Suffolk Argus 29 Summer 2003

Suffolk

Branch Contacts

Chairman Rob Parker, 66 Cornfield Road, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 3BN (01284 705476) Membership Secretary Beryl Johnson, 28 Medway Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP3 0QH (01473 715701) Newsletter Editor Jim Foster, Lugano, The Street, Stonham Aspal, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 6AH (01449 711484) Publicity Officer (Vacant) Programme Secretary Alan Johnson, 28 Medway Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP3 0QH (01473 715701) County Recorder (Butterflies) Rob Parker (address as above)

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BUTTERFLY

CONSERVATION

Conservation Officer (Butterflies) Rob Parker (address left) Conservation Officer (Moths) Tony Prichard, 3 Powling Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP3 9JR (01473 270047) County Recorder (Moths) Tony Prichard (address above) Secretary Tony Prichard, (address above) Treasurer Graham Bull, Willow Cottage, 1 The Street, Raydon, Suffolk IP? 5LP ·(01473 310371) Committee Members Stella Wolfe, Mike Dean President Howard Mendel, c/o The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW? 5BD (0171938 8782)

Volunteers Needed If you feel you could help out now and then with the growing work of the Branch, please contact Beryl Johnson on 01473 715701.

Esex Skipperby BerylJohnson

The Newsletter of the Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation

Published by the Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation (The British Butterfly Conservation Society Ltd.) © 2003 all rights reserv«I

Summer 2003

Reg. No. 2206468 Reg. Charity No. 254937

HeadOffice:Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset BH20 SQP Tel: (01929) 400209 Editor: Jim Foster Logo: (Silver-studded Blue) Doug Hammersley

Design: Stephen Ion, Cat &:Mouse design

BUTTERFLY

CONSERVATION

Volume29

The Suffolk Argus

Summer 2003

Contents

Editorial

Editorial Eastern Regional Officer makes a Start Butterfly Report for 2002 Why Monitor Butterflies Your Society Needs You Update on the Suffolk Branch Action Plan Moth Species (Part 1) The Great Apollo Hunt Last Verse

3 4 5 8 10

Planning Decisions Recording Opportunities Garden Notes Scrub Clearance ·at Purdis Heath

17 18 19 20

A Relic of Warren Heath Go Green - Recycle Newsletter details and general information Suffolk Branch Contacts

