BC Warwickshire Magazine 2010

PA IN T TH HE TE W E C D AV SM U LA IN ER A BB DY T LE LL ING “H H Y BL TO IL IS W UE N LT O IS O O CO CL PP S D E M NS AR ING UE O E W ” TH RV I S N R AT G PEC EC IO M T O N YS AC R P T U D R E L IN O R A G JE Y R 20 CT 09

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Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire Magazine February 2010

CONTENTS Chairman’s Report for 2009 by Keith Warmington

3

A warm welcome to our new members by Debbie Hibbitt

4

Butterflies of the Past by Steven Cheshire

5

Warwickshire VC38 Macro Moth Report 2009 by David Brown

6

The Cubbington Clearwing Mystery by Terry Southgate

7

Butterfly Recording 2009 by Keith Warmington

8

Warwickshire Garden Butterfly Survey 2009 by Margaret Vickery

12

Small Blue Conservation Project In Warwickshire by Mike Slater

14

Species Spotlight - Small Copper by Steven Cheshire

18

A Painted Lady “Hilltopping” Spectacular by David Brown

20

Five-year Wait Finally Ends by Alan Prior

22

Waverley Wood Moth Recording 2009 by Alan Prior

23

The Cleverness of Plants by Margaret Vickery

24

Ryton Wood Meadow Butterfly & Day Flying Moth Review 2009 by Mike Slater

26

Ryton Wood Meadow Moth Review 2009 by Alan Prior

28

Ryton Wood Meadow Dingy Skipper Research by Mike Slater

29

Editor’s Review of 2009 by Debbie Hibbitt and Steven Cheshire

32

Eleanor’s Fritillary by Chris Morgan

34

Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire Committee

35

Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Editors or of Butterfly Conservation either locally or nationally.

Published by Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire.

Printed on FSC certified paper.

Head Office and membership enquiries should be sent to: Butterfly Conservation, Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5QP t: 0870 7744309 e: info@butterfly-conservation.org w: http://www.butterfly-conservation.org Copyright © 2010 All Rights Reserved All photographic images and text remain the copyright of the original creators as indicated.

Cover Photograph A male Grizzled Skipper © Keith Warmington 2010

2 Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire Magazine 2010

The Editors welcome written and/or artwork contributions on all aspects of Lepidoptera in Warwickshire and its’ surrounding areas. Contributions must be neatly hand-written or supplied on disk or by e-mail as a Microsoft Word document. Photographs and illustrations in both colour and B&W may also be submitted separately to the text either as hard copy or digitally as high resolution .tiff or .jpeg files.

All contributions are subject to editing for clarity, correctness, convention and space available.

Whilst all reasonable care will be taken of manuscripts and illustrative material, neither the Editors, nor Butterfly Conservation can be held responsible for any loss or damage during custody or return.

Contributions should be posted to: Steven Cheshire & Debbie Hibbitt Editors - Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire Magazine 85 Grasmere Crescent, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, CV11 6EB or sent by e-mail to:

steven@steven-cheshire.co.uk or debbie@creativebynature.co.uk

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT FOR 2009

by Keith Warmington

Following Mike Slater’s employment by Butterfly Conservation as Project Officer for both the Small Blue Project and the Princethorpe Woodlands Fritillary Project, he has had to stand down as branch Chairman. At the AGM in November I was elected as Chairman and will serve until Mike’s official commitments come to an end. Mike will continue as Conservation Officer and will remain on the committee in a non-voting role.

I am happy to report that current branch membership stands at 193 and I hope that our members continue to support us through the current financial climate. Our events throughout 2009 were extremely well supported and only one was cancelled due to rain. I would urge any member who hasn’t yet attended any of our butterfly or moth events to try one in 2010 as I am sure you will get enjoyment from them. Our full events programme will be published in the Spring newsletter and on our web site.

The branch web site (www.warwickshire-butterflies.org.uk) has not only become a focal point for spreading the word about our activities but also a valuable resource for butterfly related matters and I apologise to any members who are without internet access.

The Small Blue Project, the Princethorpe Woodland Fritillary Project and the management of Ryton Wood Meadows Butterfly Reserve have dominated our conservation activities throughout 2009. We have benefited from continued volunteer support from our members, from HSBC and Barclays bank staff and even from glamour models.

On the subject of volunteers I would like to add my congratulations to Margaret Vickery, our President, for receiving a prestigious Outstanding Volunteer Award at this year’s national AGM.

Photo © Keith Warmington 2010

My thanks to all who have contributed to this magazine and I look forward to another interesting butterfly year in 2010.

Above: Volunteers at Ryton Wood Meadows 3 Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire Magazine 2010

BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION’S OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER AWARD Congratulations go to Margaret Vickery who received this award at the recent National AGM at Winchester.

Margaret’s contribution towards the conservation of butterflies has been massive at a national, regional and local level.

Nationally she has served on the Conservation Committee, single-handedly run the Garden Butterfly Survey since 1990, written books and articles on ‘Gardening for Butterflies’, ‘Butterfly Plants for the Garden’ and ‘Butterflies as Indicators of Climate Change’ to name a few.

Regionally she became a founder member of the West Midlands Branch in 1979 and served on the committee in roles such as Newsletter Editor and Branch Liaison Officer.

Locally Margaret has worked as volunteer warden at Harbury Spoilbank (fighting a battle with encroaching hawthorn and rose scrub for many years armed only with a pair of loppers!). She starting the first Warwickshire Butterfly Transect on the site in 1988 and her experience in establishing the West Midlands Branch made her the driving force behind the formation of Warwickshire Branch in 1997 where she served as Organiser and Chair for over 10 years.

In recognition of her contribution to our Branch, Margaret was made President in 2008 and it is fitting that Butterfly Conservation recognised her contribution in 2009.

A WARM WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS IN 2009

by Debbie Hibbitt

We would like to extend a warm welcome to the following new members: Mr R J Arnold, Mr R J Dickens, George Green, Mrs R Lowe, Mr G Millinchip, Ken & Sue Morgan, Mrs J O’Neill, Mr A & Mrs J Penycate, Mr B Price, Mr M Reay, Mr I Speechley, Mrs M D Simpson, Mr N Sutton & Family, Mr D Woodward, Mr B Sherwin, Nicholas & Marie Steggall, Miss C Young & Family and Andy & Graham Wild.

We hope that you will be able to join us at our organised events. Our regular butterfly walks and moth nights provide an excellent opportunity for you, your friends and family to see butterflies and moths at some great locations with local expert guides. Our full programme of events will be sent to you in our spring newsletter. For the latest up-to-date information, visit our events page on our web site: http://www.warwickshire-butterflies. org.uk/events.asp.

4 Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire Magazine 2010

BUTTERFLIES OF THE PAST

by Steven Cheshire

One of the delights of travelling abroad is the opportunity to see butterflies which no longer occur in Warwickshire or indeed the UK. For many butterfly enthusiasts, these species have taken on an almost mythical existence so to see the real thing in its natural habitat albeit on mainland Europe is a dream for many.

In late May / early June 2009, Debbie and I spent 2 weeks in the Picos de Europa, a beautiful mountainous area in northern Spain. The trip had the potential to offer some superb opportunities to observe a wide variety of butterflies in a breathtaking landscape.

It did not dissapoint!

Photo © Debbie Hibbitt 2010

Photo © Steven Cheshire 2010

So what of these mythical creatures. Well, two species immediately spring to mind, species which were once resident in Warwickshire but are now extinct across the whole of the UK, namely the Black-veined White (Aporia crataegi) and the Mazarine Blue (Polyommatus semiargus).

Above: Black-veined White

Above: Mazarine Blue

BLACK-VEINED WHITE The Black-veined White became extinct in Warwickshire in 1910. Its main stronghold was in Kent but by 1925 it had become extinct across the whole of the UK. The reason for its demise is still unknown but changes in habitat or farming practices may have been partly responsible.

MAZARINE BLUE The Mazarine Blue became extinct in Warwickshire in the 19th Century. Its main stronghold was in the southern half of England. The reason for its demise may be as a result of changes in how Red Clover, the larval food plant was harvested.

