Suffolk Argus 22 Spring 2001

Suffolk Branch Contacts

Chairman

Rob Parker, 66 Cornfield Road, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 3BN (01284 705476) Membership Secretary Paul Gilson. 18 Cheltenham Avenue, Ipswich.

Suffolk IP! 4LN (01473 253276) Newsletter Editors (temporary) Paul Gilson (address as above)

Richard Stewart, 'V alczina', 112 Westerfield Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP4 2XW (01473 216518)

Publicity Officer (Vacant)

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 OQH (01473 715701) County Recorder (Butterflies) Richard Stewart, (address as above) Conservation Officers (Butterflies) Richard Stewart, East Suffolk (address as above) Rob Parker, Central/West Suffolk (address as above)

Conservation Officer (Moths) Tony Prichard, 3 Powling Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP3 9JR (01473 270047) County Recorders (Moths) Jon Nicholls, 18 Berners Road, Felixstowe, Suffolk IP! I 7LF (01394 271500) Tony Prichard (address as above)

r

Secretary Tony Prichard, (address as above) Treasurer Graham Bull, Willow Cottage, I The Street, Raydon, Suffolk IP? 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 Office: BuncrflyC.Onscrva1ion, Manor Yard, East Lulwonh, Wareham, Dorset BH20 5QP Telephone 01929 400209

Editod by P••I Cihon 6- Rich•rdStn1•rt Logo (Silver-studdodBlue) Do•z H•mmmk] Dc1igoodandproducodby St,phnt Ion, Ort 6-M,.,, J,,ip C 2000 all rights reserved

Committee Members Beryl Johmon, 28 Medway Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP3 OQH (01473 715701)

Spring2001 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

The Newsletter of the Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation

Stella Wolfe President Howard Mendel, do The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW? 5BD (0171 938 8782)

Orange Tips by Beryl Johmon

BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION

Volume22

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The Suffolk Argus

Spring 2001

Contents

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2000 Autumn GM/Editorial ............................................... 3

Newsletter Details

Churchyard Survey .................................... :.......................... 4 Suffolk Branch Accounts ......................................................

5

Safety Code ...........................................................................

6

The Devil's Dyke .............................................................

Deadly Lavender ..................................................................

7-8 9

2000 Field Trips .......................................................... 10-19 Butterfly Report for 2000 ............................................ 19-21 Friend or Foe ......................................................................

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Newsletter Details & General Information ....................... 2 3 Suffolk Branch Contacts ....... :................................ Back Cover

To Advertisein

Copy Dates Contributions for our newslener should reach the Editor (address on back page) no lacer than: Spring Summer

April Fools Day

Christmas Eve

Autumn

August Bank Holiday

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

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

n.Suffolk

Argus Please contact:

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ButterflyLine 09068 884505

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

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01284 760884 23

The Suffolk Argus

Spring 2001

Friend or Foe

2000 Autumn GM

. . . . . . . . . •. . . . . . . . . . .

ByJames Mann In March of the year 2000 I saw the first of the Lang's Short-tailed Blues flitting about the garden. I saw them from time to time over the next few weeks and the on 18 th April I saw what I thought was a beautiful specimen to photograph sitting on our roses.

I took a photo but was not happy with my identification for although it had tails it looked too large, the underwing markings looked wrong and the upperwings were a uniform brown lacking any sign of blue.

Directly I got the photos developed I studied the plates in my Butterflies of Britain and Europe. Tolman and Lewington and my considered opinion was that it was Cacyreus marshalli the Geranium Bronze, a native of South Africa. I did a crosscheck with my Butterflies of Southern Africa by Mark Williams and confirmed the identification. He says they are common throughout South Africa, all the year in frost-free areas. They lay their eggs on the buds and flowers of pelargoniums and geraniums, the larvae bores holes into the soft stems causing parts of the plants to die.

Back to Tolman and Lewington.

Apparently the immature stages of the butterfly were introduced into the Balearic Islands in Pelargonium cultivars, first reported in Mallorca in 1990. It quickly spread and became a pest in all the Islands.

It reached the Spanish mainland being reported in Logrono, northern Spain, in 1992 and Granada, southern Spain, in

22

1995. A further report came from the viciniry of Rome in 1996. They add that due to the popularity of pelargoniums it would seem conductive to further dispersion.

The butterflies must have heard about the Geranium producers of Le Boulou for the Geranium Bronze is now a common Butterfly here, in fact the most numerous of any species in our garden this year. I have taken several photos of Anne's geraniums that include single butterflies, mating butterflies, butterflies egglaying on the flower buds, the larvae walking about the plants and the holes they have bored in the stems causing the plants to die.

Anne says "Get rid of those pests, they even come after my indoor geraniums". I say, "Leave them they are beautiful butterflies".

It is now the end of August and Anne has just had to chop down most of her geraniums as the stems are riddled with holes and the plants are dying.

How do you feel, Friend or Foe? The specieshas now bun recorrud in England (see BC News 67: P.12) but not in Suffolk -

Ed.

The 2000 Autumn GM at the Friends Meeting House, Ipswich started with our Chairman, Rob parker welcoming those present at the meeting. Unfortunately, due to the fuel crisis the attendance was very low, only 14 which mainly consisted of Committee members and other members from Ipswich. This was particularly disappointing in view of the fact that our guest speaker, Ken Willmott, had travelled a long distance to get here despite the crisis.

The meeting got underway with our guest speaker for the evening Ken Willmott, a leading member ofButterfly Conservation, giving us a presentation on butterfly variations and aberrations. Ken had some stunning slides, which everybody thoroughly enjoyed.

After ken's first talk the serious part of the afternoon began with a full account of recent activitiesby our Chairman Rob Parker. Each Branch officer then gave a separate report and these included the presentation and acceptance of the annual financial statement (details overleaf).A short break was taken for refreshments, which gave members a chance to talk to committee members and guest speakers.

Julian Dowding then gave us an update on the Brimstones and Buckthorn campaign. Early indic;itions are that many of the shrubs that have been planted are growing well but it is still too early to say whether they are helping the Brimstone population. In his second presentation, Ken gave us an excellentslide show and talk on the Moths of South-East England. Again his presentation contained some excellentslides.The meeting concluded with our Chairman Rob Parker thanking Ken Willmott for his presentations albeit in front of a much reduced attendance. Members and guests then stayed on to enjoy an evening meal together.

Editorial

by Richard Stewart 2001 Programme Enclosed is this year's programme of meetings and other activities. My calculation is that about 40 of our butterfly species could be seen if someone attended every meeting. New venues include the Stoke-by-Clare area, led by Roger and Stella Wolfe, who know this area very well, and at the other end of the counry the Carlton Marshes day will also, given good weather, provide plenry of dragonfly species. Rare species that include Duke of Burgundy, Wood White, Swallowtail, Adonis and Chalkhill Blue, Black and Brown Hairstreak, are the targets further afield, and at least three of the meetings will be led by the wardens. There is also the chance to see a butterfly transect in operation in the Fynn Valley, and also join in one or more of the Silver-studded Blue counts, which are vitally important to monitor the current health of this high-profile species and recommend any management work, if necessary. Tony Prichard can be contacted about additional moth evenings as well as those on the programme and we shall be liasing with our good friends at Thornham on three occasions: the Suffolk Show (if you have any butterfly plants that could be sold, contact Paul Gilson), a walk in July and for an afternoon/evening in September, to include the AGM and a moth evening.

More details of this will be in the next edition. Finally, please read the safery guidelines carefully, as these apply to all field meetings.

3

The Suffolk Argus

Churchyard Survey: A form will be sent later and this should be used for just one site. Others can be obtained, if needed, from Richard Stewart or your local library - or you can photocopy the original one. This is a one-year Survey which may go into a second year if necessary. le is joindy being organised by ourselves, the Suffolk Wildlife T ruse and che Suffolk Naturalists' Society. The form is self-explanatory but it does require a minimum of four visits to each churchyard and there are over 500 in Suffolk. We are hoping not just co list species but also look at egg-laying and nectaring activities and hopefully recommend good management techniques. Churchyards are often a rich but isolated relic habitat and in che Millennium Survey there was a wide variety of Suffolk breeding butterflies recorded.

There is bound to be some form of graveyard close to where you live so please consider surveying at least one site in 200 I.

4

Spring 2001

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.

rwo separate pairs of recorders (the J ohnstones and the Stewarts) established thac at Sizewell, the largest colony, Restharrow was also being used as a larval food plant.

The newly established Silver-studded Blue colony ac Aldringham Walks had an encouraging m.uimum count of 61 and I recorded much higher 101.&ls for boch sites ac Holbley. Stella Wolfe, Rob P.ukcr .md myself joined Minsmere uill for a count of their wide-rmging colonies but 1his species is only just surviving in several periphcr .J md isolated colonies, with particular problems a1 Bluhall, Wenha.ston and 1he sm.JI relic colony on 1he industrial csu1c: al Ipswich. Rc:grmably 1he lack of dau from Manlc:sham ha.s necessitated a separa1e Branch-organised count from 200 I. Although The White Admiral was only recorded in 12 mrads, the count of eight from Minsmere on 6•hJuly was very welcome, though in 2000 the best recorded Suffolk site was North Warren and Aldringham Walks, with 28 species, 26 of these on the transect, which has now been accepted into the national monitoring scheme, the only other Suffolk location included being at Walberswick NNR. Two new 2000 transects were at Bury Sc Edmunds (Rob Parker) and in the Fynn Valley (myselO. Other later records worth noting were the Brown Argus which came co Neil Sherman's moth lamp at Ipswich Golf Course on 2 nd August, 50 red Admirals noted by John Walshe at Haughley on g•h September, Marie Stewar~'s rwo lace Small Coppers at Tangham on 26'h October, a Painted Lady seen by Jean and Ken Garrod on 5•hNovember and an aberrant Wall, Bradanfelda, recorded by Glynnis Jenner at her St Olaves garden on 11,h September.

The latest record I have so far is of a Peacock near Monks Eleigh on 7'h

December (Arthur Watchman). The Small Tortoiseshell had a particularly poor year, probably caused by the weather, but there is some tentative evidence that its earlier stages may now be subject to a speciesspecific parasite.

Finally, one worrying trend needs to be no1ed-rl1e absence of records from several former recorders in West Suffolk produced jw1 23 per cent coverage of ce1rads, compared 10 41 per cent for the res1 of the couniy: leading to many gaps and just three mrads records for Grayling, 1hree for Green Hairmeak, and none for the Wall. To end on amore optimistic note: records were received from 169 recorders, which is very encouraging for the year immediately after a major survey and also is very hopeful for extensive coverage in next year's Churchyard Survey.

Clouded Yellow

by BerylJohnson

21

The Suffolk Argus

Adrian Richards). John Walshe recorded over a hundred in 40 acres of orchards at Earl Stonham and 'another sensational year' produced the highest ever transect count of 330 at the North Warren transect. This species is now in Suffolk's rop six for tetrad coverage.