2

21 22 23 Back Cover

~~~

Copy Dates

A rangeof butterflies andllOIIle moths, cast in aluminium alloy, painted in l:ru6-to-lifecolour.J, and

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

Spring

12 16

~(@~,

suit.ablefor outdcxror indoor lllOUDl:ing.

A scale of five times life>-si7.e is used to portray insects in their natural settledJ>OSiticms

Christmas Eve

Summer

April Fools Day

Autumn

August Bank Holiday

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

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

House number/nameplates too, all painted in mirable enamels to last for many years.

One quarter of the purchase price will be donated to branch funds.

To advertise in the Suffolk Argus please contact Jim Foster on

Phone or fax Mervyn Crawford on Mude1lltall (01638) 712600 for Colour brochure I Price list

01449 711484.

A purpose built Hotel with all the facilities that today's travellers require yet in a rustic traditional environment that is welcoming and comfortable.

A purpose built Hotel with all the facilities that today's travellers require yet in a rustic traditional environment that is welcoming and comfortable.

Butterfly Hotel, Al 4 Bury East Exit.

Moreton Hall, Bury St. Edmunds Tel: 01284 760884

Butterfly Hotel, Al 4 Bury East Exit Moreton Hall, Bury St. Edmunds Tel: 01284 760884 23

The SuffolkArgus

GoGreen & Recycle & Raise Cash for Butterfly Conservation

by David Bridges Butterfly Conservation has recently signed up to a recycling scheme with Reclaim-it, a company that collects empty laser toner cartridges and ink.jet printer cartridges and pays us between 25p and £6 each (depending on type).

Summer 2003 For small quantities of inkjet cartridges, I can supply reply paid envelopes for you to send your cartridges direct to Reclaim-it.

For large quantities (30+ inkjet and 12+ laser toner cartridges) the cartridges should be parcelled up for Reclaim-it to collect. They will send a courier round to you to pick up your parcel.

For larger •collection points, e.g. an office, Reclaim-it can provide a large collection bin which they will collect once full.

In each case Butterfly Conservation will receive a cheque within 14 days for the cartridges you recycle.

Do's and Don't's • Do ensure the cartridges you return are not damaged.

• Do return your cartridges in the reply paid envelopes (which are pre-coded) or a coded collection bin so Reclaim-it will know to send Butterfly Conservation a cheque. If you are making up a parcel contact me first to get Butterfly Conservation's reference number.

• Do pack your cartridges carefully in their original packaging, a piece of bubblewrap or the box your new cartridge came in.

This excellent fundraising opportunity prevents empty cartridges being thrown away and being sent to landfill sites, and can help Butterfly Conservation raise some useful cash for its conservation work!

• Do not return Epson inkjet cartridges or remanufactured cartridges.

• Do not put tape or sellotape on the cartridges themselves as this can damage them.

How does the scheme work?

The majority of inkjet and laser toner cartridges in use today have a value when empty and can be recycled. Please note that Epson inkjet cartridges and most re-manufactured cartridges are not eligible under this scheme and should not be returned.

All you have to do to help BC is to start collecting empty cartridges! Why not ask your friends, relatives, colleagues and local businesses to give you their empty cartridges too?

Free collection - Reclaim-it provide a free collection scheme.

To get a supply of reply paid envelopes please send an A4 s.a.e. (19p stamp) to David Bridges, Butterfly Conservation, Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Dorset BH20 5QP. If you think you can place a large collection bin in a local office or would like more information about this scheme please email your address to me at butterfly.conservation@tesco.net or telephone me on 01403 256175.

Editorial

by Jim Foster In the last issue of the Suffolk Argus readers will have noticed on page 4 the Newsflash item regardingthe appointment of Sharon Hearle as the Regional Officer for the East of England.

This is good news •for the conservation of , Lepidopterain our region and an introductory article by Sharon appears in this issue on the following page. On behalf of the Suffolk membership I extend a very warm welcome to Sharon, and we hope she will be happy in her new role. There are many challenges aheadand we wish her every success.

The appointment however, does require some funding and a letter explaining the situation is enclosed with this issue. I am well aware that there can be many demands on member's cash resources, the recent large increase in Council Tax to name but one, nevertheless if you can help then your Committee and Butterfly Conservation (and the Lepidoptera!) will be very grateful.

Also in the last issue James Mann, our former Chairman, in his article on the Apollo mentioned, "I could hear a slight rustle of its wing.r".This has prompted member Douglas Hammersley, who provides us with some excellent line drawings, to write to me. Douglas mentions that he has read about this butterfly's ability to frighten a potential predator by making startling noises. He quotes the paperback "The Natural History of Butterflies" by John ·Feltwell (Croom Helm, London 1986), which on page 32 states, 'That the Apollo can make warning noises in two ways. First, from the rubbing of its undersides of its hindwings against the ground on which it is resting, and secondly, it can produce a hissing snake-like sound by scraping the back of its legs against the base of the wing".

Douglas presumes that as James was regarded as a possible predator when he approached with his camera, the bunerfly made the rustling sound as a warning before flying off.

I have seen and photographed the Apollo in France, however I have never witnessed these phenomena. Has any other member heard these warning noises? Incidentally, James has a further article on the Apollo in this issue, read on.

You will notice that recording and volunteering get a significant mention in the Argus.If any member can assist in some way I am sure you will be most welcome, just telephone the contacts listed in the article.

This year we have been invited to have the Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation's Stand within the FWAG tent, situated not far from the Flower Show. PI-.; uote this is NOT as advertisedin the 2003 Programme.If you are at the Show we hope that you will be able to call in and see us.

AlanJohnson Programme Secretary

Many thanks.

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The Suffolk Argus

Summer 2003 such as English Nature, Forest Enterprise, Wildlife Trusts, DEFRA and local authority Biodiversity Action Plan staff.This is a great opportunity to share information and plan activity for the year. There is clearly a need for increased awareness of Butterfly Conservation and its volunteer activities. Hopefully more records will. reach the County Recorders in future. This liaison has already identified potential new sites for Chalkhill Blue and Griuled Skipper in Cambridgeshire. In Suffolk I have been to the Sandlings Group meeting and will be attending the Suffolk Show in May. Work is underway to focus on Griuled and Dingy Skippers across the region to try and ensure someone re-visits all known sites from the last ten years. Sightings of butterflies or reports on habitat will be equally valuable and advice can then be given to landowners. Both specieshave shown an alarming decline and require conservation management at their now isolated colonies to maintain populations.

Several sites are also threatened by development.

The three-year Grizzled Skipper survey in Hertfordshire has been particularly useful in helping to plan work in other counties.

I have started a weekly transect on Devil's Dyke which will give me first hand experience of what a transect involves and hopefully some really useful information. I will also be undertaking some torchlight surveys for Barred Tooth-striped moth with the Cambridgeshire moth recorder and other volunteers in April. I will report on further moth survey plans for the Norfolk and Suffolk Breckland area in the next newsletter. An application in February to Anglian Water Environmental Action Fund for £4300.00 has been approved by their directors and will fund display material and leaflets, maps, tools for practical work and training day costs.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank members for their kind donations toward this post and hope the achievements in due course fulfil their expectations. Please feel free to get in touch with any project ideas.

Eastern Regional Officer makes a Start The new Eastern Regional Officer, Sharon Hearle, hasnow been in post for threemonths. A new office has been set up in Newmarket High Street, which is conveniently central for the Anglia region. Sharon spent the last twelve years working for the Wtldlif-e Trust in Cambridgeshire and is familiar with many aspects of habitat management; working with wlunteers, grant schemes and Local Biodiversity Action Plan process.This is her first report: I have now met all five branches in the Anglia region; Cambridgeshire and Essex, Hertfordshire and Middlesex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire, with a combination of committee meetings and site visits.The post is funded by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs(DEFRA) through their Environment Action Fund, which helps voluntary groups in England promote sustainable development through projects on biodiversity.The amount of grant BC receivesis directlydependant on the amount of voluntary work undertaken by Branches in the Region.

A Regional Action Plan (RAP) meeting was held near Newmarket in March to review last year's activities by Branches, discuss current plans and my initial work programme for the year. I am impressed by the range of work that Branch volunteers are able to achieve and the detailed knowledge, which many individuals have. There will be great benefits from inter-Branch liaison over the year.

I am also in the process of contacting and meeting key playersin each region from organisations

Sharon Hearle, c/o Busy Bee, 21 High Street, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 8LX Tel 01638 663990 shearle@butterfly-conservation.org.uk

4

A Relic of Warren Heath

by RichardStewart After the destruction of Warren Heath on the edge of Ipswich, which included a Silverstudded Blue colony, I assumed that the few small patches of heathland left between houses were of a cosmetic value rather than being rich in wildlife. I had forgotten the areas of heather still remaining on the other side of the railway line from Ipswich to Felintowe, hidden behind the long frontages of the commercial units on the Ransomes Industrial Park and only briefly visible from the train.

In the course of a conversation with Eric Parsons he mentioned one such site and on July 24th. 1996 we made an early evening visit getting access, as Eric knew the man on duty. It was very late in the butterfly's normal flight period but we expected to see a few, if present. We were unsuccessful but then saw an even more promising area next door, occupied by Brinor, who handle container traffic. This time I knew the right man and we found about an acre of land at present undeveloped, though there was outline planning permission. This was sited between the end of the haulage area and the railway fence. To our delight thirteen Silver-studded Blues were counted.

I then made an annual count, each time trying to stress the importance of the site to the manager. In the process I also recorded Large, Small and Essex Skipper, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Small Copper, Small Tortoiseshell, Large White, Green-veined White and a colony of at least 20 Small Heath. The 1997 count was the best, with 48, and at this point the colony seemed viable, with plenty of Bell Heather, some a bit

leggy, and not much scrub invasion. In 1998 less than ideal recording conditions reduced numbers to 24 and I was informed the area could be developed soon. Consequently I contacted the Estates Manager of Ransomes, who owned the site, giving him all necessary details and asking for early warning of any development. The count rose to 35 in 1999 but the limitations of a yearly visit were evident in 2000 when I counted just five, three males and two females: partly because of poor recording weather but also due to long container lorries having started to turn and reverse on the site, damaging and fragmenting the heather beds.

This obviously was the thin end of a large wedge and by 2002 there was much damage: continuing use by containers, dumping of large piles of soil and, as the manager admitted, repeated racing around the site by the employees, using old bangers and motorbikes. His excuse was impending commercial development.

I counted eight, with just one female, all on an undisturbed small strip of heather in the far corner. Scrub, especially Gorse, was already invading the damaged areas. With some foreboding I went in 2002 and was amazed to find ten surviving, four males and six females. Probably the storing of several empty and long containers across the usual access point had prevented more damage. Consequently I contacted the Managing Director of Brinor, sending a letter and SAE to their Felixstowe headquarters. I gave details of the butterfly, asked if any further damage could be avoided, and if a work party could have access to tackle the scrub problem. I also added that I could probably get the company free, positive publicity.

There was no response.

Given that factor, the current condition of the site, and the low numbers of Silver-studded Blues remaining, even the short-term future of this colony looks bleak.

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The Suffolk Argus

Summer 2003

Scrub Clearance at Purdis Heath

Butterfly Report for

2002

Saturday January 25th 2003 Drinker

by RichardStewart Thanks to plenty of advance publicity, much of it generated by James Baker of the Greenways Project, this event was attended by about fifty people, some of whom stayed all day, others putting in several hours of work.

Ac a minimum a total of210 volunteer hours was achieved, with chose present well fortified throughout che day by plentiful supplies of drinks and biscuits. One person used a chainsaw but most cackled the scrub with saws or loppers. In this souchwesc corner of the site, which has SSSI designation, I recorded a good count of Silverr--. scudded Blues in 200 l but numbers C )j~were low last year, mainly due co seedling Silver Birches shading ' out much of the site and reducing the hotspots ~ _,.,,__ ~ needed by the ant / /. - • • 1"' ";-.. colonies, which / •• • ~ ., are an integral 'j

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•••

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pare of the Silverscudded Blue's life cycle. If this colony declines ic could affect the status of the site ~ and resurrect \ "applications for • housing development.

I• ~ ' . /. • \ ,,. '=', '\'\

SilverStuddedBlue

by Beryl Johnson

by Mervyn Crawford

Wildlife seen on a day chat had cloud, brief showers, a rainbow and bright sunshine, included Heron, Green Woodpecker, Great Spocced Woodpecker, Mistle Thrushes and some flowering Gorse. The Rabbits sensiblykept hidden. By the end . of the day a large area, much larger than anticipated, had been cleared of scrub, one large bonfire had taken place and other large heaps awaited burning the following week. Some of the longer poles will end up in racehorse fences and the longest will form part of sea defences on our Suffolk coast.

The stumps were created with a herbicide co hopefully prevent regrowth and ic will be interesting co moniror this site co see if numbers improve. There is still the problem of the large row of Silver Birches nearby, which seed the area and need reducing in numbers. In the long term a wide corridor could be created co cry co link up this area with chat at the other end of the site, adjoining Purdis Farm Lane.

Perhaps the best pare of what was a very successful and harmonious day was the list of organisations represented. I apologise if I have missed any but my list covers Buccerfly Conservation, Greenways Project, Ipswich and District Natural History Sociery, Suffolk Wildlife Trust, the Sandlings Group, Otley College, Ipswich Golf Club, a Park Ranger, local residents and members of the Parish Council, Bucklesham Road Action Group and, thankfully, several children. The local press also attended and spent some time caking details and photos.

20

by RichardStewart Red Admirals seen by Rob Macklin at North Warrenheath on 12th Februaryand by Michael Twist at Borley Green in the last week of February added to the evidence of probable overwintering. Rob Parker's earliest ever Speckled Wood was soon eclipsed by Geoff Hayes on 28th March at Chevin'sWood, a day, which included 22 Commas and nine Peacock.

Despite its considerable spread in recent years the Speckled Wood is still colonising and in 2002 was recorded in 171 2km tetrads (making it second only to the Large White with 186).

The transect index for the species at Center Pares, Elveden was a very high 449.

A dry April produced at least 20 Brimstone on an all day Buccerfly Conservation meeting at Lineage Wood and along the old Lavenham railway line, on 20th April, one of the best single day counts of this species in Suffolk. My early Wall in che Fynn Valley on 24th April was the equal earliest and by che middle of May Rob Parker was recording 40 Orange Tips at Wardwell and Reg Etheridge had 31 Green-veined Whites at Boyton Marshes. The walk around North Warren and Aldringham Walks on 15th May, led by Rob Macklin produced thirteen different species and also at North Warren Rob had an early Green Hairscreak on April 20th. This species was only recorded in 22 Suffolk cecrads,just three in West Suffolk, but at Orford Ness (The Street) ic was recorded on fifteen separate dates, with a maximum of eight.

The 83 Holly Blues recorded at Exning by a small Butterfly Conservation group muse be a new

single site record and by the third week of May the Painted Lady was being recorded in several gardens. By che end of this month a Clouded Yellowhad been recorded during the Ipswich and District Natural History Society's meeting at Piper's Vale on the 30th and this species beat its single record in 200 l with 30 2km cecrad records, including var. he/ice at Shocley24th August (Roger and Stella Wolfe). The Dingy Skipper was just recorded at Center Pares, Wardwell and RAF Barnham and this year a complete Silver-studded Blue count was made within the specified time limits. Rob Macklin had his highest total so far at Aldringham Walks, with a maximum of 206 on 2nd July, and there was exciting news of a new colony found by Dave Mason at Upper Hollesley and a second closer co Ipswich. Audrey Morgan also found one in a new cecrad at Succon, possibly a vagrant but with seemingly suitable habitat nearby. However, sites at Marclesham and Purdis still need urgent work co remove encroaching scrub and the colony at Blackheach, Wenhascon, will probably need copping up, under licence.

The three Skippers had poor years in terms of recording coverage: Large and Essex recorded in just 58 2km cecradseach and Small in 63, but there was a welcome Small Skipper sighting at Landguard. In contrast Michael and Jenny Kelsey recorded approximately 200 Gatekeepers at Sizewellcliffs on 4th August. Detailed records from North Warren, with a transect annual index of 241, the transect at Center Pares with an annual index of 346 and a monthly count in July of 352 at Bradfield Woods point co an excellent year for the Ringlet. For once Meadow Brown was not the most commonly recorded Suffolk species, in cecrad terms, being third with 167. The Wall made a good recovery on the North Warren transect, with 73 being the best annual index since 1993. Roger and Stella Wolfe recorded three separate generations of this species in their garden at Belvedere Road, Ipswich, but the worrying lack of West Suffolk records continues, with just one in 2002.

