Purple Hairstreak and Life Amongst the Bracken Fronds

Although the Purple Hairstreak (Quercusia quercus) rightly has a reputation for being difficult to see at close quarters, it is a regular visitor to the woodland floor in the early morning. As the sun rises, the adults are tempted down from the canopy to take moisture and bask on bramble leaves and bracken fronds.

As I move quietly and slowly through the bracken beds, I come across many other early morning baskers.

Purple Hairstreak (Quercusia quercus) (female)

Purple Hairstreak (Q. quercus) (female ab. flavimaculatus)

Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia) (males)

Common Lizard (Lacerta vivipara) (pregnant female)

Red-eyed Damselfly (Erythromma najas) (teneral female)

Strangalia quadrifasciata (Longhorn sp.)

Oak Jewel Beetle (Agrilus biguttatus)