Butterflies in Suffolk - 1997

Early records included a Small Tortoiseshell (Peter Steggall-Tuddenham Road, Ipswich, 17th February) and a Brimstone (Mrs. Spurgin - Upper Layham, 28th February) but the first half of the season will probably be best remembered for the dreadful June weather which produced a low pressure record for a single month, and led to comment from a Brandon garden about no butterflies between June 6th and July 1st (Mr. Evans). Over 160 new tetrad records underlined a good year for the Orange Tip and Glynnis Crouch's record from St. Olaves on 17th April was the earliest in her garden since 1947. John Dolman recorded a stunted male Orange Tip no bigger than a fingernail in the King's Forest on 14th May and another early species, the Holly Blue, was seen in good numbers but, as I predicted, the second brood was disappointing and this species is almost certainly over its cyclical peak and will be reduced in numbers for several years. The Green-veined White had a superb year with over 260 new tetrad records but the Green Hairstreak was probably the success story of the early months with 25 new records, a phenomenal increase for a butterfly with limited distribution. It has now been recorded in four sites well within Ipswich, including the garden section of Homebase at Warren Heath (Steve Goddard). Brimstones were in good numbers initially but very few records have reached me for the later emergence, possibly because of the June weather affecting development. The proposed Dingy Skipper survey foundered because, like several species, it emerged earlier than the planned meetings though I found a new, small colony at Wordwell. It has only been recorded from three tetrads since the survey started and one location worth a close study in 1998 is Barnham Cross Common, where it hasn't been recorded during the survey. In future

by Richard Stewart (County Butterfly Recorder)

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)

there will be a more flexible approach to the survey and recorders able to help midweek May/June at reasonably short notice should contact me. The survey did produce new and early records, including a Ringlet on 14th June and Peter Hamling recorded a Large Skipper at Offton on 31 st May.

Essex Skippers increased their range but several recorders commented on relative lack of the Small Skipper in some places. Could some interbreeding be going on, or even grey/red squirrel scenario as I have discussed with one main recorder - no evidence, just a hypothesis, indeed I don't even know if such things are possible in the butterfly world.

As a result of the bad June period the emergence late June and early July was back to normal. Purple Hairstreaks are still under-recorded despite several recent articles-try an evening cycle trip in your local area which has produced several new records in the Ipswich region. An interesting count of over 150 came from Slough Hall, Little Waldingfield on 22nd August (Andrew Googe). Silver-studded Blues had another good year with extension of the colonies around Westleton into a new tetrad Oames Mann), 48 recorded by me at the relic site of the former Warren Heath colony (Ransomes Industrial Park, 7th July) and a record 1856 at Phil Smith's annual Martlesham Heath count.

Turning to migrants, the 1996 Clouded Yellow Year has so far been followed by only four 1997 records though the one at Raydon Great Wood on April 27th, may be the earliest ever (Colin Hawes). Please contact me if you know otherwise. The Painted Lady had a disappointing year though it wasn't as rare as some imagined - three at Minsmere on one day was probably the highest concentration but nevertheless forry four recorders saw at least one in 1997, with

Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus)

fifteen being new records. There were no Summer reports of the Camberwell Beaury but the old intriguing question of emergence from hibernation or early migration was raised again by three Spring records: Steve Babbs at Groton Wood on 15th March, Mark Iley at T rimley St. Mary on 17th March and Mrs. Bell at Chillesford on 9th April. Howard Mendel has also unearthed an ancient record from 1876 of breeding in this counry (Entomologists Record: p.285, vol 109: 25.11.97). Many new records were produced for Ringlet, Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper, though the last two are still below distribution levels for the mid-eighties survey. Brown Argus, Speckled Wood and White Admiral also increased their range, with two White Admiral sites now recorded from above Lowestoft. Both Small Tortoiseshell and Large White were plentiful and Wilfred George was still finding caterpillars of the latter in his Aldeburgh garden up to 22nd November. Both species were reinforced by migrants and Red Admirals were abundant at 'fruit feasts' in late summer: 'there were too many Red Admirals to count, flying up

from the rotting greengages on the ground and feasting on those ripe on the trees' (Nigel Smart - Hemingstone in September).

A report of Large Tortoiseshell in a former stronghold was investigated without success, though several hours spent in a sunny butterfly garden was ample compensation. A very full description was provided by Celia Miller to support a sighting of what was possibly a Valezina form of the Silver-Washed Fritillary at Dunwich Heath on 6th September, interestingly the third record of this species since the survey started and, like the other two, almost certainly a release. If anyone can give me information about the misguided idiots who do this, I'd be very grateful.

The unexpected climax to the season was in October. Thanks to Rob Macklin and records sent directly to me we have now confirmed a staggering minimum of twentyeight Queen of Spain Fritillaries recorded in Suffolk in 1997, all but one on or near the coast, between 28th June and 28th October. This is one of the largest concentrations of this species ever recorded in Britain and it is hoped that conclusive breeding evidence may emerge in 1998. Other rarities included three Swallowtails (Mervyn Bell at Walberswick 28th May, Steve Goddard at Castle Marshes 7th July, Mrs. Atkins at areas and detailed searches for species still of concern: Dingy Skipper, White-letter Hairstreak (four new 1997 site records but still almost fifty per cent down on the last survey), Purple Hairstreak, Small Heath (approx. 24 per cent down on the last survey) and Wall Brown (approx. 27 per cent down on the last survey). All Main Recorders will receive another draft booklet of up-to-date distribution maps before the 1998 season begins and a Main Recorders meeting is planned for the end of March at Ipswich Museum. Finally, a reminder that records should be sent at the latest by the end of November-in Hampshire the deadline is the first week of November! This report is being written on December 6th. Late records will eventually be collated and listed but cannot directly feature in the yearly report.

P.S. Peter Steggall recorded a Peacock flying in his garden at Tuddenham Road, Ipswich on 30th. December. ls this the latest butterfly ever recorded in Suffolk?

Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera)

Palgrave 21st August) and the late sightings • • • • • • included Brown Argus from 1 Suffolk Water Park on 1st and ~-"" ____ :'/ 2nd October (Steve Goddard) "'-~ ,

·--... N/

Peacock and Red Admiral at St. Olaves . on 21st November (Glynnis Crouch) and the latest so far, a Red Admiral at Orwell Park House, Nacton on 29th November (Gillian Bence-Jones).

Can I thank all recorders who sent records to me in 1997, especially the main recorders whose efforts mean that only 36 tetrads remain to cover in the last two years, plus additional coverage of under- recorded