Suffolk Argus 18, Nov 1999

Suffolk Branch Contacts

Chairman (Acting) Richard Stewart, 'Valczina', 112 Westerfield Road, Ipswich, Suffolk !PI 2XW (01473 216518) Membership Secretary Paul Gilson, 18 Cheltenham Avenue, Ipswich,

Suffolk !PI 4LN (01473 253276) Newsletter Editors (temporary) Paul Gilson, 18 Cheltenham Avenue, Ipswich,

Suffolk !PI 4LN (01473 253276) Richard Stewart, 'Valczina', 112 Westerfield Road, Ipswich, Suffolk !PI 2XW (01473 216518)

Volunteers Needed If you feel you could help out now and then with the growing work of the Branch, please contact Paul Gilson on 01473 253276.

Programme Secretary Alan Johmon, 28 Medway Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP3 0QH (01473 715701)

Counry Recorder (Butterflies) Richard Stewart, 'Valczina', 112 Westerfield Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 2XW (01473 216518) Conservation Officer (Butterflies) Richard Sttwart, 'Valczina', 112 Westerfield Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 2XW (01473 216518)

Conservation Officer (Moths) Tony Prichard, 3 Powling Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP3 9JR (01473 270047) Counry Recorders (Moths) Jon Nicholls, 18 Berners Road, Felixstowe, Suffolk !Pll 7LF (01394 271500) Tony Prichard (address as below) Secretary Tony Prichard, 3 Powling Road, Ipswich,

Suffolk IP3 9JR (01473 270047) Treasurer Graham Bull, Willow Cottage, I The Sueet,

Raydon, Suffolk IP7 5LP (01473 310371)

Published by the Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation (The British Butterfly Conservation Society Ltd.) Reg. No. 2206468 Reg. Charity No. 254937 Head Offia:, P.O. Box222. Dedham, EssexC07 6EY. Tel. (01206) 322342 Edited by Pa11lGilsond- RichardStn1art Logo (Silver-studded Blue) Dout H,mmmky Designedandproducalby Sr,ph<nI,n © 1999 all rights reserved

Publiciry Officer (Vacant)

November1999 • • • • • • • • • •

President Howard Mende/, do The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD (0171 938 8782)

Committee Member Richard Champion, 7a St. John's Street, Beck Row, Bury St. Edmunds, IP28 SM (01638 714768)

Commas BerylJohnson

The Newsletter of the Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION

Volume 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....

The Suffolk Argus

November 1999

Contents

........................................

Notes from the Editor ......................................................

3-4

Silver studded Blues in Suffolk: Past, Present and Future ..................................................

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...

Copy Dates Contributions for our newsletter should reach the Editor (address on back page) no later than:

February June

5-8

The White Admiral Experience ...........................................

1999 Field Trips ..........................................................

Newsletter Details

9

10-17

Promotional Events 1999 ..................................................

18

Early and late butterfly records .........................................

19

Blossom U nderwings in East Anglia .................................. 2 0

October

To Advertisein

Argus

Newsletter Details & General Information ....................... 23

Please contact:

Suffolk Branch Contacts ........................................ Back Cover

Any piece of writing that is considered to be of interest will be published together with line drawings/prints/photographs.

The Suffolk Argus is your magazine, so please let us hear from you.

ThSuffo[k

A Lone Marbled White in Suffolk ..................................... 22

. Favourite Spots: Suffolk Water Park .................................. 21

Christmas Eve April Fools Day August Bank Holiday

Paul Gilson (01473 253276)

Butterfly HOTELS ,;I:~

ButterflyLine 0891 884505 +"'

A purposebuilt Hotel with all the facilities that today'stravellersrequire yet in a rustictraditionalenvironment that is welcomingand comfortable.

Regular Updates & Latest News All profits are used for the conservation of butterflies and their habitats.

Calls charged at 60p per minute at all times

2

Butterfly Hotel, Al 4 Bury East Exit.

Moreton Hall, Bury St. Edmunds

01284 760884 23

The Suffolk Argus

Alone Marbled White at Sudbury

by RobParker At 10.20 on th~ morning of9 th July 1999, it was becoming warm at the edge of the Stour on Sudbury' s Friar's Meadow, where I was watching the damselflies.

I was amazed to see a Marbled White (Melanargia galathea) fluttering amongst the tall vegetation at the water's edge. It flew obligingly dose to me, and I had no doubt at all about the identification. Unfortunately I was not carrying a net. It moved on with the light breeze, across the recently mown and waterlogged meadow. Two inches of water from the recent downpours impeded my pursuit and I lost sight of it just before the trees at the far side.

I spent the rest of the morning searching the meadow for any sign of suitable habitat. The areas of rough, long grass were well frequented by Meadow Browns without any sign of an undiscovered Marbled White colony (impossible, surely), and the waterside verge was too narrow to be plausible, although it did contain thistle and other blossom which could provide a passing attraction. The opposite side of the river looked much more plausible, being a grassy slope protected at the top by woodland, although it was West facing, rather than East facing.

22

November 1999

Twice I pursued clumsy flying butterflies only to find a pair of Green-veined Whites flying in cop. The whites were visible at a greater distance than where I had lost sight of the Marbled White, and were mostly Green-veined, with two Small Whites and just one Large White. Also found along the woodland edge were Small Tortoiseshells, Red Admirals, a Comma, Ringlet and Essex Skipper. I did not get another look at my Marbled White.

The Marbled White has not occurred naturally in Suffolk for over a century, (Mendel & Piotroski, 1986) and it is not an insect that strays far from its established colonies. There are healthy colonies in Essex, the closest being near Witham, some 30 kilometres south of Sudbury. I wonder ... ? Perhaps this sighting is best treated, like one in King' Forest in 1979, as an introduction.

In the afternoon I attempted to reach the far side of the Stour, and found that the hillside in question is on private land. It lies just inside Suffolk's administrative boundary, but is outside the biological recording area (VC25 & 26). If anyone is aware of any reintroduction attempts, or other records of unexplained strays, I should be glad to hear of them.

A check was made with Val Perrin, Essex BC Recorder, and he confirmed no Essex colonies exist anywhere near SudburyRichard Stewart.

Editorial

by RichardStewart This can be summarised in one word: thankyou.

First, to all who agreed to cover the remaining under-recorded tetrads for the last year of the Millennium Survey. Thanks to some dedicated and persistent searching, often in difficult circumstances, every one now has at least five species-the Gatekeeper is now up to a plus compared to the last survey and many records have been added for Wall Brown.

Second, to all the recorders who monitored the threatened White-letter Hairstreak site at Bixley, especially Steve Goddard and Jean and Ken Garrod, who made many visits at different times of the day. I now have a substantial list of records to present to Anglian Water, Chaters the builders, SCDC and James Baker of the Greenways Project before the next site meeting is held.

Third to Allan, Beryl and Paul Johnson for organising two weekend trips to other regions this year. Sixteen attended, with ten of us at the same bed and breakfast place: This had, as a bonus, several lakes and a woodland walk. Although the last day had to be cancelled because of bad weather we found all target species on the previous two days. Everyone had superb extended low views of a female Brown Hairstreak and Paul Johnson's relief was obvious, after several frustrating attempts previously. It takes a considerable amount of time and effort to make all the arrangements, and this doesn't end when we have arrived.

I calculate that well over thirty members and family have been on these trips and we are all very grateful to the Johnsons. The finding of butterflies not present in Suffolk is obviously the main concern but these outings also feature a high level of friendly banter in good company, with good food, fine accommodation and in areas of great natural beauty.

Finally, bur certainly not least, our Chairman James Mann and his wife are soon heading for a new life in France. James took over the demanding position at a time when there was a yawning gap in the committee and he has filled the role with great success.

He has chaired meetings with tact, diplomacy, humour and determination and well beyond his public profile at meetings and on outdoor trips there has been a tremendous amount of behind-the-scenes work liaising with other organisationsRSPB, English Nature, Suffolk Wildlife Trust, BC staff from the Conservation Office, to name bur a few. His singlehanded photography of butterflies will long be remembered in Suffolk (good results, I hasten to add), and he has single-handed taken on and produced our Branch action plan for butterflies, as part of BC's national scheme. He has been a Main Recorder in the Millennium Survey and for all these reasons, and many more, will be sadly missed. We obviously hope to maintain contact-who knows, in a few years we may have an extended Branch trip to France!

At his last committee meeting James was given a copy of the Collins 'Butterflies of Britain and Europe' (Tolman and Lewington) signed by all of the committee.

To end, unfortunately, on a sadder note-I have just been informed of the death of Sam Beaufoy, a legend in the history of butterfly recording and photography. A full tribute will appear in the next edition.

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The Suffolk Argus

November 1999

Indoor Meeting: The committee has decided, just for this year initially, to dispense with the usual Autumn indoor meeting and try an extended AGM, with a guest speaker and meal in the evening (optional) - more details in the next newsletter.

Changes on the Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... .

Millennium Survey: A draft booklet of

by Paul Gilson

distribution maps will not be issued this year. Instead, anyone wishing to check the accuracy of plotted records for 1999 should contact Richard Stewart by the end of November.

(Membership Secretary)

Articles for the Suffolk Argus If any members have articles for future editions of the Suffolk Argus could they please send them to Paul Gilson at 18, Cheltenham Avenue, Ipswich IP1 4LN. Myself and Richard Stewart will be overseeing the production of the newsletter until a new Editor is found.

Next year's programme . . . . . . . . ...........

.

by Alan Johnson (Programme Secretary) With the approach of the "dreaded Millennium" it will soon be time to be chinking about the Programme for the year 2000. If any of our Branch Members have ideas or suggestionsfor future field trips, either within or outside the County, can they please contact me, or any other Committee member, by the end of November.

4

As many of you will already be aware, James Mann is no longer our Chairman and Richard Stewart will be taking over the position until a new Chairman is elected at the 2000 AGM. Richard will also be taking over the responsibility of Conservation Officer for butterflies.

We also have a new member on the Committee, Richard Champion from Beck Row near Mildenhall. Richard will be representing our interests along with Richard at the Suffolk Naturalists' Society conference at Ipswich School in late October.

We are still short of Committee members and I must urge you to consider whether six people on the Committee is enough to truly represent the interests of the Branch at all its activities and functions.

If you are interested in joining the Committee please contact me or Richard Stewart.

Favourite Spots: Suffolk Water Park

by Steve Goddard Ifl haven't already seen a butterfly in my garden this is the place I look for my first spring insects after those cold winter days.

Away from my garden I have recorded the most species on one site here - 21.

It is also the place where I go in search of my first migrant birds and for dragonflies throughout the year. So although it is several miles away from home I guess you could call this my regular patch.

The Water Park is located near Ipswich at TM 120485 and is sign-posted off the Al 4 from the Great Blakenham exit.

It is a restored gravel pit with a diverse habitat of rough grassland, scrub and woodland edge which surrounds the lake and is a rather pleasant place to be.

This year for one reason or another, I did nQt get there until 30th, April but on this day I saw Large White, Green-veined White, Orange Tip, Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock. By the end of May I had added Small Copper, Brown Argus and Common Blue. In other years, Holly Blue, Small White and Comma have usually shown themselves by now. Interestingly, this year I did not see a COfhma anywhere until 30th, June when the variety hurchinsoni appeared in my garden.

Last year I saw Brimstone on 9th, May which is a scarce butterfly for the site. Early June usually brings Red Admiral although not this year. By the third week of June both Large Skipper and Meadow Brown have made their entrance. These are followed by Small Skipper, Essex Skipper and Gatekeeper. Then by mid-August the second brood of Brown Argus is in flight. In August 1996 I counted up to 100 of this species putting this into the prime site category but since then its numbers have been nowhere near as high even though the foodplants Dove's foot Cranesbill and Storksbill are still abundant. Having said that, as I write it is July 1999 and August is yet to come! In October 1997, Brown Argus was still on the wing during the first week of October which to date is the latest recorded in Suffolk.

