Overview
One of the actions in the Warwickshire Conservation update was to determine how many colonies of Green Hairstreak butterflies are present in Sutton Park (OS Grid Ref SP097971).
A species transect for the Green Hairstreak in Sutton Park is still conducted every year by Harvey Skelcher, FOSPA Conservation Team Coordinator, covering one of the main breeding areas. We have also received casual records from across Sutton Park of sightings of Green Hairstreak and other butterflies.
It is believed the the Green Hairstreak in Sutton Park utilize Bilberry and Cowberry as the sole larval food plants although Gorse and Birds-foot Trefoil are used as food plants in other areas of the Uk there is no evidence as yet that they are being used in Sutton Park.
In August 2009, a full GPS (Global Positioning Survey) of Sutton Park was conducted and areas of Bilberry and Cowberry were plotted in order to help Butterfly Conservation establish a cohesive monitoring of potential Green Hairstreak colonies across the site in 2010.
The results of this survey can be seen on the map below. Alternatively, you can find out more about the survey
Sutton Park Green Hairstreak Habitat Survey Report (2009) (7,471mb - large file)
The Team Mike Slater - Sutton Park Green Hairstreak Project Leader
Branch Species Champions Steven Cheshire - Green Hairstreak Species Champion
Volunteers Wanted for 2010 Green Hairstreak Butterfly Survey
In order to ascertain the abundance and extent of breeding colonies across Sutton Park, Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire is looking for volunteers who can regularly visit or live near to Sutton Park and who would be willing to conduct survey's in the identified areas of Bilberry for Green Hairstreak during its adult flight period (early May to end June/early July).
Full training will be given to anyone interested in helping. For more information or to register your interest in taking part, please contact Mike Slater (t: 01788 335881), Keith Warmington (t: 01827 715873) or Steve Cheshire, Warwickshire Green Hairstreak Species Champion on (07870 598691).
About Sutton Park
Sutton Park is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and became a National Nature Reserve (NNR) in 1997. Large parts of the park have also been listed as a Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM). It is also the largest urban park in the whole of Europe.
Situated 7 miles north of the centre of Birmingham, the park is surrounded by urban development. It covers and area of 2,400 acres (970 hectares) and contains seven man-made pools, associated streams and wetland areas alongside areas of lowland heath and woodland, all of which is ideal for wildlife.
Above: Habitat of the Green Hairstreak butterfly at Sutton Park. Photo by Keith Warmington.
Above: Potential habitat of Green Hairstreak at Sutton Park. Map by Steven Cheshire. Above: Habitat of the Green Hairstreak butterfly at Sutton Park. Photo by Keith Warmington.
Butterflies and Moths of Sutton Park
Of the most obvious species to be found in the park, Brimstones make an early appearance followed by Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Holly Blue and Small Heath. In some years, migrant species such as the Painted Lady, red Admiral and Clouded Yellow can be seen. The more elusive species include the Green Hairstreak, Purple Hairstreak and White-letter Hairstreak.
The park is also home to some special species of moth including Merville-de-jour, Swallow-tailed moth, Large Emerald, Wood Tiger, Emperor, Heath Rustic and Fox Moth to name a few.
