Suffolk Argus 41 Summer 2007 by Suffolk Naturalists' Society

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Butterfly Conservation

BranchContacts President Howard Mendel c/ o The Natural History Museum Cromwell Road, London SW75BD 0207 938 8782

Chairman Mike Dean Coach House, Ixworth Bury St Edmunds IP312HL 01359 230292

Membership Secretary Beryl Johnson 28 Medway Road, Ipswich IP30QH 01473 715701

Treasurer Jim Foster Lugano, The Street, Stonham Aspal Stowmarket IP14 6AH 01449 711484

Programme Secretary Alan Johnson 28 Medway Road, Ipswich IP30QH 01473 715701

Saving butterflies, moths and their habitats

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Conservation Officer (Butterflies) and County Recorder

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Rob Parker 66 Cornfield Road Bury St Edmunds IP33 3BN 01284 705476

The Newsletter of the Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation

Conservation Officer (Moths) and Branch Secretary Tony Prichard 3 Powling Road, Ipswich IP3 9JR 01473 270047

Publicity Officer and Newsletter Editor Malcolm Farrow 25 Cedar Road, Rendlesham Woodbridge IP122UN 01394 460452

Regional Officer, Eastern England Sharon Hearle c/ o Busy Bee, 21 High Street Newmarket CB88LX 01638 731648

Committee Member Stella Wolfe

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Butterfly Conservation is limited by guarantee. Registered Office: Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5QP Tel: 01929 400209 Registered Charity No 254937.

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Summer 2007

Volume 41

The SuffolkArg-=us::;__ ________________

Summer2007

mimic moths

Contents Editorial

Silver-studded blues news

News in brief

Suffolk butterfly report 2006

Walking a butterfly transect

Field reports and records

Spring and summer surprises

Review: Pentax Papilio binoculars

A bit of alchemy and some wasp mimic moths

Suffolk Branch Contacts

Back cover

by Paul Bryant

Editorial Copy Dates Contributions for future editions of our newsletter should reach the Editor, Malcolm Farrow, no later than: A mngo ofbutterllics and some moths, cast in aluminium alloy, painted in true-lo-life colour.a, and suit.ablefor out.doeroc indoor

Spring:

Christmas Eve

mount.mg. A i.cale of live b.mes

Summer:

April Fool's Day

Autumn:

August Bank Holiday

lif~ire is 1Ned lo por1ray in¥.eet.s in their OA.lural!i!Cttlerl J)Ositions

House rnunbcr/namcplat.C!I too, all pai,._cd

Above: A male Orange-tailed Clearwing investigates a pheromone lure. Below: Red-belted Clearwing (left and Current Clearwing (right).

Any piece of writing considered to be of interest will be published and we also welcome line drawings, prints and photographs.

in <lurablecoanu•ls tn liw;tfor many years Ouc 1iuurt.crufU1cpun:hasC'p-ri<..~ will bi:

donated to bnnch fund,.

P/11,ne or fax ,\{crvyn Crmrforti on ,\fildenlta/1 (016.JB) '!1260fJfor Colour brochure.I Price list~

Contributions (preferably electronic) can be sent to the address on the back page or by email to: malcolmfarrow@mac.com

Summer2007

The Suffolk Argus --------------------------

A bit of alchemy and some wasp f someone told you that a chemist could help you look for wasp mimic moths at the bottom of your garden would you be interested?

cross contamination the right lure is hung up in areas of suitable habitat in the hope of enticing a male to come have a look.

Clearwings are small day-flying moths, closely related to the Burnets. There are fifteen species in the UK, nine of which occur in Suffolk. The first to appear in late May is Large Red-belted, but most species are active during the warmer months of June and July. As already mentioned, they are anything but mothlike in appearance. With the exception of both the Hornet and Lunar Hornet Moth (which really do resemble their namesake) they are small, blackish moths with red, yellow or white abdominal bands. Some also have coloured patches on their otherwise transparent wings. Add in the fact that many are thought to be nationally scarce (or under-recorded), that new survey techniques have made them easier to observe as adults and their preference for sunny weather and you can see why they might be interesting moths to study.

The two species most likely to be encountered are Current and Red-belted Clearwing. As its name suggests the former is associated with Black or Red Currant whilst the latter prefers old apple trees. Both respond well so if you or a neighbour has any of these plants then there's a good chance that one or other species could be living at the end of your garden. Unfortunately, they seem to dislike my own but I have had success elsewhere searching in public allotments, PYO Farms and an old apple orchard near Bury St Edmunds - much to the owner's surprise! Further afield, I've found Red-tipped Clearwing (a species associated with osiers and willows) at Lackford Lakes SWT Reserve and, a couple of years ago, a good friend of mine found Suffolk's first Orange-tailed Clearwings in a la~'by near Barton Mills.

About five years ago some enthusiasts started experimenting with a range of synthetically produced moth pheromones (the chemicals used by females to attract a mate) in the hope of seeing adult clearwings. Early results were encouraging and now it is possible to purchase a complete set of 'lures' that will target virtually all the UK's species. Essentially, the lure consists of a small rubber bung or plastic file impregnated with chemicals that replicate the females scent. Kept in separate net bags to avoid

We still have much to learn about Suffolk's clearwings so the potential for finding a new population, or even a new species for the county, is high. If you want to learn more, why not visit the Suffolk Moth Group website (www.suffolkrnoths.org.uk) where you can view pictures and read a little more about their life-cycle.

Editoria I by Malcolm Farrow t gives me great pleasure to welcome you to a slightly late summer issue of the Suffolk Argus, my first as editor. For those of you that don't know me, I'm the Communications Officer for the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB Unit so editing the Argus will be something of a "bus man's holiday"!

In taking over from Peter Rowberry, I feel a mixture of pleasure and regret: pleasure at the prospect of serving the Branch in this role but regret that Peter was unable to continue due to the pressure of personal commitments. I'm sure all Branch members will join me in thanking Peter for his efforts and congratulate him on the quality of the issues produced under his editorship. Both he, and the previous editors of the Argus will be tough acts to follow! However, never one to duck a challenge, I've taken the liberty of starting right from scratch by updating the design of the newsletter and attempting some minor innovations, in particular the use of more photography. With the recent improvements to printer technology, it should be possible to reproduce tonal and even colour images far more effectively than even just a year or two ago. The proof of the pudding will, of course, be in the eating, and I'd very much welcome your views on whether the changes have been successful. I'm very conscious of the importance of this publication, both as a tool for

3 22

reporting on the current status of the county's butterflies and also as a way to share the pleasure and enthusiasm of our interest in them. Whilst an editor can help to make the Argus a success, what really makes a difference is the contribution made by you, the members of the branch - after all, it's your publication! So please don't hesitate to contact me if you would like to get involved ... As I write, I see outside again the mixture of blustery showers and sunshine that seems to have defined so much of this summer. Only time will tell what the impact of this weather will be on our butterflies, but any pessimism needs to be tempered by the knowledge that, while we can't control our climate, more is being done than ever before to safeguard our moths and butterflies. Indeed, it's clear that the penny has finally dropped as far as conservation is concerned, and the importance of butterflies and moths is fully recognised. I hope you enjoy this issue and look forward to meeting as many of you as possible at the /I , / I/ forthcoming AGM.

