Look out for Green Hairstreaks!

Look out for Green Hairstreaks! 2005 seems to be an excellent year for this easily overlooked species. First out on 23rd April in Ayrshire, we have already had as many records of them in 2005 as we often have for a whole year, and they will still be on the wing for a few more weeks. They are generally seen until mid-June, although they have been recorded as late as 31st July!

Look out for them where ever there are patches of Blaeberry – especially if is associated with clumps of Silver Birch trees giving them some shelter.

They have so far been recorded this year in mainland Argyll, Islay, Jura, West and East Dunbartonshire, Glasgow, Renfrewshire, Stirling, Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway. We have very sightings of them from Dumfries and Galloway and southern Ayrshire in the last five years, so records from there will be particularly welcome.

RS