Spring2004
The SuffolkArgus seen many butterflies, flowers, birds and animals. Some I have already written about in previous articles and some I have yet to write about. I can highly recommend mountain walking as a way to keep fit, see the countryside and to get to know people and places.
5. Joining the walk is an indication of your interest in butterflies. By their nature butterflies do not remain conveniently by the main path and will offer many opportunities (temptations) for you to wander away. Take particular care to look out for hazards - rabbit holes, fallen or hanging branches, barbed wire, boggy areas, etc. Beware of wet grass, particularly on sloping ground.
Safety Code As with any other activity, there are hazards in the countryside and everyone taking part in a Field Trip or Work Party has a responsibility (duty of care), for their own safety and that of others. We try hard to ensure that our Events present no greater hazard than any other walk in the countryside, but please note and act on the following:
6. Children are welcome on our walks, but if under 16 must be accompanied by at least one adult for two children. It is the responsibility of the accompanying adult(s) to ensure that the trip is within the children's ability.
1. Wear appropriate clothing and footwear. If there are unusual requirements, these are noted in the individual trip details. Stout shoes are a minimum requirement for any walk.
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8, If you are uncertain about any details of the trip, ring the leader/contact in advance. There is always a telephone number given with the trip details. 9. If you decide to leave the event early, tell the leader. 10. Take care at YOURSELF.
3. The leader will provide a briefing on the trip before setting out, with details of any known particular hazards, and will also give advice on what to do in an emergency. Please listen carefully.
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ENJOY
We thank Upper ThamesBranchfar allowing us to publish their Safety Code.Pleasealsoreferto our own Safety Notes on the back of the Events Programme 2004-Ed.
4. At the briefing, please let the leader know if:you have a mobile telephone and are able to take it with you on the walk; you have First Aid qualifications.
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2003
by Richard Stewart
7. Dogs are normally welcome on walks, but must be kept under control. Any exceptions are shown in the individual trip details.
2. During the main summer season you may be exposed to strong sunshine for much or all of the walk. Take a hat, use suncream or protection for exposed skin. Make sure that you have adequate food and liquid to drink with you. Equally, sunshine can easily turn to cold and rain during the day. Be prepared.
Butterfly Aberrations
Small Tortiseshell Ab. Semi-ichnusoides
byJim Foster
During 2003 I recorded the Small Copper var. caeruleopunctata, which has blue spots at the bottom of the hindwings, four times, all in Suffolk: FynnValley transect TM 2048 on 6th July, at Bixley TM 2044 on 11th July, then at Cavenham Heath TL 7572 on 17th August with the final and most satisfying one in our Westerfield Road garden, TM 169461, on 8th September. Although I now check every Small Copper this was still a good number and brings my total for this aberrant form to eleven since my first record in 1998. To add to the garden excitement, Marie called me to look at an 'odd' Small Tortoiseshell on our Buddleia and with binoculars we were able to note its main differences compared to normal specimens. The usual border edging the top wings was replaced by a creamy black colour, there were very obvious creamy points to the top corners of the upper wings and just in from these were large areas of black. Thomas and Lewington describe it on page 123 of 'The Butterflies of Britain and Ireland' with an illustration and the information that this aberrant, semi-ichnusoides is a female form produced by high temperatures during the pupal stage. We observed it clearly on 31 st August and the day after, but regrettably weren't able to get a photo.
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