www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

It's Sun Aug 10th and it's raining hard. Yesterday was worse.

I had planned to spend one day this weekend hunting SSSkippers on Broughton Down (in Hampshire) after some good advise from others in the know but once again I - like many of you - am frustrated by England in the summer.

I note that the Shipton Bellinger site is in the same vicinty and based on the site info I might attempt the Brown Hairstreak - make a day of it!!! However, these are not easy to locate and especially to photograph. I have not seen this species before either.
Do any of you have experience of this site and if so can you be a bit more specific as to where I should begin looking? Weather permitting I might still make this trip before these two species are on the wane. Grateful for any help.

First Peacock sighted in the garden on Friday and a Brimstone in v. good condition (Fri. was not too bad weather wise in the south-west.

Wavelea1

Hi Wavelea1, I don't know if you have already done your trip, but the Hampshire Branch of BC, are running a Brown Hairstreak walk at Shipton Bellinger on the 23RD, this Saturday.

Gruditch

Thanks Gruditch

Sat looks like a half decent day and my better half hasn't planned anything so I'm investigating - sadly she's a better photographer so I need her along.

Wavelea1

Here's a link.
http://www.hantsiow-butterflies.org.uk/events.htm
look under Field trips.

Gruditch

Do you know if they had more luck than we did, Gary?

From the Hants BC sightings page at: http://www.hantsiow-butterflies.org.uk/sightings.htm (look at 23rd August):

Roger Buchanan writes: "Andy Barker led an excellent walk today at Shipton Bellinger - attended my some branch members and locals from the village - very successful. Saw several species, very large numbers of Brimstones and a few of the 'target' species - Brown Hairstreak. The first had a classic wedge-shaped mark on its hind-wings with the tails missing testifying to a bird attack. One was seen laying, several were noted high in ash trees and one seen low down nectaring."

And this photo posted: http://www.hantsiow-butterflies.org.uk/ ... streak.jpg

Cheers,

- Pete

Looks like they had a little luck.
I've seen BHS on five occasions now, but have only photographed them once. Noare Hill is supposed to give you the best Chance of getting a picy, but personally I've never been that in love with the site.

Gruditch

Confirmed multiple sightings of Brown Hairstreak today at Ravensroost Meadow, Wiltshire.
And a little surprise on the way home at Somerford Common.
Details in my blog.

Denise