Suffolk Argus 42 Spring 2008

7 Butterfly Conservation

Branch Contacts President Howard Mendel c I o The Natural History Museum Cromwell Road, London SW75BD 0207 938 8782

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

Membership Secretary Susan Sidle Five Gables, The Ling Wortham, Diss, Norfolk IP221ST Tel 01379 643665

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

Programme Secretary Peter Maddison Barnmead, Fishpond Rd Waldringfield, Woodbridge IP124QX 01473 736607

Saving butterflies, moths and their habitats

Conservation Officer (Butterflies) and County Recorder Rob Parker 66 Cornfield Road Bury St Edmunds IP333BN 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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The Suffolk Argus is published by the Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation. © 2008 All rights reserved. For more information, see: www.suffolkbutterflies.org.uk Butterfly Conservation is limited by guarantee.

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Registered Office: Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5QP Tel: 01929 400209 Registered Charity No 254937.

Spring 2008

Volume42

Spring 2008

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Forester Moth - go green in 2008 The Forester Moth (Adscita statices) is one of the recent additions to the BAP list that occurs in Suffolk. As it flies during the day and is easy to identify, it is a species that butterfly recorders could keep an eye out for while looking for butterflies around the county. In Suffolk the species appears to have been more widespread in the past, having occurred in the north-western and north-eastern areas of the county and at odd sites in the south. Comments in Morley's Lepidoptera of Suffolk in the 1930s suggests that even then it was on the decline, with loss of its habitat to agriculture. In contrast to Morley's view of the species having its stronghold in north-east Suffolk the view we have now is of the moth being limited to Breckland.

Suffolk, it seems safe to record Forester moths seen in the county as the commoner Forester Moth.

Breckland sites where the species has been recorded in recent years include Barnhamcross Common near Thetford, Mildenhall Woods and West Stow. It is likely to occur at other sites in the Brecks and we shall we be working towards getting a more detailed understanding of its distribution over the next few years.

Some very old records from the northeast of the county at Bradwell Marsh, Oulton Broad and Barnby Broad may mean that searches in this area could uncover currently unknown colonies.

I would be grateful for any records of this species.

Forester Moths inhabits open grassland where its foodplants, Common Sorrel and Sheep's Sorrel, occur. The adults are usually thought to be on the wing from May to July, but within Suffolk the records we have of adults occur from the last week of June until the third week of July. In form it is similar to the commoner red and black burnet moths, to which it is closely related. However, it is to easy differentiate from the red and black burnets as the Forester Moth is uniformly metallic green in colour. This green colouration is not so evident as it flies over long grass but it is easily spotted when it comes to rest on flowers such as knapweed and ragwort.

Tony Prichard

Above: A clouded yellow, photographed by Jack Harrison.

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Two other types of Forester moth occur in the British Isles but, as neither of these two latter species have occurred in

2

have been delighted to know that the interest she gave me as a child remained with me throughout my life.

dropped me a note saying that it was either a Philadelphia Vireo or a Magnolia Warbler. No one from the bird observatory had seen it so we are still left in the dark other than the fact it was something very rare.

I have seen Clouded Yellows a few times over the years since that first encounter as an eight year old, but never In good numbers again until 2007. That September day at the extreme southern extremity of Suffolk took me back to that wonderful summer 60 years earlier at the other end of the county. Mum would

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Spring 2008

Contents· there came one of those tantalizing moments - the "one that got away". A blue butterfly flew in from the shingle and headed steadily inland; there was no significant wind at this time although a sea breeze did set in later. This blue was flying quite high at maybe 3 or 4 metres above the ground, so it seemed unlikely that it was a Common Blue as these usually fly very low. Holly Blues of course do fly high, but shingle is entirely the wrong habitat. I watched the blue disappear inland with the thought rushing through my mind: was it that very rare immigrant a Long-tailed Blue?

I will never know but the locality was good and the flight seemed appropriate (I have come across them abroad) No Clouded Yellows were seen for the first half hour as I made my way slowly towards the southern tip of Languard. I then had my first unmistakable view of one in flight. Then it was a sighting every three minutes or so and occasionally seeing two or three at a time. Females were very busy egg laying on Birds Foot Trefoil. The plants were low growing, apparently very low as a result of rabbit grazing in the dry April when rabbits ran short of grass, their normal food. Instead, they had turned to birds foot trefoil, Vipers Bugloss and many other plants that even in September were still very stunted.

I quickly became proficient at distinguishing the sexes in flight. Males would even chase Small Whites in the mistaken hope that they might be female Clouded Yellows of the pale form helice.

I did see and photograph one helice, a very worn individual that looked almost grey when flying.

I was on my own and that is always a problem as you try to keep track of a quarry. I have found that hunting in "pairs" is certainly more efficient as one person can watch where the butterfly has moved to as the other realises too late that it is no longer in the viewfinder. The Clouded Yellows moved fast and when keeping my eye on them as I chased, I was forever fearful of putting my foot in an unnoticed rabbit hole. It only happened once (luckily without damage) but certainly that was a hazard.

I then met a birdwatcher who was very excited about a "find". I am not a particularly good birder myself, but do have an interest. I didn't see the bird initially but the song was certainly unfamiliar. The bird then flew off strongly but I had no more than a view in silhouette. I continued chasing the Clouded Yellows. Eventually, I made my way back to the car park and met the birder again; he was now in an even more excited state. He had found the unidentified bird again and had it in his telescope. I have to say I certainly hadn't seen one before. A third birder joined us and he too was puzzled. We exchanged e-mail address and when Jim had got back from his few days in Suffolk, he

The male Clouded Yellows were almost impossible to photograph. They rarely settled as they actively looked for females. Photographing the females was easier but certainly not straightforward.

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Forester Moth - go green in 2008

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Contents and Editorial copy dates

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Editorial

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News in brief

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Annual report for the Suffolk BAP species for 2006

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Transect walking in Suffolk

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A Fynn Valley butterfly year

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Field reports and records

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Countdown 2010 Project update

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Hairstreak tales

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Sixty years of Clouded Yellows

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Suffolk Branch Contacts

Back cover

Editorial copy dates Contributions for future editions of our newsletter are very welcome and should be sent to the Editor, Malcolm Farrow, no later than: Spring:

Christmas Eve

Summer:

April Fool's Day

Autumn:

August Bank Holiday

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

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

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Editoria I by Malcolm Farrow Welcome to the Spring edition of the Suffolk Argus! While putting this issue together in February and early March, I must admit that the pleasures of the British summer and its butterflies seem a long way off. But the current mild weather reminds me of the amazing early start to the butterfly season last year. I wonder what surprises and exciting finds this year will hold?

by Jack Harrison

an advertising flier from NFU Mutual.

The distribution cost of the Argus was paid for by NFU Mutual in exchange for the inclusion of the latter, which is a significant financial benefit for the Branch. Butterfly Conservation will also benefit from any policies that are taken out by BC members, so I hope you feel that its inclusion is warranted.

By the time you receive this issue, winter should be firmly behind us. Lets hope for a fine, butterfly-rich spring and summer to make up for last year's disappointments.

2007 saw the promise of that early spring cruelly dashed by what became a very wet summer, particularly in June and July- months that saw butterfly numbers greatly reduced. It remains to be seen what the long term effect of that wet weather will be, but it seems likely that populations of some species will certainly be reduced as a result this year. All the more reason, perhaps, to consider becoming one of of Rob Parker's growing band of transect walkers. This issue contains an article about this valuable work, and also the second part of Richard Stewart's account of the seasonal delights of his own transect in the Fynn Valley.

Proof, if were needed, that there's tremendous pleasure to be had from visiting a site regularly, as well as satisfaction to be gained from making a real contribution to our knowledge of Suffolk's butterflies.

Spring 2008

Holly Blues by Beryl Johnson

1947 was a wonderful long hot summer, and my butterfly knowledge began to match my identification skills. Every afternoon during the long school holidays, Mum and I would explore the lanes and catch butterflies. Wall Browns were abundant, but in those days, there were no Speckled Woods in East Suffolk.

Graylings were exciting but not all that tmusual along the sandy lands that were our habitat. I once caught a Silverwashed Fritillary in the garden and still have the tatty specimen: it was in very poor condition when I caught it. (picture attached). And Commas were occasional even in 1947 despite the widely held view that they did not occur so far east in those days. One on Michaelmas Daisies in the garden next to my Grandmother's house was tantalizingly out of reach of my net.

Gapton Hall cottages and the nearby farm. He was seemingly genuinely interested in the butterflies I had caught (or was he more interested in my very presentable 32 year old mother?) One afternoon, the Butterfly Postman caught up with us as we trudged home. "You'll love this" and there on the bag of his carrier was a Clouded Yellow. I had never seen one before. He told us where he had found it and said that had seen several more in a field the other side of a hedge. He could see over that hedge from high up on his bicycle; we hadn't been able to. So we just had to return the next afternoon. I climbed over a gate into the lucerne field. And there they were, spectacular in the hot afternoon sunshine.

I nostalgically look back on summer 1947 as one of the most enjoyable times of my life

On our walks, we would meet a few local people. I well remember the occupants of "Gapton Hall Cottages", a poor but happy family of Mum, Dad and about 12 children. One afternoon by the cottages I caught a Painted Lady; it was then forever known as "Painted Lady Lane" .. We would sometime meet the local self-style dignitary who owned a "posh" house with "grounds". But we kept our distance from "Old Humpf' the recluse who lived in a tin shack- he was too "scary"!

Fast forward almost exactly 60 years to September 2007 and I was at the extreme southern end of Suffolk at Languard nature reserve Felixstowe. I had heard of no reports of Clouded Yellows but had a hunch that I could be in luck. I drove there on a fine late summer morning from my home in South Cambridgeshire.

At Languard I was greeted by scores of Small Whites with the females selecting the smallest leaves of the abundant Sea Kale on which to lay their eggs. Close to the sea at Languard there is a shingle beach and a short distance inland, the land is more stable with short turf. No butterflies were seen over the shingle, nor were they really expected. Then

The "Butterfly Postman" was unavoidable. He would pedal his bicycle along the lanes every afternoon making the second delivery (yes, we had second deliveries in those days) to

This issue contains two additional enclosures, the annual events programme and

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Sixty years of Clouded Yellows The next year I found the common species including an Orange Tip without the orange. The primitive illustrations of butterflies I had in a "Children's Encylopaedia" didn't show the female.

I really thought I had found something unusual. By the following year, I had a "proper" butterfly book, South's "The Butterflies of the British Isles", which I had won as a school prize, so my identification skills rapidly improved.

Peacock started my love of butterflies over sixty years ago to be precise, as a six-year old in 1945. Near the end of the summer, Mum caught one and from that moment I was hooked.

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We lived on the outskirts of Gorlestonon-Sea (adjacent to Great Yarmouth); it was then "officially" in Suffolk. It is still in Vice-County 25, East Suffolk, although is now administratively part of Norfolk.

The tatty Silver-washed fritillary specimen caught by Jack Harrison in his garden in what was then part of north east Suffolk in 1947.

Spring 2008

News in brief Alan and Beryl Johnson retire from Branch Committee

Butterfly Days DVD - Volume 5 still available!

Alan and Beryl have been with the Suffolk Branch since its inauguration in 1993,Alan having filled the vital role of Programme Secretary from the outset (certainly since 1995). Beryl joined the Committee in 2000, and took over as Membership Secretary the following year.

Their involvement has always been farreaching and often a team effort, from leading walks and organising the out-ofcounty trips, to proof-reading and distributing the Suffolk Argus. Beryl's exquisite butterfly illustrations have been a hallmark of our Branch newsletter, enhancing articles written by contributors lacking her artistic ability (see opposite).

Whenever there was a glitch, Alan and Beryl jumped into the breach and erected the display boards atThornham Walks or manned the stand at the Suffolk Show or wrote a letter of thanks or condolence on behalf of the Branch.

During the past five years, I have produced a number of versions of a film titled "Butterfly Days". Earlier ones were on tape and the latest as a DVD. These I have sold with all of the profit being donated to Butterfly Conservation. To those of you who have purchased a copy, very many thanks, you enabled me to pass on to various Butterfly Conservation branches over £2,300.

Version five, on a DVD, is still available, priced at £8.00 and if you would like a copy of this evocation of a proper summer, rather than last year's substandard alternative, just send a cheque payable to S Harman to 31,Upper Manor Road, Milford, Godalming, GUS 5JW and a copy will be sent to you by return.

The 90 minute DVD contains images of 58 species of butterfly that can be seen in Britain, many in stunning and detailed close-ups. Some are shown in the four main stages of their life cycle. The butterflies are identified by discreet captions, as are most of the other subjects. The latter include moths, dragonflies, birds and wild flowers. All accompanied by the na·tural sounds of the countryside.

Pick up any back number of the Argus, and you will find evidence of their immense contribution to Branch activities. In the field, they were active, not only as dependable attendees at organised events, but around the county too, bringing back valuable butterfly records in meticulous copperplate handwriting. We hope to be seeing plenty of them in coming seasons, perhaps in a new relaxed mode, now that we have found replacements to take over their key Committee jobs.

PS. Don't forget, for every DVD purchased, I will pass on to Butterfly Conservation at least £6.00. - every little helps a very worthy cause. Why not buy one for a friend, and spread the word?

Sandy Harman

Rob Parker

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Annual Report on the Suffolk Dingy Skipper Survey 2006 Summary The 2006 survey was a mix of good and bad for our Dingy Skipper colonies. The colony in the archery area of King's Forest was again found to be flourishing, but the Barnham colony may have been extinguished. Other sites checked were all in line with 2005 results.

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The butterfly was on the wing by 12th May, just 2 days after it had appeared on the Devil's Dyke in Cambs. The unusually wet month of May again had a disruptive effect on our monitoring effort, but the flight period continued until 8th June in the King's Forest, with one straggler still flying on 13th.

Dingy Skipper by Douglas Hammersley

Main colonies RAF Barnham [TL 8580/8680). Three visits were made to the Barnham Training Area, but not a single Dingy Skipper was seen. The first check was a thorough search of the normal flight area, made on a cool overcast 19th May. This revealed that the sheep had not returned to grazing, and the protective fence had not been completed, though the posts had been erected. The bird'sfoot trefoil was growing again after last year's grazing, but was not at that time in flower. A similar negative search was made on 25th May, as the wet weather continued. At last, in ideal weather, a further survey was conducted on 8th June, but again, none were found, although they were flying that day in the King's Forest. This gives cause for serious concern, at what ought to be our strongest colony, which is now looking more like a defunct site.

All visits were conducted with the landowner's consent, or along public rights of way. A total of 9 sites were visited during the 2006 flight period.

Dingy Skippers were found only at the established sites, including an isolated, but stable colony at Center Pares. The butterfly appears to be losing ground, even within its very limited domain in the Suffolk Brecks. This year, it was recorded from only 3 tetrads. Other UK counties are known to have experienced a poor year for both the Dingy Skipper, and its larval host plant (bird's-foot trefoil).

The sites visited are listed individually below, as main, defunct or for future investigation.

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Happily this is another summer shared with the rarer White-letter Hairstreak, this time best seen basking on oak leaves drinking in the evening sun.

They can be impossible to pick out if not observed alighting, brown outstretched wings upon green leaves, but, even then, it helps to be slightly colour blind as this enhances the ability to focus on the difference (as wartime camouflage experts usefully discovered). One made it easy returning to the same sunlit leaf time and again. With the bramble flowers nearly over this year their alternative source of nectar has not yet been discovered. The Groton habitat of old and open woodland, however, includes a meadow full of flowers, and, for caterpillars, freshly growing wych elms and a thicket of blackthorns, so they should find no excuse for not breeding once more.

Spotting the butterflies proved an unexpected reward for patiently searching treetops.

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White-letter Hairstreak by Beryl Johnson

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Hairstreak tales

byPeterKennedyScott

Peter's article takes us to Groton, a village in the Box valley between Sudbury and Hadleigh, for an account of the trials and tribulations of the hairstreaks in his garden. ..

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ast summer the woodland garden at Groton House was lucky enough to have a small colony of White-letter Hairstreaks at one end, for the first time, and two or three individual Purple Hairstreaks at the other. This summer the White-letter variety is back, the first being rescued from the swimming pool on June 26th and the second being plucked from the same pool five weeks later. In the first week of August the colony was showing signs of reappearing with three or four specimens flighting around their same young oak tree, early evening, and settling there to take the evening sun.

A large 250 year old oak tree hangs over this swimming pool with its branches bathed in sun on good days. Over the past 25 years it has been possible to watch the commoner Purple Hairstreaks in July and August flitting from sunspot to sunspot and sitting with folded wings or showing a flash of purple to make identification easy. Once one obligingly landed onto the lawn close by. Last year another was also rescued from the pool.

It seems the Hairstreaks come in the early morning to drink and then find they cannot take off. With wings outstretched and held fast to the surface they are doomed. But caught in a net and allowed to dry in the sun they disappear in less than an hour. Larger butterflies can cope with this way of drinking- a Meadow Brown was watched making a

deliberate touchdown, putting its proboscis into the water immediately and after 30 seconds taking off without mishap, its longer legs holding its body safely clear.

In 1984 this old oak supported a small colony of Purple Hairstreaks. One balmy evening around 8pm nearly a dozen were observed buzzing around each other in a relatively small air space between the oak and the adjacent lime, a favourite tree of theirs; it was like a Battle of Britain dogfight but much faster. Some years none have been seen; the blame may be laid at the beak of a particular Spotted Flycatcher, who took up residence on a high branch and chased butterflies. Periodically the other oaks too have been watched for activity, so it came as a pleasant surprise to find a young oak, 30 years old, with butterflies behaving in similar high flying Hairstreak fashion 150 metres distant.

This occurred in mid July last year. Even better was to find that this too represented a spread colony of around ten, inhabiting oak and sycamore tree tops, members of which were using the bramble flowers in the glade beneath as their food supply. Around 6 pm was the best time to observe them. Up to three at a time would drop down to feed on these flowers, with the sun still upon them, giving eye level views of pristine Whiteletter Hairstreaks - too absorbed to be bothered by pairs of prying eyes.

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BAP species 2006

byRobParker revisiting subsequently saw three, confirming that the colony is still active.

The area mown as the bird walk is being managed with the bird's-foot trefoil in mind. It was recommended that some of the gorse be cleared and that the bare soil area of the drainage ditch needs to be cleared of self-seeded trees, which are creating unwanted shade.

King's Forest (Wordwell) [TL 834732].

This site recorded a maximum count of 12 on 23 May, and again the Dingy Skippers were flying further to the south and west than the main ride. The plantation to the north west of this area has been clear felled in recent months, partially opening a route between the Wordwell ride and the Archery site, although this is unlikely to become hospitable to Dingy Skippers in the short period of re-growth.

Defunct sites King's Forest (John O'Groats Cottages) [TL818737]. This area, and the sector to the north of it, contains a number of isolated patches of bird's-foot trefoil growing in sheltered rides. Two unexpected sightings in the TL818758 vicinity give hope that they may have recolonized. This area becomes a priority for further survey work in 2007.

King's Forest (Archery) [TL831737]. The area used for archery practice, had Dingy Skippers by 12th May. On 14th May, a party of 13 volunteers found 20 flying.

Although this was less than last year's exceptional count of 107, the butterflies were well spread around the rides, and the colony is clearly healthy. The rough area at the southern edge of the mature forest had less bird's-foot trefoil, but more butterflies than the mown areas.

Subsequent visits by a variety of recorders found Dingy Skippers flying until 13th June.

Kings Forest South [TL7872/8073/8272].

Not specifically targeted this year, but no casual records received.

Barnhamcross Common [TL864811].

This site lies adjacent to RAF Barnham, and occasional strays are seen on the south edge of Barnhamcross Common, which lies in administrative Norfolk, but in Suffolk's biological recording area.

Two visits were made to the southern margin, but no Dingy Skippers were found. This is hardly surprising, given the absence of activity on RAF Barnham.

King's Forest (Chalk Lane) [TL827752].

Several recorders found a few Dingy Skippers along Chalk Lane, on the parallel track to the north, and at the heathland regeneration area. The tree felling discussed with the Forestry Commission has not yet come to pass.

None of the 2004 records of strays further east and north were reproduced, despite several independent searches.

Marmansgrave Wood [TL8480]. One negative search along the footpath confirmed the view that this former site may be considered defunct.

Elveden (Center Pares) [TL810805]. A visit on a cool, overcast 19th May found just one Dingy Skipper flying and staff

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Spring 2008

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Countdown 2010 Project update Other sites for Dingy Skipper

Flight Season

(for future searches, but not checked in 2006)

Despite a cool, wet May, the butterfly was on the wing from 14thJune. The subsequent hot July allowed unhindered survey effort and produced a high overall count, generally at peak population dates.

The protracted heat seemed to encourage the dispersal habit, and towards the end of the season, strays were found at a number of site extensions.

Sketchfar [TL836801]. The sheep-grazed area in the Elveden Estate's Sketchfar domain has one promising looking corner, which deserves a visit next year.

It lies close to the defunct site at Marmansgrave Wood.

Euston Quarry [TL896775]. This wonderful CWS has everything that ought to make a good Dingy Skipper site, including bird's-foot trefoil and a Common Blue colony. It was not checked this year.

White-letter Hairstreak The White-letter Hairstreak has been accepted as a Suffolk BAP species, and the Species Action Plan is awaiting publication. At national level, the future for the White-letter Hairstreak is viewed with some concern largely because of the uncertain consequences of Dutch Elm Disease. The recently published "The State of British Butterflies" presents its ten-year population trend as a loss of 63% in Britain.

Cut-off Channel [TL7386]. During Norfolk's 2004 survey for Grizzled and Dingy Skipper, both were found along the watercourse known as the Cut-off channel, which has a chalky double embankment along a nine mile stretch in Norfolk. Visits to the Suffolk stretch were made on 12 May (after finding DS flying in nearby Norfolk), but there was a shortage of bird's-foot trefoil, and nothing was seen.

In Suffolk, we have been working so hard to unearth surviving colonies of this previously under-recorded insect, that distribution figures appear to show a substantial increase. Analysis shows that the number of tetrads occupied by White-letter Hairstreak has increased from 40 to 102 since the Millennium survey, but this apparent spread must be treated with caution. On the one hand, the butterflies are showing some adaptability in leaving elms infected by the disease, and they are moving on to younger suckers elsewhere. This adaptability could be an effective

Thetford Rifle Range [TL8480]. This MoD site lies in Administrative Norfolk, but is in Suffolk's biological recording area. It has plenty of bird's-foot trefoil in a suitably sheltered area, and was walked extensively in 2005. Although the habitat looked excellent, it was disappointing not to find any Dingy Skippers.

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Sharon Hearle, Butterfly Conservation's East of England Regional Officer, reports on work to benefit important species in our region

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The Conserving Butterflies and Moths at a Landscape Level Project is now two years old. As the Regional Officer for East of England, I've been been funded

by Natural England and Esmee Fairbairn Foundation to implement a programme of action across 14 priority landscapes.

One of the main aims of this project has been to work in collaboration with other organisations to improve the management of sites supporting nationally important species. Excellent progress has been made with Network Rail at three sites in Cambridgeshire to benefit Grizzled Skipper and Fourspotted moth. A pre-season habitat survey has already been completed in Hertfordshire, identifying potential new sites along the railway corridor for Grizzled Skipper.

important sites for Grizzled Skipper and Dingy Skipper. In February, Butterfly Conservation's 'Brownfields for Butterflies and Business' conference was attended by over 70 delegates from across the country- highlighting the importance of these site for some of our most endangered butterflies.

The current funding from Natural England for Countdown 2010 runs out at the end of March. The challenge is to secure funds from new sources to enable important work on butterflies and moths to continue. As our Regional Officer, I'll be working hard with head office to secure funds for a Breckland Moths Project in Norfolk and Suffolk. There are now over ten UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Priority moths and five UKBAP Priority butterflies in Breckland, including Grayling and White Admiral.

A series of three training days were held in February and March 2008 for key land managers with colonies of White-spotted Pinion and Fourspotted Moth. The discovery of a large c·olony of the Four-spotted Moth at Great Chesterford Research Park has brought mothing to a whole new audience. Articles in the research park's newsletter encouraged workers on site to explore the grounds at lunchtime in search of the moth.

On brownfield sites in Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire, good progress has been made with companies who manage many

Great Wilbraham Railway Cutting - a site for Fourspotted Moth on the railway route between Cambridge and Newmarket in Suffolk

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Field reports and records 2007 - Year of the Brown Argus?

Overwintering Red Admiral

In some years a species is so dominant that the year is named after it, the best recent example being the 1996 influx of Painted Ladies. 2007 probably won't be remembered in that way, but my records show good success for the Brown Argus and this seems to be the experience for others I discussed it with at our AGM.

A pine tree facing south in our garden has, over the years, prove to be a favourite roosting and overwintering site for the Red Admiral. In autumn they feed on remaining florets of our purple buddleia or the late flowering yellow Weyeriana, also visiting Verbena Bonariensis and basking in the evening on the sunlit trunk of the Silver Birch.

Probably the superb weather of early spring was a catalyst. For the first time it visited out garden in Westerfield Road, Ipswich, and the annual index on the Fynn Valley transect was 16, six higher than the previous best. An analysis of my 2007 records reveals sightings at Rushmere Heath, Great Blakenham, Wordwell, Witnesham, Captain's Wood, Sudbourne, Aldeburgh at two sites, Kettlebaston in two tetrads, and near Bawdsey.

In total, records from 11 sites plus four of the fifteen transit sections on the Fynn Valley walk.

Richard Stewart

Brown Argus by Beryl Johnson

This pine was the tree from which two Red Admirals flew out on the 1st January 2000 and, in 2007, we had our first ever sighting of a British butterfly in December, with a Red Admiral in the garden on the 5th. I suspected it would stay on and, on the 1st March, Marie alerted me to its presence as it swept low over our dewdrenched lawn, then heading closer to me, seemingly attracted by sunlit crocuses but not stopping, instead making a higher circuit of the garden, flashing red, black and white like the chequered flag the marshall waves at motor racing meetings. This, however, was to celebrate victory over winter.

Richard Stewart

survival mechanism, but it also leaves dots on distribution maps at sites not permanently colonised, and is thus misleading. Our volunteer recorders are also becoming more skilled at finding small colonies at the same time as the butterflies are becoming easier to find due to lower elm canopies and successive hot summers.

Silver-studded blue Survey Results The total count of 5,470 might sound high for a scarce butterfly, but this rather masks less satisfactory colony strengths in several places. Mini transects at Martlesham Heath and Minsmere assisted local management, and confirmed timing for the main counts.

That said, the White-letter hairstreak was recorded from 35 tetrads in 2006, including observations from no less than 17 fresh squares. This brings the total to 102 tetrads in which it has been found at some time in the last 12 years (a remarkable 9.3% of all tetrads). It is clear that the butterfly is surviving at many small sites spread across the county, many of them no more than a stretch of roadside elm hedge. Future monitoring will include participation in a nationwide initiative, which has been launched at: http:/ /www.walbum.hertsmiddx-butterflies.org.uk/

The results for the season's counts are tabulated below, and are very encouraging. The recently established colonies at Parsnip Plantation and Rushrnere Heath have again shown a gentle increase in numbers. A major good news story emerged at Minsmere, where one of the reversion fields is now well covered with pioneer heather, and has been colonised by Silver-studded Blues from the adjacent "Football Pitch" area. No less than 193 were counted there on 4th July, adding an excellent new colony, and leading the way for future heathland re-creation plans. A spread across a road has also been noted at Lower Hollesley C, and this is shown as a fresh colony on the table. At Upper Hollesley, there has also been spread into the SHDC area where heather has been cut. Even the small area of translocated heather surrounding the lagoon at the Ransomes industrial estate has attracted butterflies in its first season, though it remains to be seen whether these will stay to breed on that margin.

C

~ C

..c:.

0

~

~

OJ

co >,

..c OJ :::,

co "O

OJ

"O "O :::,

The distribution map for the 2006 counts shows records from 14 tetrads, and is reproduced below. Such a map does not

r OJ

2: V)

16

9

The SuffolkArgus

Spring 2008

-------------------------

A Fynn Valley butterfly year reveal the condition of each site or its butterfly colony. In general, the larger, well-managed coastal sites are doing well, whilst the isolated inland sites are those where the colony has a weaker tenure. In 2005, three apparently failing sites attracted particular concern, and each is dealt with separately below. Two satisfactory common themes are that butterflies were still present this year, and that appropriate steps are being taken to recover suitable habitat.

Purdis Heath In his 2003 report to SWT, Neil Ravenscroft warned that the overmature condition of the heather, the low proportion of Erica, and the absence of ant colonies all presented grounds for concern. A site visit in September 2005, following the population crash, confirmed the very low density of Lasius ants around the former prime site, and stepped up the forage harvesting programme, creating an enlarged area of pioneer heather for egg-laying, with bare ground for the ants.

This year's extensive survey work confirmed the absence of Silver-studded Blues in the former flight area, but did find a total of 25 spread across 3 separate areas of the heath. The best of these lies on a slope cleared of bracken, where the heather is now about 15cm high.

Recently foraged strips with some regrowth of Erica were also attracting a few females, and others were flying in the south of the site over an area burnt out about 7 years ago.

A further site meeting, led by English Nature, established that the present owners were content for Ipswich Golf Club to continue cutting the heather and for Greenways to stage more volunteer work parties to control scrub. Work, including to pa.rt of the former flight area, took place in the winter of 06-7.

