As I feared yesterday, the 2023 PE season is ending rapidly at Knepp. It also sounds as though they're going over fast in Alice Holt Forest too, and probably elsewhere in central southern England.
Last weekend's gale was too much for them, and for the midsummer Hairstreaks... They roost in the canopy, not on trunks and limbs - and get shredded.
I struggled to see 24 at Knepp today, which sounds a lot but isn't considering how big the population is and also that I know exactly where to look (where the male territories and sap run trees are).
Just 8 were seen on the PE transect, down from 30 last Thursday.
The males now look like this -
Today's photo, of a very old and lethargic male down Green Lane.
Most females are equally worn and torn, though I was pleased to see these two middle aged girls sapping together today -
Of course, it ended in handbags...
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