White-letter Hairstreak - Favourite Photo of 2021

[Wurzel]

White-letter Hairstreak - Favourite Photo of 2021

Week 19

The penultimate week! Where did the winter go and why do we still have it’s dreadful weather? Oh well at least spring should be on its way and we can start the prep work for the ‘Favourite 2022’ section!

Please could I ask that everyone waits until a topic has been opened by me for a particular species before posting photos as then it will be easier to keep track of things? Of course our overseas members are very welcome to fill in the obvious gaps relating to rare UK migrants. As in previous years details of locations, dates, times and circumstances would be welcome as would any accompanying stories and anecdotes or other observations of behaviour and interesting other points.

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[Stevie Blunder]

Here's my favourite White-letter Hairstreak photo of 2021. Taken on 1st August in the Forest of Dean. It wasn't until I uploaded the photo that a noticed a deadly companion! We all have to eat!

[millerd]

Because it is such a consistently good spot for finding White-letters low down and usually in good numbers too, it has become a an annual event for me to head to the footpath from Leigh-on-Sea station to Hadleigh Castle in Essex. (The bonus is that this location is within a few miles of several good Heath Fritillary sites and of course their seasons tend to coincide.)

I made the pilgrimage on 26th June in 2021, and was rewarded with several dozen fresh butterflies, but the icing on the cake was a mating pair, sitting conveniently down at around head height. and a first for me. The colour difference between the female (greyer) and the male (browner) is easily seen in this situation.

The wide choice of butterflies allowed for some variation in shots, and I rather like this one of a female displaying the bright red spots in the corners of the hindwing uppersides - almost like warning taillights...

Dave

[Pete Eeles]

Great observations, Dave!

Cheers,

- Pete

[Wolfson]

In recent years most of my sightings and photographs of White-letter Hairstreak have been in two local woods that contain plenty of Elm of varying sizes and states of health and support reliable numbers of White-letter Hairstreak.
However, in 2021, whilst looking for Dark Green Fritillary and maybe an early Chalkhill Blue, I noticed a White-letter feeding on a privet flower. Although close to where I was sat on a very steep hillside, had it not been for a Small Tortoiseshell attracting my attention, I suspect I would have missed it. It was unbothered by my precarious traverse and allowed a few photographs. No Chalkhill, but a first for me at that site and I will locate the Elms and hopefully more White-letter later this year.

[David M]

Managed to see one at head height in 2021 which is unusual in south Wales. It was taken at the wooded entrance to Long Wood Nature Reserve, near Cardiff: