The SuffolkArgus
Spring2007 "and another Red Admiral this morning". At a shade temperature of only 8DegC, I found one sunning itself in Hawstead churchyard on 3rd December, and Peter Maddison had two in Waldringfield on 17th December. The sun required for basking to raise body temperature from ambient to ~ 1C was often available, and the predominantly black colouration of the Red Admiral soaks the heat up well. A frost on 19th was not enough to drive them into hibernation, and the 2002 record of Christmas Day was broken with Stella Wolfe's garden sighting on 30th, and finally on New Year's Eve when Nick Dickson saw one in Gislingham. Nine species flew later than ever noted (in Suffolk) before. Steve Goddard logged a Grayling on 1st October, a Small Heath was still flying at Landguard on 13th October, and Will Brame had a remarkable day at Felixstowe'sPeewit Hill on 5th November, seeing not only Large and Greenveined Whites, but also a Holly Blue and a Speckled Wood. All 4 of these were later than previous records - by 4, 7, 4 and 2 days respectively.They are all multiple brooded species, apparently flying into the extended mild spell, but not squeezing in an extra brood. On 19th November, Stuart Gough's Small White was 3 weeks later than ever before. In Bury St Edmunds, Jo Woods was amazed to see a Brimstone flying in her garden on 27th November. The Brimstone normally tucks itself up for hibernation in September or October, but this one was obviously tempted out by the sun and the opportunity to take a last feed. Even later, was the New Year's Eve Red Admiral noted above. All in all, 2006 broke more autumn records than we might have expected, yet this is probably just another manifestation of climate change. Next year's phenology may well surprise us anew. This seems an appropriate moment to re-publish the table of Suffolk's earliest and latest species sightings. Delete page 14 of your Summer 2006 Argus - that table contained one misprint and did not credit the pre-Millennium observers.The table opposite corrects things, and brings everything up to date for 2007, whatever that should bring.
A Golden Autu111n by RobParker Measuredby average temperatures,2006 was the warmest year ever for Britain. One Small C.Opperflew early enough to create a spring first, but in terms of the butterfly season, the most noticeable thing was the extended summer,which triggered extra broods for some species and led to wbat might be called a golden autumn for others. The White Admiral has produced partial second broods in East Anglia several times in recent years - 2003 (Essex), 2004 (Suffolk & Essex), 2005 (Norfolk), but this September was remarkable, with records from 5 separate sites in our recording area: Kenton Hills on 13/9 by Linda Wallis. Mildenhall Woods onl6/9 by Mervyn Crawford. Dunwich Forest on 19/9. Four, 2 worn, 2 fresh, by John Davey (a visitor). Minsmere on 21/9 by Robin Harvey. Belton Common (TG4702 Norfolk VC25) on 24/9 by Colin Jacobs. As the mild weather continued through October and November, everyone noticed that the Red Admiral was having an exceptional year, and seemed determined to fly whenever the sun shone. A few Peacocks, Commas and Small Tortoiseshells also flew late, but not so consistently. None of these species are likely to log latest-ever records, since as hibernating species, they are always present throughout December, and when disturbed, are seen pretty well up to New Year's Eve. Nonetheless, it was interesting that as annual records came in towards the end of November, most of them had a handwritten addition saying:
Tortoiseshell, all three Whites, possibly at least one Holly Blue and newly emerged Small Copper, Small Heath, Common Blue, Brown Argus and the chance of a very freshLarge Skipper. By this time Red Admiral, Painted Lady and even Clouded Yellow may be present and a search through gorse should produce sightings of Green Hairscreak. Probably the best chance of a high day total would be to start from the long ride across the Brandon road, right at the bottom towards John 0'Groats cottages, back right to the Brandon road, up to Chalk Lane and finally another right turn which will eventually lead back to where you started: sounds simple, but it would take most of the day. On June 3rd 2000, eighteen species were The area centred on TI, 8272 and 8372, at recorded in this area duting an admittedly long BC Wordwellon the very edge of King's Forest, has meeting, a high total for Suffolk at this time of for many years been visited to count the Dingy year. Then a later visit will add Essex and Small Skipper colony. As Rob Parker has already Skipper, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper and Ringlet, recorded in great detail, the numbers have Grayling slightly later and remember, John grown with colonisation of the archery area, Dolman saw a Camberwell Beauty along this end which is the farside of a block of woodland at of the Icknield Way in May 1996. The Wall, the end of the long-established breeding ride. normally a rarer species away from the coast, has As you turn off right from the Brandon road also been recorded at Wordwell, which gives a high into a small car park, the area nearby, on a sunny total of 28 species since 1995. I also note from day in late May or early June, has a meadow to the distribution maps during the Millennium Survey left, plentiful nectar sources nearby and flowering that Purple Hairstreak has been recorded not fur lilacs which also attract the butterflies. Often there away and the presence of honey,suckle could is an abundance of several speciesjust in this small result in a sighting of the White Admiral, which area, Brimstones, Orange Tips and Speckled Wood has spread very successfullyinto new areas duting the most prominent, plus Peacock, Comma, Small the last decade.
Hot Spots for
Butterflies Nu111berTwo: Wardwell by RichardStewart
Gatekeeper byDouglasHammersley
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