In the Picos, they occur along country lanes, woodland edges, orchards and hedgerows where the larval foodplant Blackthorn and Hawthorn grow.

In the Picos, they are fairly common and can be found in meadows and rough ground wherever the larval foodplant grows. They often occur in large numbers taking salts from wet ground.

5 Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire Magazine 2010

WARWICKSHIRE VC38 MACRO MOTH REPORT 2009

by David Brown

There was an interesting addition to the Warwickshire list in 2009, the Rannoch Looper.

This species is resident in the Scottish Highlands but immigrants from the continent are occasionally reported from the Eastern half of England. 2009 saw unprecedented numbers arrive from mainland Europe and spread further West than usual. Although many must have gone undetected in Warwickshire individuals were caught in light traps at Temple Grafton (A. Gardner) and Waverley Wood (A. Prior) on 25th June. Also on this night a Four-dotted Footman was reported at Hillmorton, Rugby (P. Nicholas). This is only the second to be recorded during the last 100 years in VC38 and may have been part of a migration.

The use of artificial pheromone lures to monitor Clearwings continues to produce some real surprises. On 2nd July in a Cubbington garden 4 Orange-tailed Clearwings arrived at a lure (T. Southgate - see ‘The Cubbington Clearwing Mystery’ for more information).

This species, which is associated with Wayfaring Tree, was only previously known from Burton Dasset Hills but it is now suspected garden Viburnams may well support undiscovered colonies.

The Devon Carpet continues to extend its range eastward in the British Isles and following a single example at Charlecote in 2007 two were recorded in Waverley Wood on 17th August 2009 (A. Prior).This exciting discovery in a more typical habitat almost certainly indicates establishment in the County. Pine Hawk-moth also appears to have colonised Waverley Wood as two were noted on 27th July (A. Prior). During a spell of hot weather in late June there was evidence of a widespread movement of Scarlet Tiger from the south with individuals reported from Whichford (S. Haine), Bidford-on Avon (R. Cox),Temple Grafton (A. Gardner) and Earlsdon, Coventry (D. Woodward).

Migratory Hawk-moths were generally uncommon in 2009 with very few Hummingbird Hawk-moths and two Convolvulous Hawk-moths at Southam on 29th August (R. Smith) and Leamington Spa on 6th September (R. Moffatt).

Right: Chalk Carpet, a nationally scarce species still present at Nelson’s Quarry 6 Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire Magazine 2010

Photo © Dan Hoare 2010

Highly successful Warwickshire Moth Recording Nights were conducted at Nelson’s Quarry, Stockton on 30th May and 4th July which confirmed the continued presence of Light Feathered Rustic and Chalk Carpet. Both are nationally scarce species which had not been recorded at this site for almost 20 years.

THE CUBBINGTON CLEARWING MYSTERY In June 2001 David Brown moth-er extraordinaire witnessed the emergence of a male imago Orangetailed clearwing from the stem of a Wayfarer tree on the chalky slopes of Burton Dasset. Hitherto unrecorded in Warwickshire.

Fast forward to June 2009, place; a Cubbington garden. For a change that month a sunny day with a gentle southerly breeze. I decided to chill out in the garden fortified with a large cuppa. Earlier that week I had once again lured Red-belted clearwings to pheromones, but one particular pheromone in my set (VES) I had never tried. The label read ‘an attractant for Yellow-legged clearwing’.

Photos © Terry Southgate 2009

by Terry Southgate

Nothing to lose I hung it on a nearby willow, had a quick slurp of the cup that cheers, put my feet up and chilled.

Within minutes I noticed two then four clearwing species buzzing the pheromone, tea forgotten I deftly potted up two specimens and excitedly phoned a friend, Paul `the Bear’ Cashmore, a knowledgeable chap on moth ID, believing I had trapped Yellow-legged. I think he said “well done”.

On checking a reference book I realised I had in fact bagged two Orange-tailed clearwings, unaware of the significance I called Paul again and it’s fair to say he was sceptical.

By late afternoon word had spread and I agreed to bring the specimens to the Queens Head pub that evening.

Apart from my birding pals the bar was empty, I plonked the pots on the table and waited for a comment like “what are you having?”

Silence, then an expletive as someone said “he b...dy well has”. It meant ID confirmed, I went to the bar very smug and bought my own drink.

Nb. Orange-tailed clearwings are associated with Wayfarer trees and Guelder rose more commonly found on calcareous soils, the moth is wasp-like and day flying.

Above: Red-belted and Orange-tailed Clearwing 7 Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire Magazine 2010

BUTTERFLY RECORDING 2009 CASUAL RECORDING Knowing that 2009 was to be the last year of a 5 year Atlas Update period it was important to make an extra effort in butterfly recording in order that the next set of National species maps reflected the full picture of how well our butterflies were doing in Warwickshire. I have to say that our recorders have excelled in 2009 by producing the largest annual database of sightings since the Millennium Atlas was produced in 2000. A total of 14,775 records were submitted made up of more than a staggering 85,000 individual butterfly sightings. Well done to you all!

TRANSECT RECORDING Three new transects were added this year two at RSPB Middleton Lakes and one at Hartshill Hayes bringing the total number of transects to 39.

However, we are losing a transect walker on three of our key sites namely, Harbury North, Harbury South and Stockton so I would appeal for anyone who could take over one of these transects to let me know.

If a full 26 week transect is not possible then a key species transect of about 9 weeks would suffice as a last resort.

This map shows the distribution of records of all butterfly species in 2009 at tetrad level (2 km squares) in our region. There were 379 recorded squares in 2009.

WIDER COUNTRYSIDE BUTTERFLY SURVEY A total of 16 Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey squares were completed out of our target of 20 which was a good result but could have been better. We have yet to see the full results of this survey but early analysis shows that recorders saw, on average, 10 species and 160 butterflies per square. Large White, Small White, Greenveined White, Painted Lady, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown and Ringlet accounted for 84% of all individuals seen and the remaining 16% were made up of a further 42 species. Most abundant species was Large White and the migrant Painted Lady, not surprisingly, made it in to the abundance chart at 4th place.

If you think that any dots are missing from squares that you recorded then please get in touch.

8 Buttery Conservation Warwickshire Magazine 2010

SITE COUNT SURVEY A new recording scheme, called Site Counts, was developed for Warwickshire Wildlife Trust in 2009 to target butterflies and day-flying moths on seldom visited Trust reserves. This has been well received and will be backed up by our annual Butterfly Recording and Identification workshop that we hold for Warwickshire Wildlife Trust each Spring.

Photo Š Keith Warmington 2010

by Keith Warmington

NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS

1

Speckled Wood

Meadow Brown

2

Large White

Ringlet

3

Green-veined White

Large White

4

Small White

Gatekeeper

5

Painted Lady

Green-veined White

6

Peacock

Speckled Wood

7

Meadow Brown

Small White

8

Comma

Painted Lady

9

Small Tortoiseshell

Common Blue

10 Gatekeeper

Photo © Steven Cheshire 2010

NUMBER OF RECORDS

Peacock

Photo © Debbie Hibbitt 2010

Photo © Keith Warmington 2010

Above: Table showing the top ten species recorded in Above: Female Speckled Wood Warwickshire with the top ten most abundant species.

Above: 2009 saw a huge influx of Painted Lady butterflies into Britain

Above: Male Gatekeeper

BUTTERFLY HIGHS AND LOWS Painted Lady was probably the butterfly of the year with unprecedented numbers being seen throughout the year following the mass migration of millions from Morocco. This species did a great job of PR for butterfly conservation for which we are grateful! Typically in a good migrant year we had quite a few records of Clouded Yellow also.

Silver-washed Fritillary has responded particularly well to the active management of Ryton Wood. The Speckled Wood continues to thrive in abundance and was the second commonest species on transects behind Meadow Brown. Meanwhile, the Common Blue has recovered well after a couple of lean years and on some sites was present in much larger numbers than we have been used to. Brown Argus had arguably its best ever year with huge numbers seen at Toft Farm, Dunchurch. Wood White consolidated its recovery 9 Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire Magazine 2010

Photo © Steven Cheshire 2010

Photo © Debbie Hibbitt 2010

Above: The Brown Argus had one of its best years in 2009 (male)

Above: A male Clouded Yellow at Judkins Quarry, Nuneaton

at Ryton but was not seen at Woolford Wood this year. The Dingy Skipper continues to do well and had its best year ever on our Ryton Wood Meadows reserve. On the negative side White-letter Hairstreak seemed to do very poorly even though the hedgerow Elms did quite well.

