White Admiral Newsletter 87
Spring 2014
Suffolk Naturalists’ Society
Contents Editorial
Ben Heather
What’s on?
1 2
Bawdsey East Beach Cliff
Bob Markham
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Observing Carrion Crows
Richard Stewart
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Simone Bullion
7
Suffolk Hedgehog Survey
Kerry Stranix
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The Coral Tooth in Suffolk
Arthur Rivett
11
Adrian Chalkley
12
What can I see now?
Ben Heather
15
Photographing Flies
Martin Cooper
18
Neil Mahler
22
Bill Stone
24
The Silver-studded Blue at Blaxhall Heath
Rob Parker
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Suffolk Wildlife & Landscapes Project
Nick Miller
29
Tracking Down Suffolk’s Hedgehogs
Book Review: The adult Trichoptera of Britan and Ireland
The First UK Fungus Day Being the new Butterfly Recorder
More what’s on?....
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Spring Members’ Evening & AGM
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ISSN 0959-8537 Published by the Suffolk Naturalists’ Society c/o Ipswich Museum, High Street, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 3QH Registered Charity No. 206084 © Suffolk Naturalists’ Society
Front cover: Mabel by Ben Heather
Newsletter 87 - Spring 2014 Welcome to the Spring issue of the White Admiral. Thank you to all those who attended our conference. The speakers really delivered on the theme of ‘Nature’s New Scientists’ and it was great to hear how technology is advancing the study and understanding of so many species. For those who couldn’t make it, the talks are gradually becoming available online at www.sns.org.uk. In the run up to the conference I was able to take loan of 3 camera traps, to trial in my garden, to gather footage to be displayed at the stands of the conference. I was amazed at the effectiveness of these cameras and the results that were returned in such a short amount of time. Using 3 different specifications of camera I was able to set up a time-lapse on a bird feeder, a motion triggered video trap (with infra-red night vision) and a LED flash motion-triggered camera (that shoots in colour at night) in the garden. The cameras were simple to use and just required a set of AA batteries and an SD card to get started. In under a week I was able to capture quite a lot of activity in the garden, including the habits of our neighbour’s cats and one of the highlights was a wood mouse at 1.00 a.m. (on the infra-red). The camera traps were brilliant fun and it was with great anticipation that I would look through, each morning, the previous 24 hours footage. One will certainly be on my Christmas list this year! Thank you to all those who sent in copy for the White Admiral. You don’t need to be an expert and new contributors will always be welcome, details can be found at www.sns.org.uk or contact me with the details below. Editor: Ben Heather Suffolk Biological Records Centre, c/o Ipswich Museum, High Street, Ipswich, IP1 3QH ben.heather@suffolk.gov.uk White Admiral 87
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What’s on? Africa Alive Bioblitz 21st & 22nd June ‘Africa Alive’ wildlife park in Kessingland will be holding its own bioblitz on the 21st and 22nd of June. Run by the Zoological Society of East Anglia, the aim of the event will be to record as many different species as possible. The park features a wide range of habitats including a lake, marshland, meadows and woodland. For more details contact Sara Goatcher on sara.goatcher@africa-alive.co.uk or 01502 744125.
Surveying & recording Suffolk Species 29th July Suffolk Wildlife Trust invites you to come and join the County recorders & Suffolk Naturalists’ Society at Carlton Marshes on the 29th July to learn how to survey and record a selection of the following species: butterflies, dragonflies, birds, wildflowers and freshwater invertebrates. There will also be a trip to Pakefield beach to record shingle plants and molluscs along the strandline. For more information or to book online visit: http:// www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/recording-suffolk-species alternatively phone 01473 890089. Come along, its free...
Butterfly Conservation Events 25th April - New Members Day at Martlesham Common (An indoor training session, followed by practical butterfly watching on an excellent site. 10:30 am start Contact: Sharon Hearle 01638 731648). 14th May - Dingy Skipper Week at King’s Forest (Assemble at access track to John O’Groats cottages, on west side of B1106. First count at King’s Archery Site. Please enquire in advance to notify availability and whether you can assist with other locations. Surveys continue until 23rd May. 10:30am. Leader: Bill Stone 07906 888603). 24th May - Moth Night (Session at Lackford Lakes SWT reserve. Meet: The reserve car park at 9.00pm. Bring a torch. Time: 9pm - late. Leader: Tony Prichard 01473 270047). 31st May - Butterflies of the Shotley Peninsula (A walk around the Shotley/Harkstead/Stutton area to look for butterflies. Long 2
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walk possible. Meet: Bristol Arms, bottom of Bristol Hill, Shotley. 10:30am. Leader: Bill Stone 07906 888603) 27th June - National Insect Week - Moth Night (Joint event with Ipswich Borough Council Wildlife Rangers at Orwell Country Park. Moth trapping & possibility to look for Glow worms. Meet: Pipers Vale car park (Orwell Country Park). 20:30 - late. Contact: IBC Wildlife Rangers 01473 433994). 9th July & 16th July - Silver-studded Blue Survey at RSPB Minsmere (Meet: Park at warden’s lodge just before RSPB car park. Please register in advance. Time: 10:00am (bring a packed lunch). Leader: Rob Parker 01284 705476) 15th July - Kenton Hills (Butterfly walk, species to include White Admiral and early Grayling. Bring lunch. Meet: Meet in Kenton Hills Car Park. Time: 10.30am. Contact: Peter Maddison 01473 736607). 20th July - Gardening for butterflies at Flatford Mill (There will be information & advice about gardening for butterflies and other wildlife. Meet: Flatford Mill RSPB wildlife garden. Time: 11:00am – 16:00. Contact: Bill Stone 07906 888603).
