RARE butterfly eggs have been uncovered during a wildlife search.

Six eggs, belonging to the brown hairstreak butterfly, were discovered at Grafton Wood nature reserve at Grafton Flyford, near Worcester.

Usually, the eggs are found on their own on the branches of blackthorn hedges.

The species’ numbers have declined recently due to hedgerow reduction and annual hedge flailing.

“To find six eggs is certainly very unusual and not something we have come across before,” said Mike Williams, species specialist for West Midlands Butterfly Conservation.

“Seeing two or even three together is common but we have never seen six. We assume all of them have been laid by the same butterfly.

“Unfortunately, most eggs are lost as a result of winter flailing and the challenge is to persuade local farmers to manage their hedgerows less intensively.”

The final egg hunt of the season is on Saturday near Church Lench, near Evesham, and any volunteers wishing to go along should call 07802 274552 for details.