Green Hairstreak butterfly

May and June are the perfect months to be looking for the Green Hairstreak butterfly. They can often be seen sitting with their iridescent green wings closed. In flight you will see a flash of the brown upper wings.

Males are very territorial and will ‘dog fight’ in a spiralling flight near shrubs to get the best perching spot. They’re found in a wide range of habitats including heath and moorland, woodland clearings, bogs and rough, scrubby grassland.

If you see one please post it to our iNaturalist Project or let us know.