Purple
Hairstreak
The
last in the current series of caches which is intended to draw
attention to some of the butterflies to be found on Ashtead Common.
Further general
information on the common is available on the link
below:
http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/LGNL_Services/Environment_and_planning/Parks_and_open_spaces/Ashtead_Common/
The Purple Hairstreak butterfly is one of the little known
hairstreak family, identifiable by small 'tails' on their hind
wings. Although the Purple Hairstreak is actually the commonest of
this family, it is often overlooked due to its habit of flying high
in the tree canopy where it usually feeds on honeydew.
As
with many butterflies, the male and female Purple Hairstreak have
differing markings on their wings. The female (shown above) has a
distinct patch of colour on her forewing, while the male has an all
over purple sheen.
75%
of UK butterfly species are reducing in number, however this is
actually one of the lucky ones that seems to be thriving. The
adults congregate around oak trees which are the foodplant of the
Purple Hairstreak caterpillar. This makes Ashtead Common a perfect
home for them and they can readily be spotted here in the summer
with numbers peaking in late July and early August.
The
cache is sited in a smallish oak tree of the type this butterfly
prefers. In this area of the common there are many such trees,
often at the side of the main pathways. If you stand still for a
couple of minutes and look up at a few of these trees at the right
time of year, your eyes should eventually pick out the motion of
these small butterflies. With more patience one will eventually
come down to the lower branches and will allow you to approach
quite closely.
In
summer, Sussex cattle are used to graze parts of the common and
keep the scrub down. An electric fence is used to keep them in and
you may find yourself on the wrong side of it with the cache on the
other side. If so then just walk along the fence a little way to
find one of the numerous gates. The fence is not there during the
winter months.
Ashtead Common is a National
Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest.
This cache is placed with the kind permission of Natural England
and under licence from the City of London who own the
common.
Nearby are a number of
other caches on both Ashtead and Epsom commons. Many attractive
paths criss cross the commons to allow access - some of these paths
can become very muddy in winter so choose carefully or bring
boots!
You are searching for a small ‘Lock and
Lock’ plastic container suitable for small swaps and Travel
Bugs.