On 12th, October 1998, 2 Wall Brown were present in pristine condition which may well have been part of a third emergence. Although this is late, it is not the latest date recorded for this butterfly. In its good seasons I have seen Painted Lady and on occasions Small Heath but sightings of this latter species are rather scarce.

To increase the species count for this location still further I am looking forward to recording the ever-spreading Speckled Wood and perhaps Ringlet and in a good year, Clouded Yellow. This would bring the species total up to 24. Already, the site must compare well with the best sites in Suffolk and with 13 species of dragonfly, an impressive list of birds (not to mention the toilets and refreshments in summer) it is well worth a visit.

We hope this articleby Steve will encourage othermembersto write about theirfavourite spots.Pleasesendyours to the editorsfor inclusionin afuture Argus.

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The Suffolk Argus

Blossotn Underwings in East Anglia

by TonyPrichard References: NS - Neil Sherman, GB - Graham Bull, TP - Tony Prichard, EP - Eric Patrick, AW - Arthur Watchman, JW - Jan Watchman.

During the early part of April this moth was recorded at a few sites around southern Suffolk. The last confirmed Suffolk record of this moth that I am aware of was by Rafe Eley at Nowton in 1948. Morley's Lepidoptera of Suffolk only mentions 4 records from the 1800's up to 1936.

The records started arriving when Richard Stace (RS) recorded two indviduals at Lower Holbrook on the 3'd April 1999.

NS, GB and myself confirmed the identification the following day. A couple of MV sessions at Little Blakenham Pits on the 4,h April (NS, GB, EP, TP, AW, JW) and at Lower Hollesley Common (NS, GB, TP, EP, RS) on the 5•hApril turned up further singletons and meant that a few more people had sight of this moth.

Jeff Higgott at Rushmere, Ipswich also reported singletons on the G•hand 8'h April, although an MV session at the Ipswich Golf Course (next door to Jeff's garden) on the 9•hApril failed to turn any records up despite having 6 MV lights out on the course (NS, GB, TP, EP, RS).

20

November 1999

A similar picture appears to have occurred in Norfolk where the moth has not been recorded since the 1950's. In Essex where they appear to have a resident population south of Colchester, the moth was being recorded in people's gardens. I have also been informed of it being recorded at a garden trap in Cambridgeshire.

The moth is not thought to be a migrant which begs the question - where did these moths come from? Have they been present in the county at a very low density all this time and have not been recorded previously because people tend not to do much trapping at this time of year. Have the moths moved in from another area? The colony south of Colchester would seem the nearest but this does not explain the similar picture found in other counties.

I gather from Paul Waring that the species is prone to have population explosions after long periods of being at very low density, one such explosion occurred in the l 930's. It seems to me at the moment that the best explanation is that it has been present at very low numbers all the time and there has been a recent upsurge in its abundance. It will be interesting to see if similar or greater numbers are recorded next year. I shall also be looking to see ifl can beat the larvae from oak or hawthorn during the period from May to mid-June If any one has further records for this moth I would be very grateful if they could send the records in with as much detail as possible; precise dates and locations recorded along with numbers seen. It would also be useful to know if a voucher specimen has been retained.

SilverStudded Blues in Suffolk: Past, Present & Future

by JamesMann

Silver-studdedBlue

by DouglasHammersley

The Past up to 1986 A hundred years ago the Silver-studded Blue was common in many parts of the county and not confined as now to area that support Bell Heather. The Brecklands were considered to be its stronghold and in 1937 they were said to abound between Brandon and Tuddenham as freely as in the New Forest. They steadily declined and were last seen in the Brecklands in 1965 at Barton Mills. The Breckland habitat was predominately Ling, Bell Heather being vittually unknown. The decline seems to be associated with the vast decimation of the natural area by afforestation, agriculture, airfields and finally by scrubbing over and neglect. A colony used to exist on Redgrave Fen probably on Cross-Leaved Heath.

Several grassland colonies were scattered across the county notably at Nowton until 1948 and near Stowmarket until the 1960' s.

The butterfly is now confined to the Sandlings Heathlands where it was previously much more widespread. There are old records of at least 4 colonies in the north around Lowestoft (Herringfleet, Lound, Fritton and Barnby) and others from Southwold, Blythburgh and Wenhaston Mill Heath, and close to Ipswich at Bixley, Nacton and Foxhall. Although specific records do not exist for many areas it is very likely that the butterfly inhabited the greater part of the extensive and generally connected heathland from Ipswich to Southwold as it existed in 1880. The decline has followed the vast destruction of heathland by afforestation, agriculture, air fields, scrubbing over, neglect and housing, an example of the last being the development on Suffolk's largest colony at Martlesham Heath in the early l 980's.

With Sainsbury's failed "we can move the habitat" at Warren Heath we hope we have now seen the last of the decline.

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The Suffolk Argus

November

The Present 1986 to 1998

The Future

Silver-Scudded Blues in Suffolk are now confined co the Sandlings Heaths. In 1986, just prior co development, stock was taken from Marclesham Heath co found two new colonies at Wenhascon Black Heath and Wesclecon Common.

The present colonies in Suffolk are divided into three main area:-

le is the intention of all conservation bodies in Suffolk co maintain, and where possible co expand, the population of the Silver-Studded Blue Bunerfly. All the remaining colonies are reliant on Bell Heather therefore there are no plans co accempca re-establishment on either the Brecklands or the past grassland sites. le is intended co work cowards an ideal situation where all the Bell Heather bearing heachlands between Ipswich and Southwold support Silver-scudded Blue buccerflies.

Where possible this will be done by natural colonisation but in other instances reintroduction will be considered. The situations in the three main areas are:-

I.

I.

Purdis Heath

ii. Naccon Heath (Ransomes) Ill.

Marclesham Heath

iv. Marclesham Common.

Extinct since a fire in 1995.

2.

1.

Lower Hollesley A

1. i.

ii. Lower Hollesley B 111.

Blaxhall Common/Heath Possibly two separate small colonies

I.

Wesclecon Common

II.

Wesclecon Football Field

11.

3.

iii. W esclecon Sawmills IV.

Wesclecon Heath up co three colonies

v. Minsmere Grimscon Clump VI.

Dunwich Heath The above can be described as a mecapopulacion

vii. Walberswick New Delight Walks viii. Wenhascon Black Heath.

6

Purdis Heath: is more than holding its own and is spreading onto Ipswich Golf course as habitat becomes suitable. le is hopeful chat it will spread co its limit without help.

Naccon Heath (Ransomes): a small but stable colony. The site could well be developed in the future resulting in the loss of the colony.

The owners are happy co co-operate until they decide co develop.

iii. Marclesham Heath: the remnants of a much larger colony. Management is allowing it co maximise the remaining area. iv. Marclesham Common: extinct since a fire in 1995. le is hoped chat che habitat will return at which time ic will be monitored in the hope chat it will re-establish from Marclesham Heath despite the distance of some kilometre over a developed area. le is unlikely chat there will be any spread from the existing area but with the current management they should sustain themselves. No reintroductions are planned.

1999

Early & Late Butterfly Records

by Richard Stewart Since publishing the list in the June 1999 Argus, the following changes have been made: Small Skipper- early: 7.6.95 - R.H. Marchant, Great Comard - TL 884407.

Essex Skipper- lace: 6.9.97 - Languard staff - Languard - TM 2831.

Dingy Skipper - early- the GR is TL 8273.

Swallowtail - lace - add Ian Porter - TM 467668.

Green-veined White - early record deleted; now is 20.3.90 - Mike Crewe - Pecciscree.

Green Hairstreak- early- GR is 454593.

Purple Hairstreak- early- same recorder, place, GR but dace now 22.6.99.

White-letter Hairstreak- early co: 4.7.99 Richard Havard - Blackheach, Wenhascon -TM 425746.

Silver-studded Blue: early co: 21.6.99Sceve Goddard - Purdis Heath - TM 2142.

Brown Argus: 3.5.97 - Paul and Alan Johnson - Rushmere Heath - TM 205448 and 204444.

Holly Blue - early GR is TM 3863; lace is TM 2831 and Languard Scaff.

White Admiral: change to 22.6.99 Richard Champion - Mildenhall Woods TL 723763 - 5 seen.

Painted Lady- early GR is TL 6644.

Speckled Wood - early GR is TL 7972.

Holly Blue

by DouglasHammersley Wall Brown early co: 24.4.90 - Rob Macklin - Minsmere - TM 462672.

Wall Brown - lace : 30.10.95 - Betty Serjeanc, Farnham - TM 376588.

Grayling - lace: 22.9.95 - BeccySerjeanc, Farnham - TM 376588.

Ringlet - lace change co: 21.8.96 - R. Van Der Does - Coccon - TM 081676.

Small Heath- early change co: 6.5.95 Scan Dumican - Berners Heath, Elveden TL 785754 and, same dace, Jean and Ken Garrod - North Warren - TM 455586.

Small Heath - lace - add GR TM 460587.

The four changed records i.e. Green-veined White, Wall Brown, Ringlet and Small Heath can be challenged up co a month afrer this is published. The rest now constitute County all-time records up co 1999, except if I receive beccer ones from this year's records still co come in. Finally, I have kept the vety lace second brood record of Large Skipper at Lakenheach 27.8.84 but need more details i.e. name of recorder and Grid Ref. This was during che lase survey so someone muse know!

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The Suffolk Argus

Promotional Events 1999 .. .. .... . . .. ... ..

The Suffolk Show Wednesday & Thursday, June 2nd/3 rd This was our sixth year at this event and we gratefully extend our thanks to the Thornham Estate for inviting us to join their tent.

Unfonunately the weather did a repeat performance oflast year with heavy rain on the first morning. Despite the downpour on the first morning many hundreds of people visited the display over the two days, enquiring about our Society and the work of the Branch. Thanks must again go to Judy Clarke, Beryl Johnson and Paul Gilson, for growing butterfly attracting plants for the display. By the time it came to pack up on Thursday afternoon nearly all the plants, several books and other items had gone.

Thanks go to committee members who made available their time to be at the show.

We would also like to say a big thank you to Karen Corley from head office at Dedham who helped us out on the Thursday morning. It was her first visit to the show.

We have already been invited to share the Thornham Estate tent at next year's show and the committee hope that members can support us by helping out at the show.

'Gardening for Wildlife Day' Sunday, June 13th Alder Carr Farm, CreetingSt. Mary.

This was a new venue for our Branch at this farm shop complex, who had invited various wildlife organisations to come for the day to display information about 'Gardening for Wildlife'.

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November 1999

Despite heavy rain during the night the display area had been somewhat protected by a plastic sheet which allowed the display stand to be erected without getting wet.

Paul Gilson, Richard Stewart and Tony Prichard with his moth trap catch from the previous night manned the display during the day.

A steady stream of visitors came to our display throughout the day and we were able to give advice about planting for butterflies as well as giving out information sheets and membership leaflets. Thanks go to Judy Clarke, Beryl Johnson and Paul Gilson for growing butterfly attracting plants for the display. Thanks must also go to Joan Hardingham for the original invite on what turned out to be another successful day.

2. i.

Ill.

'Gardening for Butterflies' Saturday & Sunday, July lO'h/11 ' h at Notcutts Garden Centre, Woodbridge This major event for the Branch came about as the result of an initiative between Notcutts and Butterfly Conservation. The Branch had the chance to promote itself at a well known Garden Centre with Notcutts supplying the main display material and butterfly attracting plants.

