between chatting and playing with the kids, I kept the usual eye out for any passing butterflies and even had a bit of help with little Chloe calling out ‘there’s a butterfly grandad’ whenever she saw one. She also took great pleasure in telling me that ‘butterflies drink nectar from flowers’ which apparently she had leant recently at school.
A couple of male Speckled Wood were doing their usual thing at opposite ends of the garden and chasing each other about whenever they intruded into each other’s space.
One of them had already lost a chunk of hindwing around the eyespots, proving their value in diverting attacks from more vulnerable parts of the body and head.
Checking my photos later, I realised by a slight difference in markings that I had also photographed a third male that had sneaked into the garden at some point in the afternoon.
A couple of Orange-tips were circling around on their patrol routes, one of which I recognised by a small chunk out of his RH forewing as one that I had seen the day before.
Also seen passing through without stopping were at least two Holly Blues and a few unidentified whites.
Sunday April 25th.
A similar day weather wise to Saturday, that is after a cold start, plenty of sunshine although with a cooler breeze it didn’t quite feel as warm as the previous day.
The same species were seen in the garden as the day before, with some being the same individuals, the male speckled Wood below being a case in point, defending the same spot in the garden.
The one with the chunk missing from his hindwing was also there again but the one below was a new individual, identified as such by minor differences in markings.
At least two different male Orange-tips were visiting again with them both being in sight together a couple of times. Probably due to the cool breeze, one of them was more inclined to settle and bask today which gave me the opportunity for some decent open wing shots.
Again, a Holly Blue passed through without stopping, as did a couple of whites but today one did stop just long enough for me to identify it as a definite Small White.
Looks like a return to cooler conditions this week and we may even be seeing a bit of rain later on Tuesday and into Wednesday, we could certainly do with it.
All the best and stay safe,
Neil.