BUTTERFLY RECORDING 2010 I hope that the amazing recording effort by our members continues and that we could perhaps encourage any members who don’t currently record their sightings to do so in 2010. I look forward to receiving your records whether on paper or directly on to our website.

IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO ALL BUTTERFLY RECORDERS I would be grateful if from 2010 onwards we cease using letter codes for numbers of butterflies seen and instead only use actual numbers. When numbers are too high to count, estimates to the nearest 10 can be used.

BEAUTIFUL BRIMSTONES Anyone familiar with the Brimstone butterfly will know that you rarely see the upper side of its wings except for fleeting glimses while in flight.

During one of our branch butterfly walks to Watlington Hill in Oxfordshire last summer, Keith Warmington took this absolutely stunning photograph of a courting pair of Brimstones.

This photo was destined to be on the cover of this year’s magazine but rather than spoil this superb photograph by covering it with text, here it is in all its glory.

10 Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire Magazine 2010

Photo Š Keith Warmington 2010

11 Buttery Conservation Warwickshire Magazine 2010

WARWICKSHIRE GARDEN BUTTERFLY SURVEY 2009

by Margaret Vickery

The butterfly year of 2009 was certainly one of ups and downs. We had some gloriously sunny days, our Ryton Wood Meadows reserve open day being one of these, but there were also many miserable, wet days. There was the once-in-a-decade amazing Painted Lady migration, 90% of Warwickshire recorders had these butterflies in their gardens, but 2009 was also a year when rare species stayed away. The Wall Brown record of 2008 was not repeated and there were no Small Heath or Clouded Yellow. 3 Marbled Whites, 2 Essex Skippers and single Brown Argus, White Admiral and Dark Green Fritillary make a miserable total for this group.

Large White was top species for Warwickshire gardens in 2008 and this was true also for 2009. Small White, though, dropped by 13% and fell to fourth place in the table of the most widespread species. Red Admiral also fell 13% and was beaten by Speckled Wood and equalled Gatekeeper. As only one recorder saw a Red Admiral in the spring it seems likely that the cold winter spell killed any that were overwintering. So not such a good year for this migrant species, in stark contrast to its relative, the Painted Lady.

Photo Š Keith Warmington 2010

The Holly Blue took a severe tumble, dropping by 28%. Although this species is well known for its cycle of ups and downs, due to the abundance or otherwise of its parasite, such a sharp drop is unusual. However, there were signs that the Holly Blue might have reached its peak in 2008 as only 50% of recorders noted a visit for the summer emergence whereas 83% had seen this butterfly in the spring. There were very few autumn records.

The fact that only 38% of recorders saw a Holly Blue in the summer in 2009 and there was only a single record for the autumn does not bode well for numbers this year.

The Small Tortoiseshell continued its revival, and was seen in 90% of gardens recorded, the first time this figure has been reached in Warwickshire for six years. The Comma also had a very good year visiting 81% of those Warwickshire gardens recorded, the highest for at least 10 years. Conversely, both the Common Blue and Small Copper did badly falling 8% and 11% respectively compared with 2008. Nationally, both species had a good year being seen in more than a third of the gardens recorded. Why Warwickshire should fare so badly is a mystery, especially as both species did well outside gardens.

Orange Tip also had a bad year, falling 9%, probably due to the wet spring. It is notable that this species had a long flight period being recorded from April to June, so hopefully there were plenty of egg laying opportunities. Although both Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown showed little variation compared to 2008 they both had long flight Above: The Comma was a regular periods which lasted into September. visitor to Warwickshire gardens in 2009 12 Buttery Conservation Warwickshire Magazine 2010

Of the least widespread species to visit gardens in Warwickshire the Ringlet did extremely well with an increase of 18%. The 35% of gardens visited is the highest this decade.

Both Large and Small Skippers increased by 6% although they both have a long way to go to reach their 2006 peaks.

So, 2009 was an interesting year for Warwickshire gardens and their butterflies. Thank you to the 32 members who recorded, I do hope you will continue to do so this year. It would give an even more accurate picture if there were more of you. If you have not already decided to do so, please consider recording your garden this year.

A summary of the results of the surveys for 2002 - 2009 for the 19 species which regularly visit Warwickshire gardens is given in the table below.

SPECIES

% GARDENS RECORDING PRESENCE OF SPECIES

Year

02*

03*

04*

05*

06*

07*

08*

2009

MOST WIDESPREAD SPECIES Large White

100

96

89

90

83

80

93

94

Small Tortoiseshell

79

100

86

84

77

37

83

90

Peacock

84

84

83

87

90

83

83

84

Small White

83

88

77

84

87

70

90

77

Red Admiral

67

88

71

84

90

83

90

74

LESS WIDESPREAD SPECIES Painted Lady

58

80

66

42

77

57

30

90

Comma

79

64

63

74

73

67

67

81

Speckled Wood

79

77

66

68

77

73

73

77

Gatekeeper

75

64

69

77

77

70

73

74

Brimstone

75

68

69

84

83

77

70

71

Orange-Tip

79

68

60

74

83

53

67

58

Meadow Brown

54

56

66

71

67

47

57

58

Holly Blue

92

60

57

71

77

75

83

55

Green-veined White

63

52

57

47

50

57

57

52

Common Blue

21

31

26

25

33

13

27

19

LEAST WIDESPREAD SPECIES Ringlet

25

24

31

32

27

20

17

35

Small Copper

13

28

37

19

30

27

30

19

Small Skipper

25

36

34

32

30

10

13

19

Large Skipper

22

21

9

19

23

17

10

16

* Data for 2002-2008 reproduced from last year’s magazine for comparison purposes **Numbers shown in red are highest count for each species during 2002-2009 period

13 Buttery Conservation Warwickshire Magazine 2010

SMALL BLUE CONSERVATION PROJECT IN WARWICKSHIRE

by Mike Slater

The Small Blue Butterfly is one of Warwickshire branch’s four rarest butterflies with only 3 colonies surviving all in the Southam area. Our other rare butterflies are the Wood White with hopefully 2 colonies remaining (none were seen at Wolford Wood this year), the Brown Hairstreak found in one small area around Princethorpe and near the Worcester border in the South West, and finally the Dark Green Fritillary which just breeds in a small meadow at Oxhouse Farm.

The decline of the Small Blue has been dramatic in the West Midlands. It is now extinct in Shropshire, Staffordshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and the West Midlands County.

In Warwickshire it has declined by 87%.

For a number of years the Warwickshire Branch has been working very hard to conserve this butterfly. All the current potential and extinct sites have been surveyed in the last N

DRAYCOTE COUNTRY PARK

DRAYCOTE WATER

OFFCHURCH-DRAYCOTE DISUSED RAILWAY

STOCKTON LANDFILL SOUTHAM QUARRY OLD SOUTHAM QUARRY

STOCKTON CUTTING NELSONS QUARRY

SOUTHAM QUARRY EXTENSION NAPTON RESERVOIR SOUTHAM BYPASS NORTH

UFTON FIELDS UFTON HILL FARM LANDFILL HARBURY SPOILBANK SOUTH BISHOPS BOWL SPORTS BISHOPS BOWL FISHING

GAYDON LANDFILL

HARBURY SPOILBANK NORTH LEAMINGTON-BANBURY RAILWAY BISHOPS ITCHINGTON HILL

0 M40

3 KILOMETERS

Above: Map of Southam area showing Small Blue Project sites Blue-surviving colonies; Red-extinct sites; Green-potential colony sites 14 Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire Magazine 2010

6

5 years and assessed for suitability to establish Small Blue colonies again. As far as active management is concerned, the branch has been involved in creating new habitat by planting kidney vetch plants (the Small Blue butterfly’s only caterpillar foodplant) at Southam Bypass North and making good contacts with all the site owners.

