Black Hairstreak has only a short flight period so with them reported at Chambers Farm Wood, Lincolnshire, and with thunder storms forecast from Sunday Ricky and I arranged to go on Friday. A good hot clear morning and on arrival the first person we saw told us they were currently showing well so we had a brisk walk to the the ‘crossroads”. The first time I have hurried for a butterfly, instead of a bird, and on arrival had the feel of a proper twitch with numerous cameras pointing into the vegetation although admittedly in nothing like the number at a rare bird. Also a little more amenable? Hairstreaks in my experience are usually high up, mobile and hard to photograph but these were often low and static although often tricky to get a clear view. Counted at least half a dozen.
Black Hairstreak on Blackthorn
Went to the butterfly garden for lunch. A few Broad-bordered Bee Hawkmoth were on Red Valerian by the car park.
Broad-bordered Bee Hawkmoth on Red Valerian
By the drying up pond we had a Large Red Damselfly, one of a very few dragonflies we saw.
Large Large Red Damselfly
Also Mullein caterpillar on the food plant.
Mullein caterpillar
Swallow on wire above the Butterfly Garden
Went to the meadow to look for Marsh Fritillary. Late for them with only a few worn individuals but lucky found one not too bad.
Marsh Fritillary
We had seen a large number of small moths flying around tall oaks opposite the carpark and the smaller Oaks by the meadow allowed me to identify them as Green Oak Tortrix.
Green Oak Tortrix-a potential pest in large number
Like everywhere butterfly numbers were low with the only other species seen being Speckled Wood, a Brimstone, Meadow Brown and Large Skipper.
Meadow Brown [left] and Large Skipper [right]
Fortunately we left early as Humber Bridge was closed meaning a long diversion via the M180/M18/M62.
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