www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

It's great What a wonderful area!

Guy

David,
I think you must be very happy you made such a successful trip at just the right time. Lovely spot, by the looks of it...
Michael

Lovely to see David. Cracking views too!

Cheers

Lee

Saturday 4th June 2011

On Saturday we visited Oxfordshire, hoping to see the Black Hairstreaks. We got to Bernwood Meadows (near Horton-cum-Studley) at about 9:30 – greeted by cloud. This was a bit of a shock as the forecast had been good and we were only dressed for hot weather! Luckily the clouds shifted by about 10:15, and we spent our first couple of hours at the far end of the meadows where the ride enters the edges of Bernwood Forest. I saw several Common Blues, Large Skippers and a couple of Marbled Whites in the field: there were plenty of Ox-Eye daises and quite a few orchids. I spotted my first couple of Black Hairstreaks above the Blackthorn between 10:30 and 11:00, but they weren’t moving. We started the walk into the Bernwood Forest where luckily I spotted a single Black Hairstreak in great condition about head height. After a bit of breeze the butterfly flew (or dropped) into the grass below – I’d never sent that before. I watched and after a couple of minutes the Hairstreak and soon it was up again on the Blackthorn, and then flew off into the Oaks.

We had a quick round Bernwood Forest at this point and saw several more Common Blues, a few Speckled Woods and some Meadow Browns. We returned to Bernwood Meadows, but saw no more Black Hairstreaks near the ride, so we left for Whitecross Green Wood (though my wife did spot another BH - perhaps pregnant female - on the Blackthorn about half-way across the field towards the entrance. We watched her (?) for a while – another pristine individual – for a couple of minutes.

In Whitecross Green Wood we went straight for the far Western side, along the main ride, where we had seen Black Hairstreaks the previous year. Near the ride by the small pond, again there were plenty of Black Hairstreaks – all staying above the Blackthorn and rarely coming down. Some were nectaring on Buckthorn flowers, but keeping to the flowers that were above our heads and out of reach. Walking to the far edge of the Western side of the reserve there were several more mini-groups of the Hairstreaks – I would estimate I saw about 20 individuals in this part of the reserve. We stayed until about 4:30 and left the ride, before bumping into Chris Bottrell, who was great fun to speak to – he’s normally linked to the Upper Thames valley Butterfly conservation. He pointed out a new spot right outside the far side of the reserve (near the end of the main ride taken from the entrance to the reserve) where there were several more Black Hairstreaks. I think we saw another six individuals there but the wind had picked up slightly and it was a bit late in the day for some really good views. We left Oxfordshire just before 6pm a little burnt but happy. I love this part of the world – I’m only sorry we don’t have more time to see the Black Hairstreaks!

Michael


Bernwood Meadows in the sunshine - the far corner that links to the Bernwood Forest


Pristine Marbled White in the Bernwood Meadows.


A perfect Black Hairstreak along the main ride towards the Bernwood Forest.


Woodland ride Route towards the main forest.


A Black Hairstreak decides to visit the grass...


The normal view we're often left with - high above us on the Blackthorn (though in this case on Hawthorn leaves!).


Black Hairstreak looking slightly pregnant?


Fledgling Swallows at the start of Whitecross Green Wood.


Grizzled Skippers were still evident at Whitecross Green Wood.


The Western end of Whitecross Green Wood, were about 20 Black Hairstreaks were seen. But not photographed!


The Black Hairstreaks at Whitecross Green Wood nectaring on Alder flowers.

Stunning images Michael - if only I had been there!

Cheers

Lee

It seems to have been an excellent year for Black Hairstreaks. The fact that they over-winter as eggs would suggest that the drought will have minimal effect.

Black Hairstreaks are reputed to have poor powers of dispersal. I observed one yesterday in Monks Wood that left a favoured patch of Blackthorn where it had been for a while and then flew up strongly and in a direct line over the trees (to pastures new?) unlike the normal "dithering", back and forth behaviour.

Lovely set of pictures Michael.