SOG Events 26th April - Shingle Street and Sandlings (Meet at Coastguard Cottages car park at 9.00 am. (Long walk possible). Leader: Steve Fryett. Tel. 01394 383413). 11th May - Eastbridge - Off the Beaten Track (Meet at Eastbridge at 7.00 am. (Long walk possible). Map Ref: TM452666. Leader: Ashley Gooding. Tel. 01473 415651). 17th May - Lakenheath and Lackford (Meet at Lakenheath (RSPB) car park at 9.00 am. Map Ref: TL719863. Leaders: Gi Grieco. Tel. 07814 137432 and Dave Pearsons. Tel. 01473 726581). 6th June - Blaxhall Heath - Nightjars (Meet at Blaxhall Heath at 9.00 pm (21.00 hrs). Map Ref: TM383565. Leader: Ashley Gooding. Tel. 01473 415651). 13th June - Minsmere (RSPB) Reserve (Meet at Reserve car park at 7.00 pm for evening walk ending with Nightjars on the heath. Leader: Paul Gowen. Tel. 01473 311263). 5th July - Stanford Training Area, Near Thetford (Permits have been reserved for 15 SOG members to visit this unique unspoilt area. Current fees will apply. For details, cost and to reserve your place, contact Jonathan Lawley. Tel.01449 711331. Leader. Paul Holness). White Admiral 87
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Bawdsey East Beach Cliff 29.12.2013
This area has been undergoing extensive change, chiefly erosional, over the past few years. This photograph encompasses a number of noticeable features within several metres.
seepages at the crag/clay junction. To the right of the photograph small (triangular-shaped) masses of crag have trickled down (‘debris fall’) by gravity; an eroded field drain hangs from the cliff.
The main face of the cliff shows brown well-bedded shelly Red Crag resting on blue London Clay. Its near-vertical nature shows that the base is regularly swept by waves which wash away fallen material. Some fallen material awaits removal by another tide. To the left a landslide of sand was enabled not only by gravity but by lubrication from groundwater
The shore area in front of the cliff shows jointed London Clay eroded to form a wave-cut platform whilst the flint pebbles are a beach deposit on top of it. The flints did not come from this cliff and were derived from further north and perhaps partly offshore.
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Bob Markham
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Observing Carrion Crows
Photo by: Allan King The appearance of carrion crows in the ‘top ten’ list of garden birds is of considerable interest. Is it a result of habit change, such as that recorded for the urban fox, or a changed perception of this ‘bête noir’ that for centuries featured prominently on gamekeeper’s gibbets. When I was young it was fairly confidently asserted that a single big black bird was a crow and those in some numbers were rooks. This may still be true in some cases but numbers over twenty can be seen after the breeding season in Christchurch Park, Ipswich and the maximum number I have seen recorded in ‘Suffolk Birds’, for the roost along the Strand at Wherstead, has been 230. Carrion crows are fairly tolerant of all birds up to and including woodpigeon size but magpies are invariably ‘seen off’ and at White Admiral 87
Strumpshaw Fen in Norfolk a sparrowhawk was observed which made the mistake of trying to roost too close to three crows. Working mainly in pairs they harried it off three of the row of skeletal trees used for roosting, landing either side of it and actually bouncing on the branch to unsettle it. Eventually it went. Sometimes though the tables are turned with a single crow observed in our garden, being pestered by two pairs of magpies, taking full advantage of their more streamlined and acrobatic flight possibilities, making the crow not just uncomfortable but very cumbersome in its attempts to avoid them. One crow, in a previous garden, developed a particular interest in the water areas. It particularly frequented shallow dishes of water, not just drinking but also getting 5
right inside for a good ‘splash’. Then it discovered the dunking potential of water, softening up hard chunks of bread from another garden and, when softer, using its claw to hold it on the rim of the container or eating it while still in the water. Usually half was consumed this way, the rest taken to the higher safety of a rooftop or gutter edge, to eat in a more leisurely manner. However this crow then turned its attention to our small pond, which had a small projecting platform in the centre. The few newts we had were extremely vulnerable, and frogs as well, since perched on the central platform its long bill could reach across the entire pond. After I observed it trying to get its bill inside a water snail I noisily discouraged further pond approaches, using two strategically placed garden chairs close to the pond, trying not to dissuade other more welcome bird visitors. Sometimes behaviour appears to have no obvious explanation. One crow was observed, on our lawn, gathering needles from under a pine tree, obviously for a nest. It then proceeded to discard both the first and second bundles, before flying off with the third; quality control? In the deep snow of 201213 one of a pair was observed plunging its bill and head beneath 6
the snow then lifting it out and shaking vigorously. This was repeated several times and the only explanations I can think of are getting fresh water to drink or ridding itself of bugs. The latest observation concerns the bountiful harvest from a walnut tree just beyond our garden. A grey squirrel has spent much time removing the hard outer shells and burying the edible contents in our lawn. Now, the grey squirrel isn’t a very tidy worker and this activity was obviously watched by a crow which has subsequently retrieved the tasty caches. Presumably, crows can’t themselves crack open the hard outer shell but a recent Ch ristch urch Park w ild life newsletter by Reg Snook outlines another strategy. He has observed them taking walnuts from a tree close to the park and then dropping them from height onto the nearby Westerfield Road, at times of reduced traffic flow. How long will it be before these intelligent birds copy other species elsewhere in the world, which actually take advantage of heavy traffic? Hard nuts are dropped from a height in front of vehicles stopping at red lights. The birds just wait for the next stop signs to hastily retrieve the edible remains. Richard Stewart. White Admiral 87
Tracking Down Suffolk’s Hedgehogs
Photo by: Mike Taylor Hedgehogs have undergone a dramatic change in numbers in recent years. Various studies undertaken by ‘The People’s Trust for Endangered Species’ indicate that they have declined by a least 25%1 in the last ten years and this may be actually approaching 33%. This is a red alert situation and is comparable to the rate of global tiger declines. It is interesting that they seem to be disappearing from both urban, suburban and rural areas, so it appears that there may be multiple factors to consider, rather than a single cause. It is thought that the simplification of the rural landscape through the creation of larger fields, with loss of permanent grassland, hedgerows, margins and other connecting habitat is significant. In addition, this makes the hedgehog more vulnerable to White Admiral 87
predation by increasing numbers of badgers, as there will be an increase in chance encounters. In towns, there has been a trend towards the loss of very large gardens to ‘backland’ development, the building of new estates with small gardens and in many cases a move towards impermeable garden fences through which a hedgehog cannot pass. In parks and open spaces, the way that habitats are managed can also directly impact upon food availability and nesting sites. There has also been an increase in traffic but whilst the numbers of road deaths can be recorded, it is not known how significantly this impacts upon the total population. Lurking in the background are also the potential impacts of climate change, which could have a year-round effect. For example, episodes of weather 7
extremes could result in poor survival in hibernation or reduced breeding success, due to lack of food and poor body condition or fat reserves.