Painted Lady by Beryl Johnson

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Summer2007

Silver-studded blue news This year, the Branch has initiated work on an exciting project that aims to benefit one of our rarest butterflies, the Silver-studded Blue. forward the date of the first translocation to the 18th June - had the original timetable been kept, it was feared that few adults would still be flying by midJuly. A small BC/ SWT team met at the RSPB Minsmere's Sawmill site on 18th June to begin the work. It was hoped that coupled pairs would be found in good numbers as this was the best way to ensure eggs would be laid at the release site. However, none were seen and all of the butterflies captured were singles. In total, 30 butterflies were taken, 20 females and 10 males. The condition of the female butterflies was variable, suggesting that while some were freshly emerged, others had been around for a while and had probably been mated. Rejection behaviour was seem from some of the females, adding weight to this theory.

he Silver-studded Blue translocation scheme is a joint project between Butterfly Conservation and Suffolk Wildlife Trust. The motivation for the project comes from the Suffolk Local Biodiversity Action Plan, for which Silver-studded Blue is a priority species. A major problem affecting the conservation of Silver-studded Blues is that the butterflies rarely move very far, making it difficult for new colonies to become established. The idea was to create a new colony on Blaxhall Common by relocating adult butterflies from sites elsewhere on the Sandlings heaths.

As most Argus readers will know, Silverstudded Blues are only found on heathland and have very specialised needs. They prefer low-growing bell heather (Erica) and their life-cycle depends on the presence of a species of black ant that looks after the butterfly during the early stages of its life.

The group reconvened at Blaxhall Common and released the butterflies successfully at three closely linked locations. Some were seen to drift away on the moderate breeze but most settled readily on the heather, looking very much at home in their new setting.

Surveys were carried out at the proposed release areas in May and healthy populations of the ants, Lasius alienus (psammophilus type), were found throughout the relocation site. However, the unusually warm weather in April threatened to unravel all the careful planning as it caused the butterflies to begin to emerge on 4th June - two days earlier than previous earliest recorded!

The second translocation took place on 3rd July - the date originally intended as the start of the project. This time, butterflies were taken from Upper Hollesley Common. One mating pair was found and the remaining 28 singles quickly captured in the same ratio of males to females as before. By noon, the

The decision was quickly taken to bring 4

Review

by Rob Parker There were more surprises to follow. At Portland Bill, Dorset, a Large Tortoiseshell had been seen on 1st March, with another a few days later. 27th March was a fine day in Suffolk, and one was seen in Bulls Wood, sitting on a sallow catkin. I got there 24 hours later, but the Large Tortoiseshell had moved on. Another turned up in Mildenhall and was photographed on 4th April. In recent years, Large Tortoiseshells have put in occasional appearances in Suffolk, generally early in the year, but without any detectable geographic pattern, leading to the supposition that these might have been bred and released. Alternatively, these rare migrants were overlooked last autumn, and have hibernated here. At the end of what passed for summer, another was seen at Shingle Street on 12th Aug. The three sightings for 2007 bring the total to seven since 1995. Also on 12th Aug, a Swallowtail turned up at Capel St Mary - the first Suffolk sighting this year. As I write this on 15th Aug, I wonder what fresh surprises autumn will bring? Rob Parker. Reference: Mendel H., 1997. Camberwell Beauty Nymphalis antiopa L. (Lep.: Nymphalidae): First recorded breeding in Britain? Entomologists Record, Vol. 109 p.285.

Pentax Papilio 8.5 x 21 Binoculars s only an occasional bird watcher but a life long entomologist, the ability to focus closely is a high priority for me in any binoculars. Needing a new pair, I put "close focus binoculars" into Google. Around three metres is a common minimum distance, some get down to two metres but in the search list was the Papilio, focussing to half a metre (1.6 feet for imperial fans).

I took the plunge and ordered a pair and right from the first look they have been a revelation. Out of the box I looked at a cardinal beetle in the flower border. It was at about arms length and the view was, for all the world, like a sequence from an Oxford Scientific Films documentary! The Papilios are built with a special mechanism that allows you to get extremely close focus while looking through both eyes. This happens because the objective lenses converge as the focus wheel is turned. Pentax Papilio come in two sizes: 8.5 X 21 and 6.5 X 21 (8.5 and 6.5 being the magnification). I wanted the bigger magnification but worried how dark the image would be and thought the field of view would be poor (315 feet at 1000 yards vs. 393 feet for the 6.5's ). However, having taken the plunge, I think it is worth having the extra magnification for the detail you can see and I can use them indoors, so the light transmission is fine. In short, highly recommended at around £90. Adrian Chalkley

Summer 2007

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Spring and summer surprises Needless to say, it was no longer around when I looked the following day.

fter the golden autumn of 2006, Red Admirals continued to fly on bright days right through December. The last of the year was seen on New Year's Eve, and the first of 2007 on New Year's Day. It hardly seemed like winter at all, with December the warmest since 1988, and January the warmest since 1916.

An abrupt change of weather came with a northerly wind over 18-21 March, and readers will remember the frequent snow and hail showers. But the Camberwell Beauties were not grounded forever, with Suffolk's fourth in Brimlin Wood near Hintlesham on 25th March, and another in Norfolk on 27th. Our 5th was at Minsmere on 2nd April and, on 9th April, the sixth put in an appearance at River Hundred near Aldringham. What chance any of these were females mated before hibernation? What chance that there are enough survivors to meet and mate to breed in Suffolk this season?

At Landguard, a freshly-emerged Small White beat the earliest-ever record for Suffolk on 21st February, and remained on site for 4 days. The 43 Camberwell Beauties seen in Suffolk last year were generally not expected to survive the winter. Entomological folklore says that these natives of Scandinavia find British winters too moist and mild, and that they succumb to fungal diseases in hibernation. Estimates have been made that no more than 10% have survived after the migrations of past years. Because they had moved westwards through Suffolk it seemed unlikely that any would be seen in 2007. And yet, early March brought word of a sighting at Hove in East Sussex, quickly followed by one along a forest ride near West Stow on 11th March, and another near Hartest the following day. The latter turned up in a polytunnel; the butterfly seems to have a special knack for finding such places, often getting into conservatories. Two more were seen in Norfolk in the next couple of days, and on 16th March another was reported from the grounds of the West Suffolk College, just 300m from my home in Bury St Edmunds.