Martlesham Heath The count of 280 is down on last year's 377, but was conducted in windy conditions. A major summer fire in the north of the heath has destroyed trees, but did not have much impact on the flight areas. The area in need of management is enormous and beyond the resources of the Martlesham Conservation Group. An English Natureled site meeting established where funds might best be used. A preliminary cut of bracken is planned in the (privately owned) airfield area, followed by forage harvesting and bracken control. A draft management plan has been drawn up with the assistance of English Nature.

Wenhaston Black Heath The count of 24 SSB late in the season, at our most northerly and somewhat exposed site, is encouraging, following a three-year period when the population has been barely detectable. Heather cutting to extend the area of pioneer heather may have paid off, as some females were seen beyond the traditional flight area. Habitat work by the Wenhaston volunteer group will now benefit from a grant, which has allowed the purchase of a forage harvester.

10

Three seasonal walks along his Fynn Valley transect, described by Richard Stewart. Part two: summer This walk took place on the 11th July, taking in the gardens at 'High View', Witnesham by kind invitation of Gary and Barbara Butler, before walking the Fynn Valley transect to Playford and returning on the other side of the river: 13 attended.

As a result of the superb refreshments provided by our hosts, our walk started much later than advertised. The date was picked for good numbers of summer butterflies, but persistant cloud reduced numbers and also affected the chances of seeing dragonflies close to the garden ponds - only the lovely Banded Demoiselle was seen. The first part of the walk, through gardens and meadows down to the Fynn, then along Struggler's Lane into Tuddenham, produced Essex and Large Skipper, Large and Greenveined White, Brown Argus, Peacock and caterpillars, Red Admiral, Comma, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Ringlet, and Purple Hairstreak on the way back.

Green and Great-spotted Woodpeckers, Goldfinches, Yellowhammer and Chiffchaff were also recorded and the Fosters probably saw a Kingfisher flying across.

The transect walk was briefly explained and then walked, forming week 15 of the 2007 transect. 147 butterflies were recorded, less than expected because of the few sunny spells, with a total of 14 species being recorded. Meadow Brown and Ringlet together totalled 102 and

Small Skipper, Small White, Small Tortoiseshell and Speckled Wood were added to the the morning walk, giving 16 species for the day.

Long-tailed Tits, Sedge Warbler, Wren, Whitethroat and Blackcap lengthened the bird list and a young swallow was found on the ground in Tuddenham bus shelter. Muntjac tracks were spotted, together with a dead Common Shrew, a Lesser Stag Beetle and, at Playford, the rufescens form of Blue-tailed Damselfly.

The advantage of many pairs of eyes was evident when lunch was taken at Rosemary Bridge on the Fynn. Usually, if no one is there, I quietly approach in the hope of seeing either a Kingfisher or Grey Wagtail near the pool to the right.

However, as eating space was limited, Alan and Beryl Johnson ended up looking left up the river and spotted a Water Vole swimming across. I have seen a few but this is the nearest to Tuddenham village.

During our 6.6 mile walk, we had only a few glimmers of sunshine but it was still good to explore this quiet and virtually unspoilt area so close to Ipswich, with its range of sensitively managed habitats including grazing and flower meadows, cultivated fields, woodland and alder carr,small reedbeds and winding lanes, all bordering the River Fynn.

Refreshments were enjoyed again at the end with all proceeds going to Romanian Child Action.

15

TheSuffolkArg_us _________________

Spring 2008

_

Transect Walking in Suffolk known as The UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UKBMS), and responsibilities are split between BC's Head Office and CEH Monk's Wood. All the computerbased records are received and accumulated by BC, whilst analysis of the results and the production of the annual report fall to CEH. It is true that the Monk's Wood site is scheduled for closure shortly, but CEH staff working elsewhere will continue its functions.

Another recent development is that much of the analysis is funded by DEFRA, as transect results will be one means of assessing the effectiveness of their recently introduced agrienvironmental schemes for farmers.

Because the original sites were mainly on nature reserves, they did not provide much cover of farmland. Fortunately, the volunteer transects do include walks through agricultural areas, so the combined scheme thus has a broader application than before.

Fynn Valley, Ipswich Wolves Wood, Hadleigh Ramsey and Hintlesham Woods, Hadleigh Manor Farm, Coddenham In 2007, we intend starting a new single species transect at Blaxhall Common, to monitor a planned translocation of Silver-studded Blues, and we need several volunteers for that.

Furthermore, most of the remaining transects could also use more help, so if you live close to any of the sites listed in the main table, please consider whether you might want to join the team.Just let me know if you are interested.

Rob Parker Transect Co-ordinator

Suffolk Butterfly Transects2006 (Including Devil's Dyke, Cambs)

The first annual report of the UKBMS uses 30 years worth of data from a total of 1228 sites.

Are you interested in becoming a transect walker? As can be seen from the spread of walks shown on the map, we probably have enough transects to monitor Suffolk adequately, but we lack sufficient walkers to guarantee making a walk every week. In many cases, the load falls on the shoulders of one individual, and there is no deputy to cover for holidays and other absences. In particular, the following transects need a helper:

(A table containing a detailed listing of all the Suffolk transects was included in

14

good butterfly populations within wellcared for habitat. Amongst these sites, were the Walberswick National Nature Reserve and before long the RSPB's North Warren and Minsmere reserves joined too - so Suffolk's coast was well represented. The ground rules were scientifically applied, and the annual "Index" for each species became accepted as a valid measure of abundance. The Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, now called the Centre for Hydrology and Ecology, produced a series of detailed annual reports that showed the progress or decline of each species since 1976.

he idea of the transect is that a regular walk, conducted within strict scientific constraints, can count the number of butterflies of each species seen with sufficient accuracy to act as an indicator of the health of each species in that season, and of the site as habitat. The notion was conceived at Monks Wood by Ernie Pollard, and early transects were known as "Pollard Walks". A set of ground rules was published as "the green book", and the Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (BMS) was set up in 1976. As the years of recording went by, it became clear that the data bank being created was an invaluable guide to the health of butterfly populations across Britain, and that long-term trends and interactions with seasonal fluctuations in weather, habitat condition, migration etc, could be better interpreted.

T

The sites where transects established injtially were Nature Reserves with wardens able to take the task on within their general duties over a hundred places with ~~

In parallel with this official scheme, enthusiasts and Butterfly Conservation volunteers used the same methodology to walk transects at sites they loved or managed, and a network of extra sites

i

were large

/ •••• ·-..,.,

i-

..

Orange Tip by Douglas Hammersley

11

The SuffolkArg_;;_cus::..__ _________

grew up around the country. By the very nature of volunteer effort, these sites produced results that were variable in quality and longevity. Inevitably, periods of absence or illness knocked holes in the efforts of an individual, in a more serious way than would be the case at a professionally managed reserve, where a deputy warden would often be on hand.

Nonetheless, the number of sites producing dependable records year after year grew progressively, and was further boosted by the arrival of "Transect Walker" software. This computer programme greatly improved recording methods and made it much easier for Butterfly Conservation to assemble and analyse the results by region or by

Spring 2008

~-------

habitat, for example. Butterfly enthusiasts discovered that transect walking was fun as well as being rewarding, and the number of transects continued to grow.

In Suffolk, a recent programme of transect training has helped volunteers to get new transects launched, and in 2006, a total of 18 were walked (see table). This total includes both the established BMS sites and a mixture of volunteer endeavours at SWT and RSPB reserves, on private land and SCC domain. The privately owned land includes farmland, the Center Pares forest village, and a private nature reserve. The Devil's Dyke walk brings

"~,,,.:._-~:-:::~ , .... ___ ~~:;:-.

Purple Hairstreak - a species covered by a single-species transect in Suffolk Drawing by Douglas Hammersley

12

the list up to 18, although it lies just within Cambridgeshire's biological recording area. In addition to the full (all-species) transects, we also have a few single-species transects, where Silverstudded Blues and Purple Hairstreak numbers are counted just for the weeks they are on the wing.

2006 has brought an important change, with the integration of the voluntary transects with the existing "official" scheme. The strong points of the long running BMS have been boosted by the extra coverage from sites recorded through Butterfly Conservation. The amalgamated arrangement is now

What is a transect?

Weekly walks are conducted along a fixed route, and every butterfly seen within a notional box around the recorder is counted. The box is five metres wide, five metres high and extends five metres ahead of the observer, meaning that most butterflies will have been within 2.Sm of the observer's eyes - close enough to readily identify most without pausing.

The route is divided into up to 15 sections, ideally divided by natural features or habitat changes. Walks are only conducted in weather that meets fixed criteria (above 13 Deg C with over 60% sun, or above 17 Deg C if overcast, but not raining) and these are well matched to the insects' own requtrements for activity. Timing is restricted to a period around the middle of the day, so as to catch the peak flight period (from 10:45 to 15:45).The first week starts on 1st April annually, regardless of the day of the week, and the walk can be done on any convenient day with suitable weather. A total of 26 weeks covers the majority of the flight season through to the end of September.

If any week is missed, the software averages out the absence, but any break

of two weeks or more spoil the integrity of the counts, and no Index figure will be calculated for species that were on the wing at the time. It follows that sites with good continuity of recording provide more valuable data than those with a short run of years, or with signjficant gaps in a given year.

Special rules cater for those species which are difficult to separate without undue effort, so Small/Essex Skippers are counted as a single entity, and Small Whites and Green-veined Wrutes are split by estimated percentage after having counted them all by section (Walkers are deemed sharp enough to separate the Large Whites readily).

Transect lengths are quite variable. One kilometre can be sufficient to monitor a small uniform site, whilst a large site with varied habitat needs a mile or two.

However, a very long walk can become difficult to fit into the timeframe unless the weather remains good all day. An hour's walk is a pleasurable ideal, though July walks, with hundreds of Browns to count, do take longer than those on a breezy April day.

13

The SuffolkArg_;;_cus::..__ _________

grew up around the country. By the very nature of volunteer effort, these sites produced results that were variable in quality and longevity. Inevitably, periods of absence or illness knocked holes in the efforts of an individual, in a more serious way than would be the case at a professionally managed reserve, where a deputy warden would often be on hand.

