Our new UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme site at Layer Breton Heath has provided the EWT survey team with their first sighting of a green hairstreak butterfly, a new species for this site. This is the first time this beautiful species - which loves heathland - has been spotted since we and partners started work to restore the heathland habitat at this lovely site, so was a very nice reward for the work we have put in over the last few years!

The butterfly was caught to pose for a photo and then released to continue on its way. Whilst not a particularly rare species the green hairstreak has a very localised distribution and favours food plants including bramble, gorse and bird's foot trefoil, all of which are present on Layer Breton.

Have you seen a green hairstreak? Report your sightings here! (login required)