A trip to Steyning for
Brown Hairstreaks was more successful for other butterfliers than
Hairstreaks with precisely zero on show; I'm grateful I had one at Pulborough the previous week. I parked in Mill Lane by the bowls club and followed the signed footpath to Steyning Downland Scheme (this is the area known as the "Rifle Range"). The best area for the
Hairstreak is the hedge of Blackthorn with overhanging Ash trees to the right as you go through the "Butterfly Land" gate; look for the stile with the blue plastic wire guard. Grid reference is TQ 16884 11262.
There were on show on the Steyning downland itself, however, plenty of
Common Blues,
Brimstones,
Whites, a
Clouded Yellow and good number of
Wall Brown. A quick look at Pulborough RSPB produced no
Brown Hairstreaks but there were plenty of
Small Skippers and
Painted Ladies whilst at home in Oving we had a
Holly Blue on the compost heap:
Wall Brown:
Small Skipper:
Painted Lady:
Holly Blue:
