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.