Purple Hairstreak Butterfly

Ironically today, the day after the Big Butterfly Count ended, and when I wasn't really looking, three new butterfly species showed themselves!!

This is a Purple Hairstreak, rarely seen, rather than actually rare. They are a woodland species, usually flying high in the canopy, so I was lucky to spot this one at eye level, feeding on honeydew on an oak tree. The upper wing has a flash of purple colour on it, hence the name, but it was impossible to get a shot of that, even though I tickled it with a piece of grass. As it landed its wings were closed each time!!

I also saw several brightly coloured Small Coppers and what I thought was a female Common Blue, but on examining the photos of it was in fact a Brown Argus.

That brings my total count to 22 different species, photographed and formally identified, this year.

My neighbour had the good fortune to see a Purple Emperor recently, and although I think I saw one in flight, I have not included it as I was not able to confirm in with a photo. They are rare and tend to fly high in the tree canopy, so are not often seen.

For the geeks among you, here is the definitive list: All bar the Chalkhill Blue seen within a mile of home!
Brimstone
Orange Tip
Small Tortoiseshell
Comma
Peacock
Red Admiral
Holly Blue
Large White
Small White
Green Veined White
Meadow Brown
Ringlet
Speckled Wood
Small Skipper
Large Skipper
Gate Keeper
Marbled White
Common Blue
Brown Argus
Small Copper
Purple Hairstreak

(Chalk Hill Blue)