Jack

Hi and Jack Lee,

thanks for the kind comments. And Lee - sorry you couldn't have come, but your holiday trip will be far more exciting, methinks ! I was really surprised I didn't see more people looking for butterflies at both Bernwood Meadows and Whitecross Green Wood - seeing as both are fairly well known as being reliable spots. I felt although there were fewer Hairstreaks at BM they were more pristine and for some reason a bit more approachable. Even the ones at WGW weren't egg-laying, though a few did come down to the lower branches later in the afternoon. It was certainly the most individuals I've seen at WGW - probably in the region of 26-28 individuals. I'd love to go back next week, but I fear I have to many other spots to visit. I may do another trip to Oxfordshire around the first week or so of July when I get back from Bulgaria. Though unfortunately I don't know the best 'spots' in the forest for the Purple Emperor .

Michael

Now you've done it Michael...another 'must visit' location to add to my ever lengthening list!!! Simply lovely images, thanks for sharing them.

Bill

Hi Michael

Can you describe the route to the area where you saw Black Hairstreak from the main car park at Bernwood. I love the area but have never been when Black Hairstreak are on the wing.
Great shots Michael.

Today, on my way back from my weekend in Norfolk, I gambled on popping into Glapthorn Cow Pastures near Oundle Northamptonshire to see Black Hairstreak. I say "gambled" because the forecast yesterday had been for cloud, rain, and strong winds.

Well thank goodness I did go. I've been visiting Glapthorn now for four years, and this was by far my best visit. There were at least 7 Black Hairstreaks in their "usual spot" where the Dewberries are. I saw at least one more right by the main enterance. Not only that, but they were much more tolerant than usual, and I was able to get to within a centemetre with my camera to get super macro close up shots.

Also unusual was the fact I was the only one there with them to myself for the whole hour I was there. The last two times I've been there have been at least 20 people crowding round the bushes, stampeding to get closest to the one or two Black Hairstreaks that popped down for Nectar.

Anyway, they're already on "Day 8" for this year in Glapthorn, so if people are aiming to visit, it's worth popping down soon, before they blow themselves out.

All in all another very special day, and arguably my favourite butterflying moment ever.

Willrow wrote:Now you've done it Michael...another 'must visit' location to add to my ever lengthening list!!! Simply lovely images, thanks for sharing them.

Bill

Absolutely. I shall be visiting WGW soon myself. Hopefully, Black Hairstreaks will be in similarly pristine condition for a week or so yet.

Paul Wetton wrote:Hi Michael

Can you describe the route to the area where you saw Black Hairstreak from the main car park at Bernwood. I love the area but have never been when Black Hairstreak are on the wing.
Great shots Michael.

Hi Paul,

Directions for BH at Bernwood Meadows are at the bottom of this thread (starting with Michael's first post!)

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=4284

Cheers

Lee

Thanks for the report, Michael, you've inspired me to go out looking for Black Hairstreaks while they're still on the wing. I've been to WGW & BM only three times (on successive days last August, searching for Brown Hairstreaks), but I vowed to return this year for Black Hairstreaks, as I've never seen one.

I'd been thinking about a visit yesterday (Saturday) because the weather forecast sounded favourable, but I feared that the place would be crawling with like-minded people and, though I'm not exactly a misanthrope (honest ), I'd much rather wander around on my own than in a gang.

According to the UKB sites list, I seem to have a handful of locations to choose from, though none are particularly close, so I'd like to know before setting off for somewhere unfamiliar that I stand a fair chance of finding something. Does anyone know which of Whitecross/Bernwood, Glapthorne Cow Pasture, Monk's Wood or Brampton Wood is likely to be most productive? Yes, I know the sites are star-rated, but such ratings are subjective, and I'm wary of placing too much trust in them. There's also Marston Thrift (near Milton Keynes), which is a bit closer, but it's not listed on UKB.

Maybe I'll head somewhere later in the week, when the temperatures are forecast to rise a little. Otherwise I fear I may have to wait for another year.

Paul

Monks Wood

I sent this as a PM to dilettante and he had success on Sunday.

