Green

My first day’s leave of the Easter break gave a good chance to get out for a longer walk on the moor checking the bilberry patches for Green Hairstreaks. 

Having seen my first one of the year on Monday I knew they were out, the warm and sunny conditions having encouraged an early start to their year. Most of the bilberry is barely in leaf yet, which is not great for their protective camouflage, but it did potentially make them easier to spot. 

I headed out up Green Lane, joining the moor at Hope Gate and passing the Hope Farm lambs on the way (extra). I did indeed find some hairstreaks (main image) but not many as yet, at least not until I got down to Sconce where one more sheltered spot had leafier bilberry and about nine of them. So, probably about 15 in total for the day, but it is early in the season so I’ll try again in another week or two. 

It was my first walk up on the higher moor for a few weeks and it was nice hearing all the skylarks, lapwing and curlew.