Green hairstreak butterfly survey
Help us find out more about the distribution of the green hairstreak butterfly in the Yorkshire Dales by reporting sightings in a survey being run in partnership with the national wildlife organisation Butterfly Conservation (link opens in new window).
The information will help to build up a picture of locations and numbers so we can assess whether the butterflies need any help to survive.
The green hairstreak is the UK's only butterfly with green wings. When perched, the butterfly holds its wings closed showing the green underside and faint white streak. Usually found in the Yorkshire Dales on moorland, it flies from late April to early June.
Caterpillars prefer feeding on bilberry, so wherever this is abundant would be a good place to look. The green hairstreak prefers sheltered sites where males often perch on shrubs at the foot of a slope waiting for females to fly past. Males will also fly up in a spiralling flight as they defend their territories.
To help people taking part, we have produced a leaflet containing more information about the green hairstreak . A PDF version of this leaflet can be downloaded by clicking the link below.
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Once you've spotted one, please sned us details. You can either fill our online survey form or you can download a copy of the form by clicking on the link above and either email this to greenhairstreaksurvey@yorkshiredales.org.uk, hand it in at a National Park Centre or send it to us at our Grassington office.
Just make a note of the date, the place, including a grid reference, and the number seen.
If you are able to take a photograph to verify your sighting, you can email this to us too.
Thank you for your help.