Park here:
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=52 ... 80537&lm=0

(that's the junction of B1090 and minor road to Wood Walton village)

Take the obvious track into the wood, enter wood and use main ride (in effect, it's the middle of three choices - little triangle to negotiate). Carry on until a crossroads (cross track), turn left. You will know you are on the correct track as there is an old broken ladder/observation tower shortly after entering the track. Carry on and there are huge blackthorn bushes. This is the hot spot but Black Hairstreaks can be seen elsewhere in the wood.

Hotspot (either side of ride):
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=52 ... 80132&lm=0

with another at the end of that track at the T junction.

Jack

Hi Paul (Pawpawsaurus!)
I can certainly understand the need to go and see butterflies on your own. A good example is last year I was at Bernwood Meadows and by sheer coincidence met up with Steve Woodhall (writer of 'Field guide to Butterflies of South Africa') at the end of the Meadows - he was looking for Black Hairstreaks and had come over from South Africa with a friend for the week. As soon as he appeared, I spotted one Black Hairstreak at the back of the meadow, and as Steve was the 'honoured guest', I let him take the first photo, by the time I had a look-in the BH was gone! It took me another three hours before I got a good photo! 'Too many obsessives spoil the broth'

I was somewhat wary on Saturday, thinking that there would be loads of folks at both places. I was very surprised that there weren't (I think it's luck). It is very difficult to photograph any butterflies when there's more than one person with a camera, plus, unless you are very comfortable with others it takes away from the element of 'being at one with nature' which is one of the 'buzzes' that I get when out and about. I also write about being at butterfly sites when I have visited with my wife as if we are one person! But she understands my madness totally...thank god! Plus she knows the time to stand back!!

I've PM'd you and Paul Wetton. Hopefully some sent instructions will help with Bernwood Meadows. Glapthorne is supposed to be good as well for Black Hairstreaks, but I've never been. And it's even further away from South Wales! Any small butterfly with Hairstreak-like behaviour can be difficult to see on any day given the vagaries of the weather and emergence, even if you know where to look. Bernwood has been good for me though for both Black and Brown Hairstreaks.

Michael

Oh, here's one that I took that I didn't include because the cropping was poor. All the same it's an interesting shot because it shows the fantastic detail of a new Black Hairstreaks wings.

When photographing the Hairstreaks I've found that shooting via live-view rather than through the lens viewer is a big bonus, because you can hold the camera up higher (i.e. above your head, where the hairstreak may be). The downfall being that you get bad cropping sometimes (as shown) and an achey arm!

Michael

Re: Black Hairstreaks: Females also tended to keep to the undergrowth more than the males that were constantly patrolling. In general, they seemed more relaxed than the males; once they settled, they tended to hang around longer and crawl around the undergrowth more, rather than fly-off again. PhilB suggested that they were probably already mated once we saw them down in the bushes; females certainly seemed to attract little attention from passing males, indicating that perhaps both parties sensed that situation, a useful thing to avoid wasting energy on, if you only have a few days to live....
Some from 3rd June at Monks Wood; They must be very widespread in Monks Wood, with such large areas of blackthorn and other bushes and undergrowth amongst the mature oaks, that we see only a small fraction of the whole population. The rides and clearings that Jack mentioned do provide sheltered places where they may be more easily observed. They are very endearing little creatures...

Michael

I don't think Bernwood is normally as good as Fermyn for Purple Emperor but the main track from the car park I mentioned is the best place to look for them. The first time I visited Bernwood Forest I got onto the main track about 10 feet from the car park and a Purple Emperor flew around me and settled at my feet probably on something a dog left behind but it spent 10 or 15 minutes licking minerals of the gravel path in that area.
Later that day we found two in the car park taking up minerals at around 5 in the afternoon.
Probably the best place I've visited to get good views of Purple Emperor, Purple Hairstreak and Silver Washed Frit along one track.

I haven't posted for a while but just wanted to say how nice it was to bump into Neil and other UKButterfliers at Collard Hill at the end of last week.

Still trawling through the images but here's one of my shots...

All the best

Malc

Hi, was offered a ride to Stonebarrow hill and couldn't refuse the offer was very pleased with the out come!

Saw lots and lots of meadow browns all great condition and also lots of Common blue.

1 small tortoiseshell very good condition!

4x small heaths

1 green hairstreak! (very pleased)

Felix