In 2008 CEMEX funded scrub clearance work in a former Small Blue site at Stockton Cutting/Works. To build on this success and in my role as Branch Conservation Officer I have been working with the Head Office team of Butterfly Conservation to instigate a landscape scale conservation project.

Following this liaison, Sam Ellis from Butterfly Conservation successfully applied to SITA Trust to obtain funding for a much larger landscape scale project ‘Bringing Back the Small Blue’ involving habitat restoration work on 18 sites.

Photo © Keith Warmington 2010

In 2008 Jane Ellis was appointed for 2 days a week to coordinate this project. In June 2009, the project was officially launched at Southam Quarry, one of the key remaining Small Blue colony sites. During the launch, visitors to this active quarry site were treated to splendid views of the Small Blue and its sole caterpillar foodplant Kidney Vetch. The visitors were also shown how Kidney Vetch prospers in the frequently disturbed area such as the safety banks which are constructed all around the site.

Above: Visitors at Southam Quarry Unfortunately after 6 months Jane had to leave. Jane’s departure had the potential to slow down the progress of the project but fortunately I had been working closely with Jane as a volunteer, knew all the site owners, some for many years and also helped design the project. Following discussion with the Branch Committee I decided I would see if Butterfly Conservation wanted me to take forward the project as a member of staff. In September I replaced Jane as Project Officer. Since then I have been very busy arranging contractors to restore sites. One of the main tasks is to carry out extensive clearance of scrub at 9 sites. This scrub has invaded and smothered the rare calcareous rich grasslands needed by the Small Blue.

At a minimum of 7 sites contractors will also be used to construct specially designed butterfly banks and scrapes. I have developed the design of these banks following our 15 Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire Magazine 2010

Photos © Keith Warmington 2010

Above: Nelson’s Quarry - before and after scrub clearance work

Photo © Keith Warmington 2010

Above: One of 5 experimental 50 metre long horseshoe shaped butterfly banks at Southam Quarry. All banks are south facing to capture the warmth of the sun. Three banks are constructed of just sub-soil whilst two 2 banks have additionally been covered by Blue Lias clays. Each butterfly bank has a different seeding regime to test how Kidney Vetch colonises and comparisons can be made between natural and artificial seeding.

Above: One of several 20 metre long eye shaped scrapes in an area cleared of scrub. The scrapes have had different seeding and planting applications.

16 Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire Magazine 2010

Above: Experimental horseshoe shaped butterfly bank made up of Blue Lias Calcareous Clays at Nelson’s Quarry. experimental habitat creation work on our reserve at Ryton Wood Meadows.

To make best use of the funds available it is vital that some tasks are carried out

by Branch members and other volunteers.

Not unexpected for Warwickshire the project so far has received excellent support. This support has ensured that 3500 Kidney Vetch plants have already been planted on a number of sites. A small band of volunteers have also successfully removed light scrub from other sites such as Ufton Fields and Southam Quarry Old Site.

Finally I have established a Small Blue Action Group. This group will be vital in ensuring the project work continues when the money to pay contractors runs out in 2 years time. Already we have set ourselves challenging targets. By 2012 it is hoped

Photo © Keith Warmington 2010

Above: Volunteers at Southam Quarry the number of Small Blue colonies will have been increased from 3 to 7 and the number of sites within the core area with a minimum of 50 flowering Kidney Vetch plants will be increased to 15. Having Kidney Vetch plants at a large number of sites is vital. Kidney Vetch is more difficult to conserve than the butterfly. Kidney Vetch is a perennial plant that appears to need disturbed soils to establish new plants and a range of conditions to persist. It is a plant that can disappear rapidly in times of stress, drought, over-grazing or under-grazing when competition from more vigorous plants or scrub competes with it.

The final vital task is the monitoring of both the Small Blue butterfly and the Kidney Vetch plants. Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire will continue to monitor all these sites post project and we are currently looking for volunteers to visit some of these sites at least once a year. If you are interested full training will be given. Long term, the project is working with site owners and Natural England (DEFRA) to build Small Blue land management into Stewardship Agreements that cover farms.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Thanks to SITA Trust for funding ‘Bringing Back the Small Blue’ and to Cemex for taking such a key role in this project. Additional funding for this project has been provided by Network Rail, Stockton Parish Council and Stratford Local Strategic Parnership.

LATEST NEWS ONLINE AT: WWW.WARWICKSHIRE-BUTTERFLIES.ORG.UK/SMALL-BLUE.ASP 17 Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire Magazine 2010

SPECIES SPOTLIGHT - SMALL COPPER

by Steven Cheshire

The Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) is widely distributed across Warwickshire although a greater number of records tend to originate from the North and East of the county. It is however rarely seen in large numbers. Indeed, for many observers, the sighting of more than one individual in any particular area is especially welcome.

The female lays her eggs on the upper surface of the leaves of Sheep’s Sorrel (Rumex acetosella), Common Sorrel (Rumex acetosa) and Broad-leaved Dock (Rumex obtusifolius) in dry, sheltered, sunny locations, often where leaves overhang exposed soil, stone or dry grass. I have also found eggs laid on nearby rocks and stones adjacent to the leaves of the larval foodplant (see photo below).

Typical larval damage in the form of holes and windows

3 eggs laid on a south facing rock adjacent to larval foodplant

Empty egg shell

Numerous eggs laid on the more mature leaves in direct sunlight

Above: A female Small Copper top left laying eggs on Common Sorrel. There are 10 eggs visible in this photograph plus 3 eggs laid on the surface of an adjacent rock. The windows and holes in the leaves are typical of the damage caused by young larvae.

The eggs have a golfball like appearance and are ivory white in colour and easy to find. Newly emerged caterpillars feed on the underside of the leaf creating distinctive windows in the leaves by leaving the upper surface intact. As the larva grow, some will remain lime green in colour while others will be darker green with a distinctive burgundy line along its back and sides.

Photos © Steven Cheshire 2010

Photo © Steven Cheshire 2010

A female Small Copper in the process of laying an egg

18 Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire Magazine 2010

Above: Egg and newly emerged caterpillar

Like many species from the Lycaenidae family, the caterpillars are prone to parasitism. Caterpillars may become mummified and turn black. A small parasitic fly (Hyposoter placidus) will later emerge.

If the caterpillar survives, it will pupate at the base of the plant among dry vegetation before emerging as an adult butterfly. The species overwinters as a caterpillar at the base of the foodplant or among plant debris nearby.

The adult butterflies can be seen from mid April to mid October in Warwickshire but have two distinct broods, peaking late May/Early June and Mid August/Early September.

The species is also interesting as it can be highly variable. There is one form which is faily common and tends to occur more regularly later in the year. This form, known as f. caeruleopunctata has distinctive blue rays on its upper hind wings.

Above: First and third instar (red form)

Photos Š Steven Cheshire 2010

Above: The remains of a parastised caterpillar with distinctive exit hole caused by the parasitic fly Hyposter placidus

Above: First and third instar (green form)

Photo Š Steven Cheshire 2010

There are also many abberant forms from the distinctive ab. schmidtii where the copper colouration is replace by a silver-white colour to the more subtle ab. obliterata where the forewing markings are much reduced.

Above: Small Copper female

Above: The Small Copper in Warwickshire 19 Buttery Conservation Warwickshire Magazine 2010

Photo © Steven Cheshire 2010

Photo © Debbie Hibbitt 2010

Above: Small Copper f. caeruleopunctata

Above: Small Copper ab. obliterata

A PAINTED LADY “HILLTOPPING” SPECTACULAR

by David Brown

“Hilltopping” is the term used when butterflies use summits to assemble for courtship and mating. Migratory species such as Painted Lady and Red Admiral are known to hilltop sometimes in large numbers as hills act as navigational cues when migrating. During the 1996 Painted Lady migration Jenny Joy reported well over 100 butterflies hilltopping on The Wrekin, Shropshire (Butterfly Conservation News No. 63, P17). I recall reading the article with envy and wondering whether I would ever have the good fortune to witness such an event.

