Feature

Beautiful New Moth Species for South Downs National Park

A rare and beautiful species of moth appears to have colonised the South Downs for the first time. The day-flying Lace Border moth is thought to have flown across the Channel from the continent and found suitable locations for breeding and feeding at sites in the South Downs National Park near Eastbourne.

Butterfly expert Bob Eade was the first to spot the white moth in 2020 and has now been able to confirm the moth has survived another winter and is present on the site.

Bob, who has enjoyed visiting the site for decades, says: “While out taking photographs I spotted a small, white moth land nearby. Straight away I could see it was a moth I had never seen before, but at the time I didn't know what it was. I only managed one quick photograph before it flew and landed in the middle of some very dense scrub. When I got home, I checked the books against the photo, and it was clear it was a Lace Border. The next day I returned and saw three. This year I have seen more than 30 in this same area.” Dr Paul Tinsley-Marshall, Regional Conservation Manager for Butterfly Conservation, said: “Since 1976 only four Lace Border moths had been seen in Sussex, so Bob’s discovery and subsequent counts suggest it has successfully established a colony on the South Downs.”

The moth was discovered on Frog Firle Farm, which is owned and managed by The National Trust. National Trust Lead Ranger Dan Fagan says, “The National Trust brought Frog Firle Farm into its care in 1991 and since then we have been working alongside our farm tenant to restore the internationally rare chalk grassland, for which the site is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. So, it’s fantastic to see chalk grassland species like the Lace Border moth colonising the site and we hope that a good population will become established and flourish in the years to come, as we continue our habitat restoration work”.

It is thought that climate change might be a factor in this recent colonisation. The moth’s foodplants of Marjoram and Thyme have been common and widespread across the Downs for many years but the moth has never previously become established. The Lace Border is found on the North Downs in Kent and Surrey and at sites in Norfolk and Gloucestershire, but this recent colonisation represents a new species for Sussex and for the South Downs National Park.

Tim Squire, a Ranger for the Eastern Downs of the National Park, said: “The South Downs has always been a national haven for butterflies and moths and this discovery adds another species to a very long list. The Lace Border moth is a real beauty and it’s amazing to see it in the south of England. Climate change may well be one of the factors here, so it’s also a sober reminder that research and regular wildlife monitoring are absolutely vital to help manage our fragile habitats.”

Dr Paul Tinsley-Marshall of Butterfly Conservation added: “We encourage people to look out for this distinctive and beautiful white moth. If this colonisation is a response to climate change, it might have also colonised other sites in the National Park. By gathering more data, we can better assess these impacts and the changing fortunes of our wildlife.”

A small colony has also been found at Friston Gallops, managed by Forestry England. Daniel Cooper, Assistant Ecologist at Forestry England, commented on the project at the site: “The project aims to boost the wildflower population through a new sward management scheme, including low-intensity grazing, hay cutting, and wildflower seeding targeted at maintaining high-quality chalk grassland habitat. This management will benefit the recently colonised Lace Border moth which has been found on the site in the last two years thanks to monitoring by volunteers from Seaford Natural History Society and Forestry England.”

The successful conservation projects on the Friston Gallops site have also resulted in 36 species of butterfly being recorded there. This positive news follows the publication of the new Red List of British butterflies, a report from Butterfly Conservation published on 26th May 2022 that revealed half of all UK butterflies are endangered or near endangered. The full report can be viewed here.

SUPER-FAST 15 MINUTES DRYING HOMEFabulous Clean Carpets SUPER-FAST 15 MINUTES DRYING Fabulous Clean Carpets, very reasonable prices, and courteous friendly service from people you can trust in your home

Upholstery and Curtains

Dear Stockbridge Forum Reader, Value conscious local residents love a great deal. If you need your carpets cleaned and are looking for an award-winning company who will arrive on time, will be courteous, respectful and above all trustworthy -- then you’re invited to take advantage of one of the three extraordinary value, high quality, carpet and upholstery cleaning deals we’re offering new customers this month - -- because we want to give you the chance to get to know our service and to find out how impressively new, fresh and bright your carpets will look when cleaned and freshened by The Carpet Care People. I am fully committed to the safety of my Customers during the Covid19 crisis. I clean adhering to all social distancing guidelines 3 Great Deals! Deal 1 Have any three of your carpets cleaned for just £87 total! Deal 2 Have your three piece suite freshened up for just £97! Deal 3 Have any three carpets and your three piece suite freshened up for just £167!

