www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Hello everyone, I really want to end my year (as far as new species are concerned) with some Brown Hairstreak. I was hoping someone could help me narrow down some likely sites. I see they are listed at Bookham Common, Horley and Ifield on their species page. Are these sites still active for them and are there any other places within the Surrey/E./W. Sussex areas where they can be found? Preferably easy to get to places using public transport!

Thanks in advance

Buggy

Hi Buggy,

Ifield (also known as the Rusper Road site) is my local Brown Hairstreak hot-spot, but they are seen here in low numbers only. There has been a lot of Blackthorn removed recently, so this may affect numbers for this season. However the habitat remains good and there should be some re-generation of growth in future years. In the circumstances I cannot guarantee that you will see this species here, but it is easy to walk to from Ifield Railway station. Let me know if you need directions. There is another site (known as Willoughby Fields TQ257 387) just to the north-east where Dave Browne (Buchan Boy) saw a couple last year, but I have not been there. The Horley/Gatwick site was visited by Neil Hulme a few years back with some success, but I am not familiar with the location.

Hope this helps

Vince

Thanks Vince, I'm hoping to go out hunting for them on Saturday, weather looks most promising then

There are 2 Guided Walks for them at Bookham Common, where we visit all the hot spots, and usually see one or two, they are widespread over the good areas but in low numbers so luck comes into play.

Wednesdays 19th & 26th 10.30 Tunnel Car Park, near the station. Also at Pewley Downs 1st September