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means that the minimum area of suitable habitat far exceeds any single park or golf course. For example, it would encompass the whole of Christchurch Park, the Cemetery to the east and all the gardens that lie between. In rural areas, the model takes into account higher mortality rates and less shelter and food resources, so it predicts that the values for a minimum viable population of hedgehogs is likely to be be twee n 120 an d 250 individuals within an area of habitat between 3.8 and 57 km2. Such figures really emphasise the need for landscape scale conservation. So when a hedgehog is seen in a garden, one could be forgiven for thinking that this individual will be living most of its life in the near vicinity. The fact that they are
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Photo by: Darin Smith
What is remarkable is that for such a small animal, hedgehogs need to range widely. Radio tracking studies have shown that the average ‘home range’ of a male hedgehog is up to 30 hectares and in a single night he can travel 2-3 kilometres in his search for food and a mate. Although females travel significantly less with annual ranges amounting to around 10 hectares, this is still a surprisingly large area. Consequently, a landscape that has become fragmented by roads, railways and fences will be increasingly difficult for a hedgehog to safely navigate. A Minimum Viable Population modelling analysis of hedgehogs in rural and urban habitats has been undertaken by The University of Oxford2. In urban areas, where there are likely to be higher levels of food and shelter and lower predation pressure, the minimum viable population was calculated to be 32-60 hedgehogs occupying an area between 0.9 and 2.4 km2. Extrapolating this to Ipswich, this
actually moving far and wide and the importance of interconnected patches of habitat to support the overall population means that reversing the decline of hedgehogs will be a challenge. Targeted conservation action requires good evidence to back it up, so in the first instance we need to know where the remaining populations of hedgehogs still exist. This year, the Suffolk Wildlife Trust is launching its county-wide hedgehog survey in a
concerted effort to obtain sightings of both living and dead animals. We are expecting that towns like Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds still support reasonable numbers of hedgehogs but we are keen to hear of any records across the county. Once the survey is complete we hope to use this information to advise householders, parks and land managers on retaining, managing and enhancing habitat for hedgehogs. Simone Bullion
References 1David
Wembridge (2011) The State of Britain’s Hedgehogs 2011. The People’s Trust for Endangered
Species 2Tom
Moorhouse (2013) Population viability analysis of hedgehogs in rural and urban habitats. Report prepared for The People’s Trust for Endangered Species by WildCRU, University of Oxford.
More about Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s hedgehog survey The survey will be available to complete on Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s website : www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org from March. In the first instance we are encouraging people to log past sightings, and crucially, where they used to see hedgehogs but no longer do. By collecting past sightings we hope to build on anecdotal evidence that people are no longer seeing hedgehogs that used to regularly visit their gardens or local area. This will provide a baseline to begin looking White Admiral 87
at what has changed in these areas and will help the Trust target its conservation effort. Alongside the survey we will run a campaign to highlight the plight of the hedgehog and bring to the forefront some of the less well known evidence such as their need for a much larger range than was generally thought. By highlighting this we can illustrate just how vital connectivity between habitats is. Good urban habitat such as gardens and allotments is likely to be vital for the future of the species 9
in the county. We will also be trying to capture footage on trail cams and setting up hedgehog tunnels, where evidence of hedgehog activity can be recorded by their footprints as they walk through a baited tunnel with ink and paper. As the season continues we will be asking for sightings of live and dead animals and droppings, with the aim of building a robust picture of countywide populations. Participants will be able to see where other sightings have been logged near to where they live, and this could form the base for whole
neighbourhood action. Joined up thinking as well as landscapes will surely deliver the best conservation outcomes. By calling on the support of a range of practitioners including the local records centre, park rangers and local welfare groups we hope to maximise the reach of the survey and highlight the urgency of the issue. Alarm bells are ringing for our hedgehogs and this is only the first step, but we hope a concerted effort now could well turn around their fortunes in Suffolk. Kerry Stranix
Photo by: Alan Baldry
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T h e C o r a l To o t h i n S u f f o l k
Hericium coralloides by Arthur Rivett
The Coral Tooth is a very rare Biodiversity Action Plan [BAP] fungus which may be found growing on both living and dead trees, but usually on dead standing trunks of beech and Ash. There are very few records from Suffolk, they are as follows: Two old records from the Ipswich area [TM14] on the 13th September 1950 and September 1955. One record from Sudbourne [TM45] on the 16th September 1954, S. C. Porter. One old [20thc] record from the Mildenhall area [TL77]. Records from Martlesham Woods [TM255463] for October 1984, October 1985 and September 27th 1986, Reg Evans. Neil Mahler discovered a Coral Tooth on a fallen Ash tree next to the River Orwell over ten years ago, only to learn later from the Ipswich Park Rangers that it had been seen there for a number of White Admiral 87
years but had not been recorded. Neil also has a probable record found on a large Oak that had fallen on the ‘Roman Road’ at D u n w ic h d u r in g t h e 1 9 8 7 hurricane. The tree had been cut up as it was blocking the footpath. On October 15th 2013 I photographed a wonderful specimen of the Coral Tooth in the Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s Bradfield Woods NNR [TL925575]. It was growing on a decaying Ash trunk which was laying on the ground in a clearing in the wood. The specimen was in perfect condition and was probably one of the most attractive fungi I have seen. I discussed the find with the site manager Peter Fordham who assured me that he would do all he could not to disturb the site and would also look at measures to provide a continuity of habitat in the future. Arthur Rivett 11