The concentration on the White-letter Hairscreak as 2002 target species produced four new records, from Mike Dean in the middle of Bury Sc.Edmunds, in Wicken Wood and at

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7 The Suffolk Argus

Summer 2003 been migrants, given the coastal locations. The annual transect index at Center Pares was just seven. There were reports of Buddleias attracting few visitors but conversely Arthur and Janet Watchman counted fourteen species on 17th August in their Monk's Eleigh garden and Rob Macklin's total in his Snape garden was an incredible 26. Several late records are worth noting: Rick Grundy recorded a Brimstone on 28th October at Hollesley-rhere has never been a Suffolk December record-Steve Goddard saw a Peacock at Minsmere on 16th November, a late Painted Lady was noted by Barbara Mathews at Felixstoweon 24th October and Roger and Stella Wolfe recorded both Peacock and Red Admiral at Sutton Hoo on 15th November. The two December records to reach me were a Peacock on 24th December seen by Alan and Beryl Johnson in their Ipswich garden and a Red Admiral on Christmas Day, seen by Mike Dean at Great Barton. The latter is an equal latest record for this species in Suffolk.

In addition to those already mentioned, several other species had poor tetrad coverage: Brown Argus just 26, suggesting the years of expansion were short-lived, Purple Hairstreak in 34, Small Heath 43 and Grayling 45. Surprisingly two of these poor performers still produced several new records, with nine for Purple Hairstreak, including new sightings on the Ipswich edge of both Warren and Rushmere Heath, and nine for the Grayling, with the first record in 10km Square TM 07. Another recording problem is in the TL tetrads of West Suffolk-just 74 covered in 2002, compared to 235 in the TM tetrads. The accompanying map highlights the current problem of coverage. Finally, as this is my last year report as County Butterfly Recorder, a brief analysisof 2002 follows, with my thanks to everyone who has in any way contributed to the recording of Suffolk butterflies in the last nine years:

Thieves Lane, while Zoe Maclaughlin recorded one at Dunwich. This now takes the total of tetrads recorded since 1995 to just above the mideighties survey. After careful checking I can also verify a new earliest date for the White-letter Hairstreak, beating the previous one by twelve days, with Ann Henson's sighting of a pristine individual in Easrgate Street, Bury Sr.Edmunds on 22nd June. Just as exciting was Neil Sherman's White Admiral at Ipswich Golf Club on 15th July, prompting questions as to where it had come from, since the nearest colonies would be at Rendlesham or Srour Wood. Another rare event was the Large White attracted to their moth lamp

by Alan and Penny Cornish on 27th June, to add to the Red Admiral of the year before. For the second year these two recorders observed the Small Copper var. caerukopunctata, seen for ten days in September until caught by a spider; there were also records of this variation from Rob Parker at Wordwell, 17th May, Neil Sherman at Ipswich Golf Club 24th April and 7th August and at Hen Reed Beds on 21st September.

Another unusual sighting was the very pale, half-size Painted Lady seen by Stuart Gough at Trimley on 25th June.

For six recorders the year's highlight was almost certainly their Camberwell Beauty: Barbara Lines over the Easter weekend at Swilland, four August records from Roy Milbourne at Ipswich, Michael Lingwood at Barningham, Frances Ringrose at Lowesrofr and Jane Giles at Kelsale and the final one which was on 12th September, seen by Steve Fryett at Stowmarker.

The three 'Whites' had good recording yearsLarge White was the best-recorded Suffolk species, with a coverage of 186 2km tetrads, Small White, seemingly absent at Minsmere, with 163 and Green-veined White with 159. There were some indications that the Small Tortoiseshell is recoveringbut it was largely absent from most sites visited by myself, Rob Parker and Neil Sherman, all of whom covered a wide range of habitats.

There were two records of higher numbers, with 21 at Boyton Marshes on 14th July from Reg Etheridge and 45 during the meeting led by Jim Foster at Carlton Marshes, but these could have

A NewTetrad Perhaps your own square is already well covered, but another square that you visit regularly - your work place perhaps, can be seen from "The Millennium Atlas of Suffolk Butterflies" to be under recorded. Why not devote this season'seffort to such a neglected square? It can be quite easy to obtain a new record for, say an Orange-tip, on your way to visit a friend - especially if you scour the atlas for voids before travelling.

Transect Walking The ultimate solution for detailed monitoring at your favourite sire is to walk a transect. At present, we have less in Suffolk than our "share" of the National total, and analysis shows that very few of them are on farmland. Starting a transect is a significant commitment in time and effort, yet makes a very worthwhile contribution to Butterfly Conservation's objective analysis of the strength and fluctuations of butterfly populations. Perhaps you have a regular farmland walk that would be suitable. Ring the Transect Co-ordinator (Rob again) to discuss the possibilities.

Discovering Moths With a thousand moths out there, the challenge of moth-ing offers plenty of opportunities to bring in new records. The best way to experience trapping with a mercury vapour light, to search for rare larvae by torchlight, even to pursue day-flying moths - is with the Suffolk Moth Group. Contact Tony for details of the activities planned for 2003.

New to Suffolk or Butterfly Conservation?

Welcome to all new arrivals. Don't delay - start today, by making a pledge to observe, record and contribute. Here are the contacts: Butterfly Recording: Rob Parker 01284 705476, robparker@waitrose.com

Number of recorders: 129 Number of records: 7,322

Moth Recording: Tony Prichard 01473 270047, tony.prichard@btinternet.com

Garden Notes

by Nigel Smart Looking back I can remember the Buddleia bush in our Dartford garden, with fat furry bumble bees and beautiful Peacock butterflies.

A little older I cycled on the heath and there were lots of "blues" and orangey brown ones (Small Heath).

Since I came to Suffolk I have taken lots of photographs and made many records of butterflies and for the last few years have a daily list of our garden visitors. Even over this relatively short period there have been many changes. The most noticeable of these has been the pretty little Small Tortoiseshell.

I have slides of Michaelmas Daisies covered in dozens of them, and in 1994 besides the early ones in March and April, they were to be seen throughout July, August, September and well into October, and this pattern continued until 1999.

Since then they have been rare - I have only seen five in the whole of 2002 and six in the year before.

Similarly that great favourite, the Peacock, has diminished: they used to be with us all of August, sometimes ten at a time on the Buddleia, bur in 2002 I had only two sightings.

On the other hand in 1994 I had one glimpse of the rare Speckled Wood - now it is a regular in the garden, and the Comma's presence has increased from four to fourteen days. Red Admirals too are much more frequent and while I saw my first ever Painted Lady in 1992 I now see them most seasons; but I haven't seen a Ringlet, Small Heath, or a Wall Brown for a long time.

I am puzzled by these changes. We never use insecticides and have grown all the right plants to attract and feed them. Whilst the new varieties are very welcome where have the spectacular Peacocks and Tortoiseshells gone?

Number of 2km tetrads covered: 309

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The Suffolk Argus

Summer 2003 measured by organised counts at known sites during the first half of July. There are a !or of sites to visit between Ipswich and the coast, and all in decent weather in a short time period, so we can use more volunteers. We share cars co travel to places the public cannot usually access, and recognising the- species is much easier than you might chink (full training available, as they say in the recruiting posters). Ring Rob if you are likely to be interested on either weekdays or weekends, particularly if you live within easy reach of the Sandlings.

Recording Opportunities for Volunteers in Suffolk

by Rob Parker The importance of recording as a nationwide project is outlined in Richard Fox's article "Why Monitor Butterflies" on page 8. Here is some further detail of recording work being done in Suffolk, by a small army of butterfly watchers and a dedicated band of moth-ers.

Some, but not all, are members of Butterfly Conservation, and they range from determined experts, through regular garden recorders to those who come alive only when confronted by a Camberwell Beauty or similar rarity.There is a place for all in the brotherhood, because we seek to assemble the largest possible dataset of dependable observations from every comer of the county. Read on for some interesting opportunities for 2003.

Tetrads covered by Butterfly Recorder 2002

Your Own Favourite Site Perhaps you visit a particular patch of habitat on a regular basis, and can improve the season-long coverage simply by becoming more systematic about noting your observations. Many people who took part in the "Garden Butterfly Count" or the 2001 Churchyard Survey will now be reasonably . familiar with the site, and will have a good idea as to whether there are more butterflies waiting to be seen, or whether they are able to visit with sufficient frequency to add something worthwhile to our season on season records. ~/

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Dingy Skipper Survey

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The remaining domain of this Biodiversity Action Plan species lies around Bamharncross Common, RAF Barnharn, Center Pares Elveden, Marmansgrave Wood and The King's Forest down to Wordwell. It is becoming scarcer as the years go by, and we do our best to search former sites in addition to known colonies. The flight period lases through May until earlyJune; if this reaches you in time to get involved, please contact Rob Parker. Prior knowledge of the speciesis useful, but not essential.

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Meadow Brown

Silver-studded Blue Count The health of our colonies of this BAP species is

by BerylJohnson 18

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The Suffolk Argus

Summer 2003 Butterfly transects

Why Monitor Butterflies?

Butterfly transects are the most accurate way to check how butterfly populations are faring on individual sites. A transect is a walk around a particular area (perhaps a favourite walll near your home) during which all of the butterflies seen are counted. The route remains the same each time and the transect is walked during fine weather every week from April until the end of September. Clearly, this requires commitment from recorders, although transects can be shared by groups of people each walking a cenain number of weeks. Some transects are set up to focus on panicular rare species. These are quicker to do as only the focus speciesis recorded and are done for shoner periods of ilie year (i.e. during the flight period of the species concerned).

The information gained fro~ transect monitoring is immensely useful, especially if the same transect is walked for many years. When data are brought together from a large number of sites, regional and national indices can be generated. The key value of such annual monitoring; is that it provides early warnings of species declinb, at a time when conservation action can be most effective and before species are lost from whole sitCSjand areas.

Transects not only provide accurate assessments of how each speciesis doing every year, but enable us to investigate many questions about butterfly ecology and how habitat management and the weather affect populations. The BC transect project, which has collated data from over 500 transects inv61ving2000 volunteer recorders, has already provided imponant information to the Department of the Erivironment, Food and Rural Affairs. For example, we now know that the Government's green limning schemes are helping to slow the declines of many butterfly species.Impressed at the quality ofBC's monitoring, DEFRA have now extended their funding of this project, specifically to investigate h<j>whabitat management affects different butterfly species.

Despite the success of the project so far, more transects are needed, particularly in northern England, Wales and Scotland and in farmland, urban, wetland, upland and coastal habitats. Your butterfly transect records could end 1 up on a Minister's desk and help improve the future of the countryside for butterflies.

by RichardFox Surveys Manager &

Dr. TomBrereton Senior Monitoring Ecologist, Butterfly Conservation Butterfly monitoring is the foundation upon which conservation is built, as it allows us to assess trends, identify priorities and measure the effectiveness of conservation action. It is also one of the areas in which BC's wlunteers excel and, therefore, a major strength of the Society. Anyone can help with butterfly monitoring and we need to maintain a thriving community of volunteers to provide vital ongoing information. This article aims to clarify the main monitoring projects undertaken by BC members and explain how the data gathered play an essential role in conservation.

What is monitoring?

By 'monitoring' we mean collecting information that can be used to determine how well butterflies are f.u-ing.This might be at the level of an individual colony or site (e.g. using the butterfly transect method) or across counties, regions or countries.

Most monitoring carried out by BC members falls into two main activities: walking butterfly transects and general butterfly recording as part of the Butterfliesfor the New Millennium (BNM) project.

Both types of monitoring provide essential, but different, information that enables BC to conserve butterflies effectively.Abundance data from transects and distribution data from BNM recording compliment each other and together provide a much clearerpicture of how butterflies are f.u-ingthan could be gained from either type of monitoring alone.

8

Planning Decisions: • one victory & one defeat

by RichardStewart First, the defeat. Permission to build 154 houses on Hayhill allotments in Ipswich marks the end of a long, well-lead and high profile local campaign to prevent development and instead turn the site into an urban nature reservewhich would have had a wide variety of habitats, been linked directly to the old Ipswich cemetery and the 'green corridor' of the Ipswich to Felixstowe railway line and have been a rare instance of such a rich biodiversity within a few hundred yards of the centre of Ipswich. In addition those of us lucky enough to have a key could also appreciate the superb views over Ipswich from its highest areas near the old cemetery.

It will be in teresring to see how the drainage and potential flooding problems are addressed, since the topography of the site is difficult for development.

This was always going ro be a

Green Hairstreak

difficult battle to win as it was essentially a very local campaign and not that many people had access to enjoy the area on a regular basis. I was fortunate to visit it from 1997 onwards and my butterfly survey of that year produced 19 species, far more than you get in nearby Christchurch Park. These included Purple Hairstreak, Green Hairstreak and Brown Argus. However, by the rime crucial decisions were being made about an area already earmarked for housing, the site had been allowed to deteriorate, with hardly any of the private allotments being worked, and on our last visit, early autumn 2002, Marie and I had difficulty getting through paths that had previously been kept clear. Consequently recent wildlife audits correctly pointed our that there was now no suitable habitat available for several of the butterfly species recorded in 1997 and concluded that the site had rapidly deteriorated in its wildlife value in recent years. It is just a pity that councillors didn't have the long-term vision to imagine how rich this site could have become, once again, given sufficient input of resources to recreate the original habitats.

Piper's Vale was always a better bet for victory: the council faced with cries of betrayal ifit declassified an existing designated local nature reserve, the combined forces of all the local conservation groups and the Suffolk Wildlife Trust against the link road proposal and the fond memories of the whole area that went well beyond those of naturalists, courting couples, dog walkers, childhood memories of freedom and using the outdoor swimming pool all helped to produce a total of 948 objections, out of a complete number of 1561 individuals who made representations about the combined local plan. Butterfly Conservation was able to include in its objection the fact that all of Suffolk's breeding butterflies have been recorded on site or close by, except for Dingy Skipper, White Admiral and Silver-studded Blue. However, vigilance is still needed. The plan has been deleted but not completely dropped.

Most of us thought it was all over in 1988 after mass protests, so it could reappear in future years.

byJim Foster 17

The Suffolk Argus

Summer 2003 Recording butterfly distribution

The Great

Apollo Hunt Last Verse byJamesMann

MarbledWhite

by BerylJohnson

You will remember my last words of wanting to find Apollos in our valley, the Vallespir. My wife Anne has often said that you don't have to go cha.sing butterflies they will come to you. I have had to accept that sometimes this is the case.

I had given up looking for Apollos in 2001 but on Monday 20 August the Rafal went on its usual walk somewhere in the mountains. That week we went up to Le Tech to see one of my favourite places in France (Argus 23 Summer 2001). We turned off to the right and after parking at La Uau we walked up the valley of the river Coumalade, with the river on our left. Near co the source at some 1800 metres we crossed over co return on the other side of the valley. We had lunch and soon after starting back Yvon brought my attention to a scruffy white butterfly. Its wings lacked most of their scales but the almost transparent insect was certainly an Apollo and it was still busy feeding. So we do have them in the Vallespir.

After our wet April and May 2002 I had no idea when to Apollo hunt and made no plans. Our Monday walk on 24 June was to be to the source of the river Tech, the same walk as we did on 25 June the previous year. At about 1400mecres I saw a couple of white butterflies in the distance and assumed Marbled Whites but as we came closer I saw a total of four very fresh Apollos, they were very active and did not settle, but were unmistakeable. At Source de l'Ouillac, a fresh water source, we stopped at the refuge, dated 1889, for coffee before tackling the very steep grassy and flowery slope of some 200 metres to the top of the ridge. My hard climb was rewarded

when near the top I sighted another six Apollos, again very active, but in the ideal habitat as described in all the books. As I reseed and waited one of them settled long enough for a photograph so my day was made even before we saw 46 Lizards, a Marmot and two Eagles. I was now satisfied that we had our own Apollos.

Our walk on I July again took us down the valley of the Coumalade so I started looking for Apollos again. I had nearly given up hope after many false sightings of Large Whites and Marbled Whites when a single specimen flew over to show me chat they still existed here. After lunch I spotted a couple of "Graylings" that had not read the book as they were both seeding with open wings. I have now confirmed that they were actually Large Walls but at least another first.

