Black Hairstreak ... Satyrium pruni
Having been into Stamford early yesterday morning for some birdseed and a quick trip to Hills & Holes NNR in Barnarck (too windy), i decided on a visit to Ketton Quarry Nature Reserve as it is on my way home and i have to say it was one of those WOW moments that happen rarely in my life.
I had a quick scan of the flat area near the car-park and tripped over an old common blue and grizzled skipper before stopping at the top of the geology trail area and two Hairstreaks were dancing their way high above this area. they eventially came down some thirty yards away and i slowly wandered over to see maybe some Green Hairstreaks.
I was then rudely interrupted by a fresh/pristine Common Blue and a fresh Dark Green Fritillary for five minutes or so. But no sign of any Hairstreaks and if it wasn't for the persistence of the Common Blue saying photograph me! me! me! i would not have caught a glimpse of something brown jumping onto some fresh foliage. Very slowly i peered into these leaves expecting a Burnet Companion or Large Skipper to jump out as they were in this locale too, but no and disbelief it was a Hairstreak, not Green or a very early White-Letter but this very fresh Black Hairstreak.
As i understand it, this is the now the first visual and photographic sighting of one these here on this site.
A first for me in Rutland and at a first for the Ketton Quarry Nature Reserve in Rutland.
Thanks to everyone on confirming my findings on Leics&Rutland Butterflies and Moths Facebook page and Nature Spot my recording site.
Black Hairstreak ... Satyrium pruni
Having been into Stamford early yesterday morning for some birdseed and a quick trip to Hills & Holes NNR in Barnarck (too windy), i decided on a visit to Ketton Quarry Nature Reserve as it is on my way home and i have to say it was one of those WOW moments that happen rarely in my life.
I had a quick scan of the flat area near the car-park and tripped over an old common blue and grizzled skipper before stopping at the top of the geology trail area and two Hairstreaks were dancing their way high above this area. they eventially came down some thirty yards away and i slowly wandered over to see maybe some Green Hairstreaks.
I was then rudely interrupted by a fresh/pristine Common Blue and a fresh Dark Green Fritillary for five minutes or so. But no sign of any Hairstreaks and if it wasn't for the persistence of the Common Blue saying photograph me! me! me! i would not have caught a glimpse of something brown jumping onto some fresh foliage. Very slowly i peered into these leaves expecting a Burnet Companion or Large Skipper to jump out as they were in this locale too, but no and disbelief it was a Hairstreak, not Green or a very early White-Letter but this very fresh Black Hairstreak.
As i understand it, this is the now the first visual and photographic sighting of one these here on this site.
A first for me in Rutland and at a first for the Ketton Quarry Nature Reserve in Rutland.
Thanks to everyone on confirming my findings on Leics&Rutland Butterflies and Moths Facebook page and Nature Spot my recording site.