Richard and Marie Stewart took the stand on the Saturday with Paul Gilson and Family along with Beryl Johnson taking over on the Sunday. Over the two days there was a steady stream of visitors to the display and we were able to give advice on butterfly identification and butterfly attracting plants.

The two children's competitions proved popular and Sarah Gilson was lucky enough to win a prize in the colouring competition.

Thanks go to Notcutts staff for making are stay over the weekend an enjoyable one, especially as we were situated under cover, providing us shade from the intense heat.

Lower Hollesley A and

ii. Lower Hollesley B separated from the foregoing by the river Deben.

Two distinct colonies, very close, but separated by trees. Both colonies seem to be stable although numbers have fallen since 1986.

Suitable habitat exists at Sutton Heath and in the vicinity of Woodbridge Airfield runway but are separated by trees, mainly conifers.

Investigations are in hand to create corridors to provide conditions for natural colonisation. There are no plans for reintroduction.

3. i.

Blaxhall Common/Heath: is somewhat of a mystery. It was considered as a site for a possible reintroduction in 1996 but that year small numbers were found and appear to have held on. Closely adjacent areas towards Tunstall Common are being managed for woodlarks and nightjars and have been seeded with Bell Heather. The colony will be monitored to check for spread to these new areas. If the colony becomes extinct as it is remote from any other colony, it could be eventually be considered for a re-introduction. The existing colony has either held on, unnoticed, from the past or is subject to an unauthorised reintroduction.

Westleton Common: the site of the 1986 re-introduction has spread to become the largest single colony in Suffolk. As gorse in the area is successivelycut by Suffolk Wildlife Trust and the R.S.PB. the resultant Bell Heather growth has quickly been colonised. The colony has spread to ii. Westleton Football

Field and has been responsible for the recolonisation of iii. Westleton Saw Mills.

IV.

Westleton Heath: supports at least three separate colonies. One at either end of the English Nature Reserve adjacent to the Dunwich Road and one or more mobile colonies on the area subject to the English Nature programme of successiveburning.

v. Minsmere Grimston Clump colony: is within a stable boundary and has a consistent population monitored annually by the R.S.P.B. VI.

Dunwich Heath colony: although close by does not have such a dense population but odd sightings all over Dunwich heath suggest a likely expansion.

All the above form a metapopulation and are on more or less interconnected heathland.

Much of the heather is rather tall and affords little open bare area bur enough is managed sympathetically for Silver-studded Blues to enable them to spread to all suitable area.

The whole area will be monitored for natural spread/new colonies.

vii. New Delights Walks colony: some 3. 5 kilometres to the north is considered by some to be a new colony but it is possible it is a resurgence of a longstanding colony.

It is difficult to record actual numbers as much of it is on PRIVATE land but it is clear that it has expanded considerably over recent years helped by English Nature management. Further suitable habitat exists at East Hill some 3KM. East where a colony

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The Suffolk Argus

existed until the early 1980' s and llun. Further on at Walberswick Common, previously considered as a likely reintroduction site. These sites will be monirored to see if natural recolonisation cakes place, as will Toby's Walks some I ½km co the north. No reintroduction is planned. viii. Wenhaston Blackheach: is the most isolated colony and is the result of a reintroduction in 1986. It has not expanded and occupies a small corner of the heath with maximum numbers ofless than a hundred.

Although suitable habitat exists at Mill Heath, site of a former colony, and Bickers Heath it is not expected chat the colony will spread but each site will be monitored to check for natural movement. No Reintroduction is planned.

~J

~~\'"' 1~ ,.._ Silver-studded Blue

by Beryl]ohnson

8

November

The main area of suitable habitat chat does not support Silver-studded Blues and is unlikely co colonise by natural means is the heathland complex of Snape Warren, Snape Church Common, Knodishall Whinn, Knodishall Common, Aldringham Common and Aldringham Walks. I; There are no linking sites between this and Wesdeton some 7km. North. Ii. Natural colonisation normally has taken in a northerly direction.

I. ii. The colony at Blaxhall some 2½km.

S.W. of Snape Warren is very small, only 20 or so individuals and is separated by the River Aide.

A reintroduction was made at Aldringham Walks in 1998. This proved to be too late in the year and in unsuitable weather and if necessary will be repeated/ reinforced in 1999. It is expected chat there will be a spreading co the immediate suitable area. It is not however expected that there will be a spreading south co Snape Warren. If this assumption is proved correct a reintroduction to this site will cake place co enable this co form a fourth area within The Sandlings.

All populations will continue to be monitored and where natural spread is not considered to be possible, reintroductions will be considered to reach the maximum possible population on the remaining heaths between Ipswich and Southwold.

to allow for Autumn/Winter feeding by birds and small mammals. The broadleafed woodland area consists of a half acre of mature trees and a further acre of Sweet Chestnut which is undergoing a coppicing program to increase the diversity of wildlife.

Walking around the edge of the field it soon became apparent chat the margins were host to good numbers of Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper chat were feeding on the flowering Burdock as well as a resting Common Blue damselfly. The uncut area of grassland which contained many hundreds of teasels was being visited by Peacock and Meadow Brown butterflies. A few Brown Argus were seen around the edges and the odd Common Blue made a brief appearance.

The heat was incense and a walk through the woodland was a great relief for everyone.

Speckled Wood butterflies were seen in sunny pockets and at the far end of the wood in a area overlooking the Gipping valley, newly emerged Wall Brown butterflies made a welcome appearance for us. Two Wall browns seemed co be involved in a courtship display which had us all entranced. The appearance of these Wall Brown butterflies was particularly pleasing as they have become more scarce in recent years, especially on inland sites.

Emerging from the wood again into the bright sunshine a single Purple Hairstreak was spotted in the oaks on the edge of the wood. Jc was probably coo early in the afternoon for too much activity.

Some of us cook the opportunity to look around the meadow at the wild flowers, including Small Scabious, Birds-foot trefoil and Cencaury. Meadow Brown, Common Blue and a few skippers were the only butterflies to be seen in the meadow. As we made our way back to the cars everyone agreed chat it had been a worthwhile visit on a very hot saturday afternoon to see an area specifically managed for wildlife.

1999

Brown Argus

by DouglasHammersley Burstall Leaving Baylham we headed off towards our next destination, the home of Ann and Tony Burchnall. On arrival we were made very welcome by Ann and Tony and once introductions were complete we headed off to follow a path around the outside of a hedgerow which bordered a large field. The hedgerow contains White-letter Hairstreak although on this occasion they were not co be found. Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper were abundant and a few Common Blues were also to be seen. Essex skipper, Peacock, Large White, Small White and Small Tortoiseshell were also seen in the field. The real bonus for us on our visit was the large numbers of Brown Argus indicating the presence of a healthy colony.

On our return to the garden and a welcome rest in the shade we noticed several butterflies nectaring on Buddliea.

These included Comma and Small Torcoisehell. The afternoon finished with us being treated to a wonderful selection of homemade cakes and scones. Many thanks go to Ann and Tony for being such excellent hosts on a particularly hot afternoon.

17

The Suffolk Argus

Saturday July 17th White Admiral Survey at Tunstall Forest

by RichardStewart This was hard work, with none seen in the first plantation off left from the track leading to Chillesford.

Close to the Plantation there is much invading Silver Birch, which has virtually cut out the view from the deer-culling platform.

• Several brambles were being choked and shaded out by ferns and ragwort and one in particular was suffering badly from those two forces. This is at the far Southern end, where a large, sunlit bramble acts as a foreground to conifers draped in the partially shaded honeysuckle used for egg laying. This is used by many butterflies, including White Admiral, when the bramble flowers are out. It needs urgent attention.

At the main traditional site we saw none and here there are elders, sycamore and ragwort to remove as shading is increasing.

The White Admiral is a shade-tolerant species but the situation is becoming too over-grown. We eventually saw one flying fast and high and on our return everyone had good close-up views, including the beautiful markings on the closed wings, as one fed low down on nectar near the path.

Green-veined White

by DouglasHammersley

16

November

In the afternoon, more by luck than forward planning, we saw three more on a short walk from a parking area closer to Sudbourne, at TM 399527. Subsequent visits here by other members, and two of us with Radio Suffolk. failed to find any, so we were fortunate.'A good range of other species included: Essex, Small and Large Skippers, Large and Green-veined White, Small Copper, Holly Blue, Red Admiral, Peacock, Comma, Speckled Wood, Grayling (as usual landing on several of us), Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown and Ringlet.

There is to be some thinning out of trees around the traditional White Admiral site, probably this Autumn. Bearing in mind past damage caused when a large harvesting machine took an unauthorised short cut, our Chairman James Mann has already had on-site discussions with Richard Davis of Forestry Enterprise.

Saturday July 3 l5t, Meadows in Mid Suffolk

by Paul Gilson Baylham Eleven members met up at Baylham Church car park on what was to be one of the hottest days of the year, the temperature nearly reaching 30°c. The car park had been recently cut but at least half the area had been left uncut to the benefit of Common Blue and Comma butterflies that were to be seen in this area.

A short walk from the car park had us at the entrance to this private area of fields and woodland, specificallymanaged for the benefit of wildlife. The area consists of a two acre meadow which at present is being grazed over the Autumn/Winter period by sheep and then left to flower during Spring and Summer. A further one acre has been left uncut at present

The White Adtniral Experience

by RichardChampion June 22 nd 1999 dawned with clear skies, bright sunshine and virtually no wind- a perfect morning to postpone the weekly chore of grocery shopping and go for a stroll around Mildenhall Woods instead.

With the butterfly season in full flow, I try to visit each of my six local tetrads once a week to gather records for the Millennium Atlas. I tend to take much the same route each time, which in springtime means a constant serenade from W oodlarks and Tree Pipits, plus regular sightings of Kingfisher and Grey Wagtails along the Cut-off Channel.

Deep within Mildenhall Woods is a narrow ride lined with honeysuckle and bramble where White Admirals were first recorded in 1997 after expanding their range from an adjacent tetrad.

Many other butterflies favour this ride, including Speckled Wood, Comma, Red Admiral, Large Skipper and the occasional Grayling. The previous week I had recorded my first newbrood Comma of the year on Aspal Close, but had not seen it anywhere else subsequently. I therefore decided to make a detour along the ride in the hope they would also be on the wing here.

At the first patch of bramble and honeysuckle I stopped to compare a rather worn Speckled Wood with a newly emerged

1999

Meadow Brown. As I went to move off, somewhere in the periphery of my vision, for just a fraction of a second, I glimpsed the unmistakable "jizz" of a White Admiral!

"Must be getting senile - far too early", I thought to myself, but nevertheless remained rooted to the spot desperately hoping for the butterfly to show itself properly. The flight of the White Admiral is so attractive and distinctive, that once seen is never forgotten.

A full five minutes elapsed, with yet another frustrating peripheral glimpse, before an immaculate specimen ofladoga camilla landed on the bramble in front of me.

Only having seen faded and worn specimens previously, I admit to being totally entranced with the contrast of rich chocolate brown and pristine white upper surfaces, and the warm orange, brown and white of the under-sides. Along the length of the ride a minimum of six butterflies were on the wing, bringing forward the earliest recorded flight date in Suffolk by almost two weeks. I managed to re-visit the ride a few days later when there were at least seven White Admirals to be seen flitting around the canopy edges in characteristic fashion before dropping down to nectar on bramble flower.

I intend to monitor the colony on a weekly basis for the rest of the season to see how numbers fluctuate, and who knows, I might get lucky and record the latest known flight date too!

