Finding The White Letter Hairstreak In Hampshire
I often see the White Letter Hairstreak described as ‘under-recorded’, particularly in Hampshire. I like a challenge, so I decided to take on the task of correcting that ‘under-recorded’ tag. Those that know me will be aware that I have put quite a bit of effort into this over the last couple of years. In the process I have become more than slightly obsessed with all things Elm and White Letter Hairstreak. This year everything seems to have come together, greatly helped by the weather of course. Over 2 weekends I have had 100% success at the 5 sites I visited. All of which I believe are previously unrecorded. Amazingly, I have visited all of these sites previously, some several times, all without anything definite to record.
Site 1 - Privett
I spotted this solitary roadside Wych Elm near Privett toward the end of last year. Two egg searches during the winter (including Christmas eve) were fruitless, but on the 11th May I found a single 4th instar larva. By the 18th June there was plenty of Hairstreak action around the canopy though I doubt this site will provide many sightings at low level as there are hardly any nectar sources.
- Site 1 Near Privett
- 18.6.2017 White Letter Hairstreak
Site 2 - Broadmarsh
I found this Multi Wych Elm site about 3 miles east of Cosham in 2015. It looked so perfect for White Letter Hairstreak that I never gave up on it. I have not searched for eggs here but I visited several times during the flight season last year without any more than a faint glimmer of hope to report. This site lies at the busy intersection of two major roads and a railway line and one is always in close proximity to busy traffic here. In such an exposed position I am always slightly concerned about looking like a complete ####
. Pete once told me that wearing a Hi-Vis and carrying a clipboard is quite effective, that certainly would not go amiss here
. I checked this site on 11th June after finding them already on the wing at Cosham. I found Hairstreak activity around all the Wych Elms and the butterflies were also noted to be quite mobile throughout this site and several were seen down nectaring on both Bramble and Thistle.
- Site 2 Broadmarsh
- 11.6.2017 Male White Letter Hairstreak
- 19.6.2017 Sheltering beneath a leaf from the hottest part of a very hot day
Site 3 - Chawton
There is a lot of roadside Elm in this location near Chawton, but I was initially drawn to the spot by another single Wych Elm standing by a bus stop. Further investigation of the area was to reveal that there are Hairstreaks here, but they were using the roadside Elms that separate the road from fields in which sheep graze. Luckily the sunny side of the Elms is away from the road giving a relaxed viewpoint. Again there is not much nectar low down here but there were plenty of Hairstreaks around the half dozen or so Elms on the 18th June. Unfortunately the downside of wandering through a field of sheep without looking at the ground is the inevitable squelch
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- Site 3 Near Chawton
- 11.6.2017
Site 4 - Curdridge
This was another single roadside Elm (I think Wych Elm) discovered in 2015, handily just 10 minutes from home at Curdridge. It stands on private land but overhangs the road, I Have yet to find out who owns the land but as soon as I do I will be seeking permission to get a better view. After looking here several times during 2016 I was not expecting much, but as things were going so well I checked it on the 19th June and was pleased and surprised to find Hairstreak action here.
- Site 4 Near Curdridge
Site 5 - Southwick
I was by now on a roll so on June 19th I headed for another promising site where there are several roadside Wych Elms near Southwick. This is a site I regularly visit for other species, but as I approached the Elms and saw numerous male White Letter Hairstreaks in aerial combat I let out an audible expression of astonishment. I was completely alone of course but I just could not believe my luck. This is perhaps my favourite of these 5 sites and is the one I have spent most time at.
- Site 5 Near Southwick
- 2.7.2017 White Letter Hairstreak
- 2.7.2017 White Letter Hairstreak
I am certainly not an expert, but I think this shows that the White Letter Hairstreak is out there just waiting to be found. All you need is to put in some effort armed with a little knowledge, patience, luck and a bit of good weather. The White Letter Hairstreak season is now pretty much over all but a few stragglers, but I still have plenty of other sites earmarked that I am confident will come up with the goods, though these will have to wait until the winter and next year.
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. This was the first time I have managed to find one still attached to the tree.
) Oh well never mind, hopefully this will all benefit the White Letter Hairstreak in the long term.