My walking group are now showing a greater interest in butterflies and were intrigued when I explained that the little white butterfly with the orange tips to it's wings and the white one with the black tipped wings were male and female of the same species. But it was difficult to get them co accept that the little red and black butterflies, Burnet Moths, were Papillion de Noir. They could not believe chat there are day flying moths. When asked about the little yellow ones I did not say chat the Speckled Yellowwas also a moth.

Having seen more Apollos in the valley the other side of Col de l'Ouillat I am beginning co believe the expert who cold me that Apollos are not that rare in this area you just have co be in the right place at the right time, but that is the hard part.

16

Records are returned to Branch co-ordinators. We Butterflies for the New Millennium is BC's project are currently working toward the production of for general butterfly recording. Since 1995, over new national distribution maps based on the 1.9 million butterfly sightings have been collected survey period 2000-2004. Many areas remain from I 0,000 volunteers. As with transect data, under-recorded and there are undoubtedly many butterfly records are important at both the local colonies of scarce species still to be discovered - it and national scales. Recording is essential for local is not too late to get involved! conservation, providing the locations of colonies of scarce and declining species to conservation Why is monitoring important? organisations and planning authorities seeking to The data generated by BNM recording and protect them. Records can also provide national transect monitoring of butterflies underpin almost assessments of how species are faring by comparing all conservation work and can be used over and current distributions to historical ones. over again to benefit butterflies, both at the local Data from the first five years of BNM were scale (e.g. by improving site management) and used to produce TheMillenniumAtlasof Butterflies nationally. The data are used to determine in Britain and Ireland (Oxford University Press, Government policy, to decide planning 2001), but this book is only the start. The applications and to influence the activities of distributions of most species are changing rapidly major land-owning organisations such as the and it is vital that people continue to record Ministry of Defence and Forestry Commission. butterflies and that more recorders are recruited.

Ultimately, butterfly data collected by members You can make a record any time you see a butterfly and submitted through BC's Branches determine that you can identify, anywhere in Britain and which species are the focus of conservation action Ireland. You don't have to be an expert and even through Biodiversity Action Plans at the national, regional and local levels. Monitoring data are also recording in your garden, local park or nature reserve can be a big help. Standard recording forms important in research and have been used to advise are used to note down any butterflies that you see, the Government and its conservation agencies on together with the date and name and grid reference the state of Britain's butterflies, agricultural reform and the impacts of climate change. BC has gained of the place where they were. an excellent reputation for providing high quality information on butterfly trends, but your help is vital to ensure that we maintain these standards in the future.

How to get inwlved?

·••~•-•,·H•

.-·--·

,

..

Everyone can contribute and we really do need your help. Whether you are a new recruit or a long-term member, now is the time to get involved with butterfly monitoring (if you aren't already!).

You don't need to give up lots of free time and you don't need to be an expert. Contact your Branch Recorder or Organiser to see how you can help or find out more about transect walking and Butterflies for the New Millennium from the BC web sire (www.butterfly-conservation.org). We need both distribution records and transect data to conserve our declining butterflies.

...... ·.:•

Dingy Skipper

by Douglas Hammersley 9

7

The Suffolk Argus

Your Society -Needs You!

by Rob Parker Butterfly Conservation, like many other charities, depends on its volunteer workforce to get on with its good work. This article explains what wlunteers are doing for the conservation of our butterflies and moths - both in Suffolk, and at National level. The range of activities may be broader than you realized, and more interesting too. Whatever your interest in Lepidoptera, there is scope for you to help, so readon ...

The National Headquarters in Dorset provides an enormous amount of central assistance and guidance for the 31 Branches that cover the UK. Policy there, is in the hands of our Council, who are also volunteers, and who direct the work of the paid staff. At Branch level, volunteers do almost everything, from butterfly recording to habitat restoration. The major tasks of monitoring and recording moths and butterflies are covered elsewhere (page 18) and many of you are already deeply involved as enthusiasts and recorders, but what follows is about the ancillary roles for volunteers, many of which do not require specialist knowledge.

Events We attend the Suffolk Show as a means of making contact with the general public. They can pick up free advice about butterfly gardening, tell us about the Camberwell Beauty they saw last year, or invite us to run a moth trap on their land. We sell butterfly books and nectar plants more for the visitors benefit, than to raise funds (though monies collected do offset the cost of our participation). Our other aims are to attract new members and to raise awareness of our activities in the eyes of the public.

Summer 2003 Other events at which we participate include butterfly walks at Thornham Walks, and stands at Forest Enterprise's Working for Wildlife Day and Ipswich Museum's Environment Open Day. We have often collaborated with the RSPB, and this year's National Moth Night will feature moth trapping at Minsmere. Several extra events are entering our calendar for the first time this season: butterfly walks at Bradfield Woods for SWT, and at Wolves Wood for RSPB, and a stand at Stonham Barns for the Owl Sanctuary's Countryside Awareness Week. All these activities need someone to set the stand up, to man it for the day, and to dismantle the exhibit afterwards.

At present, we are looking for an individual prepared to mastermind such events, as well as welcoming any individual offers to assist the establishedteam at particular shows.Youdo not need to know all about butterflies to make a worthwhile contribution in this capacity. Our display material needs to be kept up to date, stored somewhere, and t-Oappear magicallyat the next event!

Current Distribution Maps

GroundLackey

Tawny\%ve

PauperPug

GreyCarpet

Fenn'sWzinscot

White-mantledWzinscot

Outdoor Work Parties Our Branch does not own any wildlife reserves, so we do not have the enormous task that Norfolk faces with the upkeep of Catfield Fen (but we do not have the Swallowtailseither!). As a result, our participation at work-parties is mainly at sites owned by someone else, but hosting a good butterfly population. Member Julian Dowding organizes regular work parties at Kissing Gate Lane meadow, Holywells Park in Ipswich, for example.

Our members were well represented in January at Purdis Heath, when the Greenways Project organized the clearance of Silver Birch and scrub that had been encroaching on to the Silverstudded Blue's domain. If you live close to the county boundary, you might be interested in assisting across the border in Cambs, on the Chalkhill Blue site at Devil's Dyke, or in clearing scrub for the Grizzled Skipper on the Narborough Railway Reserve in Norfolk.

Education To date, we have not pursued opportunmes to participate in education, except in the very

15

The Suffolk Argus produce further undiscovered colonies, although searches to date have proved unsuccessful.

Dotted Footman Pelosiamuscerda This species is only thought to be resident in Britain in the Norfolk Broads, although there have repons of the moth in the east and west of Suffolk in fens and reed marshes. These are currently thought to have been vagrants or migrants. This species has not been the subject of any specific surveying effort since the action plans were produced, although moth recording effort has been occurring in the fens and reed-beds where this moth may occur but with no sign of the species.

Pigmy Footman Eilemapygmaeola Recent records of this species have come only from Landguard in 2001. Previously this species has been recorded along the coast between Minsmere and Walberswick. This area of the coast is a popular venue for moth recorders so my current view is that the records to date are likely to have all been migrants and that there is no real indication of a resident population present in the county.

Summer 2003 White-mantled Wainscot Archanara

neurtca A further reed-bed specialist like Fenn's Wainscot, this is more restricted within the country as it only occurs in the Suffolk coastal reed-beds. This species has a decided preference for those drier areas of the reed-bed; a habitat preference that means it comes into conflict with the management of reed-beds for bitterns. The Suffolk Moth Group and the Branch have carried our regular surveying for this species in the last few years looking for new sites and also to bring the records from previously known sires up to date. Last year saw the last of the historic site records brought up to date when the adult was recorded at North Warren RSPB reserve.

In addition we recorded the moth at Benacre Broad, a previously unknown site and one, which extends the range further north than previously known. Further survey work remains to be done to see if the moth's range extends even further north and to fill in the gaps between Benacre and Walberswick reed-bed where the moth has not been previously noted. I think continued population monitoring is likely to be required as large areas of the reed-bed continue to be managed for the bittern.

broadest sense of educating the public at events.

Yet teachers want to show primary school children the life cycle of a butterfly, and youngsters are keen to learn more about bugs and beasties whenever they can. Perhaps the best way ahead is to increase our co-operation with SWT, and ensure that they are able to deliver the message on butterfly conservation at their excellent educational facilities at Foxburrow Farm and Lackford Lakes. No one on the Committee is able to help at present, so we would be delighted if anyone with primary school teaching experience were to step forward to help us to develop our efforts in this direction.

Publicity We have managed for years without a nominated Publicity Officer, bur anyone handy with a pen and ready to put the conservation message our can bring our efforts to a wider public through regular contact with the local media. We already have some excellent publicity material; it is only a matter of spreading the word.

Administrative Support Your Committee work hard on your behalf (wellon behalf of the Lepidoptera, really!),but from time to time, we could use extra help with mailing, photocopying, or clerical assistance with any of the above jobs. Secretarial skills might be useful, bur you do not need to be a "butterfly expert".

So, How to Volunteer...

If you are ready to participate in any of these activities, simply phone any member of the Committee at the numbers listed on the back cover of this magazine. If you are interested in joining the Holywells Park work parties, Julian Dowding is on: 01473 414092.

Rob Parker(01284 705476 if you can catch me!)

Fenn's Wainscot Chortodesbrevilinea A species that occurs in both Suffolk and Norfolk reed-beds in Britain and that has a very limited distribution elsewhere on the continent. There have been no specific surveys for this species in the county since the action plan was produced.

However, significant moth recording effort is now spent in monitoring and recording the coastal reed-bed species, both generally and targeted specifically at the White-mantled Wainscot, that this species is recorded each year. It would appear to be reasonably well established in reed-beds between Sourhwold and Minsmere. I hope that more effort in the future can be spent on surveying for this species to tie down its precise distribution in the county and to see if we can confirm its habitat requirements. Based on the literature the latter would appear to be in conflict with Whitemantled Wainscot habitat requirements but I am not sure that this coincides with our experiences of recording the moth_.

References Joy, J. 2000. Regional Action Plan for East Anglia.

Butterfly Conservation Mann, J & Prichard, T. 1998. Suffolk Action Plan.

The Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation Parsons, M. S., Green, D.G., Bourn, N.A.D. & Waring, P. (Eds.) 2000. Lepidoptera Conservation Bulletin: Number I: April 1999 - March 2000.

Butterfly Conservation Parsons, M. S., Green, D.G., Bourn, N.A.D. (Eds.) 2001. Lepidoptera Conservation Bulletin: Number 2: April 2000 - March 2001. Butterfly Conservation Parsons, M. S., Green, D.G., Bourn, N.A.D. (Eds.) 2002. Lepidoptera Conservation Bulletin: Number 3: April 200 I - March 2002. Butterfly Conservation.

14

BurnishedBrass

by Mervyn Crawford Landowner Involvement Are you in any sense a landowner? We are always looking for promising habitat at which to conduct butterfly surveys, run moth traps. We have held many successful field trips on land owned by BC members, and would welcome opportunities for the 2004 season. You may be looking for advice in setting up a conservation area or butterfly garden, and we can offer this along with a species list. If we find scarce insects on your land it will improve your chances for agro-environmental grants too!

GrizzledSkipper

by DouglasHammersley 11

The Suffolk Argus

Update on the Suffolk Branch Action Plan

Moth Species (Part 1)

by TonyPrichard It is nearly five years since the Suffolk moth species action plans were produced by the Branch. I thought it would be of interest to let members know how we have been progressing with the moth species that we identified as needing conservation action within the county.

Since the writing of the plan in 1998 further species have been identified nationally as in need of conservation action. Those occurring in Suffolk include; Coleophora tricolor, Buttoned Snout, Lunar Yellow Underwing, Pale Shining Brown and Square-spotted Clay. These late arrivals onto the action plan list will also be included in this update.

Thanks are due to those moth recorders who have previously sent in their records of these species and to the members of the Suffolk Moth Group who do a significant proportion of the survey work involved in monitoring our more rare moth species.

This article is the first of two covering the BAP species; the remaining species will follow in the next issue of the Argus.

Summer 2003 Ground LackeyMalacosomacastrensis This species is a relation to the more common Lackey Malacosoma neustria and in Suffolk is restricted to the coastal salt marshes. In 200 l Neil Sherman and myself surveyed some of the more accessible Suffolk salt marshes where the species had not previously been recorded, with some success. This moth is most easily recorded as a caterpillar when the gregarious larvae form webs in May and June. These are easily spotted as they leave a silken trail of devoured salt-marsh plants.

The large areas of good quality saltmarsh on Orfordness no doubt support the largest populations of the moth in the county and at a Suffolk Moth Group trip to the reserve in July 2001 both adults and caterpillars were present.

Suffolk is the most northerly county in the country where this moth is found (the moth is on the edge of its range in Britain) and there would appear to be suitable areas of saltmarsh habitat further north than its current most northerly site at Aldeburgh.

Future survey work will be targeted at attempting to locate the species further north than Aldeburgh and to monitor the existing populations at its known sites. Monitoring of this species can be carried out relatively easily by counting the numbers of larval webs over a given area.

TawnyWave Scapularubiginata A species that has classically been thought to be resident in the country only in the Brecks and the

coastal sandhills around Aldeburgh-Thorpeness.

Other records of this moth, when it is occasionally recorded elsewhere in the country, are assumed to be migrants. The frequency of records in other parts of the Sandlings and particularly in the Ipswich area would possibly suggest chat this species is now resident in a much larger area of the Sandlings. The disproportionately high number of Ipswich records will no doubt be in part due to the concentration of moth recorders regularly trapping in the area of the town but the frequency that it is recorded at some sites suggests to me that it is almost certain to be resident in the area. No particular survey work has been targeted at this species and populations would appear to be relatively stable. This is a species chat can be seen flying during the day especially if you disturb the vegetation and flush out the adults.

establishment trial in Suffolk was carried out and this is currently being monitored.

Bright WaveIdaea ochrata

A moth associated with the Brecks in Britain with its larvae feeding on Flixweed and Treacle Mustard.

Within the Brecks it appears to be well distributed and is regularly recorded each year as an adult at both light and during the day. The moth flies from May through to early August and may easily be disturbed during daytime rambles in the Brecks.

While it continues at its current populations and distribution I have no plans for targeted surveying/monitoring of this species.

Sadly it would appear that this species has disappeared from Suffolk and the moth now occurs in one remaining area in the country in Kent. The last confirmed Suffolk record was in 1990, with an unconfirmed record from 1994. The moth was historically found on the coast between Aldeburgh and Thorpeness but the impression I have is that the moth's habitat along this part of the coast has almost certainly changed for the worse - in part at least due to the pressures of visitors to this attractive part of the coast. Surveys have been carried out in recent years looking for the moth along areas of the coast around the known site but all have proved negative.

BarberryCarpet Pareufypeberberata

by Neil Sherman 12

One of the moths from the 'pug' group that often causes identification problems for recorders. This species seems to have beeri expanding its range across the country (or is at least being recorded more frequently). The larva feeds on the flowers of Small-leaved Lime and Common Lime. The moth was recorded from three localities in 2002; Nowron Park (R Eley), Sicklesmere (S. Dumican) and Minsmere (SMG). In 2003 it is intended to carry out some larval searches for this moth, as this may be a more efficient mechanism for assessingits distribution than relying on light trapping records.

Grey Carpet Lithostegegriseata

This would appear to be have followedthe same fate

Grey Carpet

Fletch~r'sPug/Pauper Pug Eupithecia egenarza

as the Bright Wave not having been recorded at its known locality for severalyears. Its demise may have been due to a fire in one of the hedges bordering the lane where the moth has been resident for many years. Replanting of Barberry along the lane has been taking place and it may be possible in the future to re-introduce the species back to the site.

The moth has not disappeared from the country as it has in recent years been found to occur in Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Dorset. In 2000 an