Nonetheless, the number of sites producing dependable records year after year grew progressively, and was further boosted by the arrival of "Transect Walker" software. This computer programme greatly improved recording methods and made it much easier for Butterfly Conservation to assemble and analyse the results by region or by

Spring 2008

~-------

habitat, for example. Butterfly enthusiasts discovered that transect walking was fun as well as being rewarding, and the number of transects continued to grow.

In Suffolk, a recent programme of transect training has helped volunteers to get new transects launched, and in 2006, a total of 18 were walked (see table). This total includes both the established BMS sites and a mixture of volunteer endeavours at SWT and RSPB reserves, on private land and SCC domain. The privately owned land includes farmland, the Center Pares forest village, and a private nature reserve. The Devil's Dyke walk brings

"~,,,.:._-~:-:::~ , .... ___ ~~:;:-.

Purple Hairstreak - a species covered by a single-species transect in Suffolk Drawing by Douglas Hammersley

12

the list up to 18, although it lies just within Cambridgeshire's biological recording area. In addition to the full (all-species) transects, we also have a few single-species transects, where Silverstudded Blues and Purple Hairstreak numbers are counted just for the weeks they are on the wing.

2006 has brought an important change, with the integration of the voluntary transects with the existing "official" scheme. The strong points of the long running BMS have been boosted by the extra coverage from sites recorded through Butterfly Conservation. The amalgamated arrangement is now

What is a transect?

Weekly walks are conducted along a fixed route, and every butterfly seen within a notional box around the recorder is counted. The box is five metres wide, five metres high and extends five metres ahead of the observer, meaning that most butterflies will have been within 2.Sm of the observer's eyes - close enough to readily identify most without pausing.

The route is divided into up to 15 sections, ideally divided by natural features or habitat changes. Walks are only conducted in weather that meets fixed criteria (above 13 Deg C with over 60% sun, or above 17 Deg C if overcast, but not raining) and these are well matched to the insects' own requtrements for activity. Timing is restricted to a period around the middle of the day, so as to catch the peak flight period (from 10:45 to 15:45).The first week starts on 1st April annually, regardless of the day of the week, and the walk can be done on any convenient day with suitable weather. A total of 26 weeks covers the majority of the flight season through to the end of September.

If any week is missed, the software averages out the absence, but any break

of two weeks or more spoil the integrity of the counts, and no Index figure will be calculated for species that were on the wing at the time. It follows that sites with good continuity of recording provide more valuable data than those with a short run of years, or with signjficant gaps in a given year.

Special rules cater for those species which are difficult to separate without undue effort, so Small/Essex Skippers are counted as a single entity, and Small Whites and Green-veined Wrutes are split by estimated percentage after having counted them all by section (Walkers are deemed sharp enough to separate the Large Whites readily).

Transect lengths are quite variable. One kilometre can be sufficient to monitor a small uniform site, whilst a large site with varied habitat needs a mile or two.

However, a very long walk can become difficult to fit into the timeframe unless the weather remains good all day. An hour's walk is a pleasurable ideal, though July walks, with hundreds of Browns to count, do take longer than those on a breezy April day.

13

TheSuffolkArg_us _________________

Spring 2008

_

Transect Walking in Suffolk known as The UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UKBMS), and responsibilities are split between BC's Head Office and CEH Monk's Wood. All the computerbased records are received and accumulated by BC, whilst analysis of the results and the production of the annual report fall to CEH. It is true that the Monk's Wood site is scheduled for closure shortly, but CEH staff working elsewhere will continue its functions.

Another recent development is that much of the analysis is funded by DEFRA, as transect results will be one means of assessing the effectiveness of their recently introduced agrienvironmental schemes for farmers.

Because the original sites were mainly on nature reserves, they did not provide much cover of farmland. Fortunately, the volunteer transects do include walks through agricultural areas, so the combined scheme thus has a broader application than before.

Fynn Valley, Ipswich Wolves Wood, Hadleigh Ramsey and Hintlesham Woods, Hadleigh Manor Farm, Coddenham In 2007, we intend starting a new single species transect at Blaxhall Common, to monitor a planned translocation of Silver-studded Blues, and we need several volunteers for that.

Furthermore, most of the remaining transects could also use more help, so if you live close to any of the sites listed in the main table, please consider whether you might want to join the team.Just let me know if you are interested.

Rob Parker Transect Co-ordinator

Suffolk Butterfly Transects2006 (Including Devil's Dyke, Cambs)

The first annual report of the UKBMS uses 30 years worth of data from a total of 1228 sites.

Are you interested in becoming a transect walker? As can be seen from the spread of walks shown on the map, we probably have enough transects to monitor Suffolk adequately, but we lack sufficient walkers to guarantee making a walk every week. In many cases, the load falls on the shoulders of one individual, and there is no deputy to cover for holidays and other absences. In particular, the following transects need a helper:

(A table containing a detailed listing of all the Suffolk transects was included in

14

good butterfly populations within wellcared for habitat. Amongst these sites, were the Walberswick National Nature Reserve and before long the RSPB's North Warren and Minsmere reserves joined too - so Suffolk's coast was well represented. The ground rules were scientifically applied, and the annual "Index" for each species became accepted as a valid measure of abundance. The Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, now called the Centre for Hydrology and Ecology, produced a series of detailed annual reports that showed the progress or decline of each species since 1976.

he idea of the transect is that a regular walk, conducted within strict scientific constraints, can count the number of butterflies of each species seen with sufficient accuracy to act as an indicator of the health of each species in that season, and of the site as habitat. The notion was conceived at Monks Wood by Ernie Pollard, and early transects were known as "Pollard Walks". A set of ground rules was published as "the green book", and the Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (BMS) was set up in 1976. As the years of recording went by, it became clear that the data bank being created was an invaluable guide to the health of butterfly populations across Britain, and that long-term trends and interactions with seasonal fluctuations in weather, habitat condition, migration etc, could be better interpreted.

T

The sites where transects established injtially were Nature Reserves with wardens able to take the task on within their general duties over a hundred places with ~~

In parallel with this official scheme, enthusiasts and Butterfly Conservation volunteers used the same methodology to walk transects at sites they loved or managed, and a network of extra sites

i

were large

/ •••• ·-..,.,

i-

..

Orange Tip by Douglas Hammersley

11

The SuffolkArgus

Spring 2008

-------------------------

A Fynn Valley butterfly year reveal the condition of each site or its butterfly colony. In general, the larger, well-managed coastal sites are doing well, whilst the isolated inland sites are those where the colony has a weaker tenure. In 2005, three apparently failing sites attracted particular concern, and each is dealt with separately below. Two satisfactory common themes are that butterflies were still present this year, and that appropriate steps are being taken to recover suitable habitat.

Purdis Heath In his 2003 report to SWT, Neil Ravenscroft warned that the overmature condition of the heather, the low proportion of Erica, and the absence of ant colonies all presented grounds for concern. A site visit in September 2005, following the population crash, confirmed the very low density of Lasius ants around the former prime site, and stepped up the forage harvesting programme, creating an enlarged area of pioneer heather for egg-laying, with bare ground for the ants.

This year's extensive survey work confirmed the absence of Silver-studded Blues in the former flight area, but did find a total of 25 spread across 3 separate areas of the heath. The best of these lies on a slope cleared of bracken, where the heather is now about 15cm high.

Recently foraged strips with some regrowth of Erica were also attracting a few females, and others were flying in the south of the site over an area burnt out about 7 years ago.

A further site meeting, led by English Nature, established that the present owners were content for Ipswich Golf Club to continue cutting the heather and for Greenways to stage more volunteer work parties to control scrub. Work, including to pa.rt of the former flight area, took place in the winter of 06-7.

Martlesham Heath The count of 280 is down on last year's 377, but was conducted in windy conditions. A major summer fire in the north of the heath has destroyed trees, but did not have much impact on the flight areas. The area in need of management is enormous and beyond the resources of the Martlesham Conservation Group. An English Natureled site meeting established where funds might best be used. A preliminary cut of bracken is planned in the (privately owned) airfield area, followed by forage harvesting and bracken control. A draft management plan has been drawn up with the assistance of English Nature.

Wenhaston Black Heath The count of 24 SSB late in the season, at our most northerly and somewhat exposed site, is encouraging, following a three-year period when the population has been barely detectable. Heather cutting to extend the area of pioneer heather may have paid off, as some females were seen beyond the traditional flight area. Habitat work by the Wenhaston volunteer group will now benefit from a grant, which has allowed the purchase of a forage harvester.

10

Three seasonal walks along his Fynn Valley transect, described by Richard Stewart. Part two: summer This walk took place on the 11th July, taking in the gardens at 'High View', Witnesham by kind invitation of Gary and Barbara Butler, before walking the Fynn Valley transect to Playford and returning on the other side of the river: 13 attended.

As a result of the superb refreshments provided by our hosts, our walk started much later than advertised. The date was picked for good numbers of summer butterflies, but persistant cloud reduced numbers and also affected the chances of seeing dragonflies close to the garden ponds - only the lovely Banded Demoiselle was seen. The first part of the walk, through gardens and meadows down to the Fynn, then along Struggler's Lane into Tuddenham, produced Essex and Large Skipper, Large and Greenveined White, Brown Argus, Peacock and caterpillars, Red Admiral, Comma, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Ringlet, and Purple Hairstreak on the way back.

Green and Great-spotted Woodpeckers, Goldfinches, Yellowhammer and Chiffchaff were also recorded and the Fosters probably saw a Kingfisher flying across.

The transect walk was briefly explained and then walked, forming week 15 of the 2007 transect. 147 butterflies were recorded, less than expected because of the few sunny spells, with a total of 14 species being recorded. Meadow Brown and Ringlet together totalled 102 and

Small Skipper, Small White, Small Tortoiseshell and Speckled Wood were added to the the morning walk, giving 16 species for the day.

