Sutton Park Green Hairstreak Report 2009
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Transcript of Sutton Park Green Hairstreak Report 2009
Created: 15/09/09Last Update: 15/09/09
Sutton Park NNR Green Hairstreak Landscape Project Survey
Green Hairstreak © Steven Cheshire 2009
Background The Green Hairstreak’s only confirmed larval foodplants in Sutton Park are Cowberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) and Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus). Several other known foodplants Gorse (Ulex europaeus), Bramble (Rubus fruticosus), and different species of Bird’s-foot-trefoil (Lotus sp) are common throughout the Park but there is no evidence that they are used. Cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccus) and Crowberry (Empetrium nigrum), closely related to Cowberry and Bilberry, are rare in the park but are found in the area where the largest colony of Green Hairstreaks is located. It may be that these two plants are also used as larval foodplants.
There are 15 complete or part 1 kilometre ordnance squares found within Sutton Park. Since 1993 there has been Green Hairstreak records from 11 of these squares. However, there is only one area that has returned records every year and that is Blackroot Heath.
It is not known at present if the Green Hairstreak:-
• Only breeds in this core area but spreads across the park as vagrants as part of a natural process.
• Breeds mainly in this core area but spreads into other areas of the park that are less favourable in good years to set up temporary breeding colonies.
• Has a meta-population structure in Sutton Park containing several permanent colonies of different sizes. The small colonies going extinct in poor years and small habitat patches being colonised in good years.
Recording HistoryA survey in August 2009 located several patches of Cowberry and Bilberry. For each patch of Cowberry and Bilberry a 10 figure grid reference was recorded. These locations have since been compared to the historical records of Green Hairstreak where a six figure grid reference is known (see table).
Sutton Park NNR Green Hairstreak Landscape Project Survey
BilberryVaccinium myrtillus
CranberryVaccinium oxycoccus
CowberryVaccinium vitis-idaea
CrowberryEmpetrium nigrum
Images sourced from Wikipedia Commons (http://commons.wikimedia.org).
Grid Ref / Location Foodplant sp Patch Size Green Hairstreak CommentSP09111/96674Nr Lord Donegals ride
Bilberry Small
SP08876/96670South of Gun Targets
CowberryBilberry
SmallLarge
SP09145/95650Banners Gate
BilberryCowberry
LargeLarge
4 known sightingsSP093/958SP091/957
Probable Colony
SP08636/96939Upper LongmoorAlso known as Royal Gate
Bilberry Large Circa 12 sightings 1993-99SP084968SP084967SP085967
Probable Colony
SP09569/98482Little Bracebridge
Bilberry Large 3 sightings 1994-99SP095985SP095983SP095989
Possible Colony
SP10345/97543Blackroot Heath(Also known as Upper Nuthurst & Dame Hurst) Blackroot Transect 1
BilberryCowberryCrowberryCranberry
LargeLargeSmallLarge
100 + sightingsSP103977
Large Colony
SP09185/98195Streetley Heath
Bilberry Small 1 sighting 1996SP091983
Possible Colony
SP088/974Edge of Streetley Golf Course
1 sighting 2004 Possible Colony
SP105/975Bracebridge Also known as Transect 2
Not surveyed Circa 100 sightingspre 2005SP103977
Small to Medium colony likely to still be present
SP093/967Nr Rowtons Bank
Not surveyed
SP090/967Longmoor Valley
No foodplant found
SP106/966Keepers
No foodplant found
SP103/965Hollyhurst North West Edge
Not surveyed
SP100/962Nr Model Aeroplane flying field
Not surveyed
SP108/956Powells
Not surveyed 2 sightingsSP108956SP105/956
98
9910 11090807
97
96
95
LittleBracebridge
SuttonGolf Course
SuttonGolf Course
Golf Course
StreetleyHeath
UpperLongmoor
ValleyRowtons
BankLord Donegal’s Ride
cour
se o
f rom
an ro
ad
Lord Donegal’s Ride
HollyHurst
UpperNut Hurst
LadyWood
LowerNut Hurst
Longmoor Valley
Holly HurstWest
ModelAirfield
BannersGate
RoyalGate
KeepersPool
WyndleyPool
ParkHouse
PowellsPool
LongmoorPool
BlackrootPool
BracebridgePool
LittleBracebridge
Pool
BlackrootHeath
Transect 1
BracebridgeTransect 2
Boldmere Gate
TownGate
Hartop Gate
Four Oaks Gate
Milking Gate
Streetly Gate
Location of Green Hairstreak sightings
Areas of Bilberry, Cranberry, Cowberry or Crowberry
Areas where habitat survey required
KEY
Lakes and pools
Railway line
Visitors Centre
Parking
Further Habitat Survey RequirementsA more extensive site survey for probable larval foodplants is required. The extent of the habitat patches should be mapped at all 4 corners. General areas for further survey are Longmoor Valley, Sutton Golf Club rough areas, Streetley Heath, Bracebridege Transect 2 area, Lower Nuthurst, Powells Pool area and Wyndley Pool area.
Further Adult Green Hairstreak Survey RequirementsMore detailed surveys for adult Green Hairstreaks are required in all areas except Blackroot Heath. Priority areas for survey are Longmoor Valley, Gun Targets, Banners Gate, Little Bracebridge, Streetley Golf Course, Transect 2 area, Streetley Heath, Keepers and Powells area.
AcknowledgementsReport and Graphics by Steven Cheshire (Green Hairstreak Species Champion). Survey and Fieldwork by Mike Slater (Conservation Officer). Green Hairstreak records provided by Keith Warmington (Butterfly Recorder).
Habitat of the Green Hairstreak butterfly at Sutton Park. Photo by Keith Warmington.