Prize 'Winner ~97
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Jfigfi<Brown <Fritiffaries a6outyou wouuf wotu:ferwfiataff tliefuss was a6out concemingtlieirsurvival LargeJfeatfisj[y just acrosstlie riveran.1" up in tlie <Feffs are:Mountain(Rjngfets.
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ongratulations to Suffolk Branch member Russell Edwards on being awarded First Prize in the UK Moths section in the 1993 Butterfly Photographer of the Year competition organised by Butterfly Conservation. Russell's winning picture was of a Poplar Hawk-moth taken in his own garden. His award was presented to him by Gordon Beningfield, President of the Society, at this year's National AGM.
Target species for1994 Just to remind you all of the appeal made in the first issue of the SUFFOLKAR6US for us all to make a special effort to look for and take note of six particular species when recording our observations this year. These are (in alphabetical order): Brown Argus, Dingy Slcipper,Grizzled Slcipper,Silver-studded Blue, White Admiral and White-letter Hairstreak. Whilst we should all be aware of the status of our mascot, the Silver-studded Blue, the others are no less vulnerable. As I said before, it may already be too late for the Grizzled Slcipper which was last positively recorded in 1979. This latter species is in serious decline in many parts of central and southern England and is the subft:ct of a three-year research project at the University of East London. The aim is to generate recommendations on how this little-studied butterfly may be most effectively conserved. Therefore, any observations will not only be of help to us but will also be forwarded on to support this major study. As you read this, Grizzled Skippers could well be on the wing somewhere in Suffolk. Their flight period is usually mid-May to end Jw1e. lt was last recorded on 19th May 1979, at Felshamhall (Bradfield) Woods. Could it still be here in the woodland edges? Elsewhere in this issue, Steve Doyle talks (see p.12) of seeing it in Thetford forest. Who knows, you could go down in local history as the finder of the first colony since the 1970's. We will ce11ainlybe printing any such news in the SUFFOLKARGUS. Records of all butterfly sightings should be sent to Richard Stewart, who is deputising for Steve Piotrowski as County Recorder until further notice (see back cover). The season's just getting under way - have a lovely summer - look forward to hearing about your adventures for the autumn edition. SteveGoadard THF SUFFOLK ARGUS Vo! 2
I spenamucfiof my time now doingconservationworli_,in Cum6riawitfi tlie:Nortfzof
<Eng [a.,u[CBrancli. 'Weareon[yjust 18 montfisoU 6ut afreatfynave4 major6utteif[y conservation projectsunderway. 'Wearefocusing on tlie:Marsfz<Fritiffary (my specia[interest)and fzopeto expandtliepresentnum6erof 4 sites. Otliermajor projectsongoingarein respectof tfie<DuR.§ of <Burgundy anaJ{igfz<Brown <Fritiffaries and tlie:MountainCJ?j:ngfet. 'Wecfesperate[y want to work,ontliefast declining <PearC-6ortferea <Friti«ary and tlie(])ark,green <Friti«ary afongwitfz tlieSmaff<B[ue 6ut fack,ofliumanresourcesrestrictsourprogress.
If any mem6ersstray up to Cum6ria,I wiff 6eon[yto pfeaseato giveyou news of sigfztingsor sitesfor someof ourspeciafi.ties e~eptfor tlie:Marsli<Fritiffary wfiicliis so tlireatenedtfiat we try to ~ep its presenceunderwraps. Jfave a good1994 season,I for oneam foofjngforward to it ( as tliestrongwina and rain6attermy window on tliisdank,6f.eak,'.M.arcli day!). Steve (J)oyfe
Where might you expect to find around two-thirds of the County's butterflies on one site? Wolves Wood? Maybe the King's Forest? Minsmere? Almost certainly. But how about a small site which is not even an SSSI, let alone a well known Nature Reserve? The place to which I refer is a small part of Rushmere Heath known as Bixley Fann, situated between Ipswich and Kesgrave. It is a well-walked area of rough grassland. gorse and mixed hedgerow (including both Oak and Elm) close to residential development. As the list below shows, personally I have encountered 21 of the 31 species we may see in Suffolk in an average year. My records consist of: Small, Essex and Large Skippers; Large, Small and Green- veined Whites; Green, Purple and White-letter Hairstreaks; Small Copper; Common and Holly Blues;. Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock & Comma; Grayling, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Sm11IIHeath & Ringlet. Perhaps surprisingly, I have yet to record Orange Tip, Wall or Painted Lady. In a good year, I might even see Clouded Yellow and could expect the count to increase still further. This could mean a remark.able 25 of the potential 31 species on one small suburban site, which clearly reflects the im:>artance of this magical little spot. It is perhaps worth noting the 6 species one would not expect to see: Dingy Skipper. Brimstone. Silver-studded Blue. Brown Argus, White Admiral or Speckled Wood. Fortunately, Suffolk Coastal District Council, who have recently taken possession of this land as Public Open Space, are drawing up a management plan to conserve the natural interest whilst allowing continued use for informal recreation. We have been in touch with them about the site and its management. and look forward to helping with it in future. Why not pop along yourself or come and see the area with other members of the Group on 23rd July ? It should be well worth it. (See Events List). In the meantime, tell us abou: your own favourite spot and we will be delighted to include your observations in a future issuP.of the SUFFOLKAR6US. Steve Goddard
THE SUFFOLK ARGUS Vo/ 2
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