Long-tailed Tits, Sedge Warbler, Wren, Whitethroat and Blackcap lengthened the bird list and a young swallow was found on the ground in Tuddenham bus shelter. Muntjac tracks were spotted, together with a dead Common Shrew, a Lesser Stag Beetle and, at Playford, the rufescens form of Blue-tailed Damselfly.

The advantage of many pairs of eyes was evident when lunch was taken at Rosemary Bridge on the Fynn. Usually, if no one is there, I quietly approach in the hope of seeing either a Kingfisher or Grey Wagtail near the pool to the right.

However, as eating space was limited, Alan and Beryl Johnson ended up looking left up the river and spotted a Water Vole swimming across. I have seen a few but this is the nearest to Tuddenham village.

During our 6.6 mile walk, we had only a few glimmers of sunshine but it was still good to explore this quiet and virtually unspoilt area so close to Ipswich, with its range of sensitively managed habitats including grazing and flower meadows, cultivated fields, woodland and alder carr,small reedbeds and winding lanes, all bordering the River Fynn.

Refreshments were enjoyed again at the end with all proceeds going to Romanian Child Action.

15

TheSuffolkArg_us _________________

Spring 2008

_

Field reports and records 2007 - Year of the Brown Argus?

Overwintering Red Admiral

In some years a species is so dominant that the year is named after it, the best recent example being the 1996 influx of Painted Ladies. 2007 probably won't be remembered in that way, but my records show good success for the Brown Argus and this seems to be the experience for others I discussed it with at our AGM.

A pine tree facing south in our garden has, over the years, prove to be a favourite roosting and overwintering site for the Red Admiral. In autumn they feed on remaining florets of our purple buddleia or the late flowering yellow Weyeriana, also visiting Verbena Bonariensis and basking in the evening on the sunlit trunk of the Silver Birch.

Probably the superb weather of early spring was a catalyst. For the first time it visited out garden in Westerfield Road, Ipswich, and the annual index on the Fynn Valley transect was 16, six higher than the previous best. An analysis of my 2007 records reveals sightings at Rushmere Heath, Great Blakenham, Wordwell, Witnesham, Captain's Wood, Sudbourne, Aldeburgh at two sites, Kettlebaston in two tetrads, and near Bawdsey.

In total, records from 11 sites plus four of the fifteen transit sections on the Fynn Valley walk.

Richard Stewart

Brown Argus by Beryl Johnson

This pine was the tree from which two Red Admirals flew out on the 1st January 2000 and, in 2007, we had our first ever sighting of a British butterfly in December, with a Red Admiral in the garden on the 5th. I suspected it would stay on and, on the 1st March, Marie alerted me to its presence as it swept low over our dewdrenched lawn, then heading closer to me, seemingly attracted by sunlit crocuses but not stopping, instead making a higher circuit of the garden, flashing red, black and white like the chequered flag the marshall waves at motor racing meetings. This, however, was to celebrate victory over winter.

Richard Stewart

survival mechanism, but it also leaves dots on distribution maps at sites not permanently colonised, and is thus misleading. Our volunteer recorders are also becoming more skilled at finding small colonies at the same time as the butterflies are becoming easier to find due to lower elm canopies and successive hot summers.

Silver-studded blue Survey Results The total count of 5,470 might sound high for a scarce butterfly, but this rather masks less satisfactory colony strengths in several places. Mini transects at Martlesham Heath and Minsmere assisted local management, and confirmed timing for the main counts.

That said, the White-letter hairstreak was recorded from 35 tetrads in 2006, including observations from no less than 17 fresh squares. This brings the total to 102 tetrads in which it has been found at some time in the last 12 years (a remarkable 9.3% of all tetrads). It is clear that the butterfly is surviving at many small sites spread across the county, many of them no more than a stretch of roadside elm hedge. Future monitoring will include participation in a nationwide initiative, which has been launched at: http:/ /www.walbum.hertsmiddx-butterflies.org.uk/

The results for the season's counts are tabulated below, and are very encouraging. The recently established colonies at Parsnip Plantation and Rushrnere Heath have again shown a gentle increase in numbers. A major good news story emerged at Minsmere, where one of the reversion fields is now well covered with pioneer heather, and has been colonised by Silver-studded Blues from the adjacent "Football Pitch" area. No less than 193 were counted there on 4th July, adding an excellent new colony, and leading the way for future heathland re-creation plans. A spread across a road has also been noted at Lower Hollesley C, and this is shown as a fresh colony on the table. At Upper Hollesley, there has also been spread into the SHDC area where heather has been cut. Even the small area of translocated heather surrounding the lagoon at the Ransomes industrial estate has attracted butterflies in its first season, though it remains to be seen whether these will stay to breed on that margin.

C

~ C

..c:.

0

~

~

OJ

co >,

..c OJ :::,

co "O

OJ

"O "O :::,

The distribution map for the 2006 counts shows records from 14 tetrads, and is reproduced below. Such a map does not

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2: V)

16

9

The SuttolkArg=us;:__________________

Spring 2008

_

Countdown 2010 Project update Other sites for Dingy Skipper

Flight Season

(for future searches, but not checked in 2006)

Despite a cool, wet May, the butterfly was on the wing from 14thJune. The subsequent hot July allowed unhindered survey effort and produced a high overall count, generally at peak population dates.

The protracted heat seemed to encourage the dispersal habit, and towards the end of the season, strays were found at a number of site extensions.

Sketchfar [TL836801]. The sheep-grazed area in the Elveden Estate's Sketchfar domain has one promising looking corner, which deserves a visit next year.

It lies close to the defunct site at Marmansgrave Wood.

Euston Quarry [TL896775]. This wonderful CWS has everything that ought to make a good Dingy Skipper site, including bird's-foot trefoil and a Common Blue colony. It was not checked this year.

White-letter Hairstreak The White-letter Hairstreak has been accepted as a Suffolk BAP species, and the Species Action Plan is awaiting publication. At national level, the future for the White-letter Hairstreak is viewed with some concern largely because of the uncertain consequences of Dutch Elm Disease. The recently published "The State of British Butterflies" presents its ten-year population trend as a loss of 63% in Britain.

Cut-off Channel [TL7386]. During Norfolk's 2004 survey for Grizzled and Dingy Skipper, both were found along the watercourse known as the Cut-off channel, which has a chalky double embankment along a nine mile stretch in Norfolk. Visits to the Suffolk stretch were made on 12 May (after finding DS flying in nearby Norfolk), but there was a shortage of bird's-foot trefoil, and nothing was seen.

In Suffolk, we have been working so hard to unearth surviving colonies of this previously under-recorded insect, that distribution figures appear to show a substantial increase. Analysis shows that the number of tetrads occupied by White-letter Hairstreak has increased from 40 to 102 since the Millennium survey, but this apparent spread must be treated with caution. On the one hand, the butterflies are showing some adaptability in leaving elms infected by the disease, and they are moving on to younger suckers elsewhere. This adaptability could be an effective

Thetford Rifle Range [TL8480]. This MoD site lies in Administrative Norfolk, but is in Suffolk's biological recording area. It has plenty of bird's-foot trefoil in a suitably sheltered area, and was walked extensively in 2005. Although the habitat looked excellent, it was disappointing not to find any Dingy Skippers.

8

Sharon Hearle, Butterfly Conservation's East of England Regional Officer, reports on work to benefit important species in our region

r,

The Conserving Butterflies and Moths at a Landscape Level Project is now two years old. As the Regional Officer for East of England, I've been been funded

by Natural England and Esmee Fairbairn Foundation to implement a programme of action across 14 priority landscapes.

One of the main aims of this project has been to work in collaboration with other organisations to improve the management of sites supporting nationally important species. Excellent progress has been made with Network Rail at three sites in Cambridgeshire to benefit Grizzled Skipper and Fourspotted moth. A pre-season habitat survey has already been completed in Hertfordshire, identifying potential new sites along the railway corridor for Grizzled Skipper.

important sites for Grizzled Skipper and Dingy Skipper. In February, Butterfly Conservation's 'Brownfields for Butterflies and Business' conference was attended by over 70 delegates from across the country- highlighting the importance of these site for some of our most endangered butterflies.

The current funding from Natural England for Countdown 2010 runs out at the end of March. The challenge is to secure funds from new sources to enable important work on butterflies and moths to continue. As our Regional Officer, I'll be working hard with head office to secure funds for a Breckland Moths Project in Norfolk and Suffolk. There are now over ten UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Priority moths and five UKBAP Priority butterflies in Breckland, including Grayling and White Admiral.

A series of three training days were held in February and March 2008 for key land managers with colonies of White-spotted Pinion and Fourspotted Moth. The discovery of a large c·olony of the Four-spotted Moth at Great Chesterford Research Park has brought mothing to a whole new audience. Articles in the research park's newsletter encouraged workers on site to explore the grounds at lunchtime in search of the moth.

On brownfield sites in Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire, good progress has been made with companies who manage many

Great Wilbraham Railway Cutting - a site for Fourspotted Moth on the railway route between Cambridge and Newmarket in Suffolk

17

TheSuffolkArg_us _________________

Hairstreak tales

byPeterKennedyScott

Peter's article takes us to Groton, a village in the Box valley between Sudbury and Hadleigh, for an account of the trials and tribulations of the hairstreaks in his garden. ..

L

ast summer the woodland garden at Groton House was lucky enough to have a small colony of White-letter Hairstreaks at one end, for the first time, and two or three individual Purple Hairstreaks at the other. This summer the White-letter variety is back, the first being rescued from the swimming pool on June 26th and the second being plucked from the same pool five weeks later. In the first week of August the colony was showing signs of reappearing with three or four specimens flighting around their same young oak tree, early evening, and settling there to take the evening sun.

A large 250 year old oak tree hangs over this swimming pool with its branches bathed in sun on good days. Over the past 25 years it has been possible to watch the commoner Purple Hairstreaks in July and August flitting from sunspot to sunspot and sitting with folded wings or showing a flash of purple to make identification easy. Once one obligingly landed onto the lawn close by. Last year another was also rescued from the pool.

