First White-Letter Hairstreaks

[Deb London]

Anyone seen any yet?
Anyone give me any advice for seeing one?

I read that the first ones were seen at Brent Reservoir yesterday (the first ones for Brent Resser that is). So I guess that they can be seen now, if you know where to look.

I was enthralled by my first Purple Hairstreaks and enchanted by the Green ones. And the White-letter ones can be seen locally. I know I have to look in/near elms and that hybrid elms can be OK. I have been learning how to ID an elm, and practising looking upwards all year. I'm ready and raring to go.....

Just need a little luck.

[Naturenutz]

Not looked for any yet Deb but dont forget to look at any flowering thistles or similar as this is where i saw my only one last year as i did not find the host tree.i found it in a flower meadow surrounded by dense woodland all around .
I am not sure if they are as easy to find or if they can be seen on the treetops flying as purple hairstreak do ?.
Good luck.

[Deb London]

Thanks for the advice Naturenutz.

[harasseddad]

You want a warm morning around 10am. You can spot them at the top of elm if you have trees, but a lot of WLH now survive on sucker growth coming from the stumps of felled elm, and here your best bet is to spot them nectaring on bramble or thistles nearby. They are bigger than either purple or green by the way.

[Wild-Woman]

Or if you're really lucky like I have been in the past and have had them nectaring on hebe in the garden! We have elm suckers not too far away.

[Deb London]

This is really useful information.

Thanks for the advice on timing, location and size HD. Relative size information gives me a mental picture of what to aim for.

Oh, I wish, WW.

[Gill Catton]

Yes there's quite a few in woodland near me last year and I saw lots nectaring in the afternoon on creeping thistle and even wild majoram growing along a wide ride within the woodland. A bit early at the moment I think, but you can't tell this year! I might go look next week.

[Deb London]

Thanks Gill. Good luck if you manage to go next week.