Green Hairstreak, Beacon Hill, Hampshire 

As spring kicks into gear, so more and more butterfly species begin to emerge depending on their flight periods.
One of the first, more specialised species are just beginning to emerge as an adult and one of the early flyers is the Green Hairstreak.
It's the UK's only green butterfly and very small. Easily overlooked as they power around the ground or bushes.
They can be seen in all manner of habitat. Open grassland, heathland with gorse and juniper plus coastal areas for instance. Always worth checking habitat with lots of gorse as they can be sat on the prickly stems but can be difficult to spot due to their camouflage against the greenery.
They are quite a common species but due to their tiny size and flight speed are easily missed.
Look closely in my film and you will see it nectaring on a dandelion with it's long proboscis before curling it back into it's mouth parts.
#butterflies #lepidoptera #naturefilm #greenhairstreak