Star of the blackthorn

Glapthorn Cow Pastures, Northamptonshire The black hairstreak has always been a rare butterfly, found only in woods between Peterborough and Oxford

A month ago, the winding path leading through the undergrowth into Glapthorn Cow Pastures was overhung by tumbling masses of hawthorn blossom. In the early evening its heavy, earthy, lily scent cascaded in fluid torrents on to the entrant. Now its creamy petals have become leaf litter, their welcoming scent superseded by a dog rose sprinkled with delicate pink blooms releasing wafts of fragrance into the morning air.

This was once a parkland-like wood pasture, and the original trees are scattered through the wood, their broad and low umbelliferous canopies contrasting with the upward thrust of the younger ashes and oaks released when grazing ceased 100 years ago. The southern half of the wood has dense lumpy thickets of blackthorn scrub, from which nightingales broadcast their whipped and warbling fanfare.