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Monday, 29 September 2025

Black Hairstreak bonanza

As with a number of other butterfly species this year, Black Hairstreaks emerged exceptionally early this year. At many sites, they were out in late May, something I don't remember ever coming across previously. 

With the news of their early emergence, I managed to find some time to visit Hewins Wood, near Calvert (Bucks) for a short while on 01/06, in the hope of some good views and importantly, sun!

It was a day of mixed cloud and sun, so bit of a gamble, but it was at least warm! On arrival with a spell of sun, I was quickly onto several Hairstreaks, fluttering around the tops of the Blackthorn, as well an active Beautiful Demoiselle and Broad-Bodied Chaser.





As predicted, the sun was sporadic, making gaining views of the Hairstreaks difficult and quite frustrating! However persistence paid off and in the end, I enjoyed some lovely views of a good number, including an absolutely pristine, freshly emerged individual that posed brilliantly for a good while. Just perfect!






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