Here’s why one of the Stockbridges’ most trusted carpet cleaning companies is cleaning local, nearneighbours carpets for a fraction of the normal cost Our approach is simple: We are proud to run a celebrated professional carpet and upholstery cleaning business, and we insist on providing you with good oldfashioned service and value. 3 Great Deals! Deal 1: Have any three of your carpets cleaned for just £97 total! Deal 2: Have your 3 piece suite freshened up for just £97! Deal 3: Have any 3 carpets and your 3 piece suite freshened up for just £177! Call now and find out why Winner our award-winning service is probably the most requested carpet cleaning in the local Stockbridge area The next thing for you to do is call us on 01962 690 005 - we’ll welcome your call, answer your questions and take care of everything for you. Tel 01962 690 005 The Carpet Care People

Frequently Asked Questions

Here’s a selection of frequently asked questions especially for you sceptics (you know who you are). 1. When you say ‘carpet’ what do you mean? We mean average size areas, say 10x12ft ish. But we don’t quibble if the areas are a little larger - it’s all done on fairness really. 2. Do you move furniture? Our pricing policy reflects the time it takes to clean working around furniture, rather than moving it. That said, we are for example, happy to move your three piece suite backwards and forwards cleaning under it and replacing it back into position. What we don’t price into the job at these discount prices is moving large pieces of furniture like bookcases, sideboards or wardrobes. Similarly we are not insured to move electrical items, in particular flat-screen tvs. Again we apply common sense and fairness to the situation and inevitable we do end up moving some furniture around, even at these discount prices. Are there any ‘hidden’ extra costs? The prices quoted above are fully-inclusive and are the actual prices you will pay. Upholstery we specialise in cleaning and refreshing 3 piece suites (at our current offer price of £97). Fabric Master, our special upholstery and cleaning system is safe, gentle, and very effective. Fibres are restored to their original beauty and softness - you’ll see!

LUXURY FLOORING SPECIALIST

T: 01962 735715

Full Offer Price List

Tel: 01962 690 005 or 07790 883507 1 £57 2 £77 3 Carpet Price Carpet Price Carpet £97 Price 4 Carpet £117 Price

ENQUIRIES@EDDOLLSCARPETS.COM 30 BROAD STREET, ALRESFORD HAMPSHIRE, SO24 9AQ FULL OFFER PRICE LIST

Carpet Price Carpet Price Carpet Price Carpet Price Carpet Price

1 £47 2 £67 3 £87 4 £107 5 £127

Building the future, restoring the past

• Extensions • Renovations • New Builds • Conversions • General Building City & Guilds Qualified Gas Safe Registered Tradesmen All Electrical work undertaken

With a combined 35 years experience as builders in New Alresford, Hampshire. We have grown our reputation as reliable, friendly and a trustworthy building company. With our extensive knowledge, years of experience and keen eye for detail, your mind can be put to rest that you are in safe hands. We aim to customise our services to suit your project's individual needs.

Contact us for your FREE no obligation quote!

MOBILE: 07805 950529 OFFICE: 01256 389247 gregory@amgwombellbuilding.co.uk AMGWOMBELLBUILDING.CO.UK

Servicing & Maintenance

Let us keep your system running energy efficient, electrical safe and disinfected from bacteria

For more information + free quotes get in touch Info@alresfordair.com

Tel: 07525 493690

FIND US ON

ADVERTISING OFFER

ADVERTISE IN THIS SPACE FOR AS LITTLE AS £45 PER MONTH

(PLUS VAT, MINIMUM 12 MONTH BOOKING FOR PRICE SHOWN) For more information 01962 735137

stevewalker@forumpublications.co.uk