Narrow-borderedBee Hawk-moth Hemaris tityus This species was not included in the original Suffolk Moth Action Plans, as it was not known at that time to occur in Suffolk. Since then it has been discovered to occur at one Suffolk site by A. Musgrove and M. Armitage. I understand that there is only one other site for this declining species in the east of the country so its discovery was of some entomological importance. In the years since its discovery annual larval searches have been carried out at the site, as these seem to be easier to locate than the adults. In the future it would be useful to carry out some more in depth surveying in attempt to establish the strength of the colony and its precise extent over the site.

Searches for similar suitable habitats nearby may

13

The Suffolk Argus

Update on the Suffolk Branch Action Plan

Moth Species (Part 1)

by TonyPrichard It is nearly five years since the Suffolk moth species action plans were produced by the Branch. I thought it would be of interest to let members know how we have been progressing with the moth species that we identified as needing conservation action within the county.

Since the writing of the plan in 1998 further species have been identified nationally as in need of conservation action. Those occurring in Suffolk include; Coleophora tricolor, Buttoned Snout, Lunar Yellow Underwing, Pale Shining Brown and Square-spotted Clay. These late arrivals onto the action plan list will also be included in this update.

Thanks are due to those moth recorders who have previously sent in their records of these species and to the members of the Suffolk Moth Group who do a significant proportion of the survey work involved in monitoring our more rare moth species.

This article is the first of two covering the BAP species; the remaining species will follow in the next issue of the Argus.

Summer 2003 Ground LackeyMalacosomacastrensis This species is a relation to the more common Lackey Malacosoma neustria and in Suffolk is restricted to the coastal salt marshes. In 200 l Neil Sherman and myself surveyed some of the more accessible Suffolk salt marshes where the species had not previously been recorded, with some success. This moth is most easily recorded as a caterpillar when the gregarious larvae form webs in May and June. These are easily spotted as they leave a silken trail of devoured salt-marsh plants.

The large areas of good quality saltmarsh on Orfordness no doubt support the largest populations of the moth in the county and at a Suffolk Moth Group trip to the reserve in July 2001 both adults and caterpillars were present.

Suffolk is the most northerly county in the country where this moth is found (the moth is on the edge of its range in Britain) and there would appear to be suitable areas of saltmarsh habitat further north than its current most northerly site at Aldeburgh.

Future survey work will be targeted at attempting to locate the species further north than Aldeburgh and to monitor the existing populations at its known sites. Monitoring of this species can be carried out relatively easily by counting the numbers of larval webs over a given area.

TawnyWave Scapularubiginata A species that has classically been thought to be resident in the country only in the Brecks and the

coastal sandhills around Aldeburgh-Thorpeness.

Other records of this moth, when it is occasionally recorded elsewhere in the country, are assumed to be migrants. The frequency of records in other parts of the Sandlings and particularly in the Ipswich area would possibly suggest chat this species is now resident in a much larger area of the Sandlings. The disproportionately high number of Ipswich records will no doubt be in part due to the concentration of moth recorders regularly trapping in the area of the town but the frequency that it is recorded at some sites suggests to me that it is almost certain to be resident in the area. No particular survey work has been targeted at this species and populations would appear to be relatively stable. This is a species chat can be seen flying during the day especially if you disturb the vegetation and flush out the adults.

establishment trial in Suffolk was carried out and this is currently being monitored.

Bright WaveIdaea ochrata

A moth associated with the Brecks in Britain with its larvae feeding on Flixweed and Treacle Mustard.

Within the Brecks it appears to be well distributed and is regularly recorded each year as an adult at both light and during the day. The moth flies from May through to early August and may easily be disturbed during daytime rambles in the Brecks.

While it continues at its current populations and distribution I have no plans for targeted surveying/monitoring of this species.

Sadly it would appear that this species has disappeared from Suffolk and the moth now occurs in one remaining area in the country in Kent. The last confirmed Suffolk record was in 1990, with an unconfirmed record from 1994. The moth was historically found on the coast between Aldeburgh and Thorpeness but the impression I have is that the moth's habitat along this part of the coast has almost certainly changed for the worse - in part at least due to the pressures of visitors to this attractive part of the coast. Surveys have been carried out in recent years looking for the moth along areas of the coast around the known site but all have proved negative.

BarberryCarpet Pareufypeberberata

by Neil Sherman 12

One of the moths from the 'pug' group that often causes identification problems for recorders. This species seems to have beeri expanding its range across the country (or is at least being recorded more frequently). The larva feeds on the flowers of Small-leaved Lime and Common Lime. The moth was recorded from three localities in 2002; Nowron Park (R Eley), Sicklesmere (S. Dumican) and Minsmere (SMG). In 2003 it is intended to carry out some larval searches for this moth, as this may be a more efficient mechanism for assessingits distribution than relying on light trapping records.

Grey Carpet Lithostegegriseata

This would appear to be have followedthe same fate

Grey Carpet

Fletch~r'sPug/Pauper Pug Eupithecia egenarza

as the Bright Wave not having been recorded at its known locality for severalyears. Its demise may have been due to a fire in one of the hedges bordering the lane where the moth has been resident for many years. Replanting of Barberry along the lane has been taking place and it may be possible in the future to re-introduce the species back to the site.

The moth has not disappeared from the country as it has in recent years been found to occur in Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Dorset. In 2000 an

Narrow-borderedBee Hawk-moth Hemaris tityus This species was not included in the original Suffolk Moth Action Plans, as it was not known at that time to occur in Suffolk. Since then it has been discovered to occur at one Suffolk site by A. Musgrove and M. Armitage. I understand that there is only one other site for this declining species in the east of the country so its discovery was of some entomological importance. In the years since its discovery annual larval searches have been carried out at the site, as these seem to be easier to locate than the adults. In the future it would be useful to carry out some more in depth surveying in attempt to establish the strength of the colony and its precise extent over the site.

Searches for similar suitable habitats nearby may

13

The Suffolk Argus produce further undiscovered colonies, although searches to date have proved unsuccessful.

Dotted Footman Pelosiamuscerda This species is only thought to be resident in Britain in the Norfolk Broads, although there have repons of the moth in the east and west of Suffolk in fens and reed marshes. These are currently thought to have been vagrants or migrants. This species has not been the subject of any specific surveying effort since the action plans were produced, although moth recording effort has been occurring in the fens and reed-beds where this moth may occur but with no sign of the species.

Pigmy Footman Eilemapygmaeola Recent records of this species have come only from Landguard in 2001. Previously this species has been recorded along the coast between Minsmere and Walberswick. This area of the coast is a popular venue for moth recorders so my current view is that the records to date are likely to have all been migrants and that there is no real indication of a resident population present in the county.

Summer 2003 White-mantled Wainscot Archanara

neurtca A further reed-bed specialist like Fenn's Wainscot, this is more restricted within the country as it only occurs in the Suffolk coastal reed-beds. This species has a decided preference for those drier areas of the reed-bed; a habitat preference that means it comes into conflict with the management of reed-beds for bitterns. The Suffolk Moth Group and the Branch have carried our regular surveying for this species in the last few years looking for new sites and also to bring the records from previously known sires up to date. Last year saw the last of the historic site records brought up to date when the adult was recorded at North Warren RSPB reserve.

In addition we recorded the moth at Benacre Broad, a previously unknown site and one, which extends the range further north than previously known. Further survey work remains to be done to see if the moth's range extends even further north and to fill in the gaps between Benacre and Walberswick reed-bed where the moth has not been previously noted. I think continued population monitoring is likely to be required as large areas of the reed-bed continue to be managed for the bittern.

broadest sense of educating the public at events.

Yet teachers want to show primary school children the life cycle of a butterfly, and youngsters are keen to learn more about bugs and beasties whenever they can. Perhaps the best way ahead is to increase our co-operation with SWT, and ensure that they are able to deliver the message on butterfly conservation at their excellent educational facilities at Foxburrow Farm and Lackford Lakes. No one on the Committee is able to help at present, so we would be delighted if anyone with primary school teaching experience were to step forward to help us to develop our efforts in this direction.

Publicity We have managed for years without a nominated Publicity Officer, bur anyone handy with a pen and ready to put the conservation message our can bring our efforts to a wider public through regular contact with the local media. We already have some excellent publicity material; it is only a matter of spreading the word.

Administrative Support Your Committee work hard on your behalf (wellon behalf of the Lepidoptera, really!),but from time to time, we could use extra help with mailing, photocopying, or clerical assistance with any of the above jobs. Secretarial skills might be useful, bur you do not need to be a "butterfly expert".

So, How to Volunteer...

If you are ready to participate in any of these activities, simply phone any member of the Committee at the numbers listed on the back cover of this magazine. If you are interested in joining the Holywells Park work parties, Julian Dowding is on: 01473 414092.

Rob Parker(01284 705476 if you can catch me!)

Fenn's Wainscot Chortodesbrevilinea A species that occurs in both Suffolk and Norfolk reed-beds in Britain and that has a very limited distribution elsewhere on the continent. There have been no specific surveys for this species in the county since the action plan was produced.

However, significant moth recording effort is now spent in monitoring and recording the coastal reed-bed species, both generally and targeted specifically at the White-mantled Wainscot, that this species is recorded each year. It would appear to be reasonably well established in reed-beds between Sourhwold and Minsmere. I hope that more effort in the future can be spent on surveying for this species to tie down its precise distribution in the county and to see if we can confirm its habitat requirements. Based on the literature the latter would appear to be in conflict with Whitemantled Wainscot habitat requirements but I am not sure that this coincides with our experiences of recording the moth_.

References Joy, J. 2000. Regional Action Plan for East Anglia.

Butterfly Conservation Mann, J & Prichard, T. 1998. Suffolk Action Plan.

The Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation Parsons, M. S., Green, D.G., Bourn, N.A.D. & Waring, P. (Eds.) 2000. Lepidoptera Conservation Bulletin: Number I: April 1999 - March 2000.

Butterfly Conservation Parsons, M. S., Green, D.G., Bourn, N.A.D. (Eds.) 2001. Lepidoptera Conservation Bulletin: Number 2: April 2000 - March 2001. Butterfly Conservation Parsons, M. S., Green, D.G., Bourn, N.A.D. (Eds.) 2002. Lepidoptera Conservation Bulletin: Number 3: April 200 I - March 2002. Butterfly Conservation.

14

BurnishedBrass

by Mervyn Crawford Landowner Involvement Are you in any sense a landowner? We are always looking for promising habitat at which to conduct butterfly surveys, run moth traps. We have held many successful field trips on land owned by BC members, and would welcome opportunities for the 2004 season. You may be looking for advice in setting up a conservation area or butterfly garden, and we can offer this along with a species list. If we find scarce insects on your land it will improve your chances for agro-environmental grants too!

GrizzledSkipper

by DouglasHammersley 11

7

The Suffolk Argus

Your Society -Needs You!

by Rob Parker Butterfly Conservation, like many other charities, depends on its volunteer workforce to get on with its good work. This article explains what wlunteers are doing for the conservation of our butterflies and moths - both in Suffolk, and at National level. The range of activities may be broader than you realized, and more interesting too. Whatever your interest in Lepidoptera, there is scope for you to help, so readon ...

The National Headquarters in Dorset provides an enormous amount of central assistance and guidance for the 31 Branches that cover the UK. Policy there, is in the hands of our Council, who are also volunteers, and who direct the work of the paid staff. At Branch level, volunteers do almost everything, from butterfly recording to habitat restoration. The major tasks of monitoring and recording moths and butterflies are covered elsewhere (page 18) and many of you are already deeply involved as enthusiasts and recorders, but what follows is about the ancillary roles for volunteers, many of which do not require specialist knowledge.

Events We attend the Suffolk Show as a means of making contact with the general public. They can pick up free advice about butterfly gardening, tell us about the Camberwell Beauty they saw last year, or invite us to run a moth trap on their land. We sell butterfly books and nectar plants more for the visitors benefit, than to raise funds (though monies collected do offset the cost of our participation). Our other aims are to attract new members and to raise awareness of our activities in the eyes of the public.

Summer 2003 Other events at which we participate include butterfly walks at Thornham Walks, and stands at Forest Enterprise's Working for Wildlife Day and Ipswich Museum's Environment Open Day. We have often collaborated with the RSPB, and this year's National Moth Night will feature moth trapping at Minsmere. Several extra events are entering our calendar for the first time this season: butterfly walks at Bradfield Woods for SWT, and at Wolves Wood for RSPB, and a stand at Stonham Barns for the Owl Sanctuary's Countryside Awareness Week. All these activities need someone to set the stand up, to man it for the day, and to dismantle the exhibit afterwards.

At present, we are looking for an individual prepared to mastermind such events, as well as welcoming any individual offers to assist the establishedteam at particular shows.Youdo not need to know all about butterflies to make a worthwhile contribution in this capacity. Our display material needs to be kept up to date, stored somewhere, and t-Oappear magicallyat the next event!

Current Distribution Maps

GroundLackey

Tawny\%ve

PauperPug

GreyCarpet

Fenn'sWzinscot

White-mantledWzinscot

Outdoor Work Parties Our Branch does not own any wildlife reserves, so we do not have the enormous task that Norfolk faces with the upkeep of Catfield Fen (but we do not have the Swallowtailseither!). As a result, our participation at work-parties is mainly at sites owned by someone else, but hosting a good butterfly population. Member Julian Dowding organizes regular work parties at Kissing Gate Lane meadow, Holywells Park in Ipswich, for example.

Our members were well represented in January at Purdis Heath, when the Greenways Project organized the clearance of Silver Birch and scrub that had been encroaching on to the Silverstudded Blue's domain. If you live close to the county boundary, you might be interested in assisting across the border in Cambs, on the Chalkhill Blue site at Devil's Dyke, or in clearing scrub for the Grizzled Skipper on the Narborough Railway Reserve in Norfolk.

Education To date, we have not pursued opportunmes to participate in education, except in the very

15

The Suffolk Argus

Summer 2003 Recording butterfly distribution

The Great

Apollo Hunt Last Verse byJamesMann

MarbledWhite

by BerylJohnson

You will remember my last words of wanting to find Apollos in our valley, the Vallespir. My wife Anne has often said that you don't have to go cha.sing butterflies they will come to you. I have had to accept that sometimes this is the case.

I had given up looking for Apollos in 2001 but on Monday 20 August the Rafal went on its usual walk somewhere in the mountains. That week we went up to Le Tech to see one of my favourite places in France (Argus 23 Summer 2001). We turned off to the right and after parking at La Uau we walked up the valley of the river Coumalade, with the river on our left. Near co the source at some 1800 metres we crossed over co return on the other side of the valley. We had lunch and soon after starting back Yvon brought my attention to a scruffy white butterfly. Its wings lacked most of their scales but the almost transparent insect was certainly an Apollo and it was still busy feeding. So we do have them in the Vallespir.

After our wet April and May 2002 I had no idea when to Apollo hunt and made no plans. Our Monday walk on 24 June was to be to the source of the river Tech, the same walk as we did on 25 June the previous year. At about 1400mecres I saw a couple of white butterflies in the distance and assumed Marbled Whites but as we came closer I saw a total of four very fresh Apollos, they were very active and did not settle, but were unmistakeable. At Source de l'Ouillac, a fresh water source, we stopped at the refuge, dated 1889, for coffee before tackling the very steep grassy and flowery slope of some 200 metres to the top of the ridge. My hard climb was rewarded

when near the top I sighted another six Apollos, again very active, but in the ideal habitat as described in all the books. As I reseed and waited one of them settled long enough for a photograph so my day was made even before we saw 46 Lizards, a Marmot and two Eagles. I was now satisfied that we had our own Apollos.

Our walk on I July again took us down the valley of the Coumalade so I started looking for Apollos again. I had nearly given up hope after many false sightings of Large Whites and Marbled Whites when a single specimen flew over to show me chat they still existed here. After lunch I spotted a couple of "Graylings" that had not read the book as they were both seeding with open wings. I have now confirmed that they were actually Large Walls but at least another first.

My walking group are now showing a greater interest in butterflies and were intrigued when I explained that the little white butterfly with the orange tips to it's wings and the white one with the black tipped wings were male and female of the same species. But it was difficult to get them co accept that the little red and black butterflies, Burnet Moths, were Papillion de Noir. They could not believe chat there are day flying moths. When asked about the little yellow ones I did not say chat the Speckled Yellowwas also a moth.