Interestingly enough, there is one record to prove that this has happened before. In 1876 (yes, 130 years ago) one was found clinging to a post on the Aldeburgh Park Estate. It had just emerged, for the wings were limp, and partially expanded. These subsequently developed perfectly, and the specimen went into the collection of Mr H. Wightman of Aldeburgh. Originally published in 1870 by Nicholas Hele, this record was revived by Mendel, 1997.

team were back at the release sites to complete the translocation work. Shortly after the butterflies were released, a single male was found in the northern part of the common - most likely a survivor from the original release and a positive sign.

Council, with funding from Natural England and SITA, to restore open heathland on the Common. The butterflies used for the translocation came from sites owned by the RSPB and R. H. and R. Paul, while funding for the project came from the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Connect fund, using money raised by Suffolk Secrets, a local tourism business.

Visits to the site in the week following the second release found up to 14 butterflies still present and the hope must be that lots of eggs have been laid. However, we will only know whether the project has been successful next year, and a regular transect will be walked to monitor the site and look for signs that a new colony of Silver-studded Blues has become established. For now we can only keep our fingers crossed!

The Silver-studded Blue is one of the UK's rarest butterflies. It has suffered a significant long-term decline in numbers although, in recent years, this has been stabilised, largely due to improvements in heathland management such as that carried out by members of the Sandlings Group in Suffolk. Suffolk has a small but nationally important population of Silver-studded Blues, a butterfly that features in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and may only be legally introduced with proper authorisation and appropriate ecological safeguards.

The project is an outstanding example of partnership working. Quite apart from the joint BC/SWT translocation team, Suffolk Wildlife Trust's Sandlings Team have been working with Blaxhall Parish

Stella Wolfe, Rob Parker and David Mason collecting Silver-studded Blues at Upper Hollesley Common

A number of trees have been noted as suitable larval host plants, but Sallow or Goat Willow (Salix) spp is the most frequently used. So, what chance some Suffolk observer will spot a Camberwell Beauty amongst the catkins, and see egglaying in progress? By the time you read this, the opportunity will have passed!

TheSutfolkArg_us _________________

Summer2007

Whites and a Green-veined White as we walked along the margins of rape fields. We also saw several plants of Shepherd's needle, four Goldfinches, four Skylarks and a Hare, before the rain came to hurry us back to our meeting place.

(P.S.On our preparatory walk in warmer weather on 24th April we saw Brimstone, the three Whites, Orange tip, Small Copper, Peacock, Comma, Speckled Wood and Small Tortoiseshell.)

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Another success for the Brimstone campaign

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Above: The Silver-studded Blues in their 'tent' awaiting departure Left: Staff from Butterfly Conservation and Suffolk Wildlife Trust at Upper Hollesley Common.

list for the morning were Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Greylag Goose, House Martin, Jackdaw, Lesser Whitethroat, Long-tailed Tit, Mallard, Pheasant, Redlegged Partridge, Rook, Skylark, Swallow, Swift, Whitethroat, Wood Pigeon.) The variety of flora species improved containing a small, but welcome, patch of Bugle, but no nectaring butterflies. For lunch we returned to the village hall, which had been especially opened for us Our afternoon walk explored TL 7652, passing a magnificent pollarded elm, and nearby, a grove of close-growing, relatively healthy elms surrounding a pond. This is a place to check later for White-letter Hairstreaks. We also found several Silver-ground Carpet moths. Our butterfly tally improved as the day warmed up with Red Admirals, Small

Julian Dowding's Brimstones and Buckthorn campaign in East Suffolk has had many successes but I have recently been informed of what is almost certainly the closest to central Ipswich. Peter Scotcher is a park ranger and makes notes of butterfly sightings, finding Purple Hairstreaks a few years ago in Chantry Park. On 26th April he saw a female Brimstone egg-laying in the wooded bird reserve in Christchurch Park, about halfway along and just off the main path. This is just a few hundred yards from the noise and bustle of central Ipswich and the original Buckthorns, four in total, were given to Peter by Michael Parson, who in turn bought them through Julian's campaign. Two of these are now of a considerable size and Peter has since added a few more, all in the same area. Richard Stewart

Summer 2007

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Field reports and records 11th June 2006: Branch visit to the Swallowtail Open Day at the Ted Ellis Reserve, Wheatfen Broad, Norfolk.

refreshments on the lawn and several stalls selling books, plants and other merchandise. I hope donations were generous, since they help the conservation of this magical reserve.

his annual event attracted hundreds of visitors on a very hot day. At least twelve from the Suffolk Branch were there but spread out in different parties depending on when they arrived, so these records come from myself and those I met. It was so hot that in the main Swallowtail area warden David Nobbs and his helpers had erected a white canopy for shade - I thought at first it was a prop from the television series 'The Secret of Eel Island' which is partially filmed on the reserve.

Richard Stewart.

Swallowtails were plentiful and I would imagine everyone who got as far as the main flight area managed to see at least one, though few were settling. As usual helpful signs close to the path pointed out Swallowtail eggs in various stages of development, laid on Milk Parsley. We also recorded Peacock, Red Admiral and Large White, plus a Brimstone on yellow Flag Iris. Hairy, Norfolk Hawker and Black-tailed Skimmer dragonflies were noted, and the lovely Banded Demoiselle and Red Eyed damselflies. Birds included Heron, Cuckoo and Marsh Harrier. There was plenty of opportunity to explore other paths, leading to small secluded broads, shady woodland or a longer walk to the tidal river Yare, with Strumpshaw Fen on the far bank. As usual David and his team were very welcoming, with an abundance of

16th May, 2007: Oenston area in the upper Glem valley wo walks based on Denston Village Hall enabled us to record in four tetrads, some of which had previously been identified by Rob Parker as under-recorded.

Regrettably the weather was overcast with temperatures barely reaching 15 degrees C, so we weren't hopeful of seeing many butterflies. Starting in our first tetrad (TL 7452), we followed a permissive path across improved pasture. At 10.40 Rob found a couple of attractive Drinker moth caterpillars on the wooden bridge posts. These caterpillars were approximately 2_ inches long. We searched brambles along the grassy field margins for sheltering butterflies, to no avail, but an Orange Tip's distinctive egg was found beneath a flowerhead of Garlic Mustard. The second tetrad (TL 7450) produced only a Small White thanks to Rob's balletic efforts with a net. Our third tetrad (TL 7650) contained an Orange Tip. Here Sheila spotted a Buzzard high up and Steve a female Sparrowhawk. (Other birds on Steve's

News in brief Suffolk Naturalist's Society Conference

Website makeover As anyone who has visited it will have realised, the Suffolk Branch has a newlook website!