It seems the Hairstreaks come in the early morning to drink and then find they cannot take off. With wings outstretched and held fast to the surface they are doomed. But caught in a net and allowed to dry in the sun they disappear in less than an hour. Larger butterflies can cope with this way of drinking- a Meadow Brown was watched making a

deliberate touchdown, putting its proboscis into the water immediately and after 30 seconds taking off without mishap, its longer legs holding its body safely clear.

In 1984 this old oak supported a small colony of Purple Hairstreaks. One balmy evening around 8pm nearly a dozen were observed buzzing around each other in a relatively small air space between the oak and the adjacent lime, a favourite tree of theirs; it was like a Battle of Britain dogfight but much faster. Some years none have been seen; the blame may be laid at the beak of a particular Spotted Flycatcher, who took up residence on a high branch and chased butterflies. Periodically the other oaks too have been watched for activity, so it came as a pleasant surprise to find a young oak, 30 years old, with butterflies behaving in similar high flying Hairstreak fashion 150 metres distant.

This occurred in mid July last year. Even better was to find that this too represented a spread colony of around ten, inhabiting oak and sycamore tree tops, members of which were using the bramble flowers in the glade beneath as their food supply. Around 6 pm was the best time to observe them. Up to three at a time would drop down to feed on these flowers, with the sun still upon them, giving eye level views of pristine Whiteletter Hairstreaks - too absorbed to be bothered by pairs of prying eyes.

18

Spring 2008

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BAP species 2006

byRobParker revisiting subsequently saw three, confirming that the colony is still active.

The area mown as the bird walk is being managed with the bird's-foot trefoil in mind. It was recommended that some of the gorse be cleared and that the bare soil area of the drainage ditch needs to be cleared of self-seeded trees, which are creating unwanted shade.

King's Forest (Wordwell) [TL 834732].

This site recorded a maximum count of 12 on 23 May, and again the Dingy Skippers were flying further to the south and west than the main ride. The plantation to the north west of this area has been clear felled in recent months, partially opening a route between the Wordwell ride and the Archery site, although this is unlikely to become hospitable to Dingy Skippers in the short period of re-growth.

Defunct sites King's Forest (John O'Groats Cottages) [TL818737]. This area, and the sector to the north of it, contains a number of isolated patches of bird's-foot trefoil growing in sheltered rides. Two unexpected sightings in the TL818758 vicinity give hope that they may have recolonized. This area becomes a priority for further survey work in 2007.

King's Forest (Archery) [TL831737]. The area used for archery practice, had Dingy Skippers by 12th May. On 14th May, a party of 13 volunteers found 20 flying.

Although this was less than last year's exceptional count of 107, the butterflies were well spread around the rides, and the colony is clearly healthy. The rough area at the southern edge of the mature forest had less bird's-foot trefoil, but more butterflies than the mown areas.

Subsequent visits by a variety of recorders found Dingy Skippers flying until 13th June.

Kings Forest South [TL7872/8073/8272].

Not specifically targeted this year, but no casual records received.

Barnhamcross Common [TL864811].

This site lies adjacent to RAF Barnham, and occasional strays are seen on the south edge of Barnhamcross Common, which lies in administrative Norfolk, but in Suffolk's biological recording area.

Two visits were made to the southern margin, but no Dingy Skippers were found. This is hardly surprising, given the absence of activity on RAF Barnham.

King's Forest (Chalk Lane) [TL827752].

Several recorders found a few Dingy Skippers along Chalk Lane, on the parallel track to the north, and at the heathland regeneration area. The tree felling discussed with the Forestry Commission has not yet come to pass.

None of the 2004 records of strays further east and north were reproduced, despite several independent searches.

Marmansgrave Wood [TL8480]. One negative search along the footpath confirmed the view that this former site may be considered defunct.

Elveden (Center Pares) [TL810805]. A visit on a cool, overcast 19th May found just one Dingy Skipper flying and staff

7

7 TheSuffolkArg.:::.:us:::___ ________________

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Spring 2008

Annual Report on the Suffolk Dingy Skipper Survey 2006 Summary The 2006 survey was a mix of good and bad for our Dingy Skipper colonies. The colony in the archery area of King's Forest was again found to be flourishing, but the Barnham colony may have been extinguished. Other sites checked were all in line with 2005 results.

ii

The butterfly was on the wing by 12th May, just 2 days after it had appeared on the Devil's Dyke in Cambs. The unusually wet month of May again had a disruptive effect on our monitoring effort, but the flight period continued until 8th June in the King's Forest, with one straggler still flying on 13th.

Dingy Skipper by Douglas Hammersley

Main colonies RAF Barnham [TL 8580/8680). Three visits were made to the Barnham Training Area, but not a single Dingy Skipper was seen. The first check was a thorough search of the normal flight area, made on a cool overcast 19th May. This revealed that the sheep had not returned to grazing, and the protective fence had not been completed, though the posts had been erected. The bird'sfoot trefoil was growing again after last year's grazing, but was not at that time in flower. A similar negative search was made on 25th May, as the wet weather continued. At last, in ideal weather, a further survey was conducted on 8th June, but again, none were found, although they were flying that day in the King's Forest. This gives cause for serious concern, at what ought to be our strongest colony, which is now looking more like a defunct site.

All visits were conducted with the landowner's consent, or along public rights of way. A total of 9 sites were visited during the 2006 flight period.

Dingy Skippers were found only at the established sites, including an isolated, but stable colony at Center Pares. The butterfly appears to be losing ground, even within its very limited domain in the Suffolk Brecks. This year, it was recorded from only 3 tetrads. Other UK counties are known to have experienced a poor year for both the Dingy Skipper, and its larval host plant (bird's-foot trefoil).

The sites visited are listed individually below, as main, defunct or for future investigation.

6

Happily this is another summer shared with the rarer White-letter Hairstreak, this time best seen basking on oak leaves drinking in the evening sun.

They can be impossible to pick out if not observed alighting, brown outstretched wings upon green leaves, but, even then, it helps to be slightly colour blind as this enhances the ability to focus on the difference (as wartime camouflage experts usefully discovered). One made it easy returning to the same sunlit leaf time and again. With the bramble flowers nearly over this year their alternative source of nectar has not yet been discovered. The Groton habitat of old and open woodland, however, includes a meadow full of flowers, and, for caterpillars, freshly growing wych elms and a thicket of blackthorns, so they should find no excuse for not breeding once more.

Spotting the butterflies proved an unexpected reward for patiently searching treetops.

'

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White-letter Hairstreak by Beryl Johnson

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TheSuttolkArg_us _________________

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Sixty years of Clouded Yellows The next year I found the common species including an Orange Tip without the orange. The primitive illustrations of butterflies I had in a "Children's Encylopaedia" didn't show the female.

I really thought I had found something unusual. By the following year, I had a "proper" butterfly book, South's "The Butterflies of the British Isles", which I had won as a school prize, so my identification skills rapidly improved.

Peacock started my love of butterflies over sixty years ago to be precise, as a six-year old in 1945. Near the end of the summer, Mum caught one and from that moment I was hooked.

A

We lived on the outskirts of Gorlestonon-Sea (adjacent to Great Yarmouth); it was then "officially" in Suffolk. It is still in Vice-County 25, East Suffolk, although is now administratively part of Norfolk.

The tatty Silver-washed fritillary specimen caught by Jack Harrison in his garden in what was then part of north east Suffolk in 1947.

Spring 2008

News in brief Alan and Beryl Johnson retire from Branch Committee

Butterfly Days DVD - Volume 5 still available!

Alan and Beryl have been with the Suffolk Branch since its inauguration in 1993,Alan having filled the vital role of Programme Secretary from the outset (certainly since 1995). Beryl joined the Committee in 2000, and took over as Membership Secretary the following year.

Their involvement has always been farreaching and often a team effort, from leading walks and organising the out-ofcounty trips, to proof-reading and distributing the Suffolk Argus. Beryl's exquisite butterfly illustrations have been a hallmark of our Branch newsletter, enhancing articles written by contributors lacking her artistic ability (see opposite).

Whenever there was a glitch, Alan and Beryl jumped into the breach and erected the display boards atThornham Walks or manned the stand at the Suffolk Show or wrote a letter of thanks or condolence on behalf of the Branch.

During the past five years, I have produced a number of versions of a film titled "Butterfly Days". Earlier ones were on tape and the latest as a DVD. These I have sold with all of the profit being donated to Butterfly Conservation. To those of you who have purchased a copy, very many thanks, you enabled me to pass on to various Butterfly Conservation branches over £2,300.

Version five, on a DVD, is still available, priced at £8.00 and if you would like a copy of this evocation of a proper summer, rather than last year's substandard alternative, just send a cheque payable to S Harman to 31,Upper Manor Road, Milford, Godalming, GUS 5JW and a copy will be sent to you by return.

The 90 minute DVD contains images of 58 species of butterfly that can be seen in Britain, many in stunning and detailed close-ups. Some are shown in the four main stages of their life cycle. The butterflies are identified by discreet captions, as are most of the other subjects. The latter include moths, dragonflies, birds and wild flowers. All accompanied by the na·tural sounds of the countryside.

Pick up any back number of the Argus, and you will find evidence of their immense contribution to Branch activities. In the field, they were active, not only as dependable attendees at organised events, but around the county too, bringing back valuable butterfly records in meticulous copperplate handwriting. We hope to be seeing plenty of them in coming seasons, perhaps in a new relaxed mode, now that we have found replacements to take over their key Committee jobs.

PS. Don't forget, for every DVD purchased, I will pass on to Butterfly Conservation at least £6.00. - every little helps a very worthy cause. Why not buy one for a friend, and spread the word?

Sandy Harman

Rob Parker

20

5

7 TheSuffolkArg_us _________________

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Editoria I by Malcolm Farrow Welcome to the Spring edition of the Suffolk Argus! While putting this issue together in February and early March, I must admit that the pleasures of the British summer and its butterflies seem a long way off. But the current mild weather reminds me of the amazing early start to the butterfly season last year. I wonder what surprises and exciting finds this year will hold?

by Jack Harrison

an advertising flier from NFU Mutual.