Having seen more Apollos in the valley the other side of Col de l'Ouillat I am beginning co believe the expert who cold me that Apollos are not that rare in this area you just have co be in the right place at the right time, but that is the hard part.

16

Records are returned to Branch co-ordinators. We Butterflies for the New Millennium is BC's project are currently working toward the production of for general butterfly recording. Since 1995, over new national distribution maps based on the 1.9 million butterfly sightings have been collected survey period 2000-2004. Many areas remain from I 0,000 volunteers. As with transect data, under-recorded and there are undoubtedly many butterfly records are important at both the local colonies of scarce species still to be discovered - it and national scales. Recording is essential for local is not too late to get involved! conservation, providing the locations of colonies of scarce and declining species to conservation Why is monitoring important? organisations and planning authorities seeking to The data generated by BNM recording and protect them. Records can also provide national transect monitoring of butterflies underpin almost assessments of how species are faring by comparing all conservation work and can be used over and current distributions to historical ones. over again to benefit butterflies, both at the local Data from the first five years of BNM were scale (e.g. by improving site management) and used to produce TheMillenniumAtlasof Butterflies nationally. The data are used to determine in Britain and Ireland (Oxford University Press, Government policy, to decide planning 2001), but this book is only the start. The applications and to influence the activities of distributions of most species are changing rapidly major land-owning organisations such as the and it is vital that people continue to record Ministry of Defence and Forestry Commission. butterflies and that more recorders are recruited.

Ultimately, butterfly data collected by members You can make a record any time you see a butterfly and submitted through BC's Branches determine that you can identify, anywhere in Britain and which species are the focus of conservation action Ireland. You don't have to be an expert and even through Biodiversity Action Plans at the national, regional and local levels. Monitoring data are also recording in your garden, local park or nature reserve can be a big help. Standard recording forms important in research and have been used to advise are used to note down any butterflies that you see, the Government and its conservation agencies on together with the date and name and grid reference the state of Britain's butterflies, agricultural reform and the impacts of climate change. BC has gained of the place where they were. an excellent reputation for providing high quality information on butterfly trends, but your help is vital to ensure that we maintain these standards in the future.

How to get inwlved?

·••~•-•,·H•

.-·--·

,

..

Everyone can contribute and we really do need your help. Whether you are a new recruit or a long-term member, now is the time to get involved with butterfly monitoring (if you aren't already!).

You don't need to give up lots of free time and you don't need to be an expert. Contact your Branch Recorder or Organiser to see how you can help or find out more about transect walking and Butterflies for the New Millennium from the BC web sire (www.butterfly-conservation.org). We need both distribution records and transect data to conserve our declining butterflies.

...... ·.:•

Dingy Skipper

by Douglas Hammersley 9

i

The Suffolk Argus

Summer 2003 Butterfly transects

Why Monitor Butterflies?

Butterfly transects are the most accurate way to check how butterfly populations are faring on individual sites. A transect is a walk around a particular area (perhaps a favourite walll near your home) during which all of the butterflies seen are counted. The route remains the same each time and the transect is walked during fine weather every week from April until the end of September. Clearly, this requires commitment from recorders, although transects can be shared by groups of people each walking a cenain number of weeks. Some transects are set up to focus on panicular rare species. These are quicker to do as only the focus speciesis recorded and are done for shoner periods of ilie year (i.e. during the flight period of the species concerned).

The information gained fro~ transect monitoring is immensely useful, especially if the same transect is walked for many years. When data are brought together from a large number of sites, regional and national indices can be generated. The key value of such annual monitoring; is that it provides early warnings of species declinb, at a time when conservation action can be most effective and before species are lost from whole sitCSjand areas.

Transects not only provide accurate assessments of how each speciesis doing every year, but enable us to investigate many questions about butterfly ecology and how habitat management and the weather affect populations. The BC transect project, which has collated data from over 500 transects inv61ving2000 volunteer recorders, has already provided imponant information to the Department of the Erivironment, Food and Rural Affairs. For example, we now know that the Government's green limning schemes are helping to slow the declines of many butterfly species.Impressed at the quality ofBC's monitoring, DEFRA have now extended their funding of this project, specifically to investigate h<j>whabitat management affects different butterfly species.

Despite the success of the project so far, more transects are needed, particularly in northern England, Wales and Scotland and in farmland, urban, wetland, upland and coastal habitats. Your butterfly transect records could end 1 up on a Minister's desk and help improve the future of the countryside for butterflies.

by RichardFox Surveys Manager &

Dr. TomBrereton Senior Monitoring Ecologist, Butterfly Conservation Butterfly monitoring is the foundation upon which conservation is built, as it allows us to assess trends, identify priorities and measure the effectiveness of conservation action. It is also one of the areas in which BC's wlunteers excel and, therefore, a major strength of the Society. Anyone can help with butterfly monitoring and we need to maintain a thriving community of volunteers to provide vital ongoing information. This article aims to clarify the main monitoring projects undertaken by BC members and explain how the data gathered play an essential role in conservation.

What is monitoring?

By 'monitoring' we mean collecting information that can be used to determine how well butterflies are f.u-ing.This might be at the level of an individual colony or site (e.g. using the butterfly transect method) or across counties, regions or countries.

Most monitoring carried out by BC members falls into two main activities: walking butterfly transects and general butterfly recording as part of the Butterfliesfor the New Millennium (BNM) project.

Both types of monitoring provide essential, but different, information that enables BC to conserve butterflies effectively.Abundance data from transects and distribution data from BNM recording compliment each other and together provide a much clearerpicture of how butterflies are f.u-ingthan could be gained from either type of monitoring alone.

8

Planning Decisions: • one victory & one defeat

by RichardStewart First, the defeat. Permission to build 154 houses on Hayhill allotments in Ipswich marks the end of a long, well-lead and high profile local campaign to prevent development and instead turn the site into an urban nature reservewhich would have had a wide variety of habitats, been linked directly to the old Ipswich cemetery and the 'green corridor' of the Ipswich to Felixstowe railway line and have been a rare instance of such a rich biodiversity within a few hundred yards of the centre of Ipswich. In addition those of us lucky enough to have a key could also appreciate the superb views over Ipswich from its highest areas near the old cemetery.

It will be in teresring to see how the drainage and potential flooding problems are addressed, since the topography of the site is difficult for development.

This was always going ro be a

Green Hairstreak

difficult battle to win as it was essentially a very local campaign and not that many people had access to enjoy the area on a regular basis. I was fortunate to visit it from 1997 onwards and my butterfly survey of that year produced 19 species, far more than you get in nearby Christchurch Park. These included Purple Hairstreak, Green Hairstreak and Brown Argus. However, by the rime crucial decisions were being made about an area already earmarked for housing, the site had been allowed to deteriorate, with hardly any of the private allotments being worked, and on our last visit, early autumn 2002, Marie and I had difficulty getting through paths that had previously been kept clear. Consequently recent wildlife audits correctly pointed our that there was now no suitable habitat available for several of the butterfly species recorded in 1997 and concluded that the site had rapidly deteriorated in its wildlife value in recent years. It is just a pity that councillors didn't have the long-term vision to imagine how rich this site could have become, once again, given sufficient input of resources to recreate the original habitats.

Piper's Vale was always a better bet for victory: the council faced with cries of betrayal ifit declassified an existing designated local nature reserve, the combined forces of all the local conservation groups and the Suffolk Wildlife Trust against the link road proposal and the fond memories of the whole area that went well beyond those of naturalists, courting couples, dog walkers, childhood memories of freedom and using the outdoor swimming pool all helped to produce a total of 948 objections, out of a complete number of 1561 individuals who made representations about the combined local plan. Butterfly Conservation was able to include in its objection the fact that all of Suffolk's breeding butterflies have been recorded on site or close by, except for Dingy Skipper, White Admiral and Silver-studded Blue. However, vigilance is still needed. The plan has been deleted but not completely dropped.

Most of us thought it was all over in 1988 after mass protests, so it could reappear in future years.

byJim Foster 17

The Suffolk Argus

Summer 2003 measured by organised counts at known sites during the first half of July. There are a !or of sites to visit between Ipswich and the coast, and all in decent weather in a short time period, so we can use more volunteers. We share cars co travel to places the public cannot usually access, and recognising the- species is much easier than you might chink (full training available, as they say in the recruiting posters). Ring Rob if you are likely to be interested on either weekdays or weekends, particularly if you live within easy reach of the Sandlings.

Recording Opportunities for Volunteers in Suffolk

by Rob Parker The importance of recording as a nationwide project is outlined in Richard Fox's article "Why Monitor Butterflies" on page 8. Here is some further detail of recording work being done in Suffolk, by a small army of butterfly watchers and a dedicated band of moth-ers.

Some, but not all, are members of Butterfly Conservation, and they range from determined experts, through regular garden recorders to those who come alive only when confronted by a Camberwell Beauty or similar rarity.There is a place for all in the brotherhood, because we seek to assemble the largest possible dataset of dependable observations from every comer of the county. Read on for some interesting opportunities for 2003.

Tetrads covered by Butterfly Recorder 2002

Your Own Favourite Site Perhaps you visit a particular patch of habitat on a regular basis, and can improve the season-long coverage simply by becoming more systematic about noting your observations. Many people who took part in the "Garden Butterfly Count" or the 2001 Churchyard Survey will now be reasonably . familiar with the site, and will have a good idea as to whether there are more butterflies waiting to be seen, or whether they are able to visit with sufficient frequency to add something worthwhile to our season on season records. ~/

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Dingy Skipper Survey

. ·'.•'

The remaining domain of this Biodiversity Action Plan species lies around Bamharncross Common, RAF Barnharn, Center Pares Elveden, Marmansgrave Wood and The King's Forest down to Wordwell. It is becoming scarcer as the years go by, and we do our best to search former sites in addition to known colonies. The flight period lases through May until earlyJune; if this reaches you in time to get involved, please contact Rob Parker. Prior knowledge of the speciesis useful, but not essential.

\/

Meadow Brown

Silver-studded Blue Count The health of our colonies of this BAP species is

by BerylJohnson 18

7

7 The Suffolk Argus

Summer 2003 been migrants, given the coastal locations. The annual transect index at Center Pares was just seven. There were reports of Buddleias attracting few visitors but conversely Arthur and Janet Watchman counted fourteen species on 17th August in their Monk's Eleigh garden and Rob Macklin's total in his Snape garden was an incredible 26. Several late records are worth noting: Rick Grundy recorded a Brimstone on 28th October at Hollesley-rhere has never been a Suffolk December record-Steve Goddard saw a Peacock at Minsmere on 16th November, a late Painted Lady was noted by Barbara Mathews at Felixstoweon 24th October and Roger and Stella Wolfe recorded both Peacock and Red Admiral at Sutton Hoo on 15th November. The two December records to reach me were a Peacock on 24th December seen by Alan and Beryl Johnson in their Ipswich garden and a Red Admiral on Christmas Day, seen by Mike Dean at Great Barton. The latter is an equal latest record for this species in Suffolk.

In addition to those already mentioned, several other species had poor tetrad coverage: Brown Argus just 26, suggesting the years of expansion were short-lived, Purple Hairstreak in 34, Small Heath 43 and Grayling 45. Surprisingly two of these poor performers still produced several new records, with nine for Purple Hairstreak, including new sightings on the Ipswich edge of both Warren and Rushmere Heath, and nine for the Grayling, with the first record in 10km Square TM 07. Another recording problem is in the TL tetrads of West Suffolk-just 74 covered in 2002, compared to 235 in the TM tetrads. The accompanying map highlights the current problem of coverage. Finally, as this is my last year report as County Butterfly Recorder, a brief analysisof 2002 follows, with my thanks to everyone who has in any way contributed to the recording of Suffolk butterflies in the last nine years:

Thieves Lane, while Zoe Maclaughlin recorded one at Dunwich. This now takes the total of tetrads recorded since 1995 to just above the mideighties survey. After careful checking I can also verify a new earliest date for the White-letter Hairstreak, beating the previous one by twelve days, with Ann Henson's sighting of a pristine individual in Easrgate Street, Bury Sr.Edmunds on 22nd June. Just as exciting was Neil Sherman's White Admiral at Ipswich Golf Club on 15th July, prompting questions as to where it had come from, since the nearest colonies would be at Rendlesham or Srour Wood. Another rare event was the Large White attracted to their moth lamp

by Alan and Penny Cornish on 27th June, to add to the Red Admiral of the year before. For the second year these two recorders observed the Small Copper var. caerukopunctata, seen for ten days in September until caught by a spider; there were also records of this variation from Rob Parker at Wordwell, 17th May, Neil Sherman at Ipswich Golf Club 24th April and 7th August and at Hen Reed Beds on 21st September.

Another unusual sighting was the very pale, half-size Painted Lady seen by Stuart Gough at Trimley on 25th June.

For six recorders the year's highlight was almost certainly their Camberwell Beauty: Barbara Lines over the Easter weekend at Swilland, four August records from Roy Milbourne at Ipswich, Michael Lingwood at Barningham, Frances Ringrose at Lowesrofr and Jane Giles at Kelsale and the final one which was on 12th September, seen by Steve Fryett at Stowmarker.

The three 'Whites' had good recording yearsLarge White was the best-recorded Suffolk species, with a coverage of 186 2km tetrads, Small White, seemingly absent at Minsmere, with 163 and Green-veined White with 159. There were some indications that the Small Tortoiseshell is recoveringbut it was largely absent from most sites visited by myself, Rob Parker and Neil Sherman, all of whom covered a wide range of habitats.

There were two records of higher numbers, with 21 at Boyton Marshes on 14th July from Reg Etheridge and 45 during the meeting led by Jim Foster at Carlton Marshes, but these could have

A NewTetrad Perhaps your own square is already well covered, but another square that you visit regularly - your work place perhaps, can be seen from "The Millennium Atlas of Suffolk Butterflies" to be under recorded. Why not devote this season'seffort to such a neglected square? It can be quite easy to obtain a new record for, say an Orange-tip, on your way to visit a friend - especially if you scour the atlas for voids before travelling.

Transect Walking The ultimate solution for detailed monitoring at your favourite sire is to walk a transect. At present, we have less in Suffolk than our "share" of the National total, and analysis shows that very few of them are on farmland. Starting a transect is a significant commitment in time and effort, yet makes a very worthwhile contribution to Butterfly Conservation's objective analysis of the strength and fluctuations of butterfly populations. Perhaps you have a regular farmland walk that would be suitable. Ring the Transect Co-ordinator (Rob again) to discuss the possibilities.

Discovering Moths With a thousand moths out there, the challenge of moth-ing offers plenty of opportunities to bring in new records. The best way to experience trapping with a mercury vapour light, to search for rare larvae by torchlight, even to pursue day-flying moths - is with the Suffolk Moth Group. Contact Tony for details of the activities planned for 2003.

New to Suffolk or Butterfly Conservation?

Welcome to all new arrivals. Don't delay - start today, by making a pledge to observe, record and contribute. Here are the contacts: Butterfly Recording: Rob Parker 01284 705476, robparker@waitrose.com

Number of recorders: 129 Number of records: 7,322

Moth Recording: Tony Prichard 01473 270047, tony.prichard@btinternet.com

Garden Notes

by Nigel Smart Looking back I can remember the Buddleia bush in our Dartford garden, with fat furry bumble bees and beautiful Peacock butterflies.

A little older I cycled on the heath and there were lots of "blues" and orangey brown ones (Small Heath).

Since I came to Suffolk I have taken lots of photographs and made many records of butterflies and for the last few years have a daily list of our garden visitors. Even over this relatively short period there have been many changes. The most noticeable of these has been the pretty little Small Tortoiseshell.

I have slides of Michaelmas Daisies covered in dozens of them, and in 1994 besides the early ones in March and April, they were to be seen throughout July, August, September and well into October, and this pattern continued until 1999.

Since then they have been rare - I have only seen five in the whole of 2002 and six in the year before.

Similarly that great favourite, the Peacock, has diminished: they used to be with us all of August, sometimes ten at a time on the Buddleia, bur in 2002 I had only two sightings.