Book Review: The adult Trichoptera (caddisflies) of Britain and Ireland. RES Handbooks 2012 The Trichoptera or Caddis flies have long been recognised by entomologists as a useful group to study but have never attained the popularity of other, showier insects. With around 200 species, a wide variety in both size and habitat preference and one of the best known larval specialisations it is worth investigating the cause of this relative lack of popularity. Identifying the larvae is in fact well catered for with some of the best modern keys (see bibliography). Although a microscope will be needed, both cased and caseless larvae can be reliably identified with practice. Larvae can be collected with a home-made net in almost any aquatic habitat; from a muddy trickle in the local wood to ponds, lakes and mountain streams. Many species have exacting habitat requirements and can provide important ecological information about a site. The adults are usually longer lived than the mayflies, though the flight period is shorter than dragonflies and they are far less colourful. But adults are often attracted to light traps, can be easily netted from mating swarms or can be beaten from undergrowth 12
whilst searching for other insects. However the keys available in the past to identify adults have often defeated all but the most dedicated. With an updated review of rare and threatened caddis flies about to be published by the JNCC it seemed a good time to try to get to grips with a recent key from the RES: The
Adult Trichoptera (caddis flies) of Britain & Ireland by Peter Barnard and Emma Ross. Older keys such as Mosely (1939) often used drawings based on the shrivelled genitalia of pinned specimens. Later works such as Macan (1973) included much better drawings taken from fresh or spirit preserved specimens. But the text was very complex and the design of the key old fashioned, which most new comers to the group found very off putting. In addition the few photos of wing pattern and venation were very small, in black and white and ecological information was not included. This new book by Barnard and Ross is by contrast a much larger format, has both colour photos and White Admiral 87
line drawings of the wings and larger line drawings of the genitalia. In addition much greater detail is given of the habitat and ecology of most species. It is certainly attractively produced in the same style as other RES Handbooks in the series and thus invites the would be Trichopterist to ‘have a go’. The text begins with a clear description of the morphology of the adult caddis. This is enhanced by Emma Ross’s photos which make recognising the various appendages much easier, especially the important tibial spurs and spines. The description of wing venation follows the standard method but is aided by the large, clear diagrams and, in the species descriptions, by many good photographs. Having covered the key anatomical points we then start a traditional style dichotomous key to the 19 caddis families. This again is furnished with photographs and line drawings as appropriate, these clarify the text which is shorter as a result, but still clear. Having been led to one of the families there is another traditional key to genera. It is then that this book changes its approach somewhat. Within each genera, similar species are grouped together for easy comparison in an Atlas type approach. Most species have photos showing the live adult, as well as wing White Admiral 87
shape and colour. Line drawings are provided of wing venation and the male and female genitalia. Size, distribution, habitat and flight period complete the account. This sounds a clear and simple approach to a complex subject and in many ways it is. In the last year and a bit I have been trying out the key on caddis I have collected myself (by netting and those from moth traps). These latter specimens have been supplied from the moth trap run by Barry Wentworth and John Everson at the Suffolk Wildlife reserve, Hen Reedbeds, for which I give my grateful thanks. I have certainly found that identification to family and also to genera is much more straight forward with Barnard & Ross. In that, I would have no hesitation recommending this book over Macan. However, whilst using the atlas approach often leads pretty easily to a group of 3 or so species, getting further is sometimes more difficult. Whilst the markings of some caddis are definitive such that the correct species is easy to ascertain, it is almost always necessary to examine the genitalia to complete an identification. The line drawings of genitalia are clean, well laid out beside each species description and the novice will find separating male and female quite straight forward. However, it can be very tricky to manipulate the specimen 13
Inside Example
under the microscope to match up with the illustrations in Barnard & Ross. I have, at least so far, found it beneficial to also compare my two or three possible species with the genitalia drawings in Macan. These drawings were made from a different angle and use shading and stippling, revealing greater detail especially in the hairs and spines present on parts of the genitalia. Although the drawings of Emma Ross appear attractive because of their clean lines, the added detail in Macan is still necessary.
In summary this new key from Barnard and Ross is a major step forward in the study of Trichoptera and, dare I say, deserves a place on every moth trapper’s bookshelf. I would recommend that potential trichopterists buy a copy, but I would recommend it is still accompanied by a copy of Macan, if only for the old fashioned but accurate illustrations. Adrian Chalkley County Recorder, Freshwater Invertebrates
Bibliography Adult Caddis Barnard, P. & Ross, E. 2012, The Adult Trichoptera (caddisflies) of Britain and Ireland. Royal Entomological Society Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects Vol 1 part 17 Macan, T. T. & Worthington, J. 1973, A Key to the Adults of the British Trichoptera. Freshwater Biological Association. Scientific Publication 28. Ambleside. Now out of print but plenty of copies available second hand. ISBN 900386 19 3 (Originally ÂŁ1.25 when published!) Identification of caddis larvae Edington, J.M. & Hildrew, A.G. 1995 (reprinted 2005), A Revised Key to the Caseless Caddis Larvae of the British Isles. Freshwater Biological Association. Scientific Publication 53. Ambleside. Wallace, I. D. Wallace, B. & Philipson, G. N. 2003, Keys to the Case-bearing Caddis Larvae of Britain and Ireland. Freshwater Biological Association. Scientific Publication 61. Ambleside. Also worth a look from the FSC is: Wallace, I. D. 2006 Simple Key to Caddis Larvae Field Studies Council Publication OP105 2006 14
