28-08-2021
Purple Hairstreak (1)
My first PH of the year! Not looking too fresh (photo uploaded), but still very welcome - over the years, the modal number I see in a year is zero. Seen basking on the leaves of a bulrush plant, alongside the canal. Maybe also of interest were several elephant hawkmoth caterpillars seen nearby on canalside willowherb (photo uploaded) - counted 17 in 10 minutes walking between Pewsey Wharf and Bristow Bridge.
Simon Crampin