A visit by local butterfly experts Jean and Dudley Cheeseman early in 2009 confirmed the presence of eggs of the elusive Brown Hairstreak butterfly. The eggs are hard to spot but, apparently, easier to find than the adults themselves. These butterflies emerge late in the year laying their eggs on young Blackthorn growth. Over zealous hedge trimming then is something to be avoided, and we will need to consider leaving areas of blackthorn untouched each year.