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What can I see now? At the Suffolk Biological Records Centre we hold over 2 million species records covering the county. However we are starting to see a substantial amount of these records getting over the 20 years old mark. These records are still important, but it is also important to try and update these occurrences, especially for species that we take for granted. Maybe ‘take for granted’ is the wrong expression to use but there are a number of species that we do not tend to record because they are thought of as ‘common’. For example, we all know that if you plan a trip to Bradfield Woods NNR at the right time of year you will find Bluebells, but how many of us actually record them? This is what I want to highlight in this short piece that at the SBRC some records of known species are starting to get out-ofdate and to be able to prove that there are bluebells at Bradfield woods we need to be able to call upon recent records. This is where we need your help! In this first part of ‘what can I see now’ I am going to ask you, the readers, to focus on re-recording some of the basic ancient woodland indicators that will be visible in local woods in the coming months. The map and examples, that follow, highlight a quartet of species White Admiral 87
(bluebell, wood anemone, oxlip and early-purple orchid), whose records are generally getting outdated. The map and examples show in red where we have records for any of the quartet of species from before 1994 and the green squares show where any of these species have been recorded since 1994. The map, that only includes records of 6 figure grid or greater accuracy, highlights both where species have not been re-recorded (examples 1 & 2) and where they have not been recorded at all (example 3). Included on the map in blue are our ancient woodlands where at least one of this quartet should have been recorded. The task is to look for these species in your local area and to confirm to us at the SBRC whether any of species out of this quartet exist. We do not require negative records so please only get in contact if you have seen either bluebell, wood anemone, oxlip or early-purple orchid. Like all records, we need the What, Where, When and Who but more details can be found on our recording page at www.suffolkbrc.org.uk/ public_html/recording or by emailing me at: ben.heather@suffolk.gov.uk . Ben Heather 15
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Photographing Flies
Xylota segnis Until I started photographing them, I thought of flies as bluebottles, hoverflies or houseflies along with the occasional gnat. However the details captured in photographs together with the resources available online make it easier to be more specific. Few flies can be reliably identified from a photograph. Identification relies on distinguishing minute features and these are seldom obvious without a microscope. However, experienced dipterists can sometimes spot the distinctive look of a particular 18
family, genus or even species given a set of clear images. Such experts can be contacted on websites like http://www.dipteristsforum.org.uk/ and www.diptera.info/. These helpful experts have identified some of the flies photographed in my garden or indoors as species not previously recorded in Suffolk. My garden is not exceptional although it is quite “fly-friendly�. The ground is mulched regularly with home-made and municipal compost; the use of insecticides is minimal and we back onto the White Admiral 87
Volucella inanis
nature wonderland of Christchurch Park. Rather than the garden being special, I think that flies are generally under-recorded in the county.
tiny insects from far enough away to reduce the likelihood of disturbing them. The problem with such an arrangement is the very narrow depth of field so only a small part of the subject is in focus, and the magnification of any movement causing blurring. The solution to both these problems was a Canon 270EX flash gun, and inspired by information gleaned from the Internet, I added a Pringles tube to direct the light from the flash onto the subject.
The next photograph (above right) was taken indoors and though not as clear, it was good enough for some experts to identify the fly as a rare Yellow Berberis Fruit Fly. My next camera was Canon SX40 HS. I added a Raynox DCR-150 macro lens, which simply clips onto the built-in zoom lens of the camera and allows it to focus even White Admiral 87
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Outdoor Macro setup
I started taking photographs of flies with a Fujifilm F80EXR. It is small enough to slip in my pocket and is seldom left at home. Above left is an example of a fly photographed with this camera. The image is clear and sharp, not least because this fly is quite large and the sun was shining.
Rhagoletis meigenii
Coenosia tigrina
The extra light allows a small aperture to give greater depth of field and a fast shutter speed to freeze movement. The end of the tube is covered with tissue paper to soften the light. Above are some examples of photos taken with this camera (taken on the floor of my conservatory). The two rarities below were in the back garden. I am happy with the SX40 but seeing much more detailed photos on-line led to an interest in focusstacking. The idea is to take a series of images moving the camera a small amount towards the subject between each one, then merging the images together with
Stomorhina lunata
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Minettia inusta
software so that the sharplyfocussed parts fuse into a combined image that is sharp throughout. The key parts of my set-up were gradually acquired, mainly secondhand from eBay. They are a camera with a macro lens, a micrometre-driven linear slide that allows the camera to be moved in increments as small as 5 microns, a place to hold and position the specimen and two LED lamps. Rhamphomyia variabilis
These components are fixed to a rigid board mounted on rubber feet to isolate it from vibration and weighted to make it as stable as possible. A set of gears was added White Admiral 87
Stacking rig
process the images with Zerene Stacker software. Below are some examples of images taken with this equipment. I found this Liancalus virens indoors in the conservatory of Christmas Day, the first example of the species recorded in Suffolk. Another fly found indoors, photographed using the same technique was the hoverfly Xylota segnis (see page 18). Martin Cooper
Liancalus virens
to make precise movement of the micrometre easier and maybe one day I will add electronics to automate the stacking process. Until then I advance the micrometre by hand and control the camera with my laptop, where the images are uploaded as they are captured. Sometimes I add a Raynox lens or even a microscope objective in front to the camera lens to give greater magnification. Afterwards I
http://www.flickr.com/photos/92899351@N08 White Admiral 87
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The First UK Fungus Day.
