Yes Dave, according to Steve Atkins the only other Wigan record at GMLRC is Skitter's Wood in 2016. Not been able to get back in appropriate conditions since 3/8 but hoping maybe sometime this week.
Several Purple Hairstreak butterflies observed late afternoon in 2-3 Oak tree crowns either side of the path at top end of Lilford/Atherton woods, before the stile to the horse meadow. Active flight observed, some of it in pairs - possibly about 10 seen but hard to be sure if seeing more than once. I am not sure if these have been reported at Lilford before.
Hello Paul
I could well be wrong, but as far as i am aware for many years Coppice Wood, Billinge was the only known Purple Hairstreak site in Wigan Borough. Skitters Wood, Ashton-in-Makerfield was the second and since then they have also been seen at Windy Bank Wood. They are of course almost certainly overlooked and under-recorded, but a great sighting.
Several Purple Hairstreak butterflies observed late afternoon in 2-3 Oak tree crowns either side of the path at top end of Lilford/Atherton woods, before the stile to the horse meadow. Active flight observed, some of it in pairs - possibly about 10 seen but hard to be sure if seeing more than once. I am not sure if these have been reported at Lilford before.
