Brown Hairstreak fFeld Trip to Bernwood 22nd August 2004
Sunday 22nd Bernwood Forest. Ten UTB members and two guests from Beds & Northants Branch turned up for what was to prove the most successful UTB Brown Hairstreak Field Meeting ever (and I have been on all seven previous ones). We were unsuccessful all the way down to the Meadows. In the most northerly of the Meadows we were able to add two more eggs to those found the previous Friday but still no adult. We then crossed to the known Assembly Point on the southern boundary of the south Meadow. We had immediate success with two seen flying in the central oak tree, one of which was identified as a female when it settled briefly. In the meantime I had been examining a suspect "dead leaf" with my binoculars, when the scope (provided by our guests from Beds & Northants) was focussed in it proved to be yet another Brown Hairstreak. Obligingly it then opened its wings to allow us to identify it as a female. We decided to eat lunch keeping an eye on this settled female hoping it might come down to the nearby blackthorn. However, it flew unnoticed but we decided to search the blackthorn just in case. Una Fenton's keen eyes almost immediately picked up a settled female and whilst the rest of us examined it our guests found another a bit farther along. Both only remained settled for a short while before flying up into the trees. Just before they did this another female did a fly past. We then crossed back to the opening back into the first meadow where a "Gatekeeper" flew across our path - or was it? Fortunately, it settled on the blackthorn when it turned into another Brown Hairstreak. It then flew down to a blackthorn twig a foot from the ground where it was identifiable as another female and then to our joy it proceeded to lay an egg. The egg was closely examined when she flew on and settled again to give the photographers a good opportunity. Making our way up the field edge to Hell Coppice Richard Soulsby had another brief glimpse of a female disappearing over the blackthorn. Half the party departed before we made our way to the M40 Compensation Area where we had no joy probably due to the deterioration in the weather conditions whilst we were there. However, two of the early leavers had more success seeing another female egg-laying just before they got back to the car park. Those who made it all the way to the Compensation Area were rewarded along the main ride by pristine Painted Ladies (running into double figures) and a gorgeous Clouded Yellow. Total Brown Hairstreak Count 11 adults (although I suspect at least one of the first low level females seen was previously seen in the nearby oak tree) and 6 eggs (two freshly laid). Total species count 15 - Small Skipper, Clouded Yellow, Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Brown Hairstreak, Small Copper, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper & Meadow Brown. A truly successful and memorable day!

David