"Field of dreams - is arable farming incompatible with wildlife?" is the thought-provoking title of the forthcoming Suffolk Naturalists' Society conference - a subject surely to be of interest to butterfly enthusiasts.

It was agreed by the Branch Committee that the website would benefit from being updated to the same style as the majority of other local branches, using templates and hosting provided by Butterfly Conservation. The initial work was completed in the spring, although the Branch hopes the website will be developed further in the future.

The conference has been organised jointly by the Society and the Suffolk Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, supported by the Bob Stebbings Consultancy, Suffolk County Council and Suffolk Wildlife Trust. It takes place at Ipswich School Conference Centre, Henley Road on Saturday 27th October 2007.

Special thanks are due to Tony Prichard, Branch Secretary, for developing the previous version of the Suffolk Butterflies website. The new version has been developed by Malcolm Farrow and anyone interested in helping with the future development of the site should contact Malcolm on 01394 460452.

For more information and to book your place, visit: www.boxvalley.co.uk/ nature/ sns/ org/ conf.asp Adrian Chalkley

SUFFOL MOTH GROU-•c:1-, .., Come and see the wonders of the night. Regular field meetings and newsletter. Online guide to the larger moths of Suffolk.

\Vebsire: www. suffolkmot.hs. org.uk Contact Tony Pritchard for further details

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Summer2007

The Suffolk butterfly report 2006 006 was the hottest year ever for most of Britain, yet the arrival of spring was retarded, and most of our resident butterflies made a poor showing. On the other hand, White Admirals and White-letter Hairstreaks both flourished, and it was an outstanding year for migrants, with an exciting invasion of Camberwell Beauty. An extended summer was followed by a golden autumn that broke many of our latest season records, with Red Admirals flying right through November and December.

into a golden autumn, with continuing sun (125% of normal) and temperatures beating historic averages by an extraordinary 2.7 Deg C. Despite the sun, frequent heavy rain pushed rainfall figures to 130% of normal for autumn. This period generated plenty of late sightings as butterflies lingered at nectar prior to settling into hibernation.

Section 12: My persistence in following the original route rather than a short diversion is rewarded with two Brown Argus, the earliest I have ever recorded them. One is having an aerial battle with a Small Copper. I add Speckled Wood and Green-veined White further on, with calls from Green Woodpecker, Whitethroat and Chiffchaff.

Monitoring the BAP Species

Section 13: A short stretch of lane with great delight at the end when I see two more Brown Argus. I then notice my whoop of joy is being witnessed by a woman who has thoughtfully brought her large dog to heel until I pass. That makes a pleasant change as I now carry a walking stick to deter out-of--control dogs.

This year, the Dingy Skipper was not found at RAF Barnham, which is very worrying, though the colony in the King's Forest appears to be in good health. The isolated patch of habitat in Center Pares at Elveden still supports a small colony.

Weather Maximum, minimum and mean annual temperatures for East Anglia were all about 1.6 Deg C above historic averages, with most of the extra heat coming in summer and autumn (see table below). After a mild, dry winter, spring became wet, with much of the rain arriving as heavy but localized downpours. High summer temperatures persisted through a sunny summer, which then extended

The Silver-studded Blue counts went well, with the preplanned dates hitting the peak flight period in most cases. One particularly encouraging discovery at Minsmere was that one colony has spread into an adjacent field in the process of reversion from agriculture to

Table 1. 2006 Weather for East Anglia Sunshine

Anomaly

Rainfall

Anomaly

Mean Temp

Anomaly

Deg C

% up

hrs

4.1

0.3

180.9

108

85.2

Spring

8.8

0.6

425.5

153.4

111

Summer

17.7

2.1

680.7

120

157.1

101

Autumn

13.2

2.7

397.6

125

212.7

130

Season

Winter 05/06

Source: www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk Anomalies are measured against the 1961 to 1990 averages.

Brown Argus by Douglas Hammersley

nearby. This section has 80% sunshine as the canopy is still open. I hear a distant owl call and much closer a Nightingale and Blackbird duet, with a more distant Chiffchaff in the background. This is a good area for Nightingales, my best day total being six. As I walked through the Bluebells a couple approached. The woman commented on the lovely scents from Bluebells and May. The man didn't, probably because he was smoking. Section 9: A field near the river, with cows grazing and calls of Chiffchaff and Green Woodpecker. One Green-veined White is seen. Section 10: a short stretch of shaded lane and just a Chiffchaff singing. Section 11: Heading back now, the same field as for 9 but the other side of the Fynn. A Green woodpecker is calling, then a Nightingale from the next section. The beds of nettles have no butterflies for once but a Small Copper is in longer grass.

Section 14: Two long fields produce the first Large White then my earliest ever Small Heath, this section being their stronghold on the walk. A Yellowhammer is singing its complete refrain and a very quick glimpse of a fast-moving animal with a black tipped tail suggests it could have been a Stoat, only occasionally seen on the walk. Section 15: This includes passing close to the varied smells of an Anglia Water sewage works. I note two Mistie Thrushes in the field, almost certainly the same two harrying a Crow last week. Two Speckled Woods are the final butterflies recorded in a walk that has taken one hour and 41 minutes, recording 21 butterflies of eleven different species and an overall 93% sunshine. Richard Stewart

Summer2007

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A Fynn Valley butterfly year The first of three seasonal walks along his Fynn Valley transect, described by Richard Stewart, starting with Spring. ince 2000 I have walked a transect in the Fynn Valley, although 2001 was missed through foot and mouth restrictions. The route is along both sides of the river Fynn, from Tuddenham to Playford and back. It has fifteen sections and usually takes about an hour and three quarters. I record butterflies, other wildlife, amount of sunshine per section and at the start the temperature and wind speed. This walk is once a week from the beginning of April to the end of September and has produced a total of 28 species, making it one of the best inland butterfly sites in Suffolk. The best overall total was 3346 butterflies in 2000 and highest day total 515 on 16th July 2003. I hope to describe three seasonal walks, the first in spring.

