The Millennium Butterfly Survey 1995

The Millenniutn Butterfly Survey 1995

by Richard Stewart (Suffolk Butterfly Recorder)

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 1 996 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 contributing wide-ranging and extensive1995 records and inviting them to be 'principal recorders' from 1996 onwards. At present the sheer number of records a 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

by \ Angie". Steele

Purple Hairstreak (Quercusia quercus)

\ this point but certain trends are evident. \ I. The long hot summer did produce '/. ••••••••• • ..- a home-bred bonanza of 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

Hubbard (lace). Grayling were also reported well away from usual habitats, including Onehouse, Dodnash and two sites on the Shotley Peninsula. Holly Blue appears to be out of its recent 'trough' and in 1995 I recorded it from 19 different tetrads, mainly second brood. On the debit side, several recorders reported a lack of Common Blues at usual sites and, despite the rare migrants, it was definitely not a Clouded Yellow year: only seen by three recorders. Dingy SkipP._er is still maintaining a precarious toehold-only recorded from 4 sites-with White-lener Hairstreak in a similar position. I am still convinced that all the Hairstreaks are under-recorded in Suffolk, in particular Green and Purple. The former is small, brown and easily overlooked in flight and single-brooded relatively early in the year. Purple Hairstreaks tend to be most active late a.(ternoon and early evening and need an upward observation, though they can be quite active low down and much earlier in the day. Any combination ofoak and ash in July is well worth a close study as these are often host trees. 1995 will be chiefly remembered for the number of are migrants but other highlights were three January 15th. sightings of early·butterflies, (Brimstone-,.-Nigel Smart at Creeting Sr. Mary, Comma-Stan