Painted Ladies began to appear in Warwickshire in numbers towards the latter part of May confirming reports that vast numbers were moving North from distant lands. On the warm and sunny evening of 29th May I was to achieve my long-awaited ambition of witnessing butterfly hilltopping. At 7.50pm I set off on a long walk which took me through the village of Hampton Lucy and along a single track lane in the direction of Sherbourne.

Painted Lady butterflies were observed at regular intervals along this lane which rises gently meeting the edge of Copdock Hill at its highest point. This is a popular spot for viewing the river Avon which meanders across its floodplain with miles of low-lying landscape beyond. It was 8.20pm when I reached a familiar solitary oak tree which marks one of the highest points along the lane. On a low branch a single Painted Lady basked in the warm late evening sunshine. I stopped for a few minutes to admire it. I then continued my walk for a further mile downhill towards Sherbourne village.

On my return journey home I reached the oak tree at 9.10pm. I was interested to see if the Painted Lady was still basking on the tree, the setting sun now casting its rays on the higher branches. To my amazement the whole tree was now alive with huge numbers of Painted Lady. It was difficult to assess the exact amount as they were so active - between 100 and 150 would be a fair estimate. Groups of 20 or 30 would 20 Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire Magazine 2010

Photo © Debbie Hibbitt 2010

spiral upwards simultaneously from the branches. All were extremely active and large numbers were engaged in frenzied chases. Lower down groups of butterflies continually circled around my face, spiralling in ever-decreasing circles. Some rested on the warmer tarmac road surface, others on low herbaceous plants. Co-ordinated sequences of butterflies spiralling upwards from the highest sunlit branches resembled a spectacular firework display. The air was alive with butterflies – I stood spellbound, enthralled at such a brilliant spectacle. These hyperactive butterflies served up a magical ritual which continued well into the dusk. I stood marvelling at the incredible energy these butterflies still had following a journey of several thousand miles from North Africa during such short lives. As darkness fell at 9.45pm this entertaining display finally ended. The butterflies had at last settled for the night.

Above: From hill-topping to mass migration, the Painted Lady certainly caught the attention of many including local recorders and the national media Due to the important Warwickshire Moth Group field visit to Nelson’s Quarry the following evening I was unable to attend the Painted Lady spectacular. However I was back there on 31st May when again the ritual began at 9.00pm but this time with only 20-30 butterflies. The next night only a handful of butterflies were in attendance but this small group remained hyperactive until 9.40pm. It was interesting to note that on each visit no other trees in the area appeared to be used.

During the rest of the summer I walked this lane whenever I could but never again witnessed such a vast assemblage of butterflies. However, the Painted Lady did continue to be a regular visitor to my garden at Charlecote some 2 miles away. Favourite nectar sources were Hemp Agrimony, Valerian, Marjoram and Buddleia flowers. Finally as late as 10th October I watched 3 individuals feeding on Michaelmas Daisy thus concluding a remarkable 6 months.

21 Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire Magazine 2010

FIVE-YEAR WAIT FINALLY ENDS

by Alan Prior

The frustrating thing about meadows is they’re nearly always windy places. Ryton Wood Meadows are no different. On many occasions over the years I’ve arrived to find the wind blowing in completely the opposite direction to most of the area. The thought is that Ryton Wood has an effect on wind flow in the area. So when I leave home I’m never sure what I will find on reaching the meadows. It has been a frustrating few years, as I’d wanted to target a particular species of micro moth and the weather had never played it’s part in allowing an attempt to find it on the meadows to be made. However, the frustration finally ended on 12th June, 2009.

Hilary was particularly happy to find 14 Elephant Hawk-moths in one of her traps. A couple more micros were a nice find, namely Apotomis capreana and Ancylis diminutana. The macros also produced Scallop Shell, Pale Oak Beauty, Green Arches, Alder Moth and Dark Dagger (Gen. Det.), all new for the meadows. Martin even had an Essex Skipper roosting by one of his traps! It’s such a joy when all the elements needed for good mothing come together and it makes for such a memorable night. It just shows what an abundance of life is on the meadows.

Right: Broom Moth captured for the first time at Ryton Meadows, 12th June 2009 22 Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire Magazine 2010

Photo © Alan Prior 2010

It was the perfect night to be moth recording at the meadows. Thankfully, I had help from Val Weston, Martin Kennard, Hilary and Geoff Harvey for what was to prove a very long night. The evening got off to a good start as Martin found a new species (Micropterix calthella) for the meadows before the lights were even switched on! Seven traps were in use and they started to fill up immediately as, we had plenty of cloud, it was warm and there was virtually no airflow at all. We were all kept very busy on the rounds of the traps as the species list grew and grew. It had been light for a couple of hours before the final light went out at 5:30 a.m. The result was 2,143 moths counted of a superb 175 species.

Twenty-five of them were newly recorded for the reserve. Martin had been in the right area for my target species and he thought he had caught what I was after. The trouble with some micros is that you still have to wait for the results of dissection to prove its true identity. So, now I had to wait for that confirmation. I was grateful that it wasn’t too long a wait as Martin wanted to know as well. When it came, the news was good. Martin had two specimens confirmed of Coleophora frischella a superb metallic greeny-bronze micro moth. Success at last! These were only the second and third records of this species in the county. Other highlights were many.

WAVERLEY WOOD MOTH RECORDING 2009

by Alan Prior

There appears to be healthy populations of Grey Pine Carpet, Spruce Carpet, Tawny-barred Angle, Satin Beauty and Pine Beauty as all were recorded in good numbers. This would seem to add weight to the argument of keeping some conifer species, especially Scot’s Pine, within all Forestry Commission woodland as they do add to the biodiversity of the sites. As usual, Above: Lilac Beauty it’s all a question of balance. Other quality species recorded were Pseudatemelia josephinae, Spatalistis bifasciana, Epinotia subocellana, Clay Triple-lines, Lilac Beauty and Small Wainscot. An exciting find were two Devon Carpet as they were only the second and third county records. Again it suggests they may also now be resident.

Photo © Jeff Rush 2010

Having concentrated mainly on recording moths in Weston Wood in 2008, it was Waverley Wood’s turn in 2009. With it having a lot more conifer species amongst its flora, I was expecting a lower species count overall but to find some of those conifer feeding species that hadn’t been recorded in Weston Wood. Eight visits were made between February and October and a total of 264 species recorded. As expected a lot fewer than in Weston. However, the conifer specialists did arrive with around 20 species recorded with eight being newly recorded for either wood. They were Larch Case-bearer (Coleophora laricella), Exoteleia dodecella, Lozotaeniodes formosanus, Dioryctria abietella, Freyer’s Pug, Larch Pug, Bordered White and the spectacular Pine Hawkmoth, which was recorded on two separate occasions. This would tend to suggest it has recently colonised the wood and is now resident.

Overall, it was a very valuable year’s recording due to the impending management plan that will be implemented soon. With the baseline data created over the last two years, we will be able to monitor the woods and find that the management plan will have improved the biodiversity of the site. Hopefully, all Lepidoptera will benefit from the wider tracks, rides and scallops providing more woodland edge habitat.

Thanks must also go to Val Weston, Martin Kennard, John Finlay, Hilary and Geoff Harvey for their assistance with the recoding effort.

Above: Rannoch Looper caught at Waverley Wood on 25th June 2009 23 Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire Magazine 2010

Photo © Alan Prior 2010

The most unusual moth was a Rannoch Looper. There had been a large movement of this species from North to South and one showed up in the wood at the end of June. I don’t expect to find that again!

THE CLEVERNESS OF PLANTS

by Margaret Vickery

Photo © Steven Cheshire 2010

On 23 December I discovered The Royal Institution Christmas Lectures on the somewhat obscure channel (at least to me) More4. For those that have never come across this annual event before I will explain that every year a university lecturer gives a series of lectures to children associated with his/her research speciality. This year the subject was the war between plants and animals. I found the hour utterly fascinating and learnt much that I did not know before, despite the fact that I’ve been interested in plant/animal interactions for a large part of my adult life and did some research in my younger days. Of course to keep children interested there were a number of ‘experiments’ using massive artificial plants and caterpillars, one that I particularly liked was a 3D construction of the inside of a plant cell showing how the DNA reacted when the plant was attacked by a predator. Apparently a plant can detect the difference between an aphid and a caterpillar!