30th. April 2007: The temperature of 18 degrees is balanced by a gusty wind from the east. Sections 1-3: these follow a long lane heading mainly south. In dappled shade at the start I record my first Orange Tip on transect, a male close to Hedge Mustard. Often across the valley come calls of Cuckoo or Turtle Dove but today it is Whitethroat, Yellowhammer and Lark, with distantly a few House Martins hunting over a cultivated field. Despite high percentages of sunshine no further butterflies are recorded. Section 4: a damp meadow, yet to flower in profusion, including hundreds of

Southern Marsh Orchids. Another Whitethroat IS heard, then there is the welcome sight of a returning Reed Warbler, clinging to a tall Reedmace stem. A peacock flies off the path to feed on May blossom and under the bush a Red Admiral flutters around nettles. Sometimes a quiet approach to Rosemary Bridge by the river will produce Kingfisher or Grey Wagtail but today people are there with a dog. Section 5: closely follows the river and I note Purple Comfrey is just flowering. The Mallard family still includes all seven young I noted last week. A Sparrow hawk is seen and I hear calls of Jay and Whitethroat, but not the normal Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers. There is just one Peacock. Section 6: A short sunlit stretch full of Dandelions but no butterflies. Section 7: Now heading east through a damp meadow and then uphill: nettle beds produce Green-veined White and a faded Small Tortoiseshell but no Small Copper usually present among shorter grasses at the top of the hill. The last four sections have all been full sunshine. Section 8: Into a Bluebell woodland then down to alder carr with bright bunches of Marsh Marigold and a carpet of Wood Anemones. The dappled shade suits Speckled Wood, one being seen close to Celandines and the first Holly Blue lands

by Rob Parker White-letter Hairstreak by Douglas Hammersley

heathland. The bell heather is now in prime condition there, and the count of 193 butterflies reflects a healthy new colony. Last year's concern at Purdis Heath and Wenhaston Blackheath was softened by stronger counts, backed by improving habitat. The White-letter Hairstreak was again rather well recorded in 2006, with 17 sightings from previously unknown sites. Over the period since 1995, records have now been made from 102 tetrads (9%), although not all of these represent established colonies, and the steady increase is a measure of recording effort as well as any spread of the species. The strong performance last year, followed by the outstanding summer of 2006 has apparently led to an encouraging situation for this species.

had successfully survived the mild winter in adult hibernation. The summer generation was numerous, and particularly evident right through autumn taking nectar and flying on bright days despite temperatures of around 8 Deg C in November. Few observers had seen Red Admirals active in December before, but records were received of 26, including several on 30th, and one on New Year's Eve. Its cousin, the White Admiral, also had a good season, with sightings from "new" woods in summer, and a recurrence of the partial second generation phenomenon this time at four separate sites.

Separate detailed accounts for each of the BAP species will appear in the Autumn issue of Suffolk Argus ..

Residents Most of our resident species had a poor to middling showing. The Holly Blue has entered a trough in its regular cycle, evident in low counts in both generations. The Small Tortoiseshell was the first butterfly of the year for many observers, yet it was unusually sparse in summer and autumn. Its relatives, Peacocks and Commas were both in short supply, whereas the Red Admiral had a remarkable year. Many appeared early in spring, confirming that good numbers

Meanwhile, the grass-feeding species were mainly seen in average numbers, albeit for a protracted flight period. The previously noted decline of Wall, Gray ling and Small Heath continues to be a cause for concern, though this year declines were in abundance rather than distribution. Essex Skipper, Small Skipper and Common Blue were all

Summer2007

TheSuffolkArg=us=---------------------Analysis - 1995 to 2006 A measure of Abundance - for residents and regular visitors.

noted to be thjn on the ground in certain localities. The Red Admiral became this year's most widely reported butterfly, noted from 63% of tetrads visited, whilst the Small Tortoiseshell, last year's leader, dropped right back to 10th place.

Purple Emperor It is encouraging to report that about a dozen observers saw the introduced Purple Emperors in Theberton Woods. Both sexes were present, with a maximum of five in view at one time. No strays turned up elsewhere, giving hope that they are at home at Theberton and have a chance of establishing an enduring colony.

Migrants and Oddities

Survey from:

2006 was an outstanding year for migration, with unexpected species of moth and butterfly turning up, as well as reasonable numbers of our regular visitors. The invasion of Camberwell Beauty was undoubtedly the rughlight, beginning in the last days of July and the first week of August, when easterly winds brought an influx from Poland or southern Scandinavia. The bulk arrived down the coast of Norfolk and Suffolk, with just a few in Essex. A total of 42 confirmed Camberwell Beauties were logged in Suffolk during a gentle progression inland. Some lingered several days in one garden, generally feasting on fallen fruit. A few eventually

to:

~-~

~~'wP

Purple Emperor by Beryl Johnson

-"'==·, . ~

---.....__,

2000

2001

2004

2005

2002 2006

Period:

5 yrs

5yrs

1089

878

865

864

Species/Tetrad:

15.4

11.9

11.8

Small Skipper

639

261

290

322

EssexSkipper

714

240

253

267

Large Skipper

639

228

259

295

Dingy Skipper

Clouded Yellow

147

192

111

Brimstone

473

249

290

317

Large White

920

579

617

599

Small White

953

576

622

606

Green-veined White

973

520

572

552

Orange np

858

401

455

439

Green Hairstreak

151

Purple Hairstreak

216

109

112

120

precarious

White-letter Hairstreak

Small Copper

543

297

310

341

strong recording

Brown Argus

320

160

169

193

Common Blue

635

327

367

383

Holly Blue

703

370

476

419

Red Admiral

809

538

571

577

Painted Lady

570

410

396

448

Small Tortoiseshell

982

538

615

621

Peacock

923

468

527

532

Comma

619

403

457

475

White Admiral

1999

Tetrads:-

Silver-studded Blue

1995

Speckled Wood

452

535

572

565

Wall

350

200

183

163

Grayling

182

107

Gatekeeper

937

495

524

504

Meadow Brown

1002

582

615

591

Ringlet

669

334

378

397

Small Heath

359

195

205

209

Notes: Rare migrants excluded.

serious decline

Summer2007

The SuffolkArg.:::..:us~----------------Suffolk Butterfly Report: Tetrads per species - 2005 and 2006 Species listed in order of scarcity in 2006 (*'cf last' column: see notes on page 12 for explanation) % of 500 tetrads