Observing False Chanterelles No two ways about it, this was a flop with only 12 people turning up for the Suffolk event despite having an informative article written in the centre pages of the EADP a few weeks previously by John Grant, to whom I’m really grateful. Many counties all over the UK took part in this national event which overall was deemed to be such a success that the same is planned for next year. (Come back, come back - I haven’t finished yet!) The whole point of the exercise was to put across the importance of fungi in our everyday lives - fungi are the great recyclers turning organic matter back into soil to feed the crops that herbivores eat and which in turn carnivores prey 22
upon... no fungi, no life! Still, we had a good foray in the nearby woods and despite finding huge numbers of false Chanterelle (not the real edible Chanterelle) we did find some good Ceps (Boletus edulis ), so participants went away more than happy. I found it very disappointing though that no educational staff from the SWT could turn up and pass on anything they may have learnt to the youngsters they come into contact with. It is vitally important that the younger generation learn all about the important role fungi play in our everyday lives; be it how Marmite is made or how ‘stone washed’ jeans are produced (not with White Admiral 87
stones at all but with the enzymes derived from fungi). I must express my thanks to Colin Hawes and the SNS for coming to my rescue where two other ‘bodies’ failed to show any interest. By contrast, the following day I went up to Norwich to do 2 forays for the Norfolk version of the UK Fungus day. This was held at the well-known John Innes Research Centre where the students had the opportunity to show the public the important work they do such as trying to learn all they can and perhaps find a cure for the Ash Dieback disease. Taking the public on two forays around the nearby University grounds I was unable to visit all the display stands, but well in excess of 500 people must have visited throughout the day. In other news, what a great find by Arthur Rivett! He found the Hericium coralloides, a ‘tooth fungus’ in part of Bradfield Woods the public do not normally venture and his timing was perfect too - a few days earlier it may have been smaller and easily missed and a few days later it would have started to ‘go over’ and turn brown and not resulted in such a great photograph. For some reason, this has no protection in law, yet the very similar H. erinaceus is fully protected under Schedule 8 of the White Admiral 87
Wildlife and Countryside Act. As a note of interest we now have a new species of Hericium added to the British list, H.abietis. This was found unusually on conifer wood 10 years ago which was shoring up the edge of a car park in Kent. It is identical to H.erinaceus but has smaller spores. The only known European species of Hericium to grow on conifer wood is H.alpestre but the spores are much bigger. It was deposited in the Kew herbarium cautiously as H.cf.alpestre, but now DNA work has been done which shows the species as being from North America called H.abietis. Kew were able to determine the wood as Pseudosuga which is known to be imported from Canada and the spores must have already have been in the wood. So what other exciting fungi have been turning up? The answer, our very own Rob Parker, with another rare tooth fungus, this time growing on a very old apple tree in his garden at Bury. This was the Orchard Tooth fungus, Sarcodontia crocea, and only the second record for Suffolk. Rob had emailed me a photo wanting to know what fungus was ‘’killing’’ his tree. S. crocea, is like H. coralloides, another BAP species, but is almost confined to the already dead heartwood of old apple trees, so is 23
not really killing the tree.
This had only been recorded in Suffolk once before, by Richard Fortey, on the British Mycological Society’s stay at Leiston Abbey in
2009. When I went to visit Martin in Ipswich, he was able to show me this growing on the top of nearly every garden wall we passed by! Neil Mahler.
Being the new Butterfly Recorder A number of people have asked me, “how does it feel to be the new butterfly recorder for Suffolk?”. Well, to be honest it’s quite daunting, it’s been very time consuming but it has already proved very rewarding too. I am incredibly fortunate to have received a lot of help from Rob Parker who I took over from last September and Rob is still there to answer my numerous questions and queries. 24
Butterfly Conservation identifies three key tasks for a recorder: 1. Co-ordinate butterfly recording each season and act as a focal point for recording within the branch area. 2. Co-ordinate the verification, computer input, validation, storage and supply of butterfly records
3. Develop
local networks of recorders and disseminating feedback White Admiral 87
Photo by: Martin Cooper
I shall end this article with a brief mention of Martin Cooper who lives very close to Christchurch Park in Ipswich. On the short journey to collect his car from around the corner Martin spotted interesting things growing in the moss on the top of old garden walls. His interest was drawn to a very tiny fungus, barely 1 cm tall, which he determined to be Arrhenia rickenii and subsequently sent me an excellent photograph (see right) showing every detail.
Well, over the winter period I have been busy reviewing Suffolk butterfly records and I have added over 18,000 to the recording database and more are still being received. So, I’d like to think I’m getting to grips with task no. 2. It does appear that my first year as recorder has coincided with a high number of people recording their observations. This was no doubt due to the brilliant weather and some high profile recording campaigns from several natural history organisations. It’s perhaps worth noting that over 4,000 records have been received from the Big Butterfly Count alone. Whilst adding these records I have learnt a lot about Suffolk and where people have seen and recorded butterflies. Suffolk comprises of 1088 tetrads (2km x 2km squares) and so far 635 tetrads have been recorded by observers during 2013. Looking closely at some of these tetrads has revealed parts of Suffolk that I didn’t know existed and I have enjoyed learning more about my county without actually leaving my desk. I have invested in a new set of Ordnance Survey maps for the county and I am now very proficient at opening these maps with one hand whilst inputting data with the other.
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I have had to sharpen up my identification skills along with learning more about Suffolk butterfly habitats, food plants and life cycles. Online references have provided some interesting reading and several websites such as British Butterflies, UK Butterflies and of course Butterfly Conservation’s own site all contain lots of valuable snippets. I have also had to become more familiar with particular variations and aberrations of butterflies and this has proved a fascinating subject too. I have bought a number of nice books to help with my role and again the more I have read the more I am amazed about butterflies and how they influence our own lives too. So, in addition to reviewing, verifying and adding records I am also starting to put the 2013 season report together and this is also proving an interesting exercise. It requires me to consider and comment on the seven Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species and report on how they have fared over the year. It is also an opportunity to look at the highs and lows and winners and losers of the recording season. Looking back, I’m sure you will all agree that it was a great Clouded Yellow year and I have already started to
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produce maps detailing the recorded locations of this species and others. Another highlight of the year was the appearance of several Long-tailed Blues along the east coast. This migrant had been seen in other counties of the UK so it was fantastic to have several grace our county. I will also be looking to update the earliest and latest dates for sightings of the county’s species. With over 18,000 records to sift through I’ve no doubt that a few dates will change and will highlight what a long butterfly season we all enjoyed. In respect of task no. 1, being a focal point for general butterfly record ing h as also proved interesting. I will shortly be writing to all regular butterfly recorders to thank them for their efforts in 2013 and to provide some focus and guidance for recording in 2014. This New Year will, hopefully, see the Silver-washed Fritillary continue to expand its range and our commoner species thrive but what will happen to the Wall? BC Suffolk will again be running the Dingy Skipper and Silver-studded Blue surveys in order to continue the close monitoring of these important species. I will also be encouraging recorders to target the tetrads where either no butterfly records exist or minimal infor-
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mation is known. I have enjoyed receiving numerous calls from members of the public about butterflies they have seen or caterpillars they have found. However, it’s always a challenge when the butterfly is described as brown or the caterpillar as green! I am slowly becoming quite adept at working out what butterfly may be present in an out of focus photograph! With task no. 3 in mind I’ve started to make contact with other wildlife recorders in Suffolk to share information and learn about their own roles and recording methods. It’s great to be surrounded by so many very knowledgeable individuals. In order to learn more about the established butterfly surveys in Suffolk, such as the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (transects) and the Wider Countryside Survey scheme (random 1km squares), I have also been working alongside Rob Parker and Tim Wade of BC Suffolk. This has proved fascinating and hopefully, with the Wider Countryside Survey scheme more recorders can be found to take on 1km squares which are available throughout Suffolk. So, looking ahead to the 2014 season please can I ask the following of you?