On the other hand in 1994 I had one glimpse of the rare Speckled Wood - now it is a regular in the garden, and the Comma's presence has increased from four to fourteen days. Red Admirals too are much more frequent and while I saw my first ever Painted Lady in 1992 I now see them most seasons; but I haven't seen a Ringlet, Small Heath, or a Wall Brown for a long time.

I am puzzled by these changes. We never use insecticides and have grown all the right plants to attract and feed them. Whilst the new varieties are very welcome where have the spectacular Peacocks and Tortoiseshells gone?

Number of 2km tetrads covered: 309

6

19

The Suffolk Argus

Summer 2003

Scrub Clearance at Purdis Heath

Butterfly Report for

2002

Saturday January 25th 2003 Drinker

by RichardStewart Thanks to plenty of advance publicity, much of it generated by James Baker of the Greenways Project, this event was attended by about fifty people, some of whom stayed all day, others putting in several hours of work.

Ac a minimum a total of210 volunteer hours was achieved, with chose present well fortified throughout che day by plentiful supplies of drinks and biscuits. One person used a chainsaw but most cackled the scrub with saws or loppers. In this souchwesc corner of the site, which has SSSI designation, I recorded a good count of Silverr--. scudded Blues in 200 l but numbers C )j~were low last year, mainly due co seedling Silver Birches shading ' out much of the site and reducing the hotspots ~ _,.,,__ ~ needed by the ant / /. - • • 1"' ";-.. colonies, which / •• • ~ ., are an integral 'j

~

•••

•r••; •

•,

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pare of the Silverscudded Blue's life cycle. If this colony declines ic could affect the status of the site ~ and resurrect \ "applications for • housing development.

I• ~ ' . /. • \ ,,. '=', '\'\

SilverStuddedBlue

by Beryl Johnson

by Mervyn Crawford

Wildlife seen on a day chat had cloud, brief showers, a rainbow and bright sunshine, included Heron, Green Woodpecker, Great Spocced Woodpecker, Mistle Thrushes and some flowering Gorse. The Rabbits sensiblykept hidden. By the end . of the day a large area, much larger than anticipated, had been cleared of scrub, one large bonfire had taken place and other large heaps awaited burning the following week. Some of the longer poles will end up in racehorse fences and the longest will form part of sea defences on our Suffolk coast.

The stumps were created with a herbicide co hopefully prevent regrowth and ic will be interesting co moniror this site co see if numbers improve. There is still the problem of the large row of Silver Birches nearby, which seed the area and need reducing in numbers. In the long term a wide corridor could be created co cry co link up this area with chat at the other end of the site, adjoining Purdis Farm Lane.

Perhaps the best pare of what was a very successful and harmonious day was the list of organisations represented. I apologise if I have missed any but my list covers Buccerfly Conservation, Greenways Project, Ipswich and District Natural History Sociery, Suffolk Wildlife Trust, the Sandlings Group, Otley College, Ipswich Golf Club, a Park Ranger, local residents and members of the Parish Council, Bucklesham Road Action Group and, thankfully, several children. The local press also attended and spent some time caking details and photos.

20

by RichardStewart Red Admirals seen by Rob Macklin at North Warrenheath on 12th Februaryand by Michael Twist at Borley Green in the last week of February added to the evidence of probable overwintering. Rob Parker's earliest ever Speckled Wood was soon eclipsed by Geoff Hayes on 28th March at Chevin'sWood, a day, which included 22 Commas and nine Peacock.

Despite its considerable spread in recent years the Speckled Wood is still colonising and in 2002 was recorded in 171 2km tetrads (making it second only to the Large White with 186).

The transect index for the species at Center Pares, Elveden was a very high 449.

A dry April produced at least 20 Brimstone on an all day Buccerfly Conservation meeting at Lineage Wood and along the old Lavenham railway line, on 20th April, one of the best single day counts of this species in Suffolk. My early Wall in che Fynn Valley on 24th April was the equal earliest and by che middle of May Rob Parker was recording 40 Orange Tips at Wardwell and Reg Etheridge had 31 Green-veined Whites at Boyton Marshes. The walk around North Warren and Aldringham Walks on 15th May, led by Rob Macklin produced thirteen different species and also at North Warren Rob had an early Green Hairscreak on April 20th. This species was only recorded in 22 Suffolk cecrads,just three in West Suffolk, but at Orford Ness (The Street) ic was recorded on fifteen separate dates, with a maximum of eight.

The 83 Holly Blues recorded at Exning by a small Butterfly Conservation group muse be a new

single site record and by the third week of May the Painted Lady was being recorded in several gardens. By che end of this month a Clouded Yellowhad been recorded during the Ipswich and District Natural History Society's meeting at Piper's Vale on the 30th and this species beat its single record in 200 l with 30 2km cecrad records, including var. he/ice at Shocley24th August (Roger and Stella Wolfe). The Dingy Skipper was just recorded at Center Pares, Wardwell and RAF Barnham and this year a complete Silver-studded Blue count was made within the specified time limits. Rob Macklin had his highest total so far at Aldringham Walks, with a maximum of 206 on 2nd July, and there was exciting news of a new colony found by Dave Mason at Upper Hollesley and a second closer co Ipswich. Audrey Morgan also found one in a new cecrad at Succon, possibly a vagrant but with seemingly suitable habitat nearby. However, sites at Marclesham and Purdis still need urgent work co remove encroaching scrub and the colony at Blackheach, Wenhascon, will probably need copping up, under licence.

The three Skippers had poor years in terms of recording coverage: Large and Essex recorded in just 58 2km cecradseach and Small in 63, but there was a welcome Small Skipper sighting at Landguard. In contrast Michael and Jenny Kelsey recorded approximately 200 Gatekeepers at Sizewellcliffs on 4th August. Detailed records from North Warren, with a transect annual index of 241, the transect at Center Pares with an annual index of 346 and a monthly count in July of 352 at Bradfield Woods point co an excellent year for the Ringlet. For once Meadow Brown was not the most commonly recorded Suffolk species, in cecrad terms, being third with 167. The Wall made a good recovery on the North Warren transect, with 73 being the best annual index since 1993. Roger and Stella Wolfe recorded three separate generations of this species in their garden at Belvedere Road, Ipswich, but the worrying lack of West Suffolk records continues, with just one in 2002.

The concentration on the White-letter Hairscreak as 2002 target species produced four new records, from Mike Dean in the middle of Bury Sc.Edmunds, in Wicken Wood and at

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The Suffolk Argus

Summer 2003 such as English Nature, Forest Enterprise, Wildlife Trusts, DEFRA and local authority Biodiversity Action Plan staff.This is a great opportunity to share information and plan activity for the year. There is clearly a need for increased awareness of Butterfly Conservation and its volunteer activities. Hopefully more records will. reach the County Recorders in future. This liaison has already identified potential new sites for Chalkhill Blue and Griuled Skipper in Cambridgeshire. In Suffolk I have been to the Sandlings Group meeting and will be attending the Suffolk Show in May. Work is underway to focus on Griuled and Dingy Skippers across the region to try and ensure someone re-visits all known sites from the last ten years. Sightings of butterflies or reports on habitat will be equally valuable and advice can then be given to landowners. Both specieshave shown an alarming decline and require conservation management at their now isolated colonies to maintain populations.

Several sites are also threatened by development.

The three-year Grizzled Skipper survey in Hertfordshire has been particularly useful in helping to plan work in other counties.

I have started a weekly transect on Devil's Dyke which will give me first hand experience of what a transect involves and hopefully some really useful information. I will also be undertaking some torchlight surveys for Barred Tooth-striped moth with the Cambridgeshire moth recorder and other volunteers in April. I will report on further moth survey plans for the Norfolk and Suffolk Breckland area in the next newsletter. An application in February to Anglian Water Environmental Action Fund for £4300.00 has been approved by their directors and will fund display material and leaflets, maps, tools for practical work and training day costs.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank members for their kind donations toward this post and hope the achievements in due course fulfil their expectations. Please feel free to get in touch with any project ideas.

Eastern Regional Officer makes a Start The new Eastern Regional Officer, Sharon Hearle, hasnow been in post for threemonths. A new office has been set up in Newmarket High Street, which is conveniently central for the Anglia region. Sharon spent the last twelve years working for the Wtldlif-e Trust in Cambridgeshire and is familiar with many aspects of habitat management; working with wlunteers, grant schemes and Local Biodiversity Action Plan process.This is her first report: I have now met all five branches in the Anglia region; Cambridgeshire and Essex, Hertfordshire and Middlesex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire, with a combination of committee meetings and site visits.The post is funded by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs(DEFRA) through their Environment Action Fund, which helps voluntary groups in England promote sustainable development through projects on biodiversity.The amount of grant BC receivesis directlydependant on the amount of voluntary work undertaken by Branches in the Region.

A Regional Action Plan (RAP) meeting was held near Newmarket in March to review last year's activities by Branches, discuss current plans and my initial work programme for the year. I am impressed by the range of work that Branch volunteers are able to achieve and the detailed knowledge, which many individuals have. There will be great benefits from inter-Branch liaison over the year.

I am also in the process of contacting and meeting key playersin each region from organisations

Sharon Hearle, c/o Busy Bee, 21 High Street, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 8LX Tel 01638 663990 shearle@butterfly-conservation.org.uk

4

A Relic of Warren Heath

by RichardStewart After the destruction of Warren Heath on the edge of Ipswich, which included a Silverstudded Blue colony, I assumed that the few small patches of heathland left between houses were of a cosmetic value rather than being rich in wildlife. I had forgotten the areas of heather still remaining on the other side of the railway line from Ipswich to Felintowe, hidden behind the long frontages of the commercial units on the Ransomes Industrial Park and only briefly visible from the train.

In the course of a conversation with Eric Parsons he mentioned one such site and on July 24th. 1996 we made an early evening visit getting access, as Eric knew the man on duty. It was very late in the butterfly's normal flight period but we expected to see a few, if present. We were unsuccessful but then saw an even more promising area next door, occupied by Brinor, who handle container traffic. This time I knew the right man and we found about an acre of land at present undeveloped, though there was outline planning permission. This was sited between the end of the haulage area and the railway fence. To our delight thirteen Silver-studded Blues were counted.

I then made an annual count, each time trying to stress the importance of the site to the manager. In the process I also recorded Large, Small and Essex Skipper, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Small Copper, Small Tortoiseshell, Large White, Green-veined White and a colony of at least 20 Small Heath. The 1997 count was the best, with 48, and at this point the colony seemed viable, with plenty of Bell Heather, some a bit

leggy, and not much scrub invasion. In 1998 less than ideal recording conditions reduced numbers to 24 and I was informed the area could be developed soon. Consequently I contacted the Estates Manager of Ransomes, who owned the site, giving him all necessary details and asking for early warning of any development. The count rose to 35 in 1999 but the limitations of a yearly visit were evident in 2000 when I counted just five, three males and two females: partly because of poor recording weather but also due to long container lorries having started to turn and reverse on the site, damaging and fragmenting the heather beds.

This obviously was the thin end of a large wedge and by 2002 there was much damage: continuing use by containers, dumping of large piles of soil and, as the manager admitted, repeated racing around the site by the employees, using old bangers and motorbikes. His excuse was impending commercial development.

I counted eight, with just one female, all on an undisturbed small strip of heather in the far corner. Scrub, especially Gorse, was already invading the damaged areas. With some foreboding I went in 2002 and was amazed to find ten surviving, four males and six females. Probably the storing of several empty and long containers across the usual access point had prevented more damage. Consequently I contacted the Managing Director of Brinor, sending a letter and SAE to their Felixstowe headquarters. I gave details of the butterfly, asked if any further damage could be avoided, and if a work party could have access to tackle the scrub problem. I also added that I could probably get the company free, positive publicity.

There was no response.

Given that factor, the current condition of the site, and the low numbers of Silver-studded Blues remaining, even the short-term future of this colony looks bleak.

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The SuffolkArgus

GoGreen & Recycle & Raise Cash for Butterfly Conservation

by David Bridges Butterfly Conservation has recently signed up to a recycling scheme with Reclaim-it, a company that collects empty laser toner cartridges and ink.jet printer cartridges and pays us between 25p and £6 each (depending on type).

Summer 2003 For small quantities of inkjet cartridges, I can supply reply paid envelopes for you to send your cartridges direct to Reclaim-it.

For large quantities (30+ inkjet and 12+ laser toner cartridges) the cartridges should be parcelled up for Reclaim-it to collect. They will send a courier round to you to pick up your parcel.

For larger •collection points, e.g. an office, Reclaim-it can provide a large collection bin which they will collect once full.

In each case Butterfly Conservation will receive a cheque within 14 days for the cartridges you recycle.

Do's and Don't's • Do ensure the cartridges you return are not damaged.

• Do return your cartridges in the reply paid envelopes (which are pre-coded) or a coded collection bin so Reclaim-it will know to send Butterfly Conservation a cheque. If you are making up a parcel contact me first to get Butterfly Conservation's reference number.

• Do pack your cartridges carefully in their original packaging, a piece of bubblewrap or the box your new cartridge came in.

This excellent fundraising opportunity prevents empty cartridges being thrown away and being sent to landfill sites, and can help Butterfly Conservation raise some useful cash for its conservation work!

• Do not return Epson inkjet cartridges or remanufactured cartridges.

• Do not put tape or sellotape on the cartridges themselves as this can damage them.

How does the scheme work?

The majority of inkjet and laser toner cartridges in use today have a value when empty and can be recycled. Please note that Epson inkjet cartridges and most re-manufactured cartridges are not eligible under this scheme and should not be returned.

All you have to do to help BC is to start collecting empty cartridges! Why not ask your friends, relatives, colleagues and local businesses to give you their empty cartridges too?

Free collection - Reclaim-it provide a free collection scheme.

To get a supply of reply paid envelopes please send an A4 s.a.e. (19p stamp) to David Bridges, Butterfly Conservation, Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Dorset BH20 5QP. If you think you can place a large collection bin in a local office or would like more information about this scheme please email your address to me at butterfly.conservation@tesco.net or telephone me on 01403 256175.

Editorial

by Jim Foster In the last issue of the Suffolk Argus readers will have noticed on page 4 the Newsflash item regardingthe appointment of Sharon Hearle as the Regional Officer for the East of England.

This is good news •for the conservation of , Lepidopterain our region and an introductory article by Sharon appears in this issue on the following page. On behalf of the Suffolk membership I extend a very warm welcome to Sharon, and we hope she will be happy in her new role. There are many challenges aheadand we wish her every success.

The appointment however, does require some funding and a letter explaining the situation is enclosed with this issue. I am well aware that there can be many demands on member's cash resources, the recent large increase in Council Tax to name but one, nevertheless if you can help then your Committee and Butterfly Conservation (and the Lepidoptera!) will be very grateful.

Also in the last issue James Mann, our former Chairman, in his article on the Apollo mentioned, "I could hear a slight rustle of its wing.r".This has prompted member Douglas Hammersley, who provides us with some excellent line drawings, to write to me. Douglas mentions that he has read about this butterfly's ability to frighten a potential predator by making startling noises. He quotes the paperback "The Natural History of Butterflies" by John ·Feltwell (Croom Helm, London 1986), which on page 32 states, 'That the Apollo can make warning noises in two ways. First, from the rubbing of its undersides of its hindwings against the ground on which it is resting, and secondly, it can produce a hissing snake-like sound by scraping the back of its legs against the base of the wing".

Douglas presumes that as James was regarded as a possible predator when he approached with his camera, the bunerfly made the rustling sound as a warning before flying off.

I have seen and photographed the Apollo in France, however I have never witnessed these phenomena. Has any other member heard these warning noises? Incidentally, James has a further article on the Apollo in this issue, read on.

You will notice that recording and volunteering get a significant mention in the Argus.If any member can assist in some way I am sure you will be most welcome, just telephone the contacts listed in the article.

This year we have been invited to have the Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation's Stand within the FWAG tent, situated not far from the Flower Show. PI-.; uote this is NOT as advertisedin the 2003 Programme.If you are at the Show we hope that you will be able to call in and see us.

AlanJohnson Programme Secretary

Many thanks.

22

3

The Suffolk Argus

Summer 2003

Contents

Editorial

Editorial Eastern Regional Officer makes a Start Butterfly Report for 2002 Why Monitor Butterflies Your Society Needs You Update on the Suffolk Branch Action Plan Moth Species (Part 1) The Great Apollo Hunt Last Verse

3 4 5 8 10

Planning Decisions Recording Opportunities Garden Notes Scrub Clearance ·at Purdis Heath

17 18 19 20

A Relic of Warren Heath Go Green - Recycle Newsletter details and general information Suffolk Branch Contacts

2

21 22 23 Back Cover

