Butterfly buffs received an August boost with brown hairstreaks emerging from seclusion to provide decent views and pose for photographs. Brown hairstreaks are red-listed species of high conservation concern in the UK and extremely difficult to survey accurately. Wild Things: Behind the times on waterMy first sightings of this elusive butterfly came on Bookham Common, Surrey, on August 14, 2021. Wild Things: 'Tis the season for thieving 'seagullsCrossness Nature Reserve is run by Thames Water with an eye for conservation. A single brown hairstreak egg had been found there in a hedge bordering the cricket ground in 2023.

Source: The Times August 31, 2025 17:19 UTC