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Please record the butterflies you see, even a single butterfly is important. Send your records to me so that I can compile and present an accurate picture of the butterfly year. When you plan a day out to watch wildlife pick somewhere that you have never been before in Suffolk. Search out some of Suffolk’s quiet corners and explore. If
you
have
a
garden
or
allotment, try and grow plants to support the full butterfly life cycle. Try and keep a scruffy corner for shelter too!
If you wish to become more involved in butterfly recording then please contact me and I can let you know about the various schemes that are available to you.
If you have any butterfly related questions then please get in touch and I’ll do my best to answer them.
Bill Stone Butterfly Recorder, Suffolk 27 Draymans Way, Ipswich, Suffolk IP3 0QU butterflies@sns.org.uk
The Silver-studded Blue at Blaxhall Heath When an attempt to establish a colony of butterflies is made, it is generally accepted that the success rate is not high, and that early results can be good for a couple of years, only to crash in year 3 or 4. If the new colony survives the first 5 years, it is considered to have passed a major hurdle, so it is a joy to announce that the 2007 translocation of Silver-studded Blue is doing exceptionally well in its 6th year. The Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation’s obligation was to monitor the health of the colony over a minimum period of 5 years, White Admiral 87
whilst the Suffolk Wildlife Trust is responsible for the management of the site, both professionally and with the assistance of a team of local volunteers. Over the period since the translocation, the common has been forage harvested in such a way as to create patches of pioneer heather, extending the area of suitable habitat for Plebejus argus. The volunteer work parties have kept the silver birch encroachment under control and have cleared areas of gorse and other scrub. A single-species transect was established in time for the 27
Photo by: Matt Berry - Silver-studded Blue
emergence of the 2008 generation, and has just completed its 6th year of monitoring. This too has been organized by the volunteer team, with the results fed back to the County Butterfly Recorder and to the UK Butterfly Monitoring scheme. Transect results have been the prime means of monitoring the health of the colony. The points below demonstrate 4 different elements from the results, 3 of them entirely transect derived: 28
A progressively rising single
day peak count for each year.
The total count for the whole transect season and the closely related (weak) index. These also both rose progressively, apart from a slight dip in 2012 (a poor season for most species).
The number of consecutive transect weeks in which P. argus was recorded. This is a coarse reflection of the total flight period for the season.
The expansion of the flight area, firstly within the 8 White Admiral 87
sections of the transect, and latterly beyond the boundaries of the transect. The most significant expansion has been to a triangle of pioneer heather to the south west of Section 1. On two occasions, singletons have been seen to the south of the B1069 (see map). One additional element became available in 2013, through the cooperation of Dr Neil Ravenscroft, a professional ecologist living in Blaxhall. He conducted an independent assessment of the flight areas, walked 3 mini transects and extrapolated the likely population of the entire site to something in the order of 900. This is materially higher than the sum of the peak one-day transect count and the highest off-transect count (160 + 51 = 211), and may be optimistic. It caters for the
in co m p le te d e te ct ab ili ty o f butterflies in the heather habitat not visited by the transect route. It is clear [from the results] that the establishment attempt got off to a very satisfactory start and this has been reported to the Joint Committee for the Conservation of British Insects. The two donor sites at Minsmere and Hollesley have also been monitored, and show no evidence of damage following the donation. The receiving site has passed the fragile three to five-year danger zone, and the results for 2013 look re-assuring by every measure. However, there is no cause for complacency; regular habitat management remains a key requirement if this colony is to continue to thrive. Fortunately the motivation of everyone involved remains strong. Rob Parker
Suffolk Wildlife & Landscapes Project Readers of this magazine could all say something informative about the wildlife and landscape of the Suffolk Brecks, or Sandlings, or particular areas of our coast. Harder perhaps to give equally definite information about the particular district we live in: what topographic name can we give it, what is distinct about its wildlife, how far does it extend, what White Admiral 87
nature reserves in the county exemplify it? Thanks to the high quality mapping, of species distributions in Suffolk, we can now get such information, to appraise and nurture the wildlife and habitats most characteristic of our local district. One way I have looked at this is with the County Council’s Landscape Typology map, which 29
displays the county in landscape units of a friendly size. There are 31 of them, with detailed descriptions and exact boundaries (derived from six mapable datasets: relief, geology, soils, tree cover, farm type and settlement). The map is described in Suffolk Natural History 2004. Below is how it looks, for the whole county. I have compared this map with dot-maps from some of Suffolk’s very good wildlife atlases, and produced some very interesting lists, showing species which are special to all 31 local landscape units. In particular, the dot-maps of plants in Martin Sanford’s Flora of Suffolk show 299 fairly conspicuous and numerous plant species, which each
cover less than half of the county, and found that 232 (80%) of those species had territories correlating well with the Landscape Typology units. So for any locality, we can list the plants which are special there and such plants are more than a quarter of the entire county’s flora. I’ve started finding similar patterns among various animal species, such as dragonflies, small mammals, and some birds. By viewing the website map in close -up, on www.suffolklandscape.org.uk/ landscape_map.aspx you will be able to see the units that lie around your local parish, valley, woods, town, nature reserve, etc. Nick Miller
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More what’s on?... B r a m f o r d M e a d o w s B i o b l i t z 5 th J u l y Bramford Open Spaces are planning a bioblitz day on the Bramford Meadows LNR and picnic site on Saturday, 5th July and we are hoping that you can all join us. The day will start early with the dawn chorus and events and recording will run all day through to bats and moths in the evening. Everyone is welcome to come along and join in this event, run in conjunction with Suffolk Wildlife Trust, no matter what your experience level. The site includes flood meadow, woodland, grassland and freshwater habitats. The site is comprised of two meadows: the Northern Meadows are a designated Local Nature Reserve (LNR), and the Southern Meadows are set aside as a Picnic Area and public open space. Bordered to the east by the main Ipswich railway line and to the west by the River Gipping the site consists of a series of floodplain meadows which are separated by a number of drainage ditches along with some small areas of scrub and trees. The management of the site was taken over by the Parish in September 2012 and this will be the first large scale species survey that have been carried out. For more details see http://bramfordopenspaces.onesuffolk.net/ or email bramfordopenspaces@gmail.com Come along and join us.