Tetrads 2005

cf last*

Tetrads 2006

% of 522 tetrads

Dark Green Fritillary

0.2

unexplained

Long-tailed Blue

0.2

rare migrant

Chalkhill Blue

0.2

unexplained

Large Tortoiseshell

0.2

Species

Remarks

0.2

Purple Emperor

0.2

0.99

0.4

Swallowtail

0.2

0.49

introduction

0.0

Pale Clouded Yellow

0.6

rare migrant

0.0

Silver-washed Fritillary

0.6

vagrants

0.8

Dingy Skipper

0.8

0.99

3.4

Silver-studded Blue

3.0

0.87

precarious less casual sightings

0.2

Camberwell Beauty

5.9

29.59

a good migrant year

7.8

Wall

6.7

0.86

progressive decline

4.4

White-letter Hairstreak

6.9

1.57

survey found more sites

8.6

Green Hairstreak

7.1

0.83

6.4

White Admiral

7.7

1.20

9.2

Purple Hairstreak

8.5

0.92

2.6

Clouded Yellow

10.1

3.87

7.6

Grayling

10.3

1.35

but numbers low

10.6

Brown Argus

16.6

1.56

a good year

expanding range a good migrant year

18.8

Small Heath

18.3

0.98

declining

21.4

107

EssexSkipper

18.9

0.88

a poor year

27.0

135

Small Skipper

144

28.4

1.05

32.6

163

Brimstone

149

29.4

0.90

56.2

281

Holly Blue

155

30.6

0.54

24.2

121

Large Skipper

156

30.8

1.27

28.8

144

Small Copper

162

32.0

1.11

48.8

244

Orange-tip

182

35.9

0.74

35.8

179

Ringlet

185

36.5

1.02

37.6

188

Common Blue

187

36.9

0.98

60.4

302

Green-veined White

188

37.1

0.61

a poor year

66.8

334

Small Tortoiseshell

223

44.0

0.66

a very poor year

entering a trough

a wet spring

19.0

Painted Lady

232

45.8

2.41

a good migrant year

60.4

302

Peacock

232

45.8

0.76

a weak showing

49.8

249

Gatekeeper

234

46.2

0.93

53.4

267

Comma

242

47.7

0.89

63.4

317

Small White

256

50.5

0.80

63.2

316

Large White

260

51.3

0.81

61.4

307

Speckled Wood

267

52.7

0.86

58.8

294

Meadow Brown

304

60.0

1.02

57.0

285

Red Admiral

324

63.9

1.12

a remarkable year

reached Cumbria, and even Northern Ireland. Some may have been counted twice, but many more will have slipped in unnoticed. Most of the sightings were from householders who do not normally participate in butterfly recording, and many keen butterfly-watchers failed to get a glimpse of one. In overall quantity and duration, the invasion was very similar to 1995 - the last "Camberwell Beauty year". Painted Lady arrived as usual, but did not achieve outstanding numbers anywhere. Clouded Yellow appeared in good numbers, with 48 sightings, including a proportion of the pale female form helice. This year however, three knowledgeable recorders saw not the whitish helice, but the brighter lemon yellow of a Pale or Berger's Clouded Yellow.Unfortunately, these two species are so similar, that differentiation is impossible without capture, and such sightings normally fall into the uncertain file. On this occasion, they were found again in September, in a field near Wenhaston, having apparently bred there. Several males were caught and positively identified as Pale Clouded Yellow - a record of national significance, which is expected to be published in 2007. Tails of the unexpected arose close to Lowestoft, when a Long-tailed Blue was found taking shelter inside an openended poly tunnel. Enthusiasts who turned up to photograph it initially expressed the view that it would have come in with an imported plant, but changed their opinion on discovering

that the facility was used for the propagation of aquatic plants only, and that no nursery stock had been imported. Furthermore, it is an acknowledged strong migrant (despite its size), and had been common in the Netherlands at the time of the prevailing easterly winds. July also brought three widely spaced sightings of Silver-washed Fritillary, another species alien to Suffolk. All of these were confidently identified, and two were photographed. None was in typical woodland habitat, and all appear to be strays, in a year that has seen a nationwide surge in sightings of this large fritillary. A single female Dark Green Fritillary also put in an unexplained appearance at Wangford Warren on 1 Jul. The only Swallowtail of the year was seen north of Woodbridge. There was also a single Large Tortoiseshell, on elm in Waldringfield on 3 Aug. One confirmed, but unexplained, Chalkhill Blue turned up at Ipswich Golf Course on 10 Aug. Additionally, Bath White and Marbled White sightings were noted as unconfirmed possibles in this remarkable year.

Early/Late Records Spring brought only one earlier-thanever record; an extraordinarily early Small Copper on 27 March. The golden autumn, on the other hand brought a surge of later-than-ever records: Gray ling 1 Oct, Small Heath 13 Oct, Small White, Green-veined White, Holly Blue and Speckled Wood all on 5 Nov. Red Admirals were active on sunny days throughout November; and 26 sightings

7 Summer2007

TheSuffolkArg~us~-----------------

were logged in December, the last (another latest-ever record) on New Year's Eve.

Geographic Coverage Records were received from 522 tetrads, which is better than 2002-2004, but does not quite match 2005's high of 530. Over 200 regular recorders contributed. BC HQ may insert additional records from the BTO's Garden Bird Watch in due course. Our distribution maps are improving as an increased number of observers record butterfly numbers, rather than simply presence.

SpeciesMaps Distribution Maps for individual species have been prepared for our 31 regulars, and these are available for reference as required. This year's unusually high species count stands at 40 including the introduced Purple Emperor and the unexpected irregulars noted above (but excluding the unconfirmed Bath White and Marbled White). The average number of species recorded per tetrad dropped from 10 in 2005 to 8.9 in 2006, reflecting a generally poor year for the widespread species.

Analysis Relative scarcity can be deduced from a count of the number of tetrads from which each species has been recorded. Figures for 2005 and 2006 are given in the table on page 14, and are also shown as a percentage of the recorded tetrads. This year's league table begins with the

unexpected migrants merging with our BAP species. The White Admiral and White-letter Hairstreak have both done rather well, whereas the Small Tortoiseshell is no longer our most widely distributed butterfly. Worryingly, the decline of the Wall continues, and it was found in only 6.3% of the squares surveyed. The change from last year to this is expressed in the "c.£.last" column, and it can be seen that most species had a reduced distribution this year. Trends over a longer period are presented in the table on page 15. Distribution mapping does not assess a butterfly's abundance at its breeding site as accurately as the "index" derived from transect walks. Generally, a fall in index figures will be detected prior to a diminishing distribution.

Suffolk Butterfly Transects Site name

Principal walker

started

Alton Water

AWG reservoir margins

Simon Waters

2006

Barham

secpicnic site

Nick Dickson

2005

Bradfield Woods

SWT managed reserve

Stephen Hunt

1989

Cavenham Heath

NNR (Natural England)

Michael Taylor

2002

Combs Wood

SWT reserve

Liz Cutting

2006

Devil's Dyke

Ancient monument, Cambs Sharon Hearle

Elveden Center Pares

Holiday village in forest

Graham HerseyGreen

1996

Fynn Valley

Mixed farmland

Richard Stewart

2000

Landguard

Nature reserve (SWT/LBO) David Burgess

2006

Manor Farm, Coddenham

Mixed farmland

Claire Studman

2006

Minsmere

RSPBreserve

Robin Harvey

1988

Newsons Farm

Private Nature Reserve

Frances Bee

2005

North Warren

RSPBreserve

Rob Macklin

1991

Ramsey and Hintlesham Wood

RSPBreserve

Mark Nowers

2006

Spring Lane, Bury St Edmunds

Urban wildlife area

Rob Parker

2000

Tythe Farm

Field margins

Peter Vincent

2006

Upper. Abbey Farm

SWT field margins

Trudy Seagon

2004

Walberswick

NNR (Natural England)

Adam Burrows

1976

Wolves Wood

RSPBreserve

Mark Nowers

2004

Transects New transects were started this year at Alton Water, Coddenham Manor Farm, Combs Wood, Fressingfield Tythe Farm, Landguard, Ramsey and Hintlesham Wood, bringing the total to 18 full transects - better coverage than ever before. The amalgamation of existing arrangements to create the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme adds a new dimension to national butterfly monitoring, allowing population variations to be estimated alongside distribution data. Special thanks are due to all our transect walkers for their commitment to regular monitoring at the sites listed in the table overleaf. A more detailed article about transects will appear in the next issue of the Argus.