The other three were migrants: first the Red Admiral, with Glynnis Jenner reporting well over a hundred on rotting fruit and buddleia at St. Olaves and reverse migration noted at both Landguard and north Warren in the Autumn. There was also a suggestion of southerly migration of the Painted Lady at Landguard and this species had its best year since the unforgettable 1996 migration. The Clouded Yellow was undoubtedly the butterfly of the year, with sightings from such unusual venues as a football match at Culford (Mike Dean), Heath Road Hospital in Ipswich (Dr. Bamford) and the Waitrose car park in Bury St. Edmunds (Geoff Hayes). I will be writing a more detailed report on this at a later date - the current total is 153 tetrads, easily surpassing the previous best for detailed recording in Suffolk, which was 119 in 1983. The 2000 sightings include at least eight var. Helice.

Other spring records of note included Large White and Orange Tip together on seedpods of Honesty in an Ipswich garden (Beryl Johnson) and I recorded the Alba aberrant of the Small copper at Rushmere on l 2'h May. Alan Johnson submitted the only Swallowtail record of the year, from Shingle Street on 7•hJune and there was Camberwell Beauty at Bradfield Woods NNR on 16'h May (Michael Girling). Rob Parker saw a Queen of Spain Fritillary in July but the location is a known haunt of a suspected breeder and releaser and is therefore a very dubious· record. The same applies to Marsh Fritillaries at Aspal Close and a Silver-washed Fritillary at Slough

20

Spring 2001

Hall. The last two were photographed to establish identification and it is distressing to have to tell an excited recorder that their find isn't genuine.

Despite a poor summer and exceptionally miserable July, Richard Champion was able to match his earliest ever 1999 record for White Admiral emergence at Mildenhall Wood, and Steve Goddard and Neil Sherman had the same earliest ever date for Silver-scudded Blues at Purdis Heath and Golf Club on l7•h June Rob Macklin's Grayling on July 2nd • At Aldringham walks was another new record and two more were added later: a Purple Hairstreak on s•h September at Ipswich Golf Club (Neil Sherman) and a Whiteletter Hairstreak at Bridge Wood, near Ipswich, a new site, on 28'h August Oohn Walshe).

Many lists of garden records had several expected species missing and one, the Holly Blue, is at present in the trough of its normal cycle and should be back in good numbers in two or three years. Liz Lines at Peasenhall reflected the thoughts of many garden recorders: 'The sorrow of 2000, not one blue!' As is always the case, however, others had good garden years: Adrian Richards brought his Ipswich total up to 24 with Clouded Yellow, Green Hairstreak, Speckled Wood and Wall but Steve Goddard, also in Ipswich, is marginally ahead thanks to his first Speckled Wood.

Paul Gilson, also in Ipswich, recorded 20 Painted Lady in one session in his garden and the Clarkes at Stowupland had maximum counts of74 Peacocks and 47 Red Admirals, mainly on white Buddleia.

Rob Macklin had 25 species in his garden at Snape and on his transect at North Warren, and also on the one at Landguard, the Common Blue had a good year, a feature not reflected in most gardens. There were no large counts of this species in 2000 but

Butterfly Conservation

Suffolk Branch

Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended 30 th June 2000 1998/99 743.00 164.50 49.85 154.81 123.38 1235.54 67.00 1168.54

66.00 27.50 580.17 71.50 108.75 81.68

Income Membership Subscriptions Grants Donations: General Fundraising Butterfly Plants Sale of Merchandise

Cost of Sales

Expenditure Donation Retirement Suffolk Show Subscriptions Newsletters / Program Butterfly Action Plan Member's Night / AGM FWAG Conference Repairs Office Expenses Conference Expenses

935.60 SURPLUS ON CURRENT YEAR

1999/00 1110.00 1.00 125.00 174.22 1410.22 95.00 1315.22

20.00 129.00 606.95 181.69 35.31

50.96 29.50 1053.41 261.81

Balance Sheet as at 30th June 2000 Consolidated Fund Balance 1.7.2000 1196.05 Represented by: Add surplus on year 261.81 Girobank pie Cash in hand 1457.86 ASSETS as at 30.06.2000 Generator 150.00 Software 85.00 Projector Table 29.99 Exhibition Tent 100.00

Debtors Stock - Merchandise

1455.51 2.35 1457.86

Written down value @ 20% 61.44 Written down 3yrs 85.00 15.35 64.00 139.20 295.00 83.50

Liabilities

(410.60)

NET WORTH

1564.96

5

The Suffolk Argus

Safety Code As with any other activity, there are hazards in the countryside and everyone taking part in a Field Trip or Work Party has a responsibility (duty of care), for their own safety and that of others.

We cry hard co ensure chat are Events present no greater hazard than any other walk in the countryside, but please note and act on the following:

I. Wear appropriate clothing and footwear. If there are unusual requirements, these are noted in the individual trip details. Stout shoes are a minimum requirement for any walk.

2. During the main summer season you may be exposed to strong sunshine for much or all of the walk. Take a hat, use suncream or protection for exposed skin. Make sure that you have adequate food and liquid to drink with you. Equally, sunshine can easily turn to cold and rain during the day. Be prepared.

3. The leader will provide a briefing on the trip before setting out, with details of any known particular hazards, and will also give advice on what to do in an emergency. Please listen carefully.

4. Ac the briefing, please let the leader know if:- you have a mobile telephone and are able to take it with you on the walk; you have First Aid qualifications.

6

Spring 2001

5. Joining the walk is an indication of your interest in butterflies. By their nature butterflies do not remain conveniently by the main path and will offer many opportunities (temptations) for you to wander away. Take particular care to look out fot hazards - rabbit holes, fallen or hanging branches, barbed wire, boggy areas, etc. Beware of wet grass, particularly on sloping ground.

6. Children are welcome on our walks, but if under 16 must be accompanied by at least one adult for two children. It is the responsibility of the accompanying adult(s) co ensure that the trip is within the children's ability.

7. Dogs are normally welcome on walks, but must be kept under control. Any exceptions are shown in the individual trip details.

8. If you are uncertain about any details of the trip, ring the leader/ contact in advance. There is always a telephone number given with the trip details.

9. If you decide to leave the event early, tell the leader.

10. Take care at all times, but ENJOY YOURSELF. We thank Upper Thames Branch for allowing us to publish their Safety Code. Please also refer to our own Safety Notes on the back of the Events Programme 2001 - Ed.

The full species list for the night was; Sixspot Burnet, Plutellaxylostella,Monochroa

palustrella,Agapetahamana,Cochylis dubitana,Ckpsisspectrana,Eucosmacana, Chilophragmiulla,Agriphilastramine/la, Agriphilatristella,Agriphila inquinatella, Agriphilageniculea,Pediasiacontaminella, Evergestis farficalis,Pyraustadespicata,Synaphe punctalis,Pimaboisduvaliella,Oxyptilus distam,Amblyptiliaacanthadactyla, Drinker, Chinese Character, Common Carpet, Yellow Shell, Yellow Belle, Lesser Swallow Prominent, Scarce Footman, Garden Tiger, Ruby Tiger, White-line Dart, Shuttleshaped Dare, Flame Shoulder, Large Yellow Underwing, Lesser Yellow Underwing, Lesser Broad Bordered Yellow Underwing, Lease Yellow Underwing, Setaceous Hebrew Character, Square-spot Rustic, Dog's Tooth, Bright-line Brown-eye, Campion, Tawny Shears, Lychnis, Ander, Hedge Rustic, Southern Wainscot, Smoky Wainscot, Straw Underwing, Dark Arches, Cloaked Minor, Rosy Minor, Common Rustic, Fenn's Wainscot, Dusky Sallow, Saltern Ear, Ear, Fen Wainscot, Rustic, Silver Y, Reed Dagger.

Butterfly Report for 2000

by RichardStewart (Suffolk Butterfly Recorder) To the already publicised Red Admiral, Peacock, Small and Green-veined White early records can be added another Red Admiral at Baylham, mid January (Mrs. Frost) with several more in February. The only new record still to be verified by photo is the very early Wall Brown at Cotton churchyard.

The rest of the year didn't match this early promise: April was the wettest for a hundred years, Autumn was the wettest since records began, with no prolonged spell of very good weather at any time. Early flying Orange Tip had a poor year, with just one recorded at Landguard and, with a top equal benchmark of 203 tetrads covered for both Meadow Brown and Red Admiral, the fortunes of species less successful in 2000 can be gauged by comparative figures: Ringlet 90, Large Skipper 75, Holly Blue, 67, Brown Argus, 43, Grayling 40, Green Hairstreak 32, White-letter Hairscreak 5.

The last mentioned puts this species just above the 4 recorded tetrads for the Dingy Skipper, Suffolk's rarest breeding butterfly.

Despite a low total, the Green Hairstreak extended its range down the Orwell estuary to Landguard and Felixstowe Ferry (Mike Marsh, Steve Piotrowski, Nigel Odin, and J. Askins). Four other species had successful years. The resident Speckled Wood increased its range to embrace areas that included Mutford Oohn Warnes), the Shodey area (Martin Sanford), my transect from Tuddenham to Playford, the Foxhall and Brightwell area (Michael Metcalf) and a welcome clutch of records from the northern part of Ipswich Oohn Sadler, Stella Wolfe, Steve Goddard, Peter Steggles and

19

The Suffolk Argus

Moth Night at Dingle Marshes - Saturday 12th August 2000

by TonyPrichard This was another joint meeting with the British Entomological and Natural History Society at the newly created Dingle Marshes reserve. The reserve is jointly managed by the SWf, English Nature and the RSPB. The main aim of the meeting was to try to confirm the presence of the White-mantled Wainscot at the site. This species is a biodiversity action plan species for the branch.

The reserve has plenty of reed-beds with an abundance of common reed, the foodplant of the White-mantled Wainscot's larva. We have records of the moth being found at Minsmere to the south and Walberswick to the north along with references in the literature to it being recorded at Dunwich and Thorpeness. It therefore seemed likely that the moth should be on the reserve.

The Suffolk Moth Group had recorded 8 White-mantled Wainscots a fortnight previously at the RSPB Minsmere reserve and again the previous week on the southern part of Dunwich Heath where the site abuts onto the reed-beds of Scottshall Covert (part of the RSPB Minsmere reserve).

Recording effort was largely split into rwo areas, with one contingent covering the reed-beds roughly in the middle of the reserve while the largely Suffolk contingent covered the more southerly reed-beds and the vegetated shingle bank just north of the Dunwich beach car park.

Spring 2001

Unfortunately, the weather let us down again and although quite warm there was southerly breeze which probably kept moth numbers down.

We failed to record to the Whitemantled Wainscot on the night but my suspicion is tliat we may have been too late for it this year so we will be trying again next year slightly earlier in the year. Species of note that we did record included good numbers of the localised Reed Dagger, a few Fenn's Wainscot, several Pima biosduvaliella,a pyralid whose larvae feed on the sea-pea on the vegetated shingle and a single Amblyptilia acanthadactyla,a Plume moth whose larvae feed on the restharrow.

Other notables included; Pediasia contaminella,Synaphepunctalis and Dog's Tooth. Surprisingly, given the weather conditions, the only migrants that we recorded were Plutella xylostellaand Silver Y. The contingent in the middle of the reserve did not fair much better; no Whitemanrled Wainscot but they did record the rare and pretty tineid, Monopis monachella, which seems to be restricted to this part of the Suffolk coastline and a site up in Norfolk.