White Admiral

by DouglasHammersley

9

The Suffolk Argus

November

1999 Field Trips Sunday April 18th:

1st May 1999

Lavenham Disused Railway Line and Lineage Wood - joint Butterfly Conservation and Ipswich and District Natural History Society meeting.

Moth Night at Icknield Way, King's Forest

by Richard Stewart Despite an indifferent weather forecast, 19 members turned up and whatever was lacking in the butterfly section was well balanced by birds and flora: a brief snatch of nightingale song, a flying green woodpecker, chilfchaff, willow warbler, blackcap, long tailed tits and one heron, and amongst many flowers identified by bud, leaf or actual bloom, specimens of cowslips, wood anemone, violets, angelica, bugle, marjoram, dog's mercury, hedge mustard, ox-eye daisy, common spotted orchid, bee orchid, wood spurge, hops, forget-me-not, and wild strawberry. On the latter part of the walk several members had a first opportuniry to see the large, impressive colony of Roman snails.

We had our lunch in a warm, sunlit corner of Lineage Wood but my confident forecast of'a butterfly in the next two minutes' didn't materialise. After this, and the realisation chat I could be, along with the joint leader Alan Johnson, possessed of the unenviable record of first ever meeting without a butterfly, we were very relieved to spot a superb Speckled Wood, in pristine condition. That was it, though for most in the party the threatening rain held olflong enough to get us back to our parked cars: our thanks to Forestry Enterprise for permission to go into the private Lineage Wood.

10

This was a joint meeting with the British Entomological Sociery. 8 members and their guests turned up on an evening slightly warmer than those previously in the week.

We ran six MV lights spread out along the more southerly part of the Icknield Way in the King's Forest. Unfortunately the richness of Breckland habitat along this stretch has largely degenerated in the absence of any active management.

Once the lights were turned on moths were not slow in turning up at the lights, and within a short space of time species such as Green Carpet, Nut-tree Tussock, Scalloped Hook-tip and Lunar Marbled Brown had turned up at the lights. Rafe Eley and Mike Hall were fortunately on hand to help with identification of the Pugs and trickier moths that came.

Other species continued coming into the lights until after midnight. A single Grey Carpet turned up at Mike Hall's trap which was an early record for this species. A female Emperor moth was discovered later on in one of the Skinner traps - the female of this species (more known for its day-flying habit) is known to fly at night and occasionally come to light. Even so it was a pleasant surprise to see such a big moth in one of the traps. Other species of note that were recorded included Barred Hook-tip and Clay Triple-lines (beech feeders), Scarce Tissue, Broom-tip, Lobster, Red-green Carpet, Ancy/ismitterbacheriana(a tortrix) and Semioscopis steinkellneriana(an oecophorid).

Tuesday July 13th Purdis Heath and Ipswich Golf Course - joint meeting of Butterfly Conservation with the Ipswich and District Natural History Society.

By Richard Stewart

1999

The Purple sheen was also evident and as one person present had come specifically to see the Purple Hairstreak, it was certainly the ideal opportuniry. This whole incident was a remarkable and unusual sight and one I had never expected to see.

After refreshments we went round the private Ipswich Golf Club, seeing a few Silver-studded Blues and a colony of Brown Argus but unfortunately it was by now a duller day, with rain arriving just as we returned to the car park. We did get the opportuniry to fully appreciate the conservation work that Neil Sherman and the late Steve Noy have put into what is a rich area for wildlife. The embryo flower meadow next to the old Decoy Pond was particularly notable.

Our thanks go to Neil Sherman for arranging the visit and it is to be hoped that he will be an integral part of the new regime at the Golf Club.

After walking from the Golf Club car park to the Heath, there were distant views of a few Purple Hairstreaks among the oaks at the entrance.

The members were then separated into small groups after establishing identification points for the Silver-studded Blues. The resulting total for the Heath was 278 and a further four were added on the Golf Course. I also counted 35 on my annual inspection of the Small Colony at the back of Brinor' s warehouse on the Ransomes Industrial Estate, about half a mile away. Other recorded species were: Purple Hairstreak Essex Skipper, Large White, Small Copper, Brown Argus, Holly Blue, Gatekeeper,

by Douglas Hammersley Meadow Brown, and Ringlet. Undoubtedly though the most memorable episode concerned the normally elusive Purple "'- ~ Hairstreak. Neil Sherman and Julian "~ Dowding agreed to cover the area to the left of the main track, which has very little habitat suited to the Silver-studded Blues.

Their small total was eclipsed by news of several sunlit oaks in a glade, with each tree no more than ten or twelve feet rail. One, with many ants evident, had Purple Hairsrreaks at eye level, waist level, and in total about forty ~Allof us had incredibly close views of a butterfly usually seen at a far distance or occasionally feeding singly from lower nectar.

15

The Suffolk Argus

November 1999

Tuesday May 25 th Dingy Skipper survey at Barnham Cross Common & Marmansgrave Wood

...

-~

by Richard Stewart

~·······~ :.:-.:~~ r-:-~~ ... ;.*'·---------=-~

••.• ..,,,~-

Twelve members attended, which ...... ·-···::::~ enabled three groups to be formed and with morning and early ahernoon coverage we managed to survey all of the Common.

No Dingy Skippers were found but one group came across a separate BTO party from the Nunnery, close by, who reported Dingy Skipper from the Common and also close to John O'Groats Cottages in the King's Forest, both very welcome reports.

Andy Musgrave confirmed these with me later, by phone. One of our groups also recorded the species from just off the Common, close to the RAF Barnham area where they were found in some numbers last year. This was the other side of the perimeter fence but means there is room for expansion of the existing colony if any shading out occurs at the present site.

Species found on the Common included: Green Hairstreak, Small and Green-veined White, Small Copper, Common Blue, Peacock, Speckled Wood and Small Tortoiseshell caterpillars. A total of 20 Brimstones was an impressive number, though some were possibly double-recorded in their wide-ranging search for buckthorn.

Small Heath was abundant and the total of 124 was possibly the best one-day total during the Millennium Survey.Just off the Common (TL 85781 I) the party also found Large White and Brown Argus.

-#-·~-

14

Dingy Skipper

by Douglas Hammersley

In all 49 species were recorded; Agonopterix propinquella,Ancy/ismiturbacheriana,Angle Shades, Barred Hook-tip, Broom-tip, Clay Triple-lines, Clouded Drab, Coleophora argentula,Common Carpet, Common Pug, Coxcomb Prominent, Double-striped Pug, Dwarf Pug, Emperor, Epinotia immundana, Great Prominent, Green Carpet, Grey Birch, Grey Carpet, Grey Pine Carpet, Hebrew Character, Incurvaria mascuklla, Larch Pug, Latticed Heath, Least Black Arches, Lobster, Lunar Marbled Brown, Maiden's Blush, Narrow-winged Pug, Nuttree Tussock, Oblique Striped, Ochreous Pug, Pale Prominent, Pale Tussock, Pebble Hook-tip, Pine Beauty, Poplar Grey, Red Chestnut, Red Twin-spot Carpet, Redgreen Carpet, Scalloped Hook-tip, Scarce Tissue, Semioscopissteinkellneriana,(Small) Engrailed, Spruce Carpet, Syndemis musculana,Tawny-barred Angle, Waved Umber and Yellow-barred Brindle,

Marmansgrave Wood in the ahernoon produced distant views of Stone Curlews and at least 200 Common Blues on what is traditionally a strong site for this species-the numbers in some small sunlit spots were a memorable sight. After much close searching of the area which widens out to the left, a single Dingy Skipper, rather faded, was found-the first site record since 1995. Other species recorded: Large White, Greenveined White, Peacock, Orange Tip, Small Heath, Small Copper, one Green Hairstreak, two Brown Argus and Speckled Wood.

Wall brown

by Douglas Hammersley

Saturday 22 nd • May and Sunday 23 rd • May 1999 "A Weekend in Hampshire and Dorset" byAlan] ohnson Day One A total of fourteen adults and two children met at a cliff-top car park, at Milford-onSea, our "target species" being the Glanville Fritillary, found at the nearby Hordle Cliff, the only known mainland site for this interesting and probably rarest British Fritillary. Other sites are on the Isle of Wight and several more in the Channel Islands.

The earlier morning sunshine had by now started to fade rapidly, with increasing amounts of cloud and a stiffS.W. wind blowing across the Solem, not ideal conditions for "butterfly hunting"!

Our party duly set off westwards along the shingle beach, eventually reaching an area of undercliff, the instability of which encourages the growth of the Ribwort Plantain, the foodplant of the caterpillar. The butterfly's principal nectar sources being Thrift and Bird's-foot trefoil.

Other plants noted included Thyme, Kidney Vetch, Orchids and Sea-Kale.

The more intrepid members of our party were soon scrambling about on the higher levels of the undercliff, Richard Stewart being the first to locate a solitary Glanville Fritillary. Some time later another specimen was seen by a few other members. However, those at beach level had to be content with sightings of Common Blue, Small Copper, Wall Brown, Peacock and Dingy Skipper, mostly only 'singles'. A striking Cream-spot tiger

11

The Suffolk Argus

Hardie Cliff

by BerylJohnson moth was much admired for its medley of bright colours.

It became apparent that the weather would not improve in the short term so we all returned to our cars for a "picnic" lunch.

Afterwards, some of us headed inland to spend the afi:ernoon in the shelter of the New Forest.

12

November 1999

Day Two Today we were joining the members of the Hampshire and I.o.W. Branch and the Dorset Branch of Butterfly Conservation at their joint meeting at Tyneham, our group meeting up with them at the car park, on the outskirts of the village. Tyneham is now "deserted", situated within an area of Army Firing Ranges a few miles to the east of Lulworth Camp.

Public access is normally restricted to weekends only. Once again the weather was not very kind to us, staying cloudy and cool, with a fresh S.W. wind blowing. Enroute driving over the Purbeck Hills we encountered thick mist, apparently not unusual for this part of the coast.

We were led along towards the beach and the chalk cliffs ofWorbarrow Bay, Thrift being prolific on the exposed cliff tops and where we had hoped to see early flying species including the Adonis Blue. Due to the poor weather conditions only Small Heath, Speckled Wood and Wall Brown were seen, the latter being the most numerous, five of

these attractive and brightly coloured butterflies being noted. A Red Deer was seen a few hundred yards inland, also Buzzards circling overhead and coiled up on a rock, an Adder.

On our return most people took the opportunity to visit the Village Church and School. Both of the buildings have been restored and hold exhibitions oflocal and social history of the Tyneham estate prior to the evacuation of all the residents in 1943 when the Royal Armoured Corps. extended their existing firing ranges.

Having thanked our hosts, the members of our Branch then split up, some having to return to Ipswich. Others, having time to spare, decided to visit "Martin Down", a National Nature Reserve, approx. 12 miles N.E. of Blandford Forum and adjacent to the A354 road.

The site includes grassland habitats, together with scrub and woodland, supporting a wide range of downland flowers, insects and birds. A wide range of butterflies can normally be found on the down. Unfortunately, once more deteriorating weather was against us and it wasn't until the very end of our visit that several Small Blue were discovered, on grass stems, only a few feet away from the edge of the busy main road. Thanks must go to Jean Garrod for gleaning the information on the location of these from a member of the Hampshire Branch.

This brought our weekend field trip to a close, the majority of us returning to our overnight accommodation, then travelling back to Suffolk the following day. It had been a somewhat disappointing two days due to the weather, something beyond our control.

Fortunately 'The Horton Inn" made up for the lack of butterflies with an excellent menu, which leads me to the following question: what were the two "vegetarian" members of our group doing tucking into Venison pie and Braised Rabbit?

