The Suffolk Argus
A Butterfly Watcher's
FieldKit
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. by Steve Goddard
May 1995
Whilst packing my rucksac recently I thought to myself, 'I wonder what other insect watchers carry around with them?' It then occurred to me that this could be an interesting theme for our newsletter. It would be particularly interesting to see what guides to identification we use. So let's share the contents of our pockets and bags. To gee us started I will reveal the contents of my field kit. In no particular order:
Binoculars: For birds and butterflies (particularly tree-top Hairstreaks).
Monocular: For real close-ups when binoculars fail. (See Volume 3, October 1994 for more details).
Notebook and pencil: Policeman style for easy noteraking of those all important species numbers, descriptions and habitat notes.
Hand Lens:
For thosereal close-upsyou'll needsomeform of magnification
For examining eggs in particular. (JO x Mag recommended). Alas, much under-used since I rarely look for them as I should. (Often an easier way of recording the presence of some species such as Orange-tip).
SLR Camera and 100mm macro lens: To capture those special moments.
Light weight stool: For resting a while!
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Brown, were observed basking in sheltered hollows. However, attention was centred upon the flurry of activity around the growths of sea holly where innumerable Common Blues could be seen nectaring voraciously on and jostling for position around, the pale blooms. Such was the popularity of this particular nectar source that any one flowerhead was typically frequented by as many as five or six of the butterflies. Whilst the violet blue upperwings of the males provided a striking visual display, the diversity of colouration exhibited by female members of the species provoked considerable interest. In a rime when butterflies are often only sighted in their one's and two's, the spectacle of as many as two hundred Common Blues thriving in what is no more than a fragment of coastline was a quire memorable experience. A number of the original party chose to explore further and move on to the contrasting wood.land habitat of Kenton Hills. The periphery of the site has been quite generously planted, albeit for mainly cosmetic purposes, with deciduous trees and it was amongst these that Comma, Red Admiral and Purple Hairsrreak were noted. The former, launching itself from a favoured oak leaf, was engaged in periodical patrols of a small clearing, whilst the hairstreak had descended from its normal treetop haunt and, choosing to ignore bramble flowers, was totally engrossed in feeding upon the juices of a ripe blackberry. This uncharacteristic behaviour was prolonged to the extent that not only was close examination of the silvery underwings possible, but the same individual could still be observed when the walk concluded an hour or so later. Further exploration of the deciduous edge yielded a sighting of a blue butterfly, the speed and height at
which it was flying suggesting that it may have been Holly Blue. Proceeding into the coniferous heart of the sire, numerous Graylings were observed careering along the open sandy rides. Emerging on the far side of the wood.land, the flowering brambles and thistles around a bank of elm trees were scrutinised in the hope of finding a late White-letter H:iirstreak. No 'stragglers' were present, although this could not detract from what had proved to be a thoroughly enjoyable expedition for which the organisers, Michael and Jenny Kelsey, should be warmly thanked.
Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus)
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by BerylJohnson
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