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.
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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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