Setaceous Hebrew Character Moth

by MeroynCrawford

18

The Devil's Dyke

by Iris Newbery Having just read a letter in the Suffolk newsletter about Chalkhill Blues on the Devil's Dyke, it occurred to me that the writer and members of the Suffolk branch might be interested in the recent hi~tory of the Chalkhill Blues on this site.

More members might be inspired to attend working parties when it is realised what an impact the right work can have on a site. Going back to the very beginning, Michael Chinery the branch President, contacted the Nature Conservancy Council (as it then was) in 1987 suggesting our branch (Cambridgeshire and Essex) might become involved with the work on Devil's Dyke, which was a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSS!) and in February of 1988 the branch had its first working party with Keith Poole, who was then the Conservation Officer for the branch. Four people turned up on that occasion.

By 1989 there was talk of re-establishment of Chalkhill Blue on the dyke, with Therfield Heath being discussed as a possible donor site. However, at our A.G.M. in 1992 we discovered from rwo members that a Chalkhill Blue had been seen on the dyke, although neither of them had mentioned it to any committee member, or sent in a record to the Survey Officer. This made re-introduction out of the question. In 1993 a rota was drawn up for several committee members to visit the dyke during the flight season, and all weeks were covered.

The highest number seen was 13, (11 males and 2 females). The winter work parties were continued, and during 1994 John Dawson made several visits, but the highest number that year were seen on our field trip, when 24 males were seen and 9 females. By 1995 these had climbed to 47 males and 9 females. In October 1995 John Dawson took on the role of Conservation Officer, and he made a detailed chart of the site showing areas worked and comparative Chalkhill Blue records, which illustrated clearly the benefit to butterflies of past work at the site. In 1996 the numbers had reached 51 males plus 5 females, although 11 females had been noted on 20th August.

1997 saw 236 males and 35 females.

Peak numbers seen in 1998 reached an outstanding 609.

As far as I am concerned this site is the jewel for Cambridgeshire and Essex, especially as I have always been one of the workers at the site, and have put in many hours recording there. We now have another Conservation Officer, Carl Blamire who is carrying on the excellent work of his predecessors.

Brown Argus

by DouglasHammersley

7

The Suffolk Argus

Other butterflies seen of interest are Dingy Skippers, many of these seen, Green Hairstreak and clouds of Brown Argus in a good year, along with many more common species. Others that have turned up are the Dark Green Fritillary, a singleton three years running, and Marbled White, a singleton several years. These of course could have been releases by someone and is not to be encouraged.

There are many interesting moths to be seen when visiting, and for the keen eyed the spectacular larva of the Emperor moth can usually be seen. Also the flora alone is worth a visit to the dyke, in fact some visitors on our field trips have made that their prioriry.

Anyone ready tojoin a scrub clearance work party on the Devil's Dyke - the next is on Sun 18 March 0 1 - will be very welcome, and should contact Rob Parker (01284 705476) or Iris Newbery of the Essexand Cambridgeshire Branch (01992 573538)-Ed

Chalkhill Blue

by Douglas Hammersley

8

Spring 2001

Suffolk Argus - Index Former committee member Steve Goddard has recently put together a full index to all 21 editions of the Suffolk Argus. Although we have not issued it with this edition of the Argus, copies can be obtained from Paul Gilson by sending a self addressed envelope or contacting me via e-mail. My address is paul.gilson@btinternet.com

We re-joined the main path, the area becoming more wooded again, with clearings supporting tall grasses and thistles.

Here a fritillary was seen flying bur was to remain unidentified in spite of much effort being expended by Richard Stewart chasing after it!

This part of the North Downs Way has reminders of the Second World War, being part of London's outer defences with several brick built Pill Boxes still visible.

We crossed another area of downland which had recently been cleared of scr.ub and were rewarded with more sightings of the Silverspotted Skipper, also Brown Argus and Small Heath being added to our list.

Once more returning co the main path, a large buddleia bush attracted or attention, but not for butterflies, a sudden movement at its base, then a fleecing glimpse of two deer (possibly roe?) making off into the trees.

On reaching White Down and Wholecomb Down we then dropped steeply downhill to join the lower track which was to cake us through to Denbies Hillside.

The meadows to one side of this path were

thick with marjoram, St. Johns wort and ploughman's spikenard, but not with the activity of clouds of butterflies seen previously, when the walk was reconnoitred.

The weather now was becoming increasingly doudy and cooler.

Denbies Hillside is an area where grazing Exmoor ponies have played an important part in preserving this grassy downland, rich with chalk flora, on e of the best sites in S.E. England for both the Adonis and Chalkhill Blue. Gradually climbing up and across the hillside we were able to see several Adonis, the vivid blue of the males uppetwings contrasting with the more milky and delicate shades of the male Chalkhill.

Also present were Common Blue, Small Heath, Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper.

No more butterflies were seen after leaving Steers Field, south of Ranmore Church. The final part of our walk then caking us to the outskirrs of Docking and finally the Railway Station.

We had seen a total of twenty-one species, a rewarding day, but no Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral or Small Copper, over a distance of some seven miles.

Silver-spotted skipper

Large White

by DouglasHammersley

by DouglasHammersley

17

The Suffolk Argus

The North Downs Way. Sunday lJth August, 2000

By Alan Johnson.

A rather overcast, warm and humid day saw six of otir members meet in the car park at Dorking Station, then, after a short walk to the nearby Deepdene Station, we duly caught the mid-day train for our 'Great Train Journey'. Ten minutes to Gomshall, courtesy of Thames Trains, with one of our group admitting to the fact that it was the first trip on a train since the era of steam!

On arrival at Gomshall we met two other members, who had stayed overnight in the nearby village of Shere. We were now ready to start our walk back to Dorking, most of the route being up on the North Downs Way. First we had to make the steep ascent using a tree lined, chalky and deeply rutted track from the village- not an easy task for us Suffolk 'softies', used to ground level!

Commas'

by BerylJohnson

16

Spring 2001

Or first sighting was a Speckled Wood, then while pausing briefly by a field edge thick with thistles and meadowsweet, Peacock, Comma, Meadow Brown and Large White were noted. Onward and upward, with ; breather being taken at Hackhurst Down, a reserve rich with downland flora, marjoram, basil, harebell and scabious. Buckthorn, guelder rose and wild privet also being noted. Here we saw female Brimstone, Common Blue, Chalkhill Blue, Brown Argus, a Painted Lady on hemp agrimony and Gatekeeper.

Our path eventually reached its junction with rhe North Downs Way, level ground at last, a good spot to recover and have our picnic lunches, also a good vantage point to admire the views across the Surrey countryside towards the distant South Downs.

Now somewhat refreshed, we continued along a grassy track, through an area of small oak trees, one of which treating us ro a view of a Purple Hairstreak, also noted in this area were Essex Skipper, Small Skipper, Large White and a male Brimstone. Further on, we left the main track and dropped downhill onto Blatchford Down, the short springy turf with patches of chalk scree providing the conditions for on of our 'target Species', rhe Silverspotted Skipper.

By the rime we had walked the length of the Down, everyone had had good views of this, one of our latest butterflies to emerge, their flight being rapid and darting, with visits to late summer flowers or basking on the parches of scree.

Deadly Lavender

by GeoffHayes

Marbled Whites

The first two weeks of July this year were spent on a family holiday in the Dordogne/ lot region of France. Unfortunately butterfly watching had to take second place to family duties, but meadows with hundreds of Marbled Whites and dozens of Clouded Yellows, Scarce Swallowtails and Silver-washed Fritillaries could hardly be ignored. A return visit, with butterflies as a priority, is a definite 'must' for the future.

A large clump of lavender in the garden of our holiday cottage was always worth a 'nicotine watch' (being a pariah sometimes has its uses) as it attracted large numbers of both Scarce Swallowtails and Swallowtails, and amazing numbers of Hummingbird Hawkrnorhs.

On one occasion my attention was drawn to a Scarce Swallowtail vigorously beating its wings as if in flight, bur remaining on the lavender. As I moved in for a closer look the wing beats subsided and the butterfly perched with open wings. I then noticed a pale, greenish white blob beneath its thorax. I gently prised it up with a twig and the butterfly toppled co the ground, revealing a female crab spider (Misumenavacia).

I would not normally interfere in such a natural event, but having retrieved the now paralysed butterfly I decided to give it to my grandson to add to his collection of road casualties and pool drownings and placed it on a windowsill inside the cottage.

Three days later I went to pack it into a box and was surprised to find char although it had not moved before, it was still able to slowly raise its wings and move its legs.

Obviously the injection it had received was a very powerful, long acting immobiliser.

When we left for home the crab spider was still on the lavender, waiting to ambush another unsuspecting victim - c' est la vie!

9

The Suffolk Argus

2000 FieldTrips Joint IDNHS/BC Meeting: Mildenhall Woods and Aspal Close.

Saturday July 8 th •

By Richard Stewart 17 were present on a morning that far exceeded the weather forecast. On our way to the woods we recorded Essex and Small Skipper, Meadow Brown, Peacock adult and larvae and Gatekeepers, the first of the season for many present.

Richard Champion took us to the main ride where the White Admiral is to be seen and everyone had good views of their graceful gliding flight, sun-basking on leaves and feeding from bramble flowers. These relatively narrow paths made it difficult for everyone to see each sighting but the

Spring 2001

combined total was probably over 12. Red Admiral was noted and Speckled Wood and a bright yellowy orange Hutchinsonii Comma. The far area where the vegetation is kept dear for the Mildenhall aircraft landing lights was particularly good: Small Heath, two iridescent Foreseer moths, one specimen of Small Copper var. caeruleopunctata, with faint blue spots at the bonom of the lower wings, and bright dumps of rockrose and the raremaiden pink. Those at the front saw a dog fox further up the path and both Green and Greater spotted Woodpeckers were recorded. A very light Comma was seen and photographed and other bunerflies were: Large Skipper, Large, Small and Greenveined White, Small Tortoiseshell, Painted lady and Ringlet.

The weatherdeurioraud in the afternoonand the tour of A1pa/Clou producedonly a few speciesof buturf/y b11tthe karkr, Richard Champion, wasabk to tallrabo11tsiu managementand the magnificentold oaksrhat dominau the landicape.

Gatekeeper

by Douglas Hammersley

10

Thomham Walks Sunday 6th August

by Alan Johnson This event, a joint meeting with Thornham Walks, was an afternoon stroll around the 'Bunerfly Ride', on a put of the Thornham Estate, near Diu. For those not familiar with the area, Thomham Walka consist of rwclve miles of permiuivc and public footpaths through a divcne habiut of woodland, pulJand, wet meadows and arable fields. These paths arc managed by a countryside warden with suppon from the Countryside Commission and Mid-Suffolk District Council. There is a Field Centre which offers educational environmental activities for children of all ages, also adults, throughout the year.

Seven Butterfly Conservation members, wge1her with fifteen visitors 10 Thornham (including two children) assembled in the coach park, on a warm, humid and overcast afternoon, where we were met by Marrin Dyer, Assistant Countryside Ranger. After shore introductions by both Marcin and myself, our walk commenced, following a path through ro the walled garden. This path initially bordered by thistles, knapweed and grasses and where we found Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown, led us to a plantation of young trees. Here the mown grass was brightened with patches of centaury, selfheal and mint.