~~~

Copy Dates

A rangeof butterflies andllOIIle moths, cast in aluminium alloy, painted in l:ru6-to-lifecolour.J, and

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

Spring

12 16

~(@~,

suit.ablefor outdcxror indoor lllOUDl:ing.

A scale of five times life>-si7.e is used to portray insects in their natural settledJ>OSiticms

Christmas Eve

Summer

April Fools Day

Autumn

August Bank Holiday

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

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

House number/nameplates too, all painted in mirable enamels to last for many years.

One quarter of the purchase price will be donated to branch funds.

To advertise in the Suffolk Argus please contact Jim Foster on

Phone or fax Mervyn Crawford on Mude1lltall (01638) 712600 for Colour brochure I Price list

01449 711484.

A purpose built Hotel with all the facilities that today's travellers require yet in a rustic traditional environment that is welcoming and comfortable.

A purpose built Hotel with all the facilities that today's travellers require yet in a rustic traditional environment that is welcoming and comfortable.

Butterfly Hotel, Al 4 Bury East Exit.

Moreton Hall, Bury St. Edmunds Tel: 01284 760884

Butterfly Hotel, Al 4 Bury East Exit Moreton Hall, Bury St. Edmunds Tel: 01284 760884 23

Suffolk

Branch Contacts

Chairman Rob Parker, 66 Cornfield Road, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 3BN (01284 705476) Membership Secretary Beryl Johnson, 28 Medway Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP3 0QH (01473 715701) Newsletter Editor Jim Foster, Lugano, The Street, Stonham Aspal, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 6AH (01449 711484) Publicity Officer (Vacant) Programme Secretary Alan Johnson, 28 Medway Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP3 0QH (01473 715701) County Recorder (Butterflies) Rob Parker (address as above)

w

BUTTERFLY

CONSERVATION

Conservation Officer (Butterflies) Rob Parker (address left) Conservation Officer (Moths) Tony Prichard, 3 Powling Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP3 9JR (01473 270047) County Recorder (Moths) Tony Prichard (address above) Secretary Tony Prichard, (address above) Treasurer Graham Bull, Willow Cottage, 1 The Street, Raydon, Suffolk IP? 5LP ·(01473 310371) Committee Members Stella Wolfe, Mike Dean President Howard Mendel, c/o The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW? 5BD (0171938 8782)

Volunteers Needed If you feel you could help out now and then with the growing work of the Branch, please contact Beryl Johnson on 01473 715701.

Esex Skipperby BerylJohnson

The Newsletter of the Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation

Published by the Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation (The British Butterfly Conservation Society Ltd.) © 2003 all rights reserv«I

Summer 2003

Reg. No. 2206468 Reg. Charity No. 254937

HeadOffice:Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset BH20 SQP Tel: (01929) 400209 Editor: Jim Foster Logo: (Silver-studded Blue) Doug Hammersley

Design: Stephen Ion, Cat &:Mouse design

BUTTERFLY

CONSERVATION

Volume29