The Suffolk Argus
May 1996
The
The Map indicates tettads covered by records received by 28th February 1996. Records accepted were those that could be deciphered, were realistic, accompanied by a grid reference and were in Suffolk. Yes, several came from Norfolk and Essex, two from Brighton and York respectively. All contributors will receive 1996 forms, a letter and a copy of the 'tetrads covered'map. The emphasis in 1996 must be on 'new' records i.e. those from areas not yet covered or additional species from tetrads already recorded. Can I ask everyone to study the map carefully and try to 'fill in the gaps' especially if they are close by. I shall also be contacting over 40 of those by RichardStewart contributing wide-ranging and extensive1995 records and inviting them to (SuffolkButterflyRecorder) be 'principalrecorders'from 1996 onwards. At present the sheer number of records has prevented me from completing distribution lists for individual species but , these will eventually be made available. It is therefore difficult to comment on 1995 at \ this point but certain trends are evident. \ I. The long hot summer did produce '/. •••••••••• ..a home-bred bonanza of
Devil's Dyke, Newmarket (joint meeting with the Suffolk Naturalists' Society), Sunday August 6th
Millenniutn Butterfly Survey
by Richard Stewart
1995
a
by \ Angie". Steele
PurpleHairstreak (Quercusiaquercus)
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butterflies, especially Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Red Admiral and Painted Lady in many areas but the premature disappearance of many nectar sources led to other comments about relative scarcity. White Admiral, Brown Argus and Speckled Wood are still colonising new areas, including my former garden in very urban Ipswich for the Speckled Wood. One factor in its success in recent years may be the long flight period emphasised by sightings at Great Whelnetham (2.4.95) and Creeting St. Peter (3.11.95), recorders being Mervyn Crawford (early) and Janis and Alan
.,
•I
33 members were helped to identify the butterflies present thanks to the expertise of j ohn Dawson from the Essex/ Cambridgeshire group, who was able to record Brown Argus at some distance, a great help on the steep slopes. The Dark Green Fritillary, occasionally noted here, was not recorded but by the end of the day, in addition to an Emperor moth caterpillar, species seen were: Brown Argus, Painted Lady, Brimstone, Small and Essex Skipper, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Common Blue, Small Heath, Wall Brown, 3 Whites, Small Copper and at least 39 Chalkhill Blue.
Tangham for late Butterflies (Joint meeting with the Suffolk Naturalists' Society), Saturday September 9th by Richard Stewart On a balmy early Autumn day 18 members saw many Small Coppers and Graylings attracted to sunlit flowering Heather, though other expected nectar sources, such as Ragwort, Yarrow, Knapweed and Mayweed were largely missing because of the dry hot Summer. Brown Argus were identified at four points along the walk and other species recorded were: Comma, Red Admiral, Small Heath, Wall Brown, Small and Green-Veined White, Speckled Wood, Common Blue and Small Tortoiseshell. Perhaps the highlight was a late Meadow Brown in excellent condition, suggesting a possible second brood. With no dragonfly expert present only Common parter and Migrant Hawker were positively identified. Undoubtedly Grayling (30+) and Small Copper (100+) were the chief attraction, though in the case of the latter the blue-spotted aberrant form, Caeruleopunctata,usually present on this site, was not recorded.
Grayling (HipparchiaSemele)
7