Walking on through a wooded glade, Speckled Woods were active, and a freshly emerged Broad-bordered Yellow Undetwing moth was identified by Tony Prichard. This woodland moth's forewings contrasting with the dark green of the bramble leaf on which it was resting.

On reaching the Walled Garden a Peacock butterfly was seen nectaring on buddleia by the entrance gate. This garden, complete with its greenhouses, has now been restored ID its former Victorian glory, with the aid of a lonery grant.

Otley College have been involved in the project, providing much of the horticulcural input and also work for people with lc.irning difficulcies. After our brief visit a Painted Lady was added to our list and we then moved on past the Canal Pond ID the stare of the Butterfly Ride. Here a Large Skipper evoked much interest for some members of the group, especially when viewed through a monocular.

The ride, within the Connaughc Plantation, has been in existence for several years now Butterfly Conservation were involved in the project at the invitation of Lord and Lady Henniker, owners of the Thornham Estate. This ride is only open to the public during July and August and is a mix of shady and brighter sunnier areas, with a path encircling tall grasses and plants such as thistles, St. John's-wore and fleabane. Here, Common Blue, Red Admiral, Peacock and Small Skipper were seen. Returning ID the main crack a Comma was admired by us all, then Martin led us back, taking a different route to return to the field centre.

There was a good response from the members of the public who attended and hopefully some may be encouraged to continue their interest in butterflies and moths. Fortunately, on this occasion, there were enough of our members available to distribute themselves amongst the rest of the party ID pass on information. This point is perhaps worth remembering if something similar is planned for the future.

Finally, thanks to Martin Dyer and to Thornham Walks for advertising this event.

15

The Suffolk Argus

We continued through a cool wooded area noting ferns, aquilegia and bilberry, also the huge nests' of wood ants. Crossing a conservation area with a deer hide and pond we eventually returned to our cars.

It was while driving further into the forest that Rob Parker's car, at the front of our convoy, suddenly came to an abrupt stop, the result of seeing a Clouded Yellow, at first on buttercup then bird's-foot trefoil.

Fortunately everyone else stopped in time, otherwise the Insurance Claims would have made interesting reading!

After lunch, our walk took us along a forest road to Dowles Brook, which forms part of the boundary between Shropshire and Worcestershire. Close views of both male and female Silver-washed Fritillaries, were obtained along the way.

We followed the north bank of the brook through a valley, the path being fringed on one side by alder and birch, grasses, meadowsweet, thistle and bracken.

On the otherside we saw a sulphur coloured Brimstone on the reddish/purple flowers of. betony. By now our count of Silver-washed was in excess of 40, including a pair engaged in an aerial courtship dance.

It was now time to make our way back towards our cars, along woodland paths which only Frank could find. It had been a day to remember and our thanks to Frank for making it so enjoyable and informative, also for being patient while the cameras were clicking and the Silver-washed enthused over!

Monday dawned fine and sunny, with the prospect of another warm day. As this was to be our last day in the area, six members of our party opted for a morning visit to the Monkwood Nature Reserve, approx. 5 miles N.W. ofWorcester. Others being lured to the bookshops ofHay-on-Wye and some to see the red kites of Mid Wales!

14

Spring 2001

The reserve is owned and cared for jointly by the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust and Butterfly Conservation. It can best be described as a mixed broad-leaved plantation on an ancient woodland site. As with The Wyre Forest, some of our members will recall the previous visit.

Due to restrictions on time we were only able to explore part of the reserve, but were still fortunate to record 12 species of butterfly, including White Admiral (into double figures) also a solitary Wood White.

We were unable to decide if it was a 'late' first brood or an 'early' second brood?

A final 'bonus' was a single Marbled White at the nearby Monkwood Green, where we stopped briefly before departing for home.

This brought our busy and successful butterfly weekend to a dose.

Wood White

by BerylJohnson

Moth Night at Knettishall Heath Saturday 8th July 2000

by TonyPrichard This was a joint meeting with the British Entomological and Natural History Sociery, with Mike Hall leading an afternoon meeting and myself leading the evening lamp session. Knettishall Heath is a country park on the northern border of Suffolk just east of the Brecks and has large areas of heathland and grassland habitats.

Weather conditions on the day had not been ideal with some heavy showers passing over the site during the day and did not promise a good evening's mothing.

Roger Kendrick, the previous Moth Officer for the branch, joined us for the night while he was having a break from his moth escapades in Hong Kong. Roger had brought with him a selection of weird and wonderful moths caught in Hong Kong of which several he thought had not yet been described to science.

With four lights out we managed to record a reasonable number of species but with nothing startling rare amongst them.

The more interesting species included; Small Scallop, Dark Umber, Four-dotted Footman, Purple Clay, Suspected and Rosy Marbled. As things became misty we decided it was time for bed and made an reasonably early night of it.

The full species list for the night was;

Tineatrinotella,Argymthiabrockulla, Ypsolopha parenthmlla , Carcinaquercana, Blastobasis decolorella, Pandemiscerasana, Archipspodana,Lozotaeniodes formosanus, Cnephasiastephemiana,Akim ma loeflingiana, Tortrixviridana,Celyphalacunana,Apotomis turbidana,Apotomisbetuletana,Ancy/is achatana,Epibkma uddmanniana,Eucosma cana,Rhyacioniabuoliana,Rhyacionia pinicolana,Chrysoteuchia culmella,Crambm perk/la,Agriphilainquinatella,Scoparia pyraklla,Perinephelalancealis,Orthopygia glaucinalis,Endotrichaf/ammealis, Conobathrarepandana,Phycitaroborella, Stenoptiliapterodactyla,Peach Blossom, Buff Arches, Large Emerald, Common Emerald, Small Fan-footed Wave, Small Scallop, Riband Wave, Plain Wave, Large Twinspot Carpet, Grey Pine Carpet, Dark Umber, Sharp-angled Carpet, Small Rivulet, Grey Pug, Double-striped Pug, Small Yellow Wave, Clouded Border, Brimstone Moth, Scalloped Oak, Swallow-tailed Moth, Peppered Moth, Willow Beauty, Mottled Beauty, Common Wave, Light Emerald, Elephant Hawk-moth, Small Elephant Hawk-moth, Iron Prominent, Yellow-tail, Rosy Footman, Four-dotted Footman, Dingy Footman, Scarce Footman, Common Footman, Large Yellow Underwing, True Lover's Knot, Purple Clay, Double Square-spot, Bright-line Brown-eye, Clay, Smoky Wainscot, Suspected, Bird's Wing, Brown Rustic, Small Angle Shades, Dark Arches, Rosy Minor, Uncertain, Rustic, Rosy Marbled, Marbled White Spot, Burnished Brass, Beautiful Golden Y, Spectacle, Snout, Fanfoot, Small Fan-foot.

11

The Suffolk Argus

A Weekend in the West Midlands Saturday, Sunday & Monday, 15th-17 th July

by Alan j ohnson A total of 12 members attended this 'longweekend' event, all travelling to Ludlow on the Friday, a rather cloudy and grey day with a cool N.W. wind keeping the temperature low. One member wearing gloves, another 'thermals', could this really be July, or was it a bad dream?

Most of our party stayed at The Charlton Arms', a busy Hotel/pub adjacent to Ludford Bridge, which spans the picturesque River Teme, with its rocky bed and small islands at this point.

Early next morning, before breakfast, our 'birders' were already reporting a Heron, Dipper and Grey Wagtail seen from the bridge.

Saturday's weather started off rather cloudy again but by mid-morning it had lifted and broken up to give us some welcome sunshine for the remainder of the day still with a cool N.W. wind.

After a short journey from Ludlow our members re-assembled at Bircher Common, owned by the National Trust and where we joined 14 members of the west Midlands Branch, who were our hosts for the day.

The common is on southerly facing slopes where the bracken is managed to encourage the High Brown Fritillary, the species we all hoped to see.

We were greeted by Beryl and Gunter Petters, who live locally, and who were to lead us on a morn\ng walk following their usual 'transect'. Gunter's introductory talk explained that the High Brown flew at high speed above the bracken, and then dived

12

Spring 2001

down amongst the fronds. We were also shown a photograph of the Fritillary showing the distinguishing red spots on the underside of the hindwings. Some of the management plans were mentioned and these were discussed in further detail during our walk, which_followed paths between tall bracken, thistles and foxgloves. Some paths were quite deep in bracken litter but with violets (the larval food plant) showing through. Mike Williams pointed out the scalloped edges of the violets' leaves where they had been eaten by the Fritillary larvae.

During the Morning the following were seen - Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Speckled Wood, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell and Comma, also an unconfirmed sighting of a High Brown speeding away into the distance!

Our afternoon walk was led by Andy Nicholls, who provided us with copies of a leaflet - 'Bracken for Butterflies'; this explained the specific requirements of some of our most threatened Fritillary butterfly species, to enable them to survive. The walk was a continuation of our search for the elusive High Brown, gradually working our way up onto the higher slopes of rhe common where the bracken ending abruptly, almost in a straight line, giving way to grassland grazed by sheep. Here we gained superb views across to the Black Mountains, Hay-on-Wye and round to the Malverns.

On returning to the lower slopes, our Chairman, Rob Parker was heard to remark"it has been an excellent day but it would have been nice to have seen just one High Brown", when a cry went up "there's one", Richard Stewart spotting it first. Good views were obtained by all and rhe photographers were busy as rhe High Brown serried on rhe bracken, took off, rhen serried once more. A very satisfying end to the day and our thanks to the West Midlands Branch.

Purple Hairstreak

by DouglasHammersley

1,

White Admiral

On Sunday, our group met up in the Earnwood Copse car park in the Wyre Forest, which lays to the west of Kidderminster. This ancient Royal Forest is one of rhe largest areas of mature woodland in England and some of our members will recall a previous visit in late May, 1997.

The day's weather once again started off cloudy but by the mid-morning it cleared to give us a generally fine sunny day and much warmer than Saturday.

We were met by Frank Lancaster who is the local Warden/Advisor for the area and who was to be our guide for the day, explaining that he was proposing two walks, one either side of our 'picnic lunch', in different parts of the forest. We were then able to drive further into the forest before setting off on foot to the line of the Eden Valley to Birmingham water pipeline, which cuts through part of the forest beneath a broad grassy sward, which is managed by Severn Trent Water/Forestry Commission, with Frank's advice.

The grassy strip was bright with patches of flowers such as bird's-foot trefoil, eyebright and mallow and at intervals along the edge small scalloped out areas have been cut into the tree line to allow the growth of bramble, bracken, grasses and flowers.

These pockets creating micro-climates of warm and sheltered conditions for the butterflies as the clearing through the trees, for the pipeline, in certain weather conditions acts like a giant wind tunnel.

