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Black Hairstreak - Favourite Photo of 2020

Week 1

And so it begins…Starting this week the first opportunity to showcase your favourite shots of 2020!

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.

Also a quick reminder that it might be a good idea to select your Overall Favourite Butterfly Photo of 2020 first so that you’ve got something to post when the series of threads culminates in 20 weeks time…

Let’s get cracking!

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

As a creature of habit, I usually make my way up to Whitecross Green Wood in Oxfordshire to see this little butterfly. However, the decision was taken to close the site in 2020 because of the pandemic, so I found the most attractive alternative would be a trip to the "new" site at Ditchling Common in Sussex. I timed it so that it would also mean seeing a few familiar faces at the same time under conditions of socially-distanced sociability.

On the day (7th June) the latter aspect was achieved magnificently, but the butterflies performed rather indifferently. This is all I managed to achieve.Hopefully, relative normality will prevail in 2021!

Dave

I surprisingly got to see this species in 2020 whilst visiting Bernwood Forest around midsummer's day.

I saw one in the evening of 19th June but it disappeared before I could get an image. The following day, another one turned up, right at the end of its flight season (which was very early this year due to the warm spring) so I got lucky:

Black Hairstreak

Finally after many years I’m able to post in this thread! However the Blackstreaks of Ditchling decided on my visit to play a little harder to get than I hoped for. I managed a few shots but the really impressive, side view in sharp focus eluded me. I was all lined up ready to get that particular shot when anther enthusiast stepped in front of me and spooked the butterfly! This was my consolation shot as it shows a female laying eggs, creeping on the underside of the Blackthorn and to my mind is much more interesting that a butterfly on a stick shot. Well I would say that
Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel