The Purple hairstreak is a small butterfly that flies in the summer between the end of June and early September. It is very rarely seen as it spends most of its time perched on leaves at the top of oak trees. Very occasionally, it does come down to ground level, but it is best spotted with binoculars: males can sometimes be seen chasing each other in the treetops. Found in oak woodland and on solitary oak trees in parks or along hedgerows.
The Purple hairstreak is an unmistakeable butterfly. Females are black above, with a purple patch on the forewings, while males are almost entirely purple above with a black border. The underside of both sexes is a silvery-grey, with an orange eyespot on the hindwing.
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