We probably don’t think of plants as having senses but they have a highly developed system for detecting chemicals. They can detect chemicals produced by their predators and by other plants. A plant attacked by a caterpillar will react to its spit by producing chemicals to deter the attacker, usually toxic substances. It will also send out a chemical signal to the plants around it warning of the presence of caterpillars, so that they can start producing the toxic chemicals before an attack occurs. This chemical signal has greater recognition amongst relatives of the plant than by plants of, say, a different family. So plants not only defend themselves they show altruism by protecting members of their own species. But caterpillars have evolved their own defence mechanism to counteract that of the plant. This is a very costly metabolic process, so as we know, caterpillars generally only feed on a few plants and these are usually related. They get around the toxic plant compounds generally by storing them away from their active metabolic sites so the poisons cannot interfere with life processes.

However the plant is unintentionally doing the caterpillar a favour, as these stored toxins usually have a taste which is obnoxious to birds and after one peck a bird will never touch that type of caterpillar again. The cabbage white butterflies store compounds known as glucosinolates which they absorb from cabbages and other Brassicas. If a caterpillar is attacked these compounds will degrade to mustard Above: Caterpillars of the Cinnabar moth absorb oils, which have obnoxious poisonous chemicals from their larval foodplant Ragwort 24 Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire Magazine 2010

tastes, smells (the rotting cabbage smell) and are highly irritant. The Monarch caterpillar stores alkaloids from its foodplant, milkweed in a similar way.

Even more surprising, a plant can call out for help from ‘friendly’ insects when it is attacked. Maybe, like me, you have wondered how it is that a parasitic wasp or fly finds its caterpillar host. When the plant is attacked by a particular caterpillar species it will send out a chemical signal which can be detected by the wasp or fly parasitic on that species many miles away and by following the trail back to the plant it will find its host.

This, of course, does not protect the plant that sent out the signal as the caterpillar will continue eating after the parasite has laid its eggs inside the body. Once again it seems the plant is being altruistic and protecting future generations of its species.

In the Tropics plants have yet another way of protecting themselves with the help of ‘friendly’ insects. Acacia trees in particular produce woody galls with holes in which ants can live. They also produce a sweet substance that the ants feed on. In return the ants will attack and kill any other insect that dares to land on the tree. They also kill other plants within the vicinity of the tree, thus making sure that their host has all the light, water and nutrients it needs to produce the sweet liquid which is their food. The ants are quite selfish and use the tree for their own ends.

Oh, and finally, when cut plants produce chemicals similar to those produced when attacked by caterpillars, although not so many. Is this a plant’s way of feeling pain? I’m going to feel quite callous when I prune my buddleias, yet pruning always produces a more vigorous plant. Maybe it’s a case of being cruel to be kind!

WARWICKSHIRE BRANCH EVENTS 2010 Don’t forget that Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire organises a wide range of events throughout the year including our annual Spring Meeting (see note), moth nights and butterfly walks. We also hold regular volunteer work parties where you can learn new skills and be involved in hands on butterfly and moth conservation activities locally.

Our events are a great opportunity to meet people and learn more about our butterflies, moths and their habitats both in Warwickshire and beyond.

Our full programme will be sent to you soon. Details are also listed and updated on a regular basis on our web site at:

http://www.warwickshire-butterflies.org.uk/events-list-all.asp 25 Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire Magazine 2010

RYTON WOOD MEADOW BUTTERFLY AND DAY FLYING MOTH REVIEW 2009

by Mike Slater

If I had to sum up this year it would be ‘surprising and better than expected’.

THE STATISTICS: • 2638 butterflies were recorded on the transect this year. When compared to the 20 year average this is an increase of 79% which makes it a very good year. This was the second highest number of butterflies recorded since the transect began.

• 477 day flying moths were also recorded. Comparing this with the 19 year average, this was an increase of 189% making it an exceptional year for day flying moths. This was the third highest number of moths recorded since the moth transect was started.

Though this is a true reflection of the improvement of the site as a whole it is not a true reflection of the butterfly year. It has to be remembered that most of the site was just a big hole for many years due to the ongoing sand and gravel extraction. Therefore a lot of the area produced no butterfly records.

A better reflection of the butterfly year is from the analysis of Section One of the transect.

Here, 1147 butterflies and 199 day flying moths were recorded. Again, when comparing this year with the cumulative mean number, this increased by 20% and 199% respectively.

The total of butterflies was the 4th highest and the day flying moths the highest number since the transect began.

A total of 27 species of butterfly were recorded on the Ryton Wood Meadows transect.

In addition the Wood White was recorded on a transect section next to the edge of the Meadows. The White-letter Hairstreak and Clouded Yellow were recorded on days other than the transect survey days.

Eggs of the Brown Hairstreak were again found on the reserve this year.

Photo © Terry Southgate 2010

Photo © Keith Warmington 2010

The only butterflies not recorded on the reserve this year were the Purple Hairstreak, Holly Blue and Purple Emperor. All three of these species were recorded in the adjacent Ryton wood.

Above: Brown hairstreak egg, one of several found in the vicinity of the reserve 26 Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire Magazine 2010

Above: Clouded Yellow were recorded on several occasions in 2009

BUTTERFLY HIGHLIGHTS OF 2009 PAINTED LADY Best ever year with a 713% improvement.

Higher numbers recorded even when compared to 1996, the previous best ever Painted Lady Year.

LARGE WHITE Best ever year with a 526% improvement.

More butterflies visited the reserve as a consequence of the increasing abundance of nectar sources.

ESSEX SKIPPER Best ever year with a 500% improvement.

Numbers continue to increase from a low level as the grassland develops.

DINGY SKIPPER Best ever year with a 433% improvement.

Habitat creation appears to have helped.

SILVER-WASHED FRITILLARY Best year with a 400% improvement. This is associated with the increase in active management in Ryton Wood.

COMMA Best year with a 350% improvement.

There is also a national increase which is probably associated with climate change.

Photo © Steven Cheshire 2010

BRIMSTONE Best year with a 120% improvement. The increase is associated with Buckthorn planting on the meadows. Many eggs were found this year on the new shrubs.

BROWN ARGUS 2nd best year with a 167% improvement.

Locally, the Brown Argus has had a very good year.

GRIZZLED SKIPPER 2nd best year with a 400% improvement in numbers associated with habitat creation experiments on the reserve.

Above: Essex Skipper - 2009 was their best year with a 500% improvement

Photo © Steven Cheshire 2010

SMALL WHITE 2nd best year with a 141% improvement.

A butterfly which comes into the reserve to use the more abundant nectar sources.

MOTH HIGHLIGHTS OF 2009 SIX-SPOT BURNET Best ever year with a 489% improvement.

This was a phenomenal year and accounts for the overall improvements of day flying moths on the reserve.

BURNET COMPANION A 125% improvement.

Above: The Burnet Companion saw a 125% improvement in 2009 27 Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire Magazine 2010

RYTON WOOD MEADOW MOTH REVIEW 2009

by Alan Prior

A total of seven visits were made between April and October with an excellent 358 species being recorded during 2009, with 38 of them being new for the meadows.

Almost half the total species for the year were recorded on one exceptional night in mid June when over 2,000 moths were recorded.

It’s amazing what can happen when the weather conditions are right! Thankfully, my long wait to find Coleophora frischella at the meadows came to an end- thanks Martin! Overall it was another successful year’s recording. Thanks are also due to Val Weston, Martin Kennard, John Finlay, Terry Southgate, David Brown, Hilary and Geoff Harvey for helping with the recording effort.

Photo © Alan Prior 2010

So, despite the weather, a good selection of moths new to the meadows were recorded amongst the 305 species total for the year.