The distribution cost of the Argus was paid for by NFU Mutual in exchange for the inclusion of the latter, which is a significant financial benefit for the Branch. Butterfly Conservation will also benefit from any policies that are taken out by BC members, so I hope you feel that its inclusion is warranted.

By the time you receive this issue, winter should be firmly behind us. Lets hope for a fine, butterfly-rich spring and summer to make up for last year's disappointments.

2007 saw the promise of that early spring cruelly dashed by what became a very wet summer, particularly in June and July- months that saw butterfly numbers greatly reduced. It remains to be seen what the long term effect of that wet weather will be, but it seems likely that populations of some species will certainly be reduced as a result this year. All the more reason, perhaps, to consider becoming one of of Rob Parker's growing band of transect walkers. This issue contains an article about this valuable work, and also the second part of Richard Stewart's account of the seasonal delights of his own transect in the Fynn Valley.

Proof, if were needed, that there's tremendous pleasure to be had from visiting a site regularly, as well as satisfaction to be gained from making a real contribution to our knowledge of Suffolk's butterflies.

Spring 2008

Holly Blues by Beryl Johnson

1947 was a wonderful long hot summer, and my butterfly knowledge began to match my identification skills. Every afternoon during the long school holidays, Mum and I would explore the lanes and catch butterflies. Wall Browns were abundant, but in those days, there were no Speckled Woods in East Suffolk.

Graylings were exciting but not all that tmusual along the sandy lands that were our habitat. I once caught a Silverwashed Fritillary in the garden and still have the tatty specimen: it was in very poor condition when I caught it. (picture attached). And Commas were occasional even in 1947 despite the widely held view that they did not occur so far east in those days. One on Michaelmas Daisies in the garden next to my Grandmother's house was tantalizingly out of reach of my net.

Gapton Hall cottages and the nearby farm. He was seemingly genuinely interested in the butterflies I had caught (or was he more interested in my very presentable 32 year old mother?) One afternoon, the Butterfly Postman caught up with us as we trudged home. "You'll love this" and there on the bag of his carrier was a Clouded Yellow. I had never seen one before. He told us where he had found it and said that had seen several more in a field the other side of a hedge. He could see over that hedge from high up on his bicycle; we hadn't been able to. So we just had to return the next afternoon. I climbed over a gate into the lucerne field. And there they were, spectacular in the hot afternoon sunshine.

I nostalgically look back on summer 1947 as one of the most enjoyable times of my life

On our walks, we would meet a few local people. I well remember the occupants of "Gapton Hall Cottages", a poor but happy family of Mum, Dad and about 12 children. One afternoon by the cottages I caught a Painted Lady; it was then forever known as "Painted Lady Lane" .. We would sometime meet the local self-style dignitary who owned a "posh" house with "grounds". But we kept our distance from "Old Humpf' the recluse who lived in a tin shack- he was too "scary"!

Fast forward almost exactly 60 years to September 2007 and I was at the extreme southern end of Suffolk at Languard nature reserve Felixstowe. I had heard of no reports of Clouded Yellows but had a hunch that I could be in luck. I drove there on a fine late summer morning from my home in South Cambridgeshire.

At Languard I was greeted by scores of Small Whites with the females selecting the smallest leaves of the abundant Sea Kale on which to lay their eggs. Close to the sea at Languard there is a shingle beach and a short distance inland, the land is more stable with short turf. No butterflies were seen over the shingle, nor were they really expected. Then

The "Butterfly Postman" was unavoidable. He would pedal his bicycle along the lanes every afternoon making the second delivery (yes, we had second deliveries in those days) to

This issue contains two additional enclosures, the annual events programme and

4

21

TheSuttolkArg_us _________________

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Spring 2008

Contents· there came one of those tantalizing moments - the "one that got away". A blue butterfly flew in from the shingle and headed steadily inland; there was no significant wind at this time although a sea breeze did set in later. This blue was flying quite high at maybe 3 or 4 metres above the ground, so it seemed unlikely that it was a Common Blue as these usually fly very low. Holly Blues of course do fly high, but shingle is entirely the wrong habitat. I watched the blue disappear inland with the thought rushing through my mind: was it that very rare immigrant a Long-tailed Blue?

I will never know but the locality was good and the flight seemed appropriate (I have come across them abroad) No Clouded Yellows were seen for the first half hour as I made my way slowly towards the southern tip of Languard. I then had my first unmistakable view of one in flight. Then it was a sighting every three minutes or so and occasionally seeing two or three at a time. Females were very busy egg laying on Birds Foot Trefoil. The plants were low growing, apparently very low as a result of rabbit grazing in the dry April when rabbits ran short of grass, their normal food. Instead, they had turned to birds foot trefoil, Vipers Bugloss and many other plants that even in September were still very stunted.

I quickly became proficient at distinguishing the sexes in flight. Males would even chase Small Whites in the mistaken hope that they might be female Clouded Yellows of the pale form helice.

I did see and photograph one helice, a very worn individual that looked almost grey when flying.

I was on my own and that is always a problem as you try to keep track of a quarry. I have found that hunting in "pairs" is certainly more efficient as one person can watch where the butterfly has moved to as the other realises too late that it is no longer in the viewfinder. The Clouded Yellows moved fast and when keeping my eye on them as I chased, I was forever fearful of putting my foot in an unnoticed rabbit hole. It only happened once (luckily without damage) but certainly that was a hazard.

I then met a birdwatcher who was very excited about a "find". I am not a particularly good birder myself, but do have an interest. I didn't see the bird initially but the song was certainly unfamiliar. The bird then flew off strongly but I had no more than a view in silhouette. I continued chasing the Clouded Yellows. Eventually, I made my way back to the car park and met the birder again; he was now in an even more excited state. He had found the unidentified bird again and had it in his telescope. I have to say I certainly hadn't seen one before. A third birder joined us and he too was puzzled. We exchanged e-mail address and when Jim had got back from his few days in Suffolk, he

The male Clouded Yellows were almost impossible to photograph. They rarely settled as they actively looked for females. Photographing the females was easier but certainly not straightforward.

22

Forester Moth - go green in 2008

2

Contents and Editorial copy dates

3

Editorial

4

News in brief

5

Annual report for the Suffolk BAP species for 2006

6

Transect walking in Suffolk

11

A Fynn Valley butterfly year

15

Field reports and records

16

Countdown 2010 Project update

17

Hairstreak tales

18

Sixty years of Clouded Yellows

19

Suffolk Branch Contacts

Back cover

Editorial copy dates Contributions for future editions of our newsletter are very welcome and should be sent to the Editor, Malcolm Farrow, no later than: Spring:

Christmas Eve

Summer:

April Fool's Day

Autumn:

August Bank Holiday

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

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

3

Spring 2008

TheSuffolkArgus ----'----'------------------------

Forester Moth - go green in 2008 The Forester Moth (Adscita statices) is one of the recent additions to the BAP list that occurs in Suffolk. As it flies during the day and is easy to identify, it is a species that butterfly recorders could keep an eye out for while looking for butterflies around the county. In Suffolk the species appears to have been more widespread in the past, having occurred in the north-western and north-eastern areas of the county and at odd sites in the south. Comments in Morley's Lepidoptera of Suffolk in the 1930s suggests that even then it was on the decline, with loss of its habitat to agriculture. In contrast to Morley's view of the species having its stronghold in north-east Suffolk the view we have now is of the moth being limited to Breckland.

Suffolk, it seems safe to record Forester moths seen in the county as the commoner Forester Moth.

Breckland sites where the species has been recorded in recent years include Barnhamcross Common near Thetford, Mildenhall Woods and West Stow. It is likely to occur at other sites in the Brecks and we shall we be working towards getting a more detailed understanding of its distribution over the next few years.

Some very old records from the northeast of the county at Bradwell Marsh, Oulton Broad and Barnby Broad may mean that searches in this area could uncover currently unknown colonies.

I would be grateful for any records of this species.

Forester Moths inhabits open grassland where its foodplants, Common Sorrel and Sheep's Sorrel, occur. The adults are usually thought to be on the wing from May to July, but within Suffolk the records we have of adults occur from the last week of June until the third week of July. In form it is similar to the commoner red and black burnet moths, to which it is closely related. However, it is to easy differentiate from the red and black burnets as the Forester Moth is uniformly metallic green in colour. This green colouration is not so evident as it flies over long grass but it is easily spotted when it comes to rest on flowers such as knapweed and ragwort.

Tony Prichard

Above: A clouded yellow, photographed by Jack Harrison.

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Two other types of Forester moth occur in the British Isles but, as neither of these two latter species have occurred in

2

have been delighted to know that the interest she gave me as a child remained with me throughout my life.

dropped me a note saying that it was either a Philadelphia Vireo or a Magnolia Warbler. No one from the bird observatory had seen it so we are still left in the dark other than the fact it was something very rare.

I have seen Clouded Yellows a few times over the years since that first encounter as an eight year old, but never In good numbers again until 2007. That September day at the extreme southern extremity of Suffolk took me back to that wonderful summer 60 years earlier at the other end of the county. Mum would

23

7 Butterfly Conservation

Branch Contacts President Howard Mendel c I o The Natural History Museum Cromwell Road, London SW75BD 0207 938 8782

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

Membership Secretary Susan Sidle Five Gables, The Ling Wortham, Diss, Norfolk IP221ST Tel 01379 643665

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

Programme Secretary Peter Maddison Barnmead, Fishpond Rd Waldringfield, Woodbridge IP124QX 01473 736607

Saving butterflies, moths and their habitats

Conservation Officer (Butterflies) and County Recorder Rob Parker 66 Cornfield Road Bury St Edmunds IP333BN 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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The Suffolk Argus is published by the Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation. © 2008 All rights reserved. For more information, see: www.suffolkbutterflies.org.uk Butterfly Conservation is limited by guarantee.

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Registered Office: Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5QP Tel: 01929 400209 Registered Charity No 254937.

Spring 2008

Volume42