Suffolk Mammal Conference 15th November Suffolk Mammal Conference to be held at The Atheneum, Bury St Edmunds on 15th November 2014. A full line up of nationally renown speakers has been booked, including Pat Morris speaking on the decline of hedgehogs. Please visit the conference webpage for more information and details on how to book a ticket: http://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/mammal-conference-AGM
F o l l o w u s o n Tw i t t e r @ S N S 1 9 2 9 White Admiral 87
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The ‘Pliocene Forest’ at Sutton Gardens Open Day June 15th GeoSuffolk is joining in with the Sutton village Open Gardens day provisional date Sunday June 15th. The ‘Pliocene Forest’ will be on view showing Suffolk’s native tree genera including Sequoia, Sciadopitys, Pterocarya and many others as exemplified by fossil pollen from the Coralline Crag. For more details nearer the time see GeoSuffolk’s web site http://www.geosuffolk.co.uk/
Spring Members’ Evening and 85th AGM 15th April | 7.30pm Cedars Hotel, Needham Road, Stowmarket IP14 2AJ AGENDA
1. Apologies for absence 2. Minutes of the 84th Annual General Meeting 3. Chairman's Report – Joan Hardingham 4. Treasurers Report – Martin Sanford 5. Secretary's Report – Gen Broad 6. Election of members to the Council: Martin Sanford proposed as Chairman Joan Hardingham proposed as Treasurer Ordinary Members proposed: Peter Lack, Caroline Markham, Robert Leith, Hawk Honey, Jane Blake 7. Any Other Business (The Chairman reserves the right to consider only items submitted in writing 2 weeks before the AGM.)
Tea and coffee will be served at the close of formal business. Following the conclusion of formal business and refreshments there will be a series of short presentations on natural history by members and projects funded by SNS. 32
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Suffolk Naturalists’ Society Bursaries The Suffolk Naturalists’ Society offers five bursaries, of up to £500 each, annually. Larger projects may be eligible for grants of over £500 – please contact SNS for further information. Activities eligible for funding include: travel and subsistence for field work, visits to scientific institutions, scientific equipment, identification guide books or other items relevant to the study. Morley Bursary - Studies involving insects (or other invertebrates) other than butterflies and moths. Chipperfield Bursary - Studies involving butterflies or moths. Cranbrook Bursary - Studies involving mammals or birds. Rivis Bursary - Studies of the county's flora. Simpson Bursary - In memory of Francis Simpson. The bursary will be awarded for a botanical study where possible. Applications should be set in the context of a research question i.e. a clear statement of what the problem is and how the applicant plans to tackle it. Criteria:
1. Projects should include a large element of original work and further knowledge of Suffolk’s flora, fauna or geology.
2. A written account of the project is required within 12 months of receipt of a bursary. This should be in a form suitable for publication in one of the Society's journals: Suffolk Natural History, Suffolk Birds or White Admiral.
3. Suffolk Naturalists' Society should be acknowledged in all publicity associated with the project and in any publications emanating from the project. Applications may be made at any time. Please apply to SNS for an application form or visit our website for more details. Contributions to White Admiral Deadlines for copy are: 1st Feb (Spring issue), 1st June (Summer issue) and 1st Oct (Autumn issue) The opinions expressed in White Admiral are not necessarily those of the Editor or of the Suffolk Naturalists’ Society.
w w w. s n s . o r g . u k
The Suffolk Naturalists’ Society, founded in 1929 by Claude Morley (1874 -1951), pioneered the study and recording of the County’s flora, fauna and geology. It is the seed bed from which have grown other important wildlife organisations in Suffolk, such as Suffolk Wildlife Trust (SWT) and Suffolk Ornithologists’ Group (SOG). Recording the natural history of Suffolk is still the Society’s primary objective. Members’ observations go to specialist recorders and then on to the Suffolk Biological Records Centre at Ipswich Museum to provide a basis for detailed distribution maps and subsequent analysis with benefits to environmental protection. Funds held by the Society allow it to offer substantial grants for wildlife studies. Annually, SNS publishes its transactions Suffolk Natural History, containing studies on the County’s wildlife, and the County bird report, Suffolk Birds (compiled by SOG). The newsletter White Admiral, with comment and observations, appears three times a year. SNS organises two members’ evenings a year and a conference every two years. Field meetings are held throughout the year often in conjunction with other specialist organisations. Subscriptions: Individual members £15.00; Family membership £17.00; Student Membership £10.00; Corporate membership £17.00. Members receive the three publications above. Joint membership with the Suffolk Ornithologists’ Group: Individual members £28.00; Family membership £32.00. Joint members receive, in addition to the above, the SOG newsletter The Harrier. As defined by the Constitution of this Society its objectives shall be: 2.1 To study and record the fauna, flora and geology of the County 2.2 To publish a Transactions and Proceedings and a Bird Report. These shall be free to members except those whose annual subscriptions are in arrears contact: 2.3 To liaise with other natural history societies and conservation bodies in the County 2.4 To promote interest in natural history and the activities of the Society. For more details about the Suffolk Naturalists’ Society contact: Hon. Secretary, Suffolk Naturalists’ Society, c/o Ipswich Museum, High Street, IPSWICH, IP1 3QH. Telephone 01473 400251 enquires@sns.org.uk