Worbarrow Bay, Tyneham

by BerylJohnson

13

The Suffolk Argus

Hardie Cliff

by BerylJohnson moth was much admired for its medley of bright colours.

It became apparent that the weather would not improve in the short term so we all returned to our cars for a "picnic" lunch.

Afterwards, some of us headed inland to spend the afi:ernoon in the shelter of the New Forest.

12

November 1999

Day Two Today we were joining the members of the Hampshire and I.o.W. Branch and the Dorset Branch of Butterfly Conservation at their joint meeting at Tyneham, our group meeting up with them at the car park, on the outskirts of the village. Tyneham is now "deserted", situated within an area of Army Firing Ranges a few miles to the east of Lulworth Camp.

Public access is normally restricted to weekends only. Once again the weather was not very kind to us, staying cloudy and cool, with a fresh S.W. wind blowing. Enroute driving over the Purbeck Hills we encountered thick mist, apparently not unusual for this part of the coast.

We were led along towards the beach and the chalk cliffs ofWorbarrow Bay, Thrift being prolific on the exposed cliff tops and where we had hoped to see early flying species including the Adonis Blue. Due to the poor weather conditions only Small Heath, Speckled Wood and Wall Brown were seen, the latter being the most numerous, five of

these attractive and brightly coloured butterflies being noted. A Red Deer was seen a few hundred yards inland, also Buzzards circling overhead and coiled up on a rock, an Adder.

On our return most people took the opportunity to visit the Village Church and School. Both of the buildings have been restored and hold exhibitions oflocal and social history of the Tyneham estate prior to the evacuation of all the residents in 1943 when the Royal Armoured Corps. extended their existing firing ranges.

Having thanked our hosts, the members of our Branch then split up, some having to return to Ipswich. Others, having time to spare, decided to visit "Martin Down", a National Nature Reserve, approx. 12 miles N.E. of Blandford Forum and adjacent to the A354 road.

The site includes grassland habitats, together with scrub and woodland, supporting a wide range of downland flowers, insects and birds. A wide range of butterflies can normally be found on the down. Unfortunately, once more deteriorating weather was against us and it wasn't until the very end of our visit that several Small Blue were discovered, on grass stems, only a few feet away from the edge of the busy main road. Thanks must go to Jean Garrod for gleaning the information on the location of these from a member of the Hampshire Branch.

This brought our weekend field trip to a close, the majority of us returning to our overnight accommodation, then travelling back to Suffolk the following day. It had been a somewhat disappointing two days due to the weather, something beyond our control.

Fortunately 'The Horton Inn" made up for the lack of butterflies with an excellent menu, which leads me to the following question: what were the two "vegetarian" members of our group doing tucking into Venison pie and Braised Rabbit?

Worbarrow Bay, Tyneham

by BerylJohnson

13

The Suffolk Argus

November 1999

Tuesday May 25 th Dingy Skipper survey at Barnham Cross Common & Marmansgrave Wood

...

-~

by Richard Stewart

~·······~ :.:-.:~~ r-:-~~ ... ;.*'·---------=-~

••.• ..,,,~-

Twelve members attended, which ...... ·-···::::~ enabled three groups to be formed and with morning and early ahernoon coverage we managed to survey all of the Common.

No Dingy Skippers were found but one group came across a separate BTO party from the Nunnery, close by, who reported Dingy Skipper from the Common and also close to John O'Groats Cottages in the King's Forest, both very welcome reports.

Andy Musgrave confirmed these with me later, by phone. One of our groups also recorded the species from just off the Common, close to the RAF Barnham area where they were found in some numbers last year. This was the other side of the perimeter fence but means there is room for expansion of the existing colony if any shading out occurs at the present site.

Species found on the Common included: Green Hairstreak, Small and Green-veined White, Small Copper, Common Blue, Peacock, Speckled Wood and Small Tortoiseshell caterpillars. A total of 20 Brimstones was an impressive number, though some were possibly double-recorded in their wide-ranging search for buckthorn.

Small Heath was abundant and the total of 124 was possibly the best one-day total during the Millennium Survey.Just off the Common (TL 85781 I) the party also found Large White and Brown Argus.

-#-·~-

14

Dingy Skipper

by Douglas Hammersley

In all 49 species were recorded; Agonopterix propinquella,Ancy/ismiturbacheriana,Angle Shades, Barred Hook-tip, Broom-tip, Clay Triple-lines, Clouded Drab, Coleophora argentula,Common Carpet, Common Pug, Coxcomb Prominent, Double-striped Pug, Dwarf Pug, Emperor, Epinotia immundana, Great Prominent, Green Carpet, Grey Birch, Grey Carpet, Grey Pine Carpet, Hebrew Character, Incurvaria mascuklla, Larch Pug, Latticed Heath, Least Black Arches, Lobster, Lunar Marbled Brown, Maiden's Blush, Narrow-winged Pug, Nuttree Tussock, Oblique Striped, Ochreous Pug, Pale Prominent, Pale Tussock, Pebble Hook-tip, Pine Beauty, Poplar Grey, Red Chestnut, Red Twin-spot Carpet, Redgreen Carpet, Scalloped Hook-tip, Scarce Tissue, Semioscopissteinkellneriana,(Small) Engrailed, Spruce Carpet, Syndemis musculana,Tawny-barred Angle, Waved Umber and Yellow-barred Brindle,

Marmansgrave Wood in the ahernoon produced distant views of Stone Curlews and at least 200 Common Blues on what is traditionally a strong site for this species-the numbers in some small sunlit spots were a memorable sight. After much close searching of the area which widens out to the left, a single Dingy Skipper, rather faded, was found-the first site record since 1995. Other species recorded: Large White, Greenveined White, Peacock, Orange Tip, Small Heath, Small Copper, one Green Hairstreak, two Brown Argus and Speckled Wood.

Wall brown

by Douglas Hammersley

Saturday 22 nd • May and Sunday 23 rd • May 1999 "A Weekend in Hampshire and Dorset" byAlan] ohnson Day One A total of fourteen adults and two children met at a cliff-top car park, at Milford-onSea, our "target species" being the Glanville Fritillary, found at the nearby Hordle Cliff, the only known mainland site for this interesting and probably rarest British Fritillary. Other sites are on the Isle of Wight and several more in the Channel Islands.

The earlier morning sunshine had by now started to fade rapidly, with increasing amounts of cloud and a stiffS.W. wind blowing across the Solem, not ideal conditions for "butterfly hunting"!

Our party duly set off westwards along the shingle beach, eventually reaching an area of undercliff, the instability of which encourages the growth of the Ribwort Plantain, the foodplant of the caterpillar. The butterfly's principal nectar sources being Thrift and Bird's-foot trefoil.

Other plants noted included Thyme, Kidney Vetch, Orchids and Sea-Kale.

The more intrepid members of our party were soon scrambling about on the higher levels of the undercliff, Richard Stewart being the first to locate a solitary Glanville Fritillary. Some time later another specimen was seen by a few other members. However, those at beach level had to be content with sightings of Common Blue, Small Copper, Wall Brown, Peacock and Dingy Skipper, mostly only 'singles'. A striking Cream-spot tiger

11

The Suffolk Argus

November

1999 Field Trips Sunday April 18th:

1st May 1999

Lavenham Disused Railway Line and Lineage Wood - joint Butterfly Conservation and Ipswich and District Natural History Society meeting.

Moth Night at Icknield Way, King's Forest

by Richard Stewart Despite an indifferent weather forecast, 19 members turned up and whatever was lacking in the butterfly section was well balanced by birds and flora: a brief snatch of nightingale song, a flying green woodpecker, chilfchaff, willow warbler, blackcap, long tailed tits and one heron, and amongst many flowers identified by bud, leaf or actual bloom, specimens of cowslips, wood anemone, violets, angelica, bugle, marjoram, dog's mercury, hedge mustard, ox-eye daisy, common spotted orchid, bee orchid, wood spurge, hops, forget-me-not, and wild strawberry. On the latter part of the walk several members had a first opportuniry to see the large, impressive colony of Roman snails.

We had our lunch in a warm, sunlit corner of Lineage Wood but my confident forecast of'a butterfly in the next two minutes' didn't materialise. After this, and the realisation chat I could be, along with the joint leader Alan Johnson, possessed of the unenviable record of first ever meeting without a butterfly, we were very relieved to spot a superb Speckled Wood, in pristine condition. That was it, though for most in the party the threatening rain held olflong enough to get us back to our parked cars: our thanks to Forestry Enterprise for permission to go into the private Lineage Wood.

10

This was a joint meeting with the British Entomological Sociery. 8 members and their guests turned up on an evening slightly warmer than those previously in the week.

We ran six MV lights spread out along the more southerly part of the Icknield Way in the King's Forest. Unfortunately the richness of Breckland habitat along this stretch has largely degenerated in the absence of any active management.

Once the lights were turned on moths were not slow in turning up at the lights, and within a short space of time species such as Green Carpet, Nut-tree Tussock, Scalloped Hook-tip and Lunar Marbled Brown had turned up at the lights. Rafe Eley and Mike Hall were fortunately on hand to help with identification of the Pugs and trickier moths that came.

Other species continued coming into the lights until after midnight. A single Grey Carpet turned up at Mike Hall's trap which was an early record for this species. A female Emperor moth was discovered later on in one of the Skinner traps - the female of this species (more known for its day-flying habit) is known to fly at night and occasionally come to light. Even so it was a pleasant surprise to see such a big moth in one of the traps. Other species of note that were recorded included Barred Hook-tip and Clay Triple-lines (beech feeders), Scarce Tissue, Broom-tip, Lobster, Red-green Carpet, Ancy/ismitterbacheriana(a tortrix) and Semioscopis steinkellneriana(an oecophorid).

Tuesday July 13th Purdis Heath and Ipswich Golf Course - joint meeting of Butterfly Conservation with the Ipswich and District Natural History Society.

By Richard Stewart

1999

The Purple sheen was also evident and as one person present had come specifically to see the Purple Hairstreak, it was certainly the ideal opportuniry. This whole incident was a remarkable and unusual sight and one I had never expected to see.

After refreshments we went round the private Ipswich Golf Club, seeing a few Silver-studded Blues and a colony of Brown Argus but unfortunately it was by now a duller day, with rain arriving just as we returned to the car park. We did get the opportuniry to fully appreciate the conservation work that Neil Sherman and the late Steve Noy have put into what is a rich area for wildlife. The embryo flower meadow next to the old Decoy Pond was particularly notable.

Our thanks go to Neil Sherman for arranging the visit and it is to be hoped that he will be an integral part of the new regime at the Golf Club.

After walking from the Golf Club car park to the Heath, there were distant views of a few Purple Hairstreaks among the oaks at the entrance.

The members were then separated into small groups after establishing identification points for the Silver-studded Blues. The resulting total for the Heath was 278 and a further four were added on the Golf Course. I also counted 35 on my annual inspection of the Small Colony at the back of Brinor' s warehouse on the Ransomes Industrial Estate, about half a mile away. Other recorded species were: Purple Hairstreak Essex Skipper, Large White, Small Copper, Brown Argus, Holly Blue, Gatekeeper,

by Douglas Hammersley Meadow Brown, and Ringlet. Undoubtedly though the most memorable episode concerned the normally elusive Purple "'- ~ Hairstreak. Neil Sherman and Julian "~ Dowding agreed to cover the area to the left of the main track, which has very little habitat suited to the Silver-studded Blues.

Their small total was eclipsed by news of several sunlit oaks in a glade, with each tree no more than ten or twelve feet rail. One, with many ants evident, had Purple Hairsrreaks at eye level, waist level, and in total about forty ~Allof us had incredibly close views of a butterfly usually seen at a far distance or occasionally feeding singly from lower nectar.