No_of Site description sections

f,;

2003

Single-speciestransects Bradfield Purple Hairstreak

SWT managed reserve

Stephen Hunt

1989

Martlesham Heath SSB

Common land

Phil Smith

2000

Minsmere SSB

RSPBreserve

Mel Kemp

2006

Blaxhall Common SSB

PCCcommon

Volunteers wanted

2007

7 Summer2007

TheSuffolkArg~us~-----------------

were logged in December, the last (another latest-ever record) on New Year's Eve.

Suffolk Butterfly Transects Site name

Principal walker

started

Alton Water

AWG reservoir margins

Simon Waters

2006

Barham

secpicnic site

Nick Dickson

2005

Bradfield Woods

SWT managed reserve

Stephen Hunt

1989

Cavenham Heath

NNR (Natural England)

Michael Taylor

2002

Combs Wood

SWT reserve

Liz Cutting

2006

Devil's Dyke

Ancient monument, Cambs Sharon Hearle

Elveden Center Pares

Holiday village in forest

Graham HerseyGreen

1996

Fynn Valley

Mixed farmland

Richard Stewart

2000

Landguard

Nature reserve (SWT/LBO) David Burgess

2006

Manor Farm, Coddenham

Mixed farmland

Claire Studman

2006

Minsmere

RSPBreserve

Robin Harvey

1988

Newsons Farm

Private Nature Reserve

Frances Bee

2005

North Warren

RSPBreserve

Rob Macklin

1991

Ramsey and Hintlesham Wood

RSPBreserve

Mark Nowers

2006

Spring Lane, Bury St Edmunds

Urban wildlife area

Rob Parker

2000

Tythe Farm

Field margins

Peter Vincent

2006

Upper. Abbey Farm

SWT field margins

Trudy Seagon

2004

Walberswick

NNR (Natural England)

Adam Burrows

1976

Wolves Wood

RSPBreserve

Mark Nowers

2004

No_of Site description sections

f,;

2003

Single-speciestransects Bradfield Purple Hairstreak

SWT managed reserve

Stephen Hunt

1989

Martlesham Heath SSB

Common land

Phil Smith

2000

Minsmere SSB

RSPBreserve

Mel Kemp

2006

Blaxhall Common SSB

PCCcommon

Volunteers wanted

2007

Summer2007

Tetrads 2005

cf last*

Tetrads 2006

% of 522 tetrads

Dark Green Fritillary

0.2

unexplained

Long-tailed Blue

0.2

rare migrant

Chalkhill Blue

0.2

unexplained

Large Tortoiseshell

0.2

Species

Remarks

0.2

Purple Emperor

0.2

0.99

0.4

Swallowtail

0.2

0.49

introduction

0.0

Pale Clouded Yellow

0.6

rare migrant

0.0

Silver-washed Fritillary

0.6

vagrants

0.8

Dingy Skipper

0.8

0.99

3.4

Silver-studded Blue

3.0

0.87

precarious less casual sightings

0.2

Camberwell Beauty

5.9

29.59

a good migrant year

7.8

Wall

6.7

0.86

progressive decline

4.4

White-letter Hairstreak

6.9

1.57

survey found more sites

8.6

Green Hairstreak

7.1

0.83

6.4

White Admiral

7.7

1.20

9.2

Purple Hairstreak

8.5

0.92

2.6

Clouded Yellow

10.1

3.87

7.6

Grayling

10.3

1.35

but numbers low

10.6

Brown Argus

16.6

1.56

a good year

expanding range a good migrant year

18.8

Small Heath

18.3

0.98

declining

21.4

107

EssexSkipper

18.9

0.88

a poor year

27.0

135

Small Skipper

144

28.4

1.05

32.6

163

Brimstone

149

29.4

0.90

56.2

281

Holly Blue

155

30.6

0.54

24.2

121

Large Skipper

156

30.8

1.27

28.8

144

Small Copper

162

32.0

1.11

48.8

244

Orange-tip

182

35.9

0.74

35.8

179

Ringlet

185

36.5

1.02

37.6

188

Common Blue

187

36.9

0.98

60.4

302

Green-veined White

188

37.1

0.61

a poor year

66.8

334

Small Tortoiseshell

223

44.0

0.66

a very poor year

entering a trough

a wet spring

19.0

Painted Lady

232

45.8

2.41

a good migrant year

60.4

302

Peacock

232

45.8

0.76

a weak showing

49.8

249

Gatekeeper

234

46.2

0.93

53.4

267

Comma

242

47.7

0.89

63.4

317

Small White

256

50.5

0.80

63.2

316

Large White

260

51.3

0.81

61.4

307

Speckled Wood

267

52.7

0.86

58.8

294

Meadow Brown

304

60.0

1.02

57.0

285

Red Admiral

324

63.9

1.12

a remarkable year

Summer2007

TheSuffolkArg=us=---------------------Analysis - 1995 to 2006 A measure of Abundance - for residents and regular visitors.

Migrants and Oddities

Survey from:

to:

~-~

~~'wP

Purple Emperor by Beryl Johnson

-"'==·, . ~

---.....__,

2000

2001

2004

2005

2002 2006

Period:

5 yrs

5yrs

1089

878

865

864

Species/Tetrad:

15.4

11.9

11.8

Small Skipper

639

261

290

322

EssexSkipper

714

240

253

267

Large Skipper

639

228

259

295

Dingy Skipper

Clouded Yellow

147

192

111

Brimstone

473

249

290

317

Large White

920

579

617

599

Small White

953

576

622

606

Green-veined White

973

520

572

552

Orange np

858

401

455

439

Green Hairstreak

151

Purple Hairstreak

216

109

112

120

precarious

White-letter Hairstreak

Small Copper

543

297

310

341

strong recording

Brown Argus

320

160

169

193

Common Blue

635

327

367

383

Holly Blue

703

370

476

419

Red Admiral

809

538

571

577

Painted Lady

570

410

396

448

Small Tortoiseshell

982

538

615

621

Peacock

923

468

527

532

Comma

619

403

457

475

White Admiral

1999

Tetrads:-

Silver-studded Blue

1995

Speckled Wood

452

535

572

565

Wall

350

200

183

163

Grayling

182

107

Gatekeeper

937

495

524

504

Meadow Brown

1002

582

615

591

Ringlet

669

334

378

397

Small Heath

359

195

205

209

Notes: Rare migrants excluded.

serious decline

Summer2007

The SuffolkArg~us=--------------------

by Rob Parker White-letter Hairstreak by Douglas Hammersley

Separate detailed accounts for each of the BAP species will appear in the Autumn issue of Suffolk Argus ..

