Purple Hairstreaks near Newby Bridge, Cumbria

August 3: At an extensive oak wood near here, there are several  places where oak trees come down below road level. The elusive Purple Hairstreak (Neozephyrus quercus) butterfly, which spends most of the time high in oak trees feeding on the aphid honeydew on the leaves, can sometimes be seen to advantage from such a viewpoint.



In flight, the underside of the wings flash pale grey as distinct from the pale brown colour of their relative the White-letter Hairstreak (usually found in elms) and this helps to identify them. The upper side of the wing is usually shot with blue-purple and can especially show to advantage when the angle of the light is favourable. Seen at other angles the upper-side may appear dull brown. Photos below show some colour effects.



BUTTERFLY: White-letter- and Purple Hairstreaks at Brockholes Wetlands, Lancashire

August 22 (and July 11), 2010:
The first decent weekend's weather for more than a month meant that many butterflies and dragonflies were on the wing on the Reserve. Six weeks ago, I was fortunate to obtain photos (above and below) of White-letter Hairstreaks (Satyrium w-album) there. Since then I had been hoping to get the chance to do the same with Purple Hairstreaks (Neozephyrus quercus). Boilton Wood at the Reserve's northern edge has both of these rather similar-looking butterflies and without doubt merits its SSSI status as a wild-life haven. White-letter Hairstreaks are closely associated with Elm trees (Ulmus spp.), especially Wych-elm, as this is their larval foodplant. Like many Hairstreaks they spend much time high in the tree canopy but will come down for nectar under favourable conditions. On this very warm sunny afternoon in July (the 11th), the weather was ideal, the bramble thickets below the trees were in full flower, and it was there that at least three of them were feeding on the brambles.




Being small, they were most easily located when in flight and needed to be watched carefully to find exactly where they had settled. Unfortunately, the subsequent poor weather appears to have curtailed their reappearance and it may be that this particular colony is only a small, somewhat isolated one. No doubt though, there will be several others elsewhere in these extensive woodlands.

Purple Hairstreaks (photos below) have a later and probably longer flight period. These are found amongst and close to oak trees (Quercus spp.) as this is their larval foodplant and, similar to the White-letter, they fly high in the leafy canopy and are also difficult to locate.




Today (August 22) they could be seen on two separate oak trees in warm but breezy conditions. It is interesting that they occurred in an almost identical situation to that of the White-letters although at a different place along the woodland's edge; they have in fact been seen in at least three separate places here recently.



When looking for both species this summer, even though conditions appeared ideal and the butterflies were known to be present, there were long periods of inactivity with none visible. Patience is needed to locate them.


[Typical habitat of both Hairstreaks, Brockholes]

DRAGONFLY: Lancashire and south Cumbria dragonflies during a brief improvement in the weather

August 15/16, 2010:
Recently in north-west England, the weather has been very poor and there's been an apparent absence of dragonflies. Some warmth and sunshine on Sunday and Monday offered promise, however. At Brockholes Wetlands (Lancashire) on Sunday, many Brown Hawkers (Aeshna grandis) were flying. Unfortunately these never seem to settle enabling a photo to be taken although one female was seen ovipositing onto pondweed (Potamogeton sp) at one of the small pools.



[Brown Hawker ovipositing, Brockholes]

There was also a large number of Common Darters (Sympetrum striolatum) and, in contrast to the Brown Hawkers, these would usually perch accommodatingly. Many Common Blue Damselflies (Enallagma cyathigerum), several Migrant Hawkers (Aeshna mixta), a Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea) and an Emperor (Anax imperator) were also seen.



[Male Common Darters, Brockholes]

On an oak tree at the woodland’s edge there were Purple Hairstreak (Neozephyrus quercus) butterflies; these are often elusive and hard to see. Many of the commoner species visited flowers, especially thistles.


[Purple Hairstreak, Brockholes]

At Foulshaw Moss (south Cumbria) on the following day, the main interest was the Black Darters (Sympetrum danae) present in abundance which is often a feature of the site in late summer. Like their Common relative they were also approachable but not so was a solitary Southern Hawker which, although showing curiosity, never settled. Many Common Blue and Emerald Damselflies (Lestes sponsa) active amongst the fringing water plants.


[Pool at Foulshaw]



[Male Black Darters, Foulshaw]


[Emerald Damselflies, Foulshaw]


[Emerald Damselfly, Foulshaw]

Not too far away is the small secluded tarn at Barkbooth. Here an Emperor patrolled the water and there were also two very inquisitive Southern Hawkers and many of the same two species of damselfly as at Foulshaw.


[The small tarn, Barkbooth]


[An inquisitive Southern Hawker, Barkbooth]

BUTTERFLY: Purple Hairstreak, Haverthwaite, Cumbria

July 25, 2009:
The Purple Hairstreak (Neozephyrus quercus) which is restricted to oak trees, is mainly found in southern England and is scarce in the north.





It is an elusive butterfly and is often overlooked as it normally flies high in the tree canopy where the adults find honeydew on which to feed. With only one generation a year, adults fly during July and August and the best time to see them is on a hot sunny day, especially towards evening. Owing to this, they are not easy to photograph. The developing larvae burrow into the oak buds on which they feed.