Above: 1913 Canary-shouldered Thorn (Ennomos alniaria) - Ryton Wood Meadows 7th September

5

Micropterix calthella (Pollen of herbaceous plants)

7

Eriocrania chrysolepidella (Hazel, Hornbeam)

12

Eriocrania sangii (Birch)

88

Stigmella samiatella (Oak)

287

Caloptilia robustella (Oak)

412

Argyresthia pygmaeella (Goat & Grey Willow)

415

Argyresthia retinella (Birch)

417

Argyresthia spinosella (Blackthorn)

428

Yponomeuta rorella (Willow Ermine)

517

Coleophora alcyonipennella (White Clover)

517a

Coleophora frischella (Red Clover)

602

Elachista apicipunctella (Grasses)

610

Elachista argentella (Grasses)

647

Brown House-moth (Dead Organic Matter)

648

White-shouldered House-moth (Dead Organic Matter)

698

Agonopterix kaekeritziana (Knapweed)

888

Mompha propinquella (Willowherb)

893

Mompha epilobiella (Great Willowherb)

1011

Pseudoargyrotoza conwagana (Ash, Wild Privet)

1024

Cnephasia incertana (Herbaceous plants)

1094

Apotomis capreana (Goat-willow)

1119a

Ancylis diminutana (Willow)

1137

Epinotia tetraquetrana (Birch, Alder)

1167

Gypsonoma aceriana (Poplar)

1168

Gypsonoma sociana (Black Poplar, Aspen)

1332

Scoparia subfusca (Hawkweed Ox-tongue, Colt’s-foot)

1437

Acrobasis consociella (Oak)

1474

Ephestia parasitella (Dead Ivy etc.)

1722

Flame Carpet (Umbelifers?-NOT REALLY KNOWN)

1769

Spruce Carpet (Conifers)

1789

Scallop Shell (Sallow, Aspen, Bilberry)

1812

Maple Pug (Field Maple, Sycamore?)

1834

Common Pug (Deciduous Trees & Shrubs, Herbaceous plants)

1884

Magpie Moth (Blackthorn, Hawthorn, Privet, Hazel)

1994

Pale Oak Beauty (Oak, Hawthorn, Birch, Hazel, Sallow, Larch)

2020

Figure of Eight (Blackthorn, Hawthorn, Plum, Cherry, Crab Apple)

2138

Green Arches (Hazel, Oak, Honeysuckle, Birch, Sallow etc.)

2281

Alder Moth (Deciduous Trees)

Above: New species recorded during 2009

28 Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire Magazine 2010

RYTON WOOD MEADOW DINGY SKIPPER RESEARCH

by Mike Slater

STUDY 1 In 2008 members of the Warwickshire Branch of Butterfly Conservation studied ova deposition preferences on 11 Dingy Skipper colonies within Warwickshire. Six colony sites were on Blue Lias calcareous clays and five were on more acidic sites. In total 124 ova were located on Common Bird’s-foot-trefoil Lotus corniculatus and Greater Bird’sfoot-trefoil Lotus pedunculatus - these plants are the only known larval foodplants used in Warwickshire. The sites surveyed were: ACIDIC SITES Pooley Field Country Park - SK260 036 Pooley Fields Country Park - SK257 035 Kingsbury Colliery Spoilbank - SP236 985 Baddesley Spoilbank - SP274 976 Ryton Wood Meadows - SP376 726

Photo © Steven Cheshire 2010

CALCAREOUS SITES Southam Quarry - SP421 635 Harbury Spoilbank North - SP385 602 Harbury Spoilbank South - SP386 598 Bishop Bowl Sports - SP384 589 Bishops Hill SP392 584 Ettington Cutting SP265 485

Above: Map showing the location of the Dingy Skipper survey sites In summary it was found that the Dingy Skipper appears to only select ova deposition locations with a very warm microclimate. The eggs are always laid on small shoots growing away from the main plant. The shoots selected are either growing in warm hollows, on South facing slopes or on ant hills. It was also found that when stone naturally outcrops or aggregate is at the surface on post industrial sites then equally suitable very warm, microclimates are created.

29 Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire Magazine 2010

To test this hypothesis three experimental plots were created on Ryton Wood Meadows Butterfly Conservation nature reserve in Spring 2009. These experimental plots were in habitat that had received the same wildflower seed mix during the restoration process before this former landfill site became a nature reserve.

Photo © Keith Warmington 2010

STUDY 2 From the information gathered from the ova deposition study it was thought that the number of ova deposition sites within grassland could be artificially increased by making more suitable microclimate locations using aggregate introduced into the grassland.

Above: One of the rocks surveyed for Dingy Skipper eggs

Each plot was 25m x 5m in size and was searched for Dingy Skipper ova for exactly 1 hour on the same day on the 5th June towards the end of the Dingy Skipper’s flight period. When Dingy Skipper eggs are first laid they are yellow in colour, after 5 days they turn orange and as a consequence are easy to find.

Plot 1: Plot 2:

Photo © Keith Warmington 2010

Photo © Keith Warmington 2010

Plot 3:

An area that was fenced but had been left fallow.

An area that was fenced and had been grazed by Dexter cattle during the previous winter.

An unfenced area that had been left fallow. 1358 pieces of broken paving slabs had been inserted into the whole meadow in March. The slabs were all approximately 1 meter apart.

Above: View of Plot 1 on the reserve 30 Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire Magazine 2010

Above: Dexter Cattle grazing on Plot 2

Photo © Steven Cheshire 2010

Above: A Dingy Skipper caterpillar emerges from its egg

Above: A Dingy Skipper caterpillar leaves the shell of its egg behind and moves towards the tip of the shoot where it will construct a larval tent of leaves held together with silk threads

Above: A view of plot 3 containing abundant Birds-foot Trefoil RESULTS Plot 1: 5 Ova were located Plot 2: 8 Ova were located Plot 3: 20 Ova were located Many of the other 1358 slabs were also searched and eggs were located in large numbers. This experiment would appear to indicate that ideal Dingy Skipper breeding habitat can be created successfully and relatively easily. All you have to do is increase the amount of suitable warm microclimate for ova deposition by artificially introducing aggregate into grasslands.

The lessons learnt from both these experiments are currently being used in both the Small Blue and Princethorpe Fritillary projects. In both projects and on a number of farms under stewardship, butterfly banks are being created. These butterfly banks will help a number of species but especially the Small Blue and the Dingy and Grizzled Skippers.

31 Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire Magazine 2010

Photo © Keith Warmington 2010

Photo © Steven Cheshire 2010

EDITORS REVIEW OF 2009

by Debbie Hibbitt and Steven Cheshire 2009 seemed to be a better year for our butterflies. It was especially good for the now famous Painted Lady whose migration was a delight to see. By April the usual species including Grizzled Skipper and Green Hairstreak were starting to put in an appearance.

Photo © Steven Cheshire 2010

In the Spring we visited Totternhoe Knoll and Ivinghoe Beacon for the Duke of Burgundy and managed to photograph a few in pristine condition. We also returned to the Wyre Forest and saw several Pearlbordered Fritillary including a mating pair.

Above: A mating pair of Pearl-bordered Fritillaries in the Wyre Forest

This year we decided to visit Oakley Wood near Cirencester for Pearl-bordered Fritillary and discovered that the species seemed to be hanging on there albeit in very small numbers. We then went on to Rodborough Common where we found an unusually early Adonis Blue. After lunch we sat on a grassy slope enjoying an icecream and had our first sighting of the Painted Lady “invasion” with them flying by at the rate of about one every minute.

In late May/Early June we headed off to Northern Spain for a holiday in the Picos de Europa national park. We stayed in an apartment in the mountain village of Tudes on the edge of the Liebana valley and on the Eastern edge of the Picos. Having researched all the best places to go on the internet, we visited a variety of habitats and managed to see more than 80 species of butterflies during the fortnight. We also saw a variety of orchids in the flower-filled meadows and other wildlife including birds and lizards. The Picos is a fabulous place to visit for wildlife - if anyone would like further information and to see our photographs along with our species list there will shortly be a full trip report available on Steve’s www.britishbutterflies.co.uk website.