Species noted here were - White Admiral, Large White, Small White, Greenveined White, Ringlet, Gatekeeper, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Brimstone (female), Comma, Red Admiral, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Purple Hairscreak and rhe butterfly that we had all come to see, the Silver-washed Fritillary.

by DouglasHammersley

13

The Suffolk Argus

A Weekend in the West Midlands Saturday, Sunday & Monday, 15th-17 th July

by Alan j ohnson A total of 12 members attended this 'longweekend' event, all travelling to Ludlow on the Friday, a rather cloudy and grey day with a cool N.W. wind keeping the temperature low. One member wearing gloves, another 'thermals', could this really be July, or was it a bad dream?

Most of our party stayed at The Charlton Arms', a busy Hotel/pub adjacent to Ludford Bridge, which spans the picturesque River Teme, with its rocky bed and small islands at this point.

Early next morning, before breakfast, our 'birders' were already reporting a Heron, Dipper and Grey Wagtail seen from the bridge.

Saturday's weather started off rather cloudy again but by mid-morning it had lifted and broken up to give us some welcome sunshine for the remainder of the day still with a cool N.W. wind.

After a short journey from Ludlow our members re-assembled at Bircher Common, owned by the National Trust and where we joined 14 members of the west Midlands Branch, who were our hosts for the day.

The common is on southerly facing slopes where the bracken is managed to encourage the High Brown Fritillary, the species we all hoped to see.

We were greeted by Beryl and Gunter Petters, who live locally, and who were to lead us on a morn\ng walk following their usual 'transect'. Gunter's introductory talk explained that the High Brown flew at high speed above the bracken, and then dived

12

Spring 2001

down amongst the fronds. We were also shown a photograph of the Fritillary showing the distinguishing red spots on the underside of the hindwings. Some of the management plans were mentioned and these were discussed in further detail during our walk, which_followed paths between tall bracken, thistles and foxgloves. Some paths were quite deep in bracken litter but with violets (the larval food plant) showing through. Mike Williams pointed out the scalloped edges of the violets' leaves where they had been eaten by the Fritillary larvae.

During the Morning the following were seen - Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Speckled Wood, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell and Comma, also an unconfirmed sighting of a High Brown speeding away into the distance!

Our afternoon walk was led by Andy Nicholls, who provided us with copies of a leaflet - 'Bracken for Butterflies'; this explained the specific requirements of some of our most threatened Fritillary butterfly species, to enable them to survive. The walk was a continuation of our search for the elusive High Brown, gradually working our way up onto the higher slopes of rhe common where the bracken ending abruptly, almost in a straight line, giving way to grassland grazed by sheep. Here we gained superb views across to the Black Mountains, Hay-on-Wye and round to the Malverns.

On returning to the lower slopes, our Chairman, Rob Parker was heard to remark"it has been an excellent day but it would have been nice to have seen just one High Brown", when a cry went up "there's one", Richard Stewart spotting it first. Good views were obtained by all and rhe photographers were busy as rhe High Brown serried on rhe bracken, took off, rhen serried once more. A very satisfying end to the day and our thanks to the West Midlands Branch.

Purple Hairstreak

by DouglasHammersley

1,

White Admiral

On Sunday, our group met up in the Earnwood Copse car park in the Wyre Forest, which lays to the west of Kidderminster. This ancient Royal Forest is one of rhe largest areas of mature woodland in England and some of our members will recall a previous visit in late May, 1997.

The day's weather once again started off cloudy but by the mid-morning it cleared to give us a generally fine sunny day and much warmer than Saturday.

We were met by Frank Lancaster who is the local Warden/Advisor for the area and who was to be our guide for the day, explaining that he was proposing two walks, one either side of our 'picnic lunch', in different parts of the forest. We were then able to drive further into the forest before setting off on foot to the line of the Eden Valley to Birmingham water pipeline, which cuts through part of the forest beneath a broad grassy sward, which is managed by Severn Trent Water/Forestry Commission, with Frank's advice.

The grassy strip was bright with patches of flowers such as bird's-foot trefoil, eyebright and mallow and at intervals along the edge small scalloped out areas have been cut into the tree line to allow the growth of bramble, bracken, grasses and flowers.

These pockets creating micro-climates of warm and sheltered conditions for the butterflies as the clearing through the trees, for the pipeline, in certain weather conditions acts like a giant wind tunnel.

Species noted here were - White Admiral, Large White, Small White, Greenveined White, Ringlet, Gatekeeper, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Brimstone (female), Comma, Red Admiral, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Purple Hairscreak and rhe butterfly that we had all come to see, the Silver-washed Fritillary.

by DouglasHammersley

13

The Suffolk Argus

We continued through a cool wooded area noting ferns, aquilegia and bilberry, also the huge nests' of wood ants. Crossing a conservation area with a deer hide and pond we eventually returned to our cars.

It was while driving further into the forest that Rob Parker's car, at the front of our convoy, suddenly came to an abrupt stop, the result of seeing a Clouded Yellow, at first on buttercup then bird's-foot trefoil.

Fortunately everyone else stopped in time, otherwise the Insurance Claims would have made interesting reading!

After lunch, our walk took us along a forest road to Dowles Brook, which forms part of the boundary between Shropshire and Worcestershire. Close views of both male and female Silver-washed Fritillaries, were obtained along the way.

We followed the north bank of the brook through a valley, the path being fringed on one side by alder and birch, grasses, meadowsweet, thistle and bracken.

On the otherside we saw a sulphur coloured Brimstone on the reddish/purple flowers of. betony. By now our count of Silver-washed was in excess of 40, including a pair engaged in an aerial courtship dance.

It was now time to make our way back towards our cars, along woodland paths which only Frank could find. It had been a day to remember and our thanks to Frank for making it so enjoyable and informative, also for being patient while the cameras were clicking and the Silver-washed enthused over!

Monday dawned fine and sunny, with the prospect of another warm day. As this was to be our last day in the area, six members of our party opted for a morning visit to the Monkwood Nature Reserve, approx. 5 miles N.W. ofWorcester. Others being lured to the bookshops ofHay-on-Wye and some to see the red kites of Mid Wales!

14

Spring 2001

The reserve is owned and cared for jointly by the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust and Butterfly Conservation. It can best be described as a mixed broad-leaved plantation on an ancient woodland site. As with The Wyre Forest, some of our members will recall the previous visit.

Due to restrictions on time we were only able to explore part of the reserve, but were still fortunate to record 12 species of butterfly, including White Admiral (into double figures) also a solitary Wood White.

We were unable to decide if it was a 'late' first brood or an 'early' second brood?

A final 'bonus' was a single Marbled White at the nearby Monkwood Green, where we stopped briefly before departing for home.

This brought our busy and successful butterfly weekend to a dose.

Wood White

by BerylJohnson

Moth Night at Knettishall Heath Saturday 8th July 2000

by TonyPrichard This was a joint meeting with the British Entomological and Natural History Sociery, with Mike Hall leading an afternoon meeting and myself leading the evening lamp session. Knettishall Heath is a country park on the northern border of Suffolk just east of the Brecks and has large areas of heathland and grassland habitats.

Weather conditions on the day had not been ideal with some heavy showers passing over the site during the day and did not promise a good evening's mothing.

Roger Kendrick, the previous Moth Officer for the branch, joined us for the night while he was having a break from his moth escapades in Hong Kong. Roger had brought with him a selection of weird and wonderful moths caught in Hong Kong of which several he thought had not yet been described to science.

With four lights out we managed to record a reasonable number of species but with nothing startling rare amongst them.

The more interesting species included; Small Scallop, Dark Umber, Four-dotted Footman, Purple Clay, Suspected and Rosy Marbled. As things became misty we decided it was time for bed and made an reasonably early night of it.

The full species list for the night was;

Tineatrinotella,Argymthiabrockulla, Ypsolopha parenthmlla , Carcinaquercana, Blastobasis decolorella, Pandemiscerasana, Archipspodana,Lozotaeniodes formosanus, Cnephasiastephemiana,Akim ma loeflingiana, Tortrixviridana,Celyphalacunana,Apotomis turbidana,Apotomisbetuletana,Ancy/is achatana,Epibkma uddmanniana,Eucosma cana,Rhyacioniabuoliana,Rhyacionia pinicolana,Chrysoteuchia culmella,Crambm perk/la,Agriphilainquinatella,Scoparia pyraklla,Perinephelalancealis,Orthopygia glaucinalis,Endotrichaf/ammealis, Conobathrarepandana,Phycitaroborella, Stenoptiliapterodactyla,Peach Blossom, Buff Arches, Large Emerald, Common Emerald, Small Fan-footed Wave, Small Scallop, Riband Wave, Plain Wave, Large Twinspot Carpet, Grey Pine Carpet, Dark Umber, Sharp-angled Carpet, Small Rivulet, Grey Pug, Double-striped Pug, Small Yellow Wave, Clouded Border, Brimstone Moth, Scalloped Oak, Swallow-tailed Moth, Peppered Moth, Willow Beauty, Mottled Beauty, Common Wave, Light Emerald, Elephant Hawk-moth, Small Elephant Hawk-moth, Iron Prominent, Yellow-tail, Rosy Footman, Four-dotted Footman, Dingy Footman, Scarce Footman, Common Footman, Large Yellow Underwing, True Lover's Knot, Purple Clay, Double Square-spot, Bright-line Brown-eye, Clay, Smoky Wainscot, Suspected, Bird's Wing, Brown Rustic, Small Angle Shades, Dark Arches, Rosy Minor, Uncertain, Rustic, Rosy Marbled, Marbled White Spot, Burnished Brass, Beautiful Golden Y, Spectacle, Snout, Fanfoot, Small Fan-foot.

11

The Suffolk Argus

2000 FieldTrips Joint IDNHS/BC Meeting: Mildenhall Woods and Aspal Close.

Saturday July 8 th •

By Richard Stewart 17 were present on a morning that far exceeded the weather forecast. On our way to the woods we recorded Essex and Small Skipper, Meadow Brown, Peacock adult and larvae and Gatekeepers, the first of the season for many present.

Richard Champion took us to the main ride where the White Admiral is to be seen and everyone had good views of their graceful gliding flight, sun-basking on leaves and feeding from bramble flowers. These relatively narrow paths made it difficult for everyone to see each sighting but the

Spring 2001

combined total was probably over 12. Red Admiral was noted and Speckled Wood and a bright yellowy orange Hutchinsonii Comma. The far area where the vegetation is kept dear for the Mildenhall aircraft landing lights was particularly good: Small Heath, two iridescent Foreseer moths, one specimen of Small Copper var. caeruleopunctata, with faint blue spots at the bonom of the lower wings, and bright dumps of rockrose and the raremaiden pink. Those at the front saw a dog fox further up the path and both Green and Greater spotted Woodpeckers were recorded. A very light Comma was seen and photographed and other bunerflies were: Large Skipper, Large, Small and Greenveined White, Small Tortoiseshell, Painted lady and Ringlet.

The weatherdeurioraud in the afternoonand the tour of A1pa/Clou producedonly a few speciesof buturf/y b11tthe karkr, Richard Champion, wasabk to tallrabo11tsiu managementand the magnificentold oaksrhat dominau the landicape.