TheSutfolkArg---'---u=---s _________________

Summer2007

Monitoring the BAP Species

Table 1. 2006 Weather for East Anglia Sunshine

Anomaly

Rainfall

Anomaly

Mean Temp

Anomaly

Deg C

% up

hrs

4.1

0.3

180.9

108

85.2

Spring

8.8

0.6

425.5

153.4

111

Summer

17.7

2.1

680.7

120

157.1

101

Autumn

13.2

2.7

397.6

125

212.7

130

Season

Winter 05/06

Source: www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk Anomalies are measured against the 1961 to 1990 averages.

Brown Argus by Douglas Hammersley

Summer 2007

The SuffolkArg_us=----------------------

Field reports and records 11th June 2006: Branch visit to the Swallowtail Open Day at the Ted Ellis Reserve, Wheatfen Broad, Norfolk.

refreshments on the lawn and several stalls selling books, plants and other merchandise. I hope donations were generous, since they help the conservation of this magical reserve.

Richard Stewart.

News in brief Suffolk Naturalist's Society Conference

Website makeover As anyone who has visited it will have realised, the Suffolk Branch has a newlook website!

For more information and to book your place, visit: www.boxvalley.co.uk/ nature/ sns/ org/ conf.asp Adrian Chalkley

SUFFOL MOTH GROU-•c:1-, .., Come and see the wonders of the night. Regular field meetings and newsletter. Online guide to the larger moths of Suffolk.

\Vebsire: www. suffolkmot.hs. org.uk Contact Tony Pritchard for further details

TheSutfolkArg_us _________________

Summer2007

(P.S.On our preparatory walk in warmer weather on 24th April we saw Brimstone, the three Whites, Orange tip, Small Copper, Peacock, Comma, Speckled Wood and Small Tortoiseshell.)

ai +-' V,

.0 >,

!I!

~ E

Stella Wolfe

ai a. a.

Another success for the Brimstone campaign

::i

..c +-'

.!::

Above: The Silver-studded Blues in their 'tent' awaiting departure Left: Staff from Butterfly Conservation and Suffolk Wildlife Trust at Upper Hollesley Common.

Summer 2007

TheSutfolkArg---'---us=------------------------

Spring and summer surprises Needless to say, it was no longer around when I looked the following day.

The project is an outstanding example of partnership working. Quite apart from the joint BC/SWT translocation team, Suffolk Wildlife Trust's Sandlings Team have been working with Blaxhall Parish

Stella Wolfe, Rob Parker and David Mason collecting Silver-studded Blues at Upper Hollesley Common

The Suffolk Argus ------------------------

Summer2007

The decision was quickly taken to bring 4

Review

Summer2007

The Suffolk Argus --------------------------

A bit of alchemy and some wasp f someone told you that a chemist could help you look for wasp mimic moths at the bottom of your garden would you be interested?

cross contamination the right lure is hung up in areas of suitable habitat in the hope of enticing a male to come have a look.

3 22

Painted Lady by Beryl Johnson

/1/'

The SuffolkArg-=us::;__ ________________

Summer2007

mimic moths

Contents Editorial

Silver-studded blues news

News in brief

Suffolk butterfly report 2006

Walking a butterfly transect

Field reports and records

Spring and summer surprises

Review: Pentax Papilio binoculars

A bit of alchemy and some wasp mimic moths

Suffolk Branch Contacts

Back cover

by Paul Bryant

Spring:

Christmas Eve

mount.mg. A i.cale of live b.mes

Summer:

April Fool's Day

Autumn:

August Bank Holiday

lif~ire is 1Ned lo por1ray in¥.eet.s in their OA.lural!i!Cttlerl J)Ositions

House rnunbcr/namcplat.C!I too, all pai,._cd

Above: A male Orange-tailed Clearwing investigates a pheromone lure. Below: Red-belted Clearwing (left and Current Clearwing (right).

Any piece of writing considered to be of interest will be published and we also welcome line drawings, prints and photographs.

in <lurablecoanu•ls tn liw;tfor many years Ouc 1iuurt.crufU1cpun:hasC'p-ri<..~ will bi:

donated to bnnch fund,.

P/11,ne or fax ,\{crvyn Crmrforti on ,\fildenlta/1 (016.JB) '!1260fJfor Colour brochure.I Price list~

Contributions (preferably electronic) can be sent to the address on the back page or by email to: malcolmfarrow@mac.com

The SuffolkArg---'----us'----_____________

S_u_m_m_e_r 2_0'----'0 __ 7

Butterfly Conservation

BranchContacts President Howard Mendel c/ o The Natural History Museum Cromwell Road, London SW75BD 0207 938 8782

Chairman Mike Dean Coach House, Ixworth Bury St Edmunds IP312HL 01359 230292

Membership Secretary Beryl Johnson 28 Medway Road, Ipswich IP30QH 01473 715701

Treasurer Jim Foster Lugano, The Street, Stonham Aspal Stowmarket IP14 6AH 01449 711484

Programme Secretary Alan Johnson 28 Medway Road, Ipswich IP30QH 01473 715701

Saving butterflies, moths and their habitats

I k :~&\ Su o ~r,;-;rgu

Conservation Officer (Butterflies) and County Recorder

Theff

Rob Parker 66 Cornfield Road Bury St Edmunds IP33 3BN 01284 705476

The Newsletter of the Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation

Conservation Officer (Moths) and Branch Secretary Tony Prichard 3 Powling Road, Ipswich IP3 9JR 01473 270047

Publicity Officer and Newsletter Editor Malcolm Farrow 25 Cedar Road, Rendlesham Woodbridge IP122UN 01394 460452

Regional Officer, Eastern England Sharon Hearle c/ o Busy Bee, 21 High Street Newmarket CB88LX 01638 731648

Committee Member Stella Wolfe

•I

g ro

E 0

.!::!.

~ >,

Butterfly Conservation is limited by guarantee. Registered Office: Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5QP Tel: 01929 400209 Registered Charity No 254937.

.>< u 0 u

ClJ

a..

Summer 2007

Volume 41