April Roundup

30 April
Small Tortoiseshells, 2 Peacocks, 1 Red Admiral and a Green-veined White at Rankinston (JC)

28 April
Orange-tips in Ayr gardens (RGV) (JT).

27 April
First Green Hairstreak of the season at Drumtee. Also 7+ Emperor moths (FSS).
The upper part of Glen App held 3 Peacocks and at least 5 Green-veined Whites (RHH).
Colmonell had a pair of Orange-tips (RHH).
More male Orange-tips at Maxwelston and Hamilton Bridge in the Girvan valley (RHH).
A few Small Tortoiseshells and an Orange-tip in Ardrossan and Portencross (SMcM).
Orange-tip and Small Tortoiseshell in Kilmaurs garden (RT).

19 April
Two Peacocks at Finnarts Bay (RHH).

17 April
First Green-veined White of the season in Glen App (RHH).

13 April
Peacock basking in full sunshine at Loch Finlas (GM).
Single Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell at Bargany and Crosshill respectively (RHH).

3 April
Peacock near tennis courts in Kay Park, Kilmarnock (AS).

Thanks to John Candlish, Angus Hogg, Gordon McAdam, Stuart McMahon, Alistair Simpson, Jim Thomson, Robin Turner and Dick Vernon for the news.

Green Hairstreak emergence

A single Green Hairstreak on the wing at the Drumtee colony north of Fenwick on Sunday 27th. Most of the forestry here has now been harvested and most of the hairstreak habitat patch (strip of fenced blaeberry/heather/etc between the forest edge and grazing) has been trashed by machinery. If the site is left as a clear fell it'll probably recover in time. Also at least seven Emperor moths buzzing around. No hairstreaks at Corsehouse Reservoir yet.