Feature

Let’s celebrate the beautiful butterflies of the South Downs National Park

Seeing the first butterfly of the season is nature’s little way of teasing us that summer is here so we can break out the sunscreen and plan for some lazy afternoons to quietly work on our tan.

Like people, every butterfly is uniquely beautiful. They are a symbol of change, rebirth, growth, endurance and life. They are also an indicator species whose variety and volume inform us how our environment is faring. And, over the last few decades, their decline has been one of the starkest warning signs that our natural world is in crisis. Yet concerted efforts are under way, led by the National Park Authority and partners, to create more high-quality habitat, such as chalk grassland, woodland and heathland, to support these beautiful creatures. And there have been some real conservation success stories – such as the remarkable comeback of the Duke of Burgundy butterfly which is now thriving in small pockets. As June sees Butterfly Education and Awareness Week, we look at five well-known, and lesser-known, butterflies you might see out on your walks in the National Park this summer.

Duke of Burgundy

This dainty butterfly is still extremely rare but has been seen in greater numbers over the past few years thanks to conservation efforts. It frequents scrubby grassland and sunny woodland clearings, typically in very low numbers. The adults rarely visit flowers and most sightings are of the territorial males as they perch on a prominent leaf at the edge of scrub. The females are elusive and spend much of their time resting or flying low to the ground looking for suitable egg-laying sites. Eggs are laid in small batches underneath the leaves of primrose and cowslip plants.

Green Hairstreak

The green hairstreak holds its wings closed, except in flight, showing only the green underside with its faint white streak. Males and females look similar and are most readily told apart by their behaviour: rival males may be seen in a spiralling flight close to shrubs, while the less conspicuous females are more often encountered while laying eggs.

Grizzled Skipper

This small butterfly, typical of southern chalk downland, begins to emerge in late April to early May, having spent winter as pupae within cocoons of leaves and silk among low vegetation. Once on the wing it’s easy to miss, darting quickly between perches and nectar sources – typically common bird’s-foottrefoil and bugle. If you are lucky enough to get a glimpse of one perched on a twig, it can be easily identified by the checkerboard pattern on its wings.

Holly Blue The holly blue is easily identified in early spring, as it emerges well before other blue butterflies. It tends to fly high around bushes and trees, whereas other grassland blues usually stay near ground level. It is much the commonest blue found in parks and gardens where it congregates around holly, in spring, and ivy, in late summer.

Ringlet Butterfly

When newly emerged, the ringlet has a velvety appearance and is almost black, with a white fringe to the wings. The small circles on the underwings, which give the butterfly its name, vary in number and size and maybe enlarged and elongated or reduced to small white spots. Bramble and wild privet flowers are favourite nectar sources.

With thanks to Butterfly Conservation and photographers Charlie Hellewell and Neil Hulme.

Get involved in conservation and nature recovery! There’s a golden opportunity this summer to help the fortunes of our butterflies and their ongoing recovery.

The Big Butterfly Count is a UK-wide survey aimed at assessing the health of our environment simply by counting the amount and type of butterflies (and some day-flying moths) we see. This year’s survey will run from 16 July to 8 August and you can download the app on your phone to take part.

Alternatively visit: www.natural-apptitude. co.uk/project/big-butterfly-count/

Helping the Test Valley and UK Communities Make a Positive Difference supporting their Key Workers through Gratitude

TAP (Thank And Praise) is a social thanking platform for communities to show their appreciation to the heroes working in education, healthcare and social care. TAP’s goal is to create a more positive world where giving and receiving thanks is the norm, not the exception. TAP provides services for anyone to: Thank a key worker privately, Praise an education or healthcare organisation publicly or Raise funds for an education or healthcare organisation. Both the public and co-workers use TAP’s multi-channel services – website, social media, email and WhatsApp. The messages are checked for ‘positive only’ and sent to the relevant worker or their organisation. There is no cost to use it to give or receive thanks. Since Jan 2020, TAP has collected and shared over 4,700 personal messages.

Here are some Test Valley messages: To: All NHS workers - TAP to say thanks @thanks_and_ praise - thanks to all the health workers - Stay home. – From: Stockbridge Pottery To: Micheldever Primary School- Mrs Griffiths' energy and dedication in her teaching role is simply wonderful. She is the reason our children enjoy their learning as much as they do. Thank you.

TAP also works directly with organisations including - Age Concern Hampshire (ACH). Here is why: “We are passionate about empowering our colleagues to give their best by highlighting sincere gratitude is the simplest, most powerful way to acknowledge their value. TAP gives ACH a platform to thank our teams for their dedication to support older people in our community. When somebody goes out of their way to say thanks, it feels great… so with this opportunity to say a simple thank you, the effects are very real and can even be long lasting,” Brogan Rehill, Head of Marketing and Fundraising at Age Concern Hampshire TAP is focused to support the Wellbeing of key workers: “We are excited that our platform is being used by Age Concern Hampshire. This demonstrates our belief: the giving of thanks and funds is hugely beneficial to both the receiver of thanks and also the giver.” Matt Findel-Hawkins, CEO, TAP. Any message of thanks to organisations that are not onboarded with TAP are posted on the digital Thanking Wall on the TAP website here – you can read them: • Education - https://thankandpraise.com/thankingwall/ education/ • Healthcare/Social Care - https://thankandpraise.com/ thankingwall/healthcare/

TAP is already being used successfully at a range of education healthcare and social care services in Berkshire, Devon, Essex, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire, including the UK’s largest secondary school, Exmouth Community College. While during the COVID-19 crisis.

If you want to send a message of thanks, please visit - https:// thankandpraise.com/say-thank-you/. .

The Romsey Show 2021 – Cancelled

Once again and following the recent decision made by Government to postpone lifting of all Covid 19 restrictions on 21st June, the Trustees of The Romsey Agricultural and Horse Show Society have had to make the sad and extremely difficult decision to cancel this year’s Romsey Show, which was due to take place on 11th September. As a Registered Charity and with only two paid members of staff, we rely heavily on volunteers to hold our annual show, which costs in excess of £242,000. Over the past few months, we have been planning a 'different look' Romsey Show to take into account limitations due to Covid-19.

However, along with the postponement of restrictions lifting, it has become apparent that many traders have decided not to exhibit this year due to stock issues, staff on Furlough and the uncertainty of visitor numbers. Add that to no Covid event insurance, no livestock competitions, no main ring entertainment and no guarantee of visitor numbers, all whilst the costs of putting on the Show remain the same if not greater, means that not only is it not financially viable, the Show would be nothing like the Romsey Show our visitors have come to know and love. Therefore, our Trustees have made the decision to take a longer-term view in order to protect our financial position and secure the Show for generations to come.

Show Office/Postal Address: 4 The Old Carthouses, Broadlands, Romsey, Hampshire, SO51 9LQ Telephone: 01794 517 521 Email: info@romseyshow.co.uk

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