Today was a mission into Dorset, to Alner's Gorse, probably the best butterfly reserve that I have yet visited. As I left, somewhat reluctantly, I had ticked fifteen species of butterfly, which included 3 species of Hairstreak and met some exceptionally nice people - what more could you want from a day's butterflying.
I left home at about 0500 and headed west, long before any commuters were on the road. Chichester, Portsmouth and Ringwood flashed by and before I knew it, I was passing Wimborne. Unfortunately the road between Wimborne and Blandford is a little slow, and the closure of a road delayed me slightly, but before 0730 I was seated on a log under Oak, Ash and Wych Elm trees . It was immediately obvious that three species of hairstreak were in the canopy, unfortunately not a single specimen wanted to come down to my level.
To keep myself occupied I took a tour of the reserve - very impressed - extremely well managed. I returned to my wooden seat and finally a White-letter Hairstreak came down, albeit not close, but good enough for a record shot. Then, the most gorgeous female Brown Hairstreak, which obligingly posed for the camera. Not only that, she managed to deposit one egg for all the onlookers to see.
Then later another Brown Hairstreak, this time a male, descended and proceeded to nectar on the profusion of bramble flowers, posing for us for at least 30 minutes.
Finally a Purple Hairstreak paid the same bramble bush a visit, albeit fleetingly, just as I was about to press the shutter release it vanished into the canopy. I shall just have to go back, it is well worth a visit even though it is a fair distance away.
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| White-letter Hairstreak |
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| Purple Hairstreak |
When we were looking for Purple Hairstreaks at Tillets Lane Fields I noticed several instances of tall Ash trees above Blackthorn and had a hunch that there were possibilities for Brown Hairstreaks. They have been recorded here twice, according to the Warnham website. So, today I paid a visit, more as a recce with low expectations, than a butterflying day. As I arrived the site was awash with Gatekeepers, literally hundreds of them nectaring on every variety of plant and a full supporting cast of Meadow Browns and Small Skippers. As I completed my first circuit of the perimeter a butterfly caught my eye, just darker on the inner wing and brighter than a Gatekeeper. I nearly ignored it but decided to give it a closer look - my 48th species of the year - a beautiful male Brown Hairstreak. Panic set in but I managed some record shots, after all I have to have evidence for my butterflying buddy. I followed it for some distance but it never settled in a position where I could get a clear shot. Finally I committed the cardinal sin, I took my eye off it to check my pictures and when I looked up it had disappeared amongst several Gatekeepers and I failed to relocate it.
Encouraged by this success I did another three circuits of the field but not another specimen to be found. Although my diligent searching turned up a partial aberration of a Gatekeeper, possibly ab. partimtransformis. UK Butterflies haughtily states; "a pathological form which does not deserve a name". One day I will find a bilateral gynandromorph. A nice Green-veined White and a very friendly Common Green Grasshopper were obliging enough to be captured.
No wonder Small Skippers are doing so well, everywhere I go they are at it. This pair finally ended up on my leg as I sat and recorded their antics.