15

The Suffolk Argus

Saturday July 17th White Admiral Survey at Tunstall Forest

by RichardStewart This was hard work, with none seen in the first plantation off left from the track leading to Chillesford.

Close to the Plantation there is much invading Silver Birch, which has virtually cut out the view from the deer-culling platform.

• Several brambles were being choked and shaded out by ferns and ragwort and one in particular was suffering badly from those two forces. This is at the far Southern end, where a large, sunlit bramble acts as a foreground to conifers draped in the partially shaded honeysuckle used for egg laying. This is used by many butterflies, including White Admiral, when the bramble flowers are out. It needs urgent attention.

At the main traditional site we saw none and here there are elders, sycamore and ragwort to remove as shading is increasing.

The White Admiral is a shade-tolerant species but the situation is becoming too over-grown. We eventually saw one flying fast and high and on our return everyone had good close-up views, including the beautiful markings on the closed wings, as one fed low down on nectar near the path.

Green-veined White

by DouglasHammersley

16

November

In the afternoon, more by luck than forward planning, we saw three more on a short walk from a parking area closer to Sudbourne, at TM 399527. Subsequent visits here by other members, and two of us with Radio Suffolk. failed to find any, so we were fortunate.'A good range of other species included: Essex, Small and Large Skippers, Large and Green-veined White, Small Copper, Holly Blue, Red Admiral, Peacock, Comma, Speckled Wood, Grayling (as usual landing on several of us), Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown and Ringlet.

There is to be some thinning out of trees around the traditional White Admiral site, probably this Autumn. Bearing in mind past damage caused when a large harvesting machine took an unauthorised short cut, our Chairman James Mann has already had on-site discussions with Richard Davis of Forestry Enterprise.

Saturday July 3 l5t, Meadows in Mid Suffolk

by Paul Gilson Baylham Eleven members met up at Baylham Church car park on what was to be one of the hottest days of the year, the temperature nearly reaching 30°c. The car park had been recently cut but at least half the area had been left uncut to the benefit of Common Blue and Comma butterflies that were to be seen in this area.

A short walk from the car park had us at the entrance to this private area of fields and woodland, specificallymanaged for the benefit of wildlife. The area consists of a two acre meadow which at present is being grazed over the Autumn/Winter period by sheep and then left to flower during Spring and Summer. A further one acre has been left uncut at present

The White Adtniral Experience

by RichardChampion June 22 nd 1999 dawned with clear skies, bright sunshine and virtually no wind- a perfect morning to postpone the weekly chore of grocery shopping and go for a stroll around Mildenhall Woods instead.

With the butterfly season in full flow, I try to visit each of my six local tetrads once a week to gather records for the Millennium Atlas. I tend to take much the same route each time, which in springtime means a constant serenade from W oodlarks and Tree Pipits, plus regular sightings of Kingfisher and Grey Wagtails along the Cut-off Channel.

Deep within Mildenhall Woods is a narrow ride lined with honeysuckle and bramble where White Admirals were first recorded in 1997 after expanding their range from an adjacent tetrad.

Many other butterflies favour this ride, including Speckled Wood, Comma, Red Admiral, Large Skipper and the occasional Grayling. The previous week I had recorded my first newbrood Comma of the year on Aspal Close, but had not seen it anywhere else subsequently. I therefore decided to make a detour along the ride in the hope they would also be on the wing here.

At the first patch of bramble and honeysuckle I stopped to compare a rather worn Speckled Wood with a newly emerged

1999

Meadow Brown. As I went to move off, somewhere in the periphery of my vision, for just a fraction of a second, I glimpsed the unmistakable "jizz" of a White Admiral!

"Must be getting senile - far too early", I thought to myself, but nevertheless remained rooted to the spot desperately hoping for the butterfly to show itself properly. The flight of the White Admiral is so attractive and distinctive, that once seen is never forgotten.

A full five minutes elapsed, with yet another frustrating peripheral glimpse, before an immaculate specimen ofladoga camilla landed on the bramble in front of me.

Only having seen faded and worn specimens previously, I admit to being totally entranced with the contrast of rich chocolate brown and pristine white upper surfaces, and the warm orange, brown and white of the under-sides. Along the length of the ride a minimum of six butterflies were on the wing, bringing forward the earliest recorded flight date in Suffolk by almost two weeks. I managed to re-visit the ride a few days later when there were at least seven White Admirals to be seen flitting around the canopy edges in characteristic fashion before dropping down to nectar on bramble flower.

I intend to monitor the colony on a weekly basis for the rest of the season to see how numbers fluctuate, and who knows, I might get lucky and record the latest known flight date too!

White Admiral

by DouglasHammersley

9

The Suffolk Argus

existed until the early 1980' s and llun. Further on at Walberswick Common, previously considered as a likely reintroduction site. These sites will be monirored to see if natural recolonisation cakes place, as will Toby's Walks some I ½km co the north. No reintroduction is planned. viii. Wenhaston Blackheach: is the most isolated colony and is the result of a reintroduction in 1986. It has not expanded and occupies a small corner of the heath with maximum numbers ofless than a hundred.

Although suitable habitat exists at Mill Heath, site of a former colony, and Bickers Heath it is not expected chat the colony will spread but each site will be monitored to check for natural movement. No Reintroduction is planned.

~J

~~\'"' 1~ ,.._ Silver-studded Blue

by Beryl]ohnson

8

November

The main area of suitable habitat chat does not support Silver-studded Blues and is unlikely co colonise by natural means is the heathland complex of Snape Warren, Snape Church Common, Knodishall Whinn, Knodishall Common, Aldringham Common and Aldringham Walks. I; There are no linking sites between this and Wesdeton some 7km. North. Ii. Natural colonisation normally has taken in a northerly direction.

I. ii. The colony at Blaxhall some 2½km.

S.W. of Snape Warren is very small, only 20 or so individuals and is separated by the River Aide.

A reintroduction was made at Aldringham Walks in 1998. This proved to be too late in the year and in unsuitable weather and if necessary will be repeated/ reinforced in 1999. It is expected chat there will be a spreading co the immediate suitable area. It is not however expected that there will be a spreading south co Snape Warren. If this assumption is proved correct a reintroduction to this site will cake place co enable this co form a fourth area within The Sandlings.

All populations will continue to be monitored and where natural spread is not considered to be possible, reintroductions will be considered to reach the maximum possible population on the remaining heaths between Ipswich and Southwold.

to allow for Autumn/Winter feeding by birds and small mammals. The broadleafed woodland area consists of a half acre of mature trees and a further acre of Sweet Chestnut which is undergoing a coppicing program to increase the diversity of wildlife.

Walking around the edge of the field it soon became apparent chat the margins were host to good numbers of Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper chat were feeding on the flowering Burdock as well as a resting Common Blue damselfly. The uncut area of grassland which contained many hundreds of teasels was being visited by Peacock and Meadow Brown butterflies. A few Brown Argus were seen around the edges and the odd Common Blue made a brief appearance.

The heat was incense and a walk through the woodland was a great relief for everyone.

Speckled Wood butterflies were seen in sunny pockets and at the far end of the wood in a area overlooking the Gipping valley, newly emerged Wall Brown butterflies made a welcome appearance for us. Two Wall browns seemed co be involved in a courtship display which had us all entranced. The appearance of these Wall Brown butterflies was particularly pleasing as they have become more scarce in recent years, especially on inland sites.

Emerging from the wood again into the bright sunshine a single Purple Hairstreak was spotted in the oaks on the edge of the wood. Jc was probably coo early in the afternoon for too much activity.

Some of us cook the opportunity to look around the meadow at the wild flowers, including Small Scabious, Birds-foot trefoil and Cencaury. Meadow Brown, Common Blue and a few skippers were the only butterflies to be seen in the meadow. As we made our way back to the cars everyone agreed chat it had been a worthwhile visit on a very hot saturday afternoon to see an area specifically managed for wildlife.

1999

Brown Argus

by DouglasHammersley Burstall Leaving Baylham we headed off towards our next destination, the home of Ann and Tony Burchnall. On arrival we were made very welcome by Ann and Tony and once introductions were complete we headed off to follow a path around the outside of a hedgerow which bordered a large field. The hedgerow contains White-letter Hairstreak although on this occasion they were not co be found. Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper were abundant and a few Common Blues were also to be seen. Essex skipper, Peacock, Large White, Small White and Small Tortoiseshell were also seen in the field. The real bonus for us on our visit was the large numbers of Brown Argus indicating the presence of a healthy colony.

On our return to the garden and a welcome rest in the shade we noticed several butterflies nectaring on Buddliea.

These included Comma and Small Torcoisehell. The afternoon finished with us being treated to a wonderful selection of homemade cakes and scones. Many thanks go to Ann and Tony for being such excellent hosts on a particularly hot afternoon.

17

The Suffolk Argus

Promotional Events 1999 .. .. .... . . .. ... ..

The Suffolk Show Wednesday & Thursday, June 2nd/3 rd This was our sixth year at this event and we gratefully extend our thanks to the Thornham Estate for inviting us to join their tent.

Unfonunately the weather did a repeat performance oflast year with heavy rain on the first morning. Despite the downpour on the first morning many hundreds of people visited the display over the two days, enquiring about our Society and the work of the Branch. Thanks must again go to Judy Clarke, Beryl Johnson and Paul Gilson, for growing butterfly attracting plants for the display. By the time it came to pack up on Thursday afternoon nearly all the plants, several books and other items had gone.

Thanks go to committee members who made available their time to be at the show.

We would also like to say a big thank you to Karen Corley from head office at Dedham who helped us out on the Thursday morning. It was her first visit to the show.

We have already been invited to share the Thornham Estate tent at next year's show and the committee hope that members can support us by helping out at the show.

'Gardening for Wildlife Day' Sunday, June 13th Alder Carr Farm, CreetingSt. Mary.

This was a new venue for our Branch at this farm shop complex, who had invited various wildlife organisations to come for the day to display information about 'Gardening for Wildlife'.

18

November 1999

Despite heavy rain during the night the display area had been somewhat protected by a plastic sheet which allowed the display stand to be erected without getting wet.

Paul Gilson, Richard Stewart and Tony Prichard with his moth trap catch from the previous night manned the display during the day.

A steady stream of visitors came to our display throughout the day and we were able to give advice about planting for butterflies as well as giving out information sheets and membership leaflets. Thanks go to Judy Clarke, Beryl Johnson and Paul Gilson for growing butterfly attracting plants for the display. Thanks must also go to Joan Hardingham for the original invite on what turned out to be another successful day.

2. i.

Ill.

'Gardening for Butterflies' Saturday & Sunday, July lO'h/11 ' h at Notcutts Garden Centre, Woodbridge This major event for the Branch came about as the result of an initiative between Notcutts and Butterfly Conservation. The Branch had the chance to promote itself at a well known Garden Centre with Notcutts supplying the main display material and butterfly attracting plants.

Richard and Marie Stewart took the stand on the Saturday with Paul Gilson and Family along with Beryl Johnson taking over on the Sunday. Over the two days there was a steady stream of visitors to the display and we were able to give advice on butterfly identification and butterfly attracting plants.

The two children's competitions proved popular and Sarah Gilson was lucky enough to win a prize in the colouring competition.

Thanks go to Notcutts staff for making are stay over the weekend an enjoyable one, especially as we were situated under cover, providing us shade from the intense heat.

Lower Hollesley A and

ii. Lower Hollesley B separated from the foregoing by the river Deben.

Two distinct colonies, very close, but separated by trees. Both colonies seem to be stable although numbers have fallen since 1986.