Gatekeeper

by Douglas Hammersley

10

Thomham Walks Sunday 6th August

by Alan Johnson This event, a joint meeting with Thornham Walks, was an afternoon stroll around the 'Bunerfly Ride', on a put of the Thornham Estate, near Diu. For those not familiar with the area, Thomham Walka consist of rwclve miles of permiuivc and public footpaths through a divcne habiut of woodland, pulJand, wet meadows and arable fields. These paths arc managed by a countryside warden with suppon from the Countryside Commission and Mid-Suffolk District Council. There is a Field Centre which offers educational environmental activities for children of all ages, also adults, throughout the year.

Seven Butterfly Conservation members, wge1her with fifteen visitors 10 Thornham (including two children) assembled in the coach park, on a warm, humid and overcast afternoon, where we were met by Marrin Dyer, Assistant Countryside Ranger. After shore introductions by both Marcin and myself, our walk commenced, following a path through ro the walled garden. This path initially bordered by thistles, knapweed and grasses and where we found Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown, led us to a plantation of young trees. Here the mown grass was brightened with patches of centaury, selfheal and mint.

Walking on through a wooded glade, Speckled Woods were active, and a freshly emerged Broad-bordered Yellow Undetwing moth was identified by Tony Prichard. This woodland moth's forewings contrasting with the dark green of the bramble leaf on which it was resting.

On reaching the Walled Garden a Peacock butterfly was seen nectaring on buddleia by the entrance gate. This garden, complete with its greenhouses, has now been restored ID its former Victorian glory, with the aid of a lonery grant.

Otley College have been involved in the project, providing much of the horticulcural input and also work for people with lc.irning difficulcies. After our brief visit a Painted Lady was added to our list and we then moved on past the Canal Pond ID the stare of the Butterfly Ride. Here a Large Skipper evoked much interest for some members of the group, especially when viewed through a monocular.

The ride, within the Connaughc Plantation, has been in existence for several years now Butterfly Conservation were involved in the project at the invitation of Lord and Lady Henniker, owners of the Thornham Estate. This ride is only open to the public during July and August and is a mix of shady and brighter sunnier areas, with a path encircling tall grasses and plants such as thistles, St. John's-wore and fleabane. Here, Common Blue, Red Admiral, Peacock and Small Skipper were seen. Returning ID the main crack a Comma was admired by us all, then Martin led us back, taking a different route to return to the field centre.

There was a good response from the members of the public who attended and hopefully some may be encouraged to continue their interest in butterflies and moths. Fortunately, on this occasion, there were enough of our members available to distribute themselves amongst the rest of the party ID pass on information. This point is perhaps worth remembering if something similar is planned for the future.

Finally, thanks to Martin Dyer and to Thornham Walks for advertising this event.

15

The Suffolk Argus

The North Downs Way. Sunday lJth August, 2000

By Alan Johnson.

A rather overcast, warm and humid day saw six of otir members meet in the car park at Dorking Station, then, after a short walk to the nearby Deepdene Station, we duly caught the mid-day train for our 'Great Train Journey'. Ten minutes to Gomshall, courtesy of Thames Trains, with one of our group admitting to the fact that it was the first trip on a train since the era of steam!

On arrival at Gomshall we met two other members, who had stayed overnight in the nearby village of Shere. We were now ready to start our walk back to Dorking, most of the route being up on the North Downs Way. First we had to make the steep ascent using a tree lined, chalky and deeply rutted track from the village- not an easy task for us Suffolk 'softies', used to ground level!

Commas'

by BerylJohnson

16

Spring 2001

Or first sighting was a Speckled Wood, then while pausing briefly by a field edge thick with thistles and meadowsweet, Peacock, Comma, Meadow Brown and Large White were noted. Onward and upward, with ; breather being taken at Hackhurst Down, a reserve rich with downland flora, marjoram, basil, harebell and scabious. Buckthorn, guelder rose and wild privet also being noted. Here we saw female Brimstone, Common Blue, Chalkhill Blue, Brown Argus, a Painted Lady on hemp agrimony and Gatekeeper.

Our path eventually reached its junction with rhe North Downs Way, level ground at last, a good spot to recover and have our picnic lunches, also a good vantage point to admire the views across the Surrey countryside towards the distant South Downs.

Now somewhat refreshed, we continued along a grassy track, through an area of small oak trees, one of which treating us ro a view of a Purple Hairstreak, also noted in this area were Essex Skipper, Small Skipper, Large White and a male Brimstone. Further on, we left the main track and dropped downhill onto Blatchford Down, the short springy turf with patches of chalk scree providing the conditions for on of our 'target Species', rhe Silverspotted Skipper.

By the rime we had walked the length of the Down, everyone had had good views of this, one of our latest butterflies to emerge, their flight being rapid and darting, with visits to late summer flowers or basking on the parches of scree.

Deadly Lavender

by GeoffHayes

Marbled Whites

The first two weeks of July this year were spent on a family holiday in the Dordogne/ lot region of France. Unfortunately butterfly watching had to take second place to family duties, but meadows with hundreds of Marbled Whites and dozens of Clouded Yellows, Scarce Swallowtails and Silver-washed Fritillaries could hardly be ignored. A return visit, with butterflies as a priority, is a definite 'must' for the future.

A large clump of lavender in the garden of our holiday cottage was always worth a 'nicotine watch' (being a pariah sometimes has its uses) as it attracted large numbers of both Scarce Swallowtails and Swallowtails, and amazing numbers of Hummingbird Hawkrnorhs.

On one occasion my attention was drawn to a Scarce Swallowtail vigorously beating its wings as if in flight, bur remaining on the lavender. As I moved in for a closer look the wing beats subsided and the butterfly perched with open wings. I then noticed a pale, greenish white blob beneath its thorax. I gently prised it up with a twig and the butterfly toppled co the ground, revealing a female crab spider (Misumenavacia).

I would not normally interfere in such a natural event, but having retrieved the now paralysed butterfly I decided to give it to my grandson to add to his collection of road casualties and pool drownings and placed it on a windowsill inside the cottage.

Three days later I went to pack it into a box and was surprised to find char although it had not moved before, it was still able to slowly raise its wings and move its legs.

Obviously the injection it had received was a very powerful, long acting immobiliser.

When we left for home the crab spider was still on the lavender, waiting to ambush another unsuspecting victim - c' est la vie!

9

The Suffolk Argus

Other butterflies seen of interest are Dingy Skippers, many of these seen, Green Hairstreak and clouds of Brown Argus in a good year, along with many more common species. Others that have turned up are the Dark Green Fritillary, a singleton three years running, and Marbled White, a singleton several years. These of course could have been releases by someone and is not to be encouraged.

There are many interesting moths to be seen when visiting, and for the keen eyed the spectacular larva of the Emperor moth can usually be seen. Also the flora alone is worth a visit to the dyke, in fact some visitors on our field trips have made that their prioriry.

Anyone ready tojoin a scrub clearance work party on the Devil's Dyke - the next is on Sun 18 March 0 1 - will be very welcome, and should contact Rob Parker (01284 705476) or Iris Newbery of the Essexand Cambridgeshire Branch (01992 573538)-Ed

Chalkhill Blue

by Douglas Hammersley

8

Spring 2001

Suffolk Argus - Index Former committee member Steve Goddard has recently put together a full index to all 21 editions of the Suffolk Argus. Although we have not issued it with this edition of the Argus, copies can be obtained from Paul Gilson by sending a self addressed envelope or contacting me via e-mail. My address is paul.gilson@btinternet.com

We re-joined the main path, the area becoming more wooded again, with clearings supporting tall grasses and thistles.

Here a fritillary was seen flying bur was to remain unidentified in spite of much effort being expended by Richard Stewart chasing after it!

This part of the North Downs Way has reminders of the Second World War, being part of London's outer defences with several brick built Pill Boxes still visible.

We crossed another area of downland which had recently been cleared of scr.ub and were rewarded with more sightings of the Silverspotted Skipper, also Brown Argus and Small Heath being added to our list.

Once more returning co the main path, a large buddleia bush attracted or attention, but not for butterflies, a sudden movement at its base, then a fleecing glimpse of two deer (possibly roe?) making off into the trees.

On reaching White Down and Wholecomb Down we then dropped steeply downhill to join the lower track which was to cake us through to Denbies Hillside.

The meadows to one side of this path were

thick with marjoram, St. Johns wort and ploughman's spikenard, but not with the activity of clouds of butterflies seen previously, when the walk was reconnoitred.

The weather now was becoming increasingly doudy and cooler.

Denbies Hillside is an area where grazing Exmoor ponies have played an important part in preserving this grassy downland, rich with chalk flora, on e of the best sites in S.E. England for both the Adonis and Chalkhill Blue. Gradually climbing up and across the hillside we were able to see several Adonis, the vivid blue of the males uppetwings contrasting with the more milky and delicate shades of the male Chalkhill.

Also present were Common Blue, Small Heath, Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper.

No more butterflies were seen after leaving Steers Field, south of Ranmore Church. The final part of our walk then caking us to the outskirrs of Docking and finally the Railway Station.

We had seen a total of twenty-one species, a rewarding day, but no Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral or Small Copper, over a distance of some seven miles.

Silver-spotted skipper

Large White

by DouglasHammersley

by DouglasHammersley

17

The Suffolk Argus

Moth Night at Dingle Marshes - Saturday 12th August 2000

by TonyPrichard This was another joint meeting with the British Entomological and Natural History Society at the newly created Dingle Marshes reserve. The reserve is jointly managed by the SWf, English Nature and the RSPB. The main aim of the meeting was to try to confirm the presence of the White-mantled Wainscot at the site. This species is a biodiversity action plan species for the branch.

The reserve has plenty of reed-beds with an abundance of common reed, the foodplant of the White-mantled Wainscot's larva. We have records of the moth being found at Minsmere to the south and Walberswick to the north along with references in the literature to it being recorded at Dunwich and Thorpeness. It therefore seemed likely that the moth should be on the reserve.

The Suffolk Moth Group had recorded 8 White-mantled Wainscots a fortnight previously at the RSPB Minsmere reserve and again the previous week on the southern part of Dunwich Heath where the site abuts onto the reed-beds of Scottshall Covert (part of the RSPB Minsmere reserve).

Recording effort was largely split into rwo areas, with one contingent covering the reed-beds roughly in the middle of the reserve while the largely Suffolk contingent covered the more southerly reed-beds and the vegetated shingle bank just north of the Dunwich beach car park.

Spring 2001

Unfortunately, the weather let us down again and although quite warm there was southerly breeze which probably kept moth numbers down.

We failed to record to the Whitemantled Wainscot on the night but my suspicion is tliat we may have been too late for it this year so we will be trying again next year slightly earlier in the year. Species of note that we did record included good numbers of the localised Reed Dagger, a few Fenn's Wainscot, several Pima biosduvaliella,a pyralid whose larvae feed on the sea-pea on the vegetated shingle and a single Amblyptilia acanthadactyla,a Plume moth whose larvae feed on the restharrow.

Other notables included; Pediasia contaminella,Synaphepunctalis and Dog's Tooth. Surprisingly, given the weather conditions, the only migrants that we recorded were Plutella xylostellaand Silver Y. The contingent in the middle of the reserve did not fair much better; no Whitemanrled Wainscot but they did record the rare and pretty tineid, Monopis monachella, which seems to be restricted to this part of the Suffolk coastline and a site up in Norfolk.

