Green hairstreak in Bristol/Bath region?

eccles · Post by **eccles** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 8:40 pm

Does anyone know of a good site for green hairstreak in the Bristol/Bath region?
Thanks..

Simon C · Post by **Simon C** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 8:14 am

I wouldn't describe it as a good site for them, but I've seen a few at Bannerdown around now in previous years.

Simon C

markatbath · Post by **markatbath** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 10:55 am

bannerdown is usually a safe bet and also browns folly
how well do you know these areas?
I can give you precise areas to look if needed
mark

eccles · Post by **eccles** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 12:23 pm

Thanks guys.
I've been to Bannerdown many times before but not Browns Folly although I believe I know where it is. Any precise tips or GPS grid references would be most appreciated.

Matsukaze · Post by **Matsukaze** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 8:06 pm

Saw one at East Harptree Woods, just north of Priddy Mineries (where they also occur) on Sunday. I have also seen them at Cleaves Wood south of Bath, and I understand they were seen at Folly Farm and by Chew Valley Lake last year. Finding them in more than ones or twos is another matter, though!

A good couple of days for scarce butterflies. Wall Browns at Deer Leap/Cook's Fields on the Mendips on Sunday, and Grizzled and Dingy Skipper at Tucking Mill today, the first time I have seen Grizzled Skipper locally.

eccles · Post by **eccles** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 9:06 pm

I visited Browns Folly today, and although the open hillside looked good for all sorts of species I saw very little, and certainly no green hairstreak. There were several holly blue around the woodland edges though. I saw one, a female, with partially open wings, dropped my lenscap, bent down to pick it up and scared the damned butterfly away.
I went back to Hazelbury and marsh fritillary are there in reasonable numbers now. I saw about 15 individuals just from the bottom path. They're quite well spread out though so there were probably many more. Some are already getting shiny due to losing scales from territorial disputes, so if anyone is thinking about visiting it'd be a good idea to make it soon. They seem to be quite amenable to approach if done with care and without sudden movements, but they're dead sensitive to noise. I got into the habit of turning the camera on in good time, and also turned off the continuous focus mode on the camera and that helped a lot.
I also saw several dingy skippers at the same place, but I'm glad I got some good snaps at the golf course quarry yesterday as the ones today were almost impossible to follow, yet alone photograph.