Suitable habitat exists at Sutton Heath and in the vicinity of Woodbridge Airfield runway but are separated by trees, mainly conifers.

Investigations are in hand to create corridors to provide conditions for natural colonisation. There are no plans for reintroduction.

3. i.

Blaxhall Common/Heath: is somewhat of a mystery. It was considered as a site for a possible reintroduction in 1996 but that year small numbers were found and appear to have held on. Closely adjacent areas towards Tunstall Common are being managed for woodlarks and nightjars and have been seeded with Bell Heather. The colony will be monitored to check for spread to these new areas. If the colony becomes extinct as it is remote from any other colony, it could be eventually be considered for a re-introduction. The existing colony has either held on, unnoticed, from the past or is subject to an unauthorised reintroduction.

Westleton Common: the site of the 1986 re-introduction has spread to become the largest single colony in Suffolk. As gorse in the area is successivelycut by Suffolk Wildlife Trust and the R.S.PB. the resultant Bell Heather growth has quickly been colonised. The colony has spread to ii. Westleton Football

Field and has been responsible for the recolonisation of iii. Westleton Saw Mills.

IV.

Westleton Heath: supports at least three separate colonies. One at either end of the English Nature Reserve adjacent to the Dunwich Road and one or more mobile colonies on the area subject to the English Nature programme of successiveburning.

v. Minsmere Grimston Clump colony: is within a stable boundary and has a consistent population monitored annually by the R.S.P.B. VI.

Dunwich Heath colony: although close by does not have such a dense population but odd sightings all over Dunwich heath suggest a likely expansion.

All the above form a metapopulation and are on more or less interconnected heathland.

Much of the heather is rather tall and affords little open bare area bur enough is managed sympathetically for Silver-studded Blues to enable them to spread to all suitable area.

The whole area will be monitored for natural spread/new colonies.

vii. New Delights Walks colony: some 3. 5 kilometres to the north is considered by some to be a new colony but it is possible it is a resurgence of a longstanding colony.

It is difficult to record actual numbers as much of it is on PRIVATE land but it is clear that it has expanded considerably over recent years helped by English Nature management. Further suitable habitat exists at East Hill some 3KM. East where a colony

7

The Suffolk Argus

November

The Present 1986 to 1998

The Future

Silver-Scudded Blues in Suffolk are now confined co the Sandlings Heaths. In 1986, just prior co development, stock was taken from Marclesham Heath co found two new colonies at Wenhascon Black Heath and Wesclecon Common.

The present colonies in Suffolk are divided into three main area:-

le is the intention of all conservation bodies in Suffolk co maintain, and where possible co expand, the population of the Silver-Studded Blue Bunerfly. All the remaining colonies are reliant on Bell Heather therefore there are no plans co accempca re-establishment on either the Brecklands or the past grassland sites. le is intended co work cowards an ideal situation where all the Bell Heather bearing heachlands between Ipswich and Southwold support Silver-scudded Blue buccerflies.

Where possible this will be done by natural colonisation but in other instances reintroduction will be considered. The situations in the three main areas are:-

I.

I.

Purdis Heath

ii. Naccon Heath (Ransomes) Ill.

Marclesham Heath

iv. Marclesham Common.

Extinct since a fire in 1995.

2.

1.

Lower Hollesley A

1. i.

ii. Lower Hollesley B 111.

Blaxhall Common/Heath Possibly two separate small colonies

I.

Wesclecon Common

II.

Wesclecon Football Field

11.

3.

iii. W esclecon Sawmills IV.

Wesclecon Heath up co three colonies

v. Minsmere Grimscon Clump VI.

Dunwich Heath The above can be described as a mecapopulacion

vii. Walberswick New Delight Walks viii. Wenhascon Black Heath.

6

Purdis Heath: is more than holding its own and is spreading onto Ipswich Golf course as habitat becomes suitable. le is hopeful chat it will spread co its limit without help.

Naccon Heath (Ransomes): a small but stable colony. The site could well be developed in the future resulting in the loss of the colony.

The owners are happy co co-operate until they decide co develop.

iii. Marclesham Heath: the remnants of a much larger colony. Management is allowing it co maximise the remaining area. iv. Marclesham Common: extinct since a fire in 1995. le is hoped chat che habitat will return at which time ic will be monitored in the hope chat it will re-establish from Marclesham Heath despite the distance of some kilometre over a developed area. le is unlikely chat there will be any spread from the existing area but with the current management they should sustain themselves. No reintroductions are planned.

1999

Early & Late Butterfly Records

by Richard Stewart Since publishing the list in the June 1999 Argus, the following changes have been made: Small Skipper- early: 7.6.95 - R.H. Marchant, Great Comard - TL 884407.

Essex Skipper- lace: 6.9.97 - Languard staff - Languard - TM 2831.

Dingy Skipper - early- the GR is TL 8273.

Swallowtail - lace - add Ian Porter - TM 467668.

Green-veined White - early record deleted; now is 20.3.90 - Mike Crewe - Pecciscree.

Green Hairstreak- early- GR is 454593.

Purple Hairstreak- early- same recorder, place, GR but dace now 22.6.99.

White-letter Hairstreak- early co: 4.7.99 Richard Havard - Blackheach, Wenhascon -TM 425746.

Silver-studded Blue: early co: 21.6.99Sceve Goddard - Purdis Heath - TM 2142.

Brown Argus: 3.5.97 - Paul and Alan Johnson - Rushmere Heath - TM 205448 and 204444.

Holly Blue - early GR is TM 3863; lace is TM 2831 and Languard Scaff.

White Admiral: change to 22.6.99 Richard Champion - Mildenhall Woods TL 723763 - 5 seen.

Painted Lady- early GR is TL 6644.

Speckled Wood - early GR is TL 7972.

Holly Blue

by DouglasHammersley Wall Brown early co: 24.4.90 - Rob Macklin - Minsmere - TM 462672.

Wall Brown - lace : 30.10.95 - Betty Serjeanc, Farnham - TM 376588.

Grayling - lace: 22.9.95 - BeccySerjeanc, Farnham - TM 376588.

Ringlet - lace change co: 21.8.96 - R. Van Der Does - Coccon - TM 081676.

Small Heath- early change co: 6.5.95 Scan Dumican - Berners Heath, Elveden TL 785754 and, same dace, Jean and Ken Garrod - North Warren - TM 455586.

Small Heath - lace - add GR TM 460587.

The four changed records i.e. Green-veined White, Wall Brown, Ringlet and Small Heath can be challenged up co a month afrer this is published. The rest now constitute County all-time records up co 1999, except if I receive beccer ones from this year's records still co come in. Finally, I have kept the vety lace second brood record of Large Skipper at Lakenheach 27.8.84 but need more details i.e. name of recorder and Grid Ref. This was during che lase survey so someone muse know!

19

The Suffolk Argus

Blossotn Underwings in East Anglia

by TonyPrichard References: NS - Neil Sherman, GB - Graham Bull, TP - Tony Prichard, EP - Eric Patrick, AW - Arthur Watchman, JW - Jan Watchman.

During the early part of April this moth was recorded at a few sites around southern Suffolk. The last confirmed Suffolk record of this moth that I am aware of was by Rafe Eley at Nowton in 1948. Morley's Lepidoptera of Suffolk only mentions 4 records from the 1800's up to 1936.

The records started arriving when Richard Stace (RS) recorded two indviduals at Lower Holbrook on the 3'd April 1999.

NS, GB and myself confirmed the identification the following day. A couple of MV sessions at Little Blakenham Pits on the 4,h April (NS, GB, EP, TP, AW, JW) and at Lower Hollesley Common (NS, GB, TP, EP, RS) on the 5•hApril turned up further singletons and meant that a few more people had sight of this moth.

Jeff Higgott at Rushmere, Ipswich also reported singletons on the G•hand 8'h April, although an MV session at the Ipswich Golf Course (next door to Jeff's garden) on the 9•hApril failed to turn any records up despite having 6 MV lights out on the course (NS, GB, TP, EP, RS).

20

November 1999

A similar picture appears to have occurred in Norfolk where the moth has not been recorded since the 1950's. In Essex where they appear to have a resident population south of Colchester, the moth was being recorded in people's gardens. I have also been informed of it being recorded at a garden trap in Cambridgeshire.

The moth is not thought to be a migrant which begs the question - where did these moths come from? Have they been present in the county at a very low density all this time and have not been recorded previously because people tend not to do much trapping at this time of year. Have the moths moved in from another area? The colony south of Colchester would seem the nearest but this does not explain the similar picture found in other counties.

I gather from Paul Waring that the species is prone to have population explosions after long periods of being at very low density, one such explosion occurred in the l 930's. It seems to me at the moment that the best explanation is that it has been present at very low numbers all the time and there has been a recent upsurge in its abundance. It will be interesting to see if similar or greater numbers are recorded next year. I shall also be looking to see ifl can beat the larvae from oak or hawthorn during the period from May to mid-June If any one has further records for this moth I would be very grateful if they could send the records in with as much detail as possible; precise dates and locations recorded along with numbers seen. It would also be useful to know if a voucher specimen has been retained.

SilverStudded Blues in Suffolk: Past, Present & Future

by JamesMann

Silver-studdedBlue

by DouglasHammersley

The Past up to 1986 A hundred years ago the Silver-studded Blue was common in many parts of the county and not confined as now to area that support Bell Heather. The Brecklands were considered to be its stronghold and in 1937 they were said to abound between Brandon and Tuddenham as freely as in the New Forest. They steadily declined and were last seen in the Brecklands in 1965 at Barton Mills. The Breckland habitat was predominately Ling, Bell Heather being vittually unknown. The decline seems to be associated with the vast decimation of the natural area by afforestation, agriculture, airfields and finally by scrubbing over and neglect. A colony used to exist on Redgrave Fen probably on Cross-Leaved Heath.

Several grassland colonies were scattered across the county notably at Nowton until 1948 and near Stowmarket until the 1960' s.

The butterfly is now confined to the Sandlings Heathlands where it was previously much more widespread. There are old records of at least 4 colonies in the north around Lowestoft (Herringfleet, Lound, Fritton and Barnby) and others from Southwold, Blythburgh and Wenhaston Mill Heath, and close to Ipswich at Bixley, Nacton and Foxhall. Although specific records do not exist for many areas it is very likely that the butterfly inhabited the greater part of the extensive and generally connected heathland from Ipswich to Southwold as it existed in 1880. The decline has followed the vast destruction of heathland by afforestation, agriculture, air fields, scrubbing over, neglect and housing, an example of the last being the development on Suffolk's largest colony at Martlesham Heath in the early l 980's.

With Sainsbury's failed "we can move the habitat" at Warren Heath we hope we have now seen the last of the decline.

5

The Suffolk Argus

November 1999

Indoor Meeting: The committee has decided, just for this year initially, to dispense with the usual Autumn indoor meeting and try an extended AGM, with a guest speaker and meal in the evening (optional) - more details in the next newsletter.

Changes on the Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... .

Millennium Survey: A draft booklet of

by Paul Gilson

distribution maps will not be issued this year. Instead, anyone wishing to check the accuracy of plotted records for 1999 should contact Richard Stewart by the end of November.

(Membership Secretary)

Articles for the Suffolk Argus If any members have articles for future editions of the Suffolk Argus could they please send them to Paul Gilson at 18, Cheltenham Avenue, Ipswich IP1 4LN. Myself and Richard Stewart will be overseeing the production of the newsletter until a new Editor is found.

Next year's programme . . . . . . . . ...........

.

by Alan Johnson (Programme Secretary) With the approach of the "dreaded Millennium" it will soon be time to be chinking about the Programme for the year 2000. If any of our Branch Members have ideas or suggestionsfor future field trips, either within or outside the County, can they please contact me, or any other Committee member, by the end of November.