Setaceous Hebrew Character Moth

by MeroynCrawford

18

The Devil's Dyke

by Iris Newbery Having just read a letter in the Suffolk newsletter about Chalkhill Blues on the Devil's Dyke, it occurred to me that the writer and members of the Suffolk branch might be interested in the recent hi~tory of the Chalkhill Blues on this site.

More members might be inspired to attend working parties when it is realised what an impact the right work can have on a site. Going back to the very beginning, Michael Chinery the branch President, contacted the Nature Conservancy Council (as it then was) in 1987 suggesting our branch (Cambridgeshire and Essex) might become involved with the work on Devil's Dyke, which was a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSS!) and in February of 1988 the branch had its first working party with Keith Poole, who was then the Conservation Officer for the branch. Four people turned up on that occasion.

By 1989 there was talk of re-establishment of Chalkhill Blue on the dyke, with Therfield Heath being discussed as a possible donor site. However, at our A.G.M. in 1992 we discovered from rwo members that a Chalkhill Blue had been seen on the dyke, although neither of them had mentioned it to any committee member, or sent in a record to the Survey Officer. This made re-introduction out of the question. In 1993 a rota was drawn up for several committee members to visit the dyke during the flight season, and all weeks were covered.

The highest number seen was 13, (11 males and 2 females). The winter work parties were continued, and during 1994 John Dawson made several visits, but the highest number that year were seen on our field trip, when 24 males were seen and 9 females. By 1995 these had climbed to 47 males and 9 females. In October 1995 John Dawson took on the role of Conservation Officer, and he made a detailed chart of the site showing areas worked and comparative Chalkhill Blue records, which illustrated clearly the benefit to butterflies of past work at the site. In 1996 the numbers had reached 51 males plus 5 females, although 11 females had been noted on 20th August.

1997 saw 236 males and 35 females.

Peak numbers seen in 1998 reached an outstanding 609.

As far as I am concerned this site is the jewel for Cambridgeshire and Essex, especially as I have always been one of the workers at the site, and have put in many hours recording there. We now have another Conservation Officer, Carl Blamire who is carrying on the excellent work of his predecessors.

Brown Argus

by DouglasHammersley

7

The Suffolk Argus

Safety Code As with any other activity, there are hazards in the countryside and everyone taking part in a Field Trip or Work Party has a responsibility (duty of care), for their own safety and that of others.

We cry hard co ensure chat are Events present no greater hazard than any other walk in the countryside, but please note and act on the following:

I. Wear appropriate clothing and footwear. If there are unusual requirements, these are noted in the individual trip details. Stout shoes are a minimum requirement for any walk.

2. During the main summer season you may be exposed to strong sunshine for much or all of the walk. Take a hat, use suncream or protection for exposed skin. Make sure that you have adequate food and liquid to drink with you. Equally, sunshine can easily turn to cold and rain during the day. Be prepared.

3. The leader will provide a briefing on the trip before setting out, with details of any known particular hazards, and will also give advice on what to do in an emergency. Please listen carefully.

4. Ac the briefing, please let the leader know if:- you have a mobile telephone and are able to take it with you on the walk; you have First Aid qualifications.

6

Spring 2001

5. Joining the walk is an indication of your interest in butterflies. By their nature butterflies do not remain conveniently by the main path and will offer many opportunities (temptations) for you to wander away. Take particular care to look out fot hazards - rabbit holes, fallen or hanging branches, barbed wire, boggy areas, etc. Beware of wet grass, particularly on sloping ground.

6. Children are welcome on our walks, but if under 16 must be accompanied by at least one adult for two children. It is the responsibility of the accompanying adult(s) co ensure that the trip is within the children's ability.

7. Dogs are normally welcome on walks, but must be kept under control. Any exceptions are shown in the individual trip details.

8. If you are uncertain about any details of the trip, ring the leader/ contact in advance. There is always a telephone number given with the trip details.

9. If you decide to leave the event early, tell the leader.

10. Take care at all times, but ENJOY YOURSELF. We thank Upper Thames Branch for allowing us to publish their Safety Code. Please also refer to our own Safety Notes on the back of the Events Programme 2001 - Ed.

The full species list for the night was; Sixspot Burnet, Plutellaxylostella,Monochroa

palustrella,Agapetahamana,Cochylis dubitana,Ckpsisspectrana,Eucosmacana, Chilophragmiulla,Agriphilastramine/la, Agriphilatristella,Agriphila inquinatella, Agriphilageniculea,Pediasiacontaminella, Evergestis farficalis,Pyraustadespicata,Synaphe punctalis,Pimaboisduvaliella,Oxyptilus distam,Amblyptiliaacanthadactyla, Drinker, Chinese Character, Common Carpet, Yellow Shell, Yellow Belle, Lesser Swallow Prominent, Scarce Footman, Garden Tiger, Ruby Tiger, White-line Dart, Shuttleshaped Dare, Flame Shoulder, Large Yellow Underwing, Lesser Yellow Underwing, Lesser Broad Bordered Yellow Underwing, Lease Yellow Underwing, Setaceous Hebrew Character, Square-spot Rustic, Dog's Tooth, Bright-line Brown-eye, Campion, Tawny Shears, Lychnis, Ander, Hedge Rustic, Southern Wainscot, Smoky Wainscot, Straw Underwing, Dark Arches, Cloaked Minor, Rosy Minor, Common Rustic, Fenn's Wainscot, Dusky Sallow, Saltern Ear, Ear, Fen Wainscot, Rustic, Silver Y, Reed Dagger.

Butterfly Report for 2000

by RichardStewart (Suffolk Butterfly Recorder) To the already publicised Red Admiral, Peacock, Small and Green-veined White early records can be added another Red Admiral at Baylham, mid January (Mrs. Frost) with several more in February. The only new record still to be verified by photo is the very early Wall Brown at Cotton churchyard.

The rest of the year didn't match this early promise: April was the wettest for a hundred years, Autumn was the wettest since records began, with no prolonged spell of very good weather at any time. Early flying Orange Tip had a poor year, with just one recorded at Landguard and, with a top equal benchmark of 203 tetrads covered for both Meadow Brown and Red Admiral, the fortunes of species less successful in 2000 can be gauged by comparative figures: Ringlet 90, Large Skipper 75, Holly Blue, 67, Brown Argus, 43, Grayling 40, Green Hairstreak 32, White-letter Hairscreak 5.

The last mentioned puts this species just above the 4 recorded tetrads for the Dingy Skipper, Suffolk's rarest breeding butterfly.

Despite a low total, the Green Hairstreak extended its range down the Orwell estuary to Landguard and Felixstowe Ferry (Mike Marsh, Steve Piotrowski, Nigel Odin, and J. Askins). Four other species had successful years. The resident Speckled Wood increased its range to embrace areas that included Mutford Oohn Warnes), the Shodey area (Martin Sanford), my transect from Tuddenham to Playford, the Foxhall and Brightwell area (Michael Metcalf) and a welcome clutch of records from the northern part of Ipswich Oohn Sadler, Stella Wolfe, Steve Goddard, Peter Steggles and

19

The Suffolk Argus

Adrian Richards). John Walshe recorded over a hundred in 40 acres of orchards at Earl Stonham and 'another sensational year' produced the highest ever transect count of 330 at the North Warren transect. This species is now in Suffolk's rop six for tetrad coverage.

The other three were migrants: first the Red Admiral, with Glynnis Jenner reporting well over a hundred on rotting fruit and buddleia at St. Olaves and reverse migration noted at both Landguard and north Warren in the Autumn. There was also a suggestion of southerly migration of the Painted Lady at Landguard and this species had its best year since the unforgettable 1996 migration. The Clouded Yellow was undoubtedly the butterfly of the year, with sightings from such unusual venues as a football match at Culford (Mike Dean), Heath Road Hospital in Ipswich (Dr. Bamford) and the Waitrose car park in Bury St. Edmunds (Geoff Hayes). I will be writing a more detailed report on this at a later date - the current total is 153 tetrads, easily surpassing the previous best for detailed recording in Suffolk, which was 119 in 1983. The 2000 sightings include at least eight var. Helice.

Other spring records of note included Large White and Orange Tip together on seedpods of Honesty in an Ipswich garden (Beryl Johnson) and I recorded the Alba aberrant of the Small copper at Rushmere on l 2'h May. Alan Johnson submitted the only Swallowtail record of the year, from Shingle Street on 7•hJune and there was Camberwell Beauty at Bradfield Woods NNR on 16'h May (Michael Girling). Rob Parker saw a Queen of Spain Fritillary in July but the location is a known haunt of a suspected breeder and releaser and is therefore a very dubious· record. The same applies to Marsh Fritillaries at Aspal Close and a Silver-washed Fritillary at Slough

20

Spring 2001

Hall. The last two were photographed to establish identification and it is distressing to have to tell an excited recorder that their find isn't genuine.

Despite a poor summer and exceptionally miserable July, Richard Champion was able to match his earliest ever 1999 record for White Admiral emergence at Mildenhall Wood, and Steve Goddard and Neil Sherman had the same earliest ever date for Silver-scudded Blues at Purdis Heath and Golf Club on l7•h June Rob Macklin's Grayling on July 2nd • At Aldringham walks was another new record and two more were added later: a Purple Hairstreak on s•h September at Ipswich Golf Club (Neil Sherman) and a Whiteletter Hairstreak at Bridge Wood, near Ipswich, a new site, on 28'h August Oohn Walshe).

Many lists of garden records had several expected species missing and one, the Holly Blue, is at present in the trough of its normal cycle and should be back in good numbers in two or three years. Liz Lines at Peasenhall reflected the thoughts of many garden recorders: 'The sorrow of 2000, not one blue!' As is always the case, however, others had good garden years: Adrian Richards brought his Ipswich total up to 24 with Clouded Yellow, Green Hairstreak, Speckled Wood and Wall but Steve Goddard, also in Ipswich, is marginally ahead thanks to his first Speckled Wood.

Paul Gilson, also in Ipswich, recorded 20 Painted Lady in one session in his garden and the Clarkes at Stowupland had maximum counts of74 Peacocks and 47 Red Admirals, mainly on white Buddleia.