We returned to the heatwave in the UK and joined the branch walk at Prees Heath/Wem Moss in June for the target species of Silver-studded Blue and Large Heath. Stephen Lewis gave us a guided tour of the Prees Heath reserve and despite a few showers we did manage to see plenty of Silver-studded Blue. The weather remained cloudy in the afternoon so we were not so lucky at Wem Moss where only a few of those present managed to get a fleeting glimpse of a Large Heath. The following weekend we visited Oversley Wood on a very hot day and saw our first White Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary and White-letter Hairstreak (also the first sighting of WLH in Warwickshire). The next day we went to the Malvern Hills to endeavour to find the High Brown Fritillary. Despite it being a scorchingly hot day there was no sign of a High Brown Fritillary and only one sighting of a Dark Green Fritillary.

32 Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire Magazine 2010

July 2009 proved to be rain and flood-free and so was a good month for our butterflies.

A return visit to the Wyre Forest saw Small Pearl-bordered, Dark Green and Silverwashed Fritillaries and White Admiral in the Dowles Brook area. Debbie paid an impromtu visit to Ryton Wood on 10 July as the weather was fine and had some excellent sightings of Silver-washed Fritillary nectaring on the brambles on the main ride.

Our hunt for the High Brown Fritillary continued when we went to Bringsty Common in Herefordshire but once again the weather put paid to proceedings.

Photo © Debbie Hibbitt 2010

The following weekend we led a guided walk at Fermyn Country Park and Fermyn/ Souther Woods in Northamptonshire.

There was a good turnout but the heavens opened whilst in the Country Park in the morning so no Purple Emperors were seen. After lunch the skies cleared and the sun came out however the Purple Emperors remained tantalisingly elusive high in the canopy in Fermyn Wood. There were frequent disappointments when sightings thought to be Purple Emperors turned out to be White Admirals instead.

Above: A male Silver-washed Fritillary at Ryton Wood feeding on Brambles

At the end of July we went to a new site, Wendover Woods Buckinghamshire famed for its “buddleia bush”. It was fairly cloudy however the buddleia bush was proving to be attractive to both Silver-washed Fritillary and the now abundant Painted Lady.

August also proved to be a good month with continued hot weather and we returned to Fermyn Woods and saw some very fresh Brown Argus along with our first sighting of a Purple Hairstreak (which unfortunately departed from its perch the second it heard the click of the camera being switched on). A scorchingly hot local walk around Bosworth Battlefield in neighbouring Leicestershire also proved to be excellent for our common species with an abundance of pristine Painted Lady feeding and posing perfectly for photographs on the thistles. Small Copper, Brown Argus and Common Blue were also basking in the long grass making the most of the hot weather.

On 16 August we led a guided walk at Watlington Hill. With an excellent turnout of both people and butterflies as the weather held out. We had a glorious day being entertained by the Red Kites whilst having our lunch on the hill. 20 species of butterfly were seen including Silver-spotted Skipper, Dark Green Fritillary and Chalkhill Blue. Our final walk of the year was to Bernwood Forest and Meadows. There was no sign of Purple Emperor however we did managed this year to get some good sightings of Brown Hairstreak among a total of 20 species of butterfly seen.

The highlight of 2009 has to have been the Painted Lady invasion. Lets hope that after the hard winter our butterflies will have a good season in 2010.

33 Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire Magazine 2010

ELEANOR’S FRITILLARY

by Chris Morgan

My first encounter with the Glanville Fritillary (Melitaea cinxia) at Milfordon-Sea, Hampshire, May 2004, written up as a poem to coincide with the publication of Lady of the Butterflies by Fiona Mountain.

I performed it (as Birmingham Poet Laureate) to an audience at King’s Heath Library, Birmingham, on 23rd July 2009, as a warm-up to Fiona Mountain’s talk and reading.

No Bondai, this beach at Milford; narrow, gravelly as a carpark, as unpromising as a rainy day.

Low scrub below low cliffs, which crumble like sponge cake.

West, beyond the bathing huts, a ruler-straight coast to Barton, nothing desirable here except perhaps a bracing walk, no reason to linger.

Yet, one cloudy day in late May, solitary men with cameras do linger, like paedophiles outside a junior school. Four, six, more men than butterflies. Suddenly, in pale, 60-watt sun, cinxia takes wing, lands among the pebbles, stays flapping as I edge closer, kneeling in homage to its beauty, to immortalise it - him - on film.

Another skims past and mine rises to chase. Late morning warmth brings others to the boil: several are flying. Like wound-up dolls the men start moving, up and down the slope, along the beach, arms out like t’ai chi crossed with a Mexican wave.

A few paces up, I find a mating pair, take my live sex-romp macro pictures, feeling exhilarated - that so-ecstatic moment. I even tell one of the men where to find this rarest of British courting couples.

Across Europe it’s common, but Eleanor Glanville, so passionate about butterflies, didn’t know that three centuries ago; I hope the first sighting gave her the same rapture it gave me.

34 Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire Magazine 2010

Margaret Vickery - President of Warwickshire Branch National and Local Garden Butterfly Recorder Kenilworth Area Liaison Officer 3 The Deer Leap, Kenilworth, CV8 2HQ

t: 01926 512343 e: margaret@kworth71.freeserve.co.uk

Keith Warmington - Chairman Branch Butterfly Recorder, Transect Coordinator North Warwickshire Liaison Officer 30 New Street, Baddesley Ensor, Atherstone,CV9 2DW

t: 01827 715873 e: keith@warmies.co.uk

John Liggins - Treasurer Nuneaton & Bedworth Liaison Officer 42 Manor Park Road, Nuneaton, CV11 5HR

t: 024 7673 5227 e: john.liggins@ntlworld.com

Debbie Hibbitt - Membership Secretary Magazine Editor 4 Derwent Way, Nuneaton, CV11 6HL

t: 07814 035363 e: debbie@creativebynature.co.uk

Heather Warmington - Branch Meetings Secretary 30 New Street, Baddesley Ensor, Atherstone,CV9 2DW

t: 01827 715873 e: heather@warmies.co.uk

Mike Slater - Conservation Officer Butterfly Conservation Officer, Coventry Liaison Officer 149 Norton Leys, Rugby, CV22 5RS

t: 01788 335881 e: michael.slater50@ntlworld.com

Phil Parr - Conservation Officer Rugby Liaison Officer 174 Hillmorton Road, Rugby, CV22 5AW

t: 01788 578272 e: phil.parr@prismicblue.com

David Brown - Macro Moth Recorder Moth Conservation Officer Jacksons Lawn, Charlecote, Nr. Warwick, CV35 9EW

t: 01789 840295 e: davidcgbrown@yahoo.co.uk

Nigel Stone - Micro Moth Recorder Deputy Moth Conservation Officer 8 Grove Lane, Keresley End, Coventry, CV7 8PN

t: 024 7633 5189 e: njstone@hotmail.com

Richard Lamb - Education Officer Stratford Liaison Officer Stratford Butterfly Farm, Swan’s Nest Lane, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 7LS

t: 01789 299288 e: sales@butterflyfarm.co.uk

John Reeve - Press Officer Solihull/Sutton Coldfield/Birmingham Liaison Officer 172 Stroud Road, Shirley, B90 2LA

t: 0121 744 3869 e: johnreeve@me.com

Terry Southgate - Field Trip Organiser Leamington and Warwick Liaison Officer 171 Rugby Road, Cubbington, CV32 7JJ

t: 01926 431252 e: tjsouthgate@virginmedia.com

Steven Cheshire - Website Manager Magazine Editor 85 Grasmere Crescent, Nuneaton, CV11 6EB

t: 07870 598691 e: steven@steven-cheshire.co.uk

REGIONAL OFFICER Dr Jenny Joy The Croft, Off Haygate Road, Wellington, Telford, TF1 2BW

t: 01952 249325 e: jjoy@butterfly-conservation.org

35 Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire Magazine 2010

Photo Š Steven Cheshire 2010

Above: A male Brown Argus basking. 2009 proved to be an excellent year for this species.

Butterfly Conservation Company Limited by guarantee, registered in England (2206469) Registered Office: Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5QP Butterfly Conservation is a charity registered in England & Wales (254937) and in Scotland (SCO39268) t: 0870 7744309 f: 01929 400210 e: info@butterfly-conservation.org w: http://www.butterfly-conservation.org Designed and typeset by Steven Cheshire and Debbie Hibbitt