4

As many of you will already be aware, James Mann is no longer our Chairman and Richard Stewart will be taking over the position until a new Chairman is elected at the 2000 AGM. Richard will also be taking over the responsibility of Conservation Officer for butterflies.

We also have a new member on the Committee, Richard Champion from Beck Row near Mildenhall. Richard will be representing our interests along with Richard at the Suffolk Naturalists' Society conference at Ipswich School in late October.

We are still short of Committee members and I must urge you to consider whether six people on the Committee is enough to truly represent the interests of the Branch at all its activities and functions.

If you are interested in joining the Committee please contact me or Richard Stewart.

Favourite Spots: Suffolk Water Park

by Steve Goddard Ifl haven't already seen a butterfly in my garden this is the place I look for my first spring insects after those cold winter days.

Away from my garden I have recorded the most species on one site here - 21.

It is also the place where I go in search of my first migrant birds and for dragonflies throughout the year. So although it is several miles away from home I guess you could call this my regular patch.

The Water Park is located near Ipswich at TM 120485 and is sign-posted off the Al 4 from the Great Blakenham exit.

It is a restored gravel pit with a diverse habitat of rough grassland, scrub and woodland edge which surrounds the lake and is a rather pleasant place to be.

This year for one reason or another, I did nQt get there until 30th, April but on this day I saw Large White, Green-veined White, Orange Tip, Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock. By the end of May I had added Small Copper, Brown Argus and Common Blue. In other years, Holly Blue, Small White and Comma have usually shown themselves by now. Interestingly, this year I did not see a COfhma anywhere until 30th, June when the variety hurchinsoni appeared in my garden.

Last year I saw Brimstone on 9th, May which is a scarce butterfly for the site. Early June usually brings Red Admiral although not this year. By the third week of June both Large Skipper and Meadow Brown have made their entrance. These are followed by Small Skipper, Essex Skipper and Gatekeeper. Then by mid-August the second brood of Brown Argus is in flight. In August 1996 I counted up to 100 of this species putting this into the prime site category but since then its numbers have been nowhere near as high even though the foodplants Dove's foot Cranesbill and Storksbill are still abundant. Having said that, as I write it is July 1999 and August is yet to come! In October 1997, Brown Argus was still on the wing during the first week of October which to date is the latest recorded in Suffolk.

On 12th, October 1998, 2 Wall Brown were present in pristine condition which may well have been part of a third emergence. Although this is late, it is not the latest date recorded for this butterfly. In its good seasons I have seen Painted Lady and on occasions Small Heath but sightings of this latter species are rather scarce.

To increase the species count for this location still further I am looking forward to recording the ever-spreading Speckled Wood and perhaps Ringlet and in a good year, Clouded Yellow. This would bring the species total up to 24. Already, the site must compare well with the best sites in Suffolk and with 13 species of dragonfly, an impressive list of birds (not to mention the toilets and refreshments in summer) it is well worth a visit.

We hope this articleby Steve will encourage othermembersto write about theirfavourite spots.Pleasesendyours to the editorsfor inclusionin afuture Argus.

21

The Suffolk Argus

Alone Marbled White at Sudbury

by RobParker At 10.20 on th~ morning of9 th July 1999, it was becoming warm at the edge of the Stour on Sudbury' s Friar's Meadow, where I was watching the damselflies.

I was amazed to see a Marbled White (Melanargia galathea) fluttering amongst the tall vegetation at the water's edge. It flew obligingly dose to me, and I had no doubt at all about the identification. Unfortunately I was not carrying a net. It moved on with the light breeze, across the recently mown and waterlogged meadow. Two inches of water from the recent downpours impeded my pursuit and I lost sight of it just before the trees at the far side.

I spent the rest of the morning searching the meadow for any sign of suitable habitat. The areas of rough, long grass were well frequented by Meadow Browns without any sign of an undiscovered Marbled White colony (impossible, surely), and the waterside verge was too narrow to be plausible, although it did contain thistle and other blossom which could provide a passing attraction. The opposite side of the river looked much more plausible, being a grassy slope protected at the top by woodland, although it was West facing, rather than East facing.

22

November 1999

Twice I pursued clumsy flying butterflies only to find a pair of Green-veined Whites flying in cop. The whites were visible at a greater distance than where I had lost sight of the Marbled White, and were mostly Green-veined, with two Small Whites and just one Large White. Also found along the woodland edge were Small Tortoiseshells, Red Admirals, a Comma, Ringlet and Essex Skipper. I did not get another look at my Marbled White.

The Marbled White has not occurred naturally in Suffolk for over a century, (Mendel & Piotroski, 1986) and it is not an insect that strays far from its established colonies. There are healthy colonies in Essex, the closest being near Witham, some 30 kilometres south of Sudbury. I wonder ... ? Perhaps this sighting is best treated, like one in King' Forest in 1979, as an introduction.

In the afternoon I attempted to reach the far side of the Stour, and found that the hillside in question is on private land. It lies just inside Suffolk's administrative boundary, but is outside the biological recording area (VC25 & 26). If anyone is aware of any reintroduction attempts, or other records of unexplained strays, I should be glad to hear of them.

A check was made with Val Perrin, Essex BC Recorder, and he confirmed no Essex colonies exist anywhere near SudburyRichard Stewart.

Editorial

by RichardStewart This can be summarised in one word: thankyou.

First, to all who agreed to cover the remaining under-recorded tetrads for the last year of the Millennium Survey. Thanks to some dedicated and persistent searching, often in difficult circumstances, every one now has at least five species-the Gatekeeper is now up to a plus compared to the last survey and many records have been added for Wall Brown.

Second, to all the recorders who monitored the threatened White-letter Hairstreak site at Bixley, especially Steve Goddard and Jean and Ken Garrod, who made many visits at different times of the day. I now have a substantial list of records to present to Anglian Water, Chaters the builders, SCDC and James Baker of the Greenways Project before the next site meeting is held.

Third to Allan, Beryl and Paul Johnson for organising two weekend trips to other regions this year. Sixteen attended, with ten of us at the same bed and breakfast place: This had, as a bonus, several lakes and a woodland walk. Although the last day had to be cancelled because of bad weather we found all target species on the previous two days. Everyone had superb extended low views of a female Brown Hairstreak and Paul Johnson's relief was obvious, after several frustrating attempts previously. It takes a considerable amount of time and effort to make all the arrangements, and this doesn't end when we have arrived.

I calculate that well over thirty members and family have been on these trips and we are all very grateful to the Johnsons. The finding of butterflies not present in Suffolk is obviously the main concern but these outings also feature a high level of friendly banter in good company, with good food, fine accommodation and in areas of great natural beauty.

Finally, bur certainly not least, our Chairman James Mann and his wife are soon heading for a new life in France. James took over the demanding position at a time when there was a yawning gap in the committee and he has filled the role with great success.

He has chaired meetings with tact, diplomacy, humour and determination and well beyond his public profile at meetings and on outdoor trips there has been a tremendous amount of behind-the-scenes work liaising with other organisationsRSPB, English Nature, Suffolk Wildlife Trust, BC staff from the Conservation Office, to name bur a few. His singlehanded photography of butterflies will long be remembered in Suffolk (good results, I hasten to add), and he has single-handed taken on and produced our Branch action plan for butterflies, as part of BC's national scheme. He has been a Main Recorder in the Millennium Survey and for all these reasons, and many more, will be sadly missed. We obviously hope to maintain contact-who knows, in a few years we may have an extended Branch trip to France!

At his last committee meeting James was given a copy of the Collins 'Butterflies of Britain and Europe' (Tolman and Lewington) signed by all of the committee.

To end, unfortunately, on a sadder note-I have just been informed of the death of Sam Beaufoy, a legend in the history of butterfly recording and photography. A full tribute will appear in the next edition.

3

The Suffolk Argus

November 1999

Contents

........................................

Notes from the Editor ......................................................

3-4

Silver studded Blues in Suffolk: Past, Present and Future ..................................................

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...

Copy Dates Contributions for our newsletter should reach the Editor (address on back page) no later than:

February June

5-8

The White Admiral Experience ...........................................

1999 Field Trips ..........................................................

Newsletter Details

9

10-17

Promotional Events 1999 ..................................................

18

Early and late butterfly records .........................................

19

Blossom U nderwings in East Anglia .................................. 2 0

October

To Advertisein

Argus

Newsletter Details & General Information ....................... 23

Please contact:

Suffolk Branch Contacts ........................................ Back Cover

Any piece of writing that is considered to be of interest will be published together with line drawings/prints/photographs.

The Suffolk Argus is your magazine, so please let us hear from you.

ThSuffo[k

A Lone Marbled White in Suffolk ..................................... 22

. Favourite Spots: Suffolk Water Park .................................. 21

Christmas Eve April Fools Day August Bank Holiday

Paul Gilson (01473 253276)

Butterfly HOTELS ,;I:~

ButterflyLine 0891 884505 +"'

A purposebuilt Hotel with all the facilities that today'stravellersrequire yet in a rustictraditionalenvironment that is welcomingand comfortable.

Regular Updates & Latest News All profits are used for the conservation of butterflies and their habitats.

Calls charged at 60p per minute at all times

2

Butterfly Hotel, Al 4 Bury East Exit.

Moreton Hall, Bury St. Edmunds

01284 760884 23

Suffolk Branch Contacts

Chairman (Acting) Richard Stewart, 'Valczina', 112 Westerfield Road, Ipswich, Suffolk !PI 2XW (01473 216518) Membership Secretary Paul Gilson, 18 Cheltenham Avenue, Ipswich,

Suffolk !PI 4LN (01473 253276) Newsletter Editors (temporary) Paul Gilson, 18 Cheltenham Avenue, Ipswich,

Suffolk !PI 4LN (01473 253276) Richard Stewart, 'Valczina', 112 Westerfield Road, Ipswich, Suffolk !PI 2XW (01473 216518)

Volunteers Needed If you feel you could help out now and then with the growing work of the Branch, please contact Paul Gilson on 01473 253276.

Programme Secretary Alan Johmon, 28 Medway Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP3 0QH (01473 715701)

Counry Recorder (Butterflies) Richard Stewart, 'Valczina', 112 Westerfield Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 2XW (01473 216518) Conservation Officer (Butterflies) Richard Sttwart, 'Valczina', 112 Westerfield Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 2XW (01473 216518)

Conservation Officer (Moths) Tony Prichard, 3 Powling Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP3 9JR (01473 270047) Counry Recorders (Moths) Jon Nicholls, 18 Berners Road, Felixstowe, Suffolk !Pll 7LF (01394 271500) Tony Prichard (address as below) Secretary Tony Prichard, 3 Powling Road, Ipswich,

Suffolk IP3 9JR (01473 270047) Treasurer Graham Bull, Willow Cottage, I The Sueet,

Raydon, Suffolk IP7 5LP (01473 310371)

Published by the Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation (The British Butterfly Conservation Society Ltd.) Reg. No. 2206468 Reg. Charity No. 254937 Head Offia:, P.O. Box222. Dedham, EssexC07 6EY. Tel. (01206) 322342 Edited by Pa11lGilsond- RichardStn1art Logo (Silver-studded Blue) Dout H,mmmky Designedandproducalby Sr,ph<nI,n © 1999 all rights reserved

Publiciry Officer (Vacant)

November1999 • • • • • • • • • •

President Howard Mende/, do The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD (0171 938 8782)

Committee Member Richard Champion, 7a St. John's Street, Beck Row, Bury St. Edmunds, IP28 SM (01638 714768)

Commas BerylJohnson

The Newsletter of the Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION

Volume 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....