Rob Macklin had 25 species in his garden at Snape and on his transect at North Warren, and also on the one at Landguard, the Common Blue had a good year, a feature not reflected in most gardens. There were no large counts of this species in 2000 but

Butterfly Conservation

Suffolk Branch

Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended 30 th June 2000 1998/99 743.00 164.50 49.85 154.81 123.38 1235.54 67.00 1168.54

66.00 27.50 580.17 71.50 108.75 81.68

Income Membership Subscriptions Grants Donations: General Fundraising Butterfly Plants Sale of Merchandise

Cost of Sales

Expenditure Donation Retirement Suffolk Show Subscriptions Newsletters / Program Butterfly Action Plan Member's Night / AGM FWAG Conference Repairs Office Expenses Conference Expenses

935.60 SURPLUS ON CURRENT YEAR

1999/00 1110.00 1.00 125.00 174.22 1410.22 95.00 1315.22

20.00 129.00 606.95 181.69 35.31

50.96 29.50 1053.41 261.81

Balance Sheet as at 30th June 2000 Consolidated Fund Balance 1.7.2000 1196.05 Represented by: Add surplus on year 261.81 Girobank pie Cash in hand 1457.86 ASSETS as at 30.06.2000 Generator 150.00 Software 85.00 Projector Table 29.99 Exhibition Tent 100.00

Debtors Stock - Merchandise

1455.51 2.35 1457.86

Written down value @ 20% 61.44 Written down 3yrs 85.00 15.35 64.00 139.20 295.00 83.50

Liabilities

(410.60)

NET WORTH

1564.96

5

The Suffolk Argus

Churchyard Survey: A form will be sent later and this should be used for just one site. Others can be obtained, if needed, from Richard Stewart or your local library - or you can photocopy the original one. This is a one-year Survey which may go into a second year if necessary. le is joindy being organised by ourselves, the Suffolk Wildlife T ruse and che Suffolk Naturalists' Society. The form is self-explanatory but it does require a minimum of four visits to each churchyard and there are over 500 in Suffolk. We are hoping not just co list species but also look at egg-laying and nectaring activities and hopefully recommend good management techniques. Churchyards are often a rich but isolated relic habitat and in che Millennium Survey there was a wide variety of Suffolk breeding butterflies recorded.

There is bound to be some form of graveyard close to where you live so please consider surveying at least one site in 200 I.

4

Spring 2001

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.

rwo separate pairs of recorders (the J ohnstones and the Stewarts) established thac at Sizewell, the largest colony, Restharrow was also being used as a larval food plant.

The newly established Silver-studded Blue colony ac Aldringham Walks had an encouraging m.uimum count of 61 and I recorded much higher 101.&ls for boch sites ac Holbley. Stella Wolfe, Rob P.ukcr .md myself joined Minsmere uill for a count of their wide-rmging colonies but 1his species is only just surviving in several periphcr .J md isolated colonies, with particular problems a1 Bluhall, Wenha.ston and 1he sm.JI relic colony on 1he industrial csu1c: al Ipswich. Rc:grmably 1he lack of dau from Manlc:sham ha.s necessitated a separa1e Branch-organised count from 200 I. Although The White Admiral was only recorded in 12 mrads, the count of eight from Minsmere on 6•hJuly was very welcome, though in 2000 the best recorded Suffolk site was North Warren and Aldringham Walks, with 28 species, 26 of these on the transect, which has now been accepted into the national monitoring scheme, the only other Suffolk location included being at Walberswick NNR. Two new 2000 transects were at Bury Sc Edmunds (Rob Parker) and in the Fynn Valley (myselO. Other later records worth noting were the Brown Argus which came co Neil Sherman's moth lamp at Ipswich Golf Course on 2 nd August, 50 red Admirals noted by John Walshe at Haughley on g•h September, Marie Stewar~'s rwo lace Small Coppers at Tangham on 26'h October, a Painted Lady seen by Jean and Ken Garrod on 5•hNovember and an aberrant Wall, Bradanfelda, recorded by Glynnis Jenner at her St Olaves garden on 11,h September.

The latest record I have so far is of a Peacock near Monks Eleigh on 7'h

December (Arthur Watchman). The Small Tortoiseshell had a particularly poor year, probably caused by the weather, but there is some tentative evidence that its earlier stages may now be subject to a speciesspecific parasite.

Finally, one worrying trend needs to be no1ed-rl1e absence of records from several former recorders in West Suffolk produced jw1 23 per cent coverage of ce1rads, compared 10 41 per cent for the res1 of the couniy: leading to many gaps and just three mrads records for Grayling, 1hree for Green Hairmeak, and none for the Wall. To end on amore optimistic note: records were received from 169 recorders, which is very encouraging for the year immediately after a major survey and also is very hopeful for extensive coverage in next year's Churchyard Survey.

Clouded Yellow

by BerylJohnson

21

The Suffolk Argus

Spring 2001

Friend or Foe

2000 Autumn GM

. . . . . . . . . •. . . . . . . . . . .

ByJames Mann In March of the year 2000 I saw the first of the Lang's Short-tailed Blues flitting about the garden. I saw them from time to time over the next few weeks and the on 18 th April I saw what I thought was a beautiful specimen to photograph sitting on our roses.

I took a photo but was not happy with my identification for although it had tails it looked too large, the underwing markings looked wrong and the upperwings were a uniform brown lacking any sign of blue.

Directly I got the photos developed I studied the plates in my Butterflies of Britain and Europe. Tolman and Lewington and my considered opinion was that it was Cacyreus marshalli the Geranium Bronze, a native of South Africa. I did a crosscheck with my Butterflies of Southern Africa by Mark Williams and confirmed the identification. He says they are common throughout South Africa, all the year in frost-free areas. They lay their eggs on the buds and flowers of pelargoniums and geraniums, the larvae bores holes into the soft stems causing parts of the plants to die.

Back to Tolman and Lewington.

Apparently the immature stages of the butterfly were introduced into the Balearic Islands in Pelargonium cultivars, first reported in Mallorca in 1990. It quickly spread and became a pest in all the Islands.

It reached the Spanish mainland being reported in Logrono, northern Spain, in 1992 and Granada, southern Spain, in

22

1995. A further report came from the viciniry of Rome in 1996. They add that due to the popularity of pelargoniums it would seem conductive to further dispersion.

The butterflies must have heard about the Geranium producers of Le Boulou for the Geranium Bronze is now a common Butterfly here, in fact the most numerous of any species in our garden this year. I have taken several photos of Anne's geraniums that include single butterflies, mating butterflies, butterflies egglaying on the flower buds, the larvae walking about the plants and the holes they have bored in the stems causing the plants to die.

Anne says "Get rid of those pests, they even come after my indoor geraniums". I say, "Leave them they are beautiful butterflies".

It is now the end of August and Anne has just had to chop down most of her geraniums as the stems are riddled with holes and the plants are dying.

How do you feel, Friend or Foe? The specieshas now bun recorrud in England (see BC News 67: P.12) but not in Suffolk -

Ed.

The 2000 Autumn GM at the Friends Meeting House, Ipswich started with our Chairman, Rob parker welcoming those present at the meeting. Unfortunately, due to the fuel crisis the attendance was very low, only 14 which mainly consisted of Committee members and other members from Ipswich. This was particularly disappointing in view of the fact that our guest speaker, Ken Willmott, had travelled a long distance to get here despite the crisis.

The meeting got underway with our guest speaker for the evening Ken Willmott, a leading member ofButterfly Conservation, giving us a presentation on butterfly variations and aberrations. Ken had some stunning slides, which everybody thoroughly enjoyed.

After ken's first talk the serious part of the afternoon began with a full account of recent activitiesby our Chairman Rob Parker. Each Branch officer then gave a separate report and these included the presentation and acceptance of the annual financial statement (details overleaf).A short break was taken for refreshments, which gave members a chance to talk to committee members and guest speakers.

Julian Dowding then gave us an update on the Brimstones and Buckthorn campaign. Early indic;itions are that many of the shrubs that have been planted are growing well but it is still too early to say whether they are helping the Brimstone population. In his second presentation, Ken gave us an excellentslide show and talk on the Moths of South-East England. Again his presentation contained some excellentslides.The meeting concluded with our Chairman Rob Parker thanking Ken Willmott for his presentations albeit in front of a much reduced attendance. Members and guests then stayed on to enjoy an evening meal together.

Editorial

by Richard Stewart 2001 Programme Enclosed is this year's programme of meetings and other activities. My calculation is that about 40 of our butterfly species could be seen if someone attended every meeting. New venues include the Stoke-by-Clare area, led by Roger and Stella Wolfe, who know this area very well, and at the other end of the counry the Carlton Marshes day will also, given good weather, provide plenry of dragonfly species. Rare species that include Duke of Burgundy, Wood White, Swallowtail, Adonis and Chalkhill Blue, Black and Brown Hairstreak, are the targets further afield, and at least three of the meetings will be led by the wardens. There is also the chance to see a butterfly transect in operation in the Fynn Valley, and also join in one or more of the Silver-studded Blue counts, which are vitally important to monitor the current health of this high-profile species and recommend any management work, if necessary. Tony Prichard can be contacted about additional moth evenings as well as those on the programme and we shall be liasing with our good friends at Thornham on three occasions: the Suffolk Show (if you have any butterfly plants that could be sold, contact Paul Gilson), a walk in July and for an afternoon/evening in September, to include the AGM and a moth evening.

More details of this will be in the next edition. Finally, please read the safery guidelines carefully, as these apply to all field meetings.

3

The Suffolk Argus

Spring 2001

Contents

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

2000 Autumn GM/Editorial ............................................... 3

Newsletter Details

Churchyard Survey .................................... :.......................... 4 Suffolk Branch Accounts ......................................................

5

Safety Code ...........................................................................

6

The Devil's Dyke .............................................................

Deadly Lavender ..................................................................

7-8 9

2000 Field Trips .......................................................... 10-19 Butterfly Report for 2000 ............................................ 19-21 Friend or Foe ......................................................................

22

Newsletter Details & General Information ....................... 2 3 Suffolk Branch Contacts ....... :................................ Back Cover

To Advertisein

Copy Dates Contributions for our newslener should reach the Editor (address on back page) no lacer than: Spring Summer

April Fools Day

Christmas Eve

Autumn

August Bank Holiday

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

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

n.Suffolk

Argus Please contact:

Paul Gilson (01473 253276)

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Suffolk Branch Contacts

Chairman

Rob Parker, 66 Cornfield Road, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 3BN (01284 705476) Membership Secretary Paul Gilson. 18 Cheltenham Avenue, Ipswich.

Suffolk IP! 4LN (01473 253276) Newsletter Editors (temporary) Paul Gilson (address as above)

Richard Stewart, 'V alczina', 112 Westerfield Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP4 2XW (01473 216518)

Publicity Officer (Vacant)

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 OQH (01473 715701) County Recorder (Butterflies) Richard Stewart, (address as above) Conservation Officers (Butterflies) Richard Stewart, East Suffolk (address as above) Rob Parker, Central/West Suffolk (address as above)

Conservation Officer (Moths) Tony Prichard, 3 Powling Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP3 9JR (01473 270047) County Recorders (Moths) Jon Nicholls, 18 Berners Road, Felixstowe, Suffolk IP! I 7LF (01394 271500) Tony Prichard (address as above)

r

Secretary Tony Prichard, (address as above) Treasurer Graham Bull, Willow Cottage, I The Street, Raydon, Suffolk IP? 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 Office: BuncrflyC.Onscrva1ion, Manor Yard, East Lulwonh, Wareham, Dorset BH20 5QP Telephone 01929 400209

Editod by P••I Cihon 6- Rich•rdStn1•rt Logo (Silver-studdodBlue) Do•z H•mmmk] Dc1igoodandproducodby St,phnt Ion, Ort 6-M,.,, J,,ip C 2000 all rights reserved

Committee Members Beryl Johmon, 28 Medway Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP3 OQH (01473 715701)

Spring2001 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

The Newsletter of the Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation

Stella Wolfe President Howard Mendel, do The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW? 5BD (0171 938 8782)

Orange Tips by Beryl Johmon

BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION

Volume22

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