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I don't know if the Purple Hairstreak is having a good season or not but I have seen far more than usual at low levels in hedgerows for example. The lack of honeydew and in turn possibly also a shortage of aphids is probably the reason.

When I visited my local park yesterday evening to scan the tops of a line of tall oaks I saw none in half an hour. Usually at this time of year I see several within a few minutes. It might be the heat (29c) which curtailed activity (territorial) or it could be that it is just a little too early in the season. This leads me to the question of where do the hairstreaks roost. I expect they roost on the oak somewhere but at what height usually?

What have other observers experienced?

ATB

Peter

Hi Peter,

In my experience, the best time to observe Purple Hairstreak is early evening; I once encountered a vista of 8 individuals at Pamber Forest a few years ago, and counter over 140 in flight along one line of oaks; quite a spectacle!

Although I have no evidence, I suspect they roost quite high up in an oak. I'm only suggesting this since I've never found them roosting low down. I'd also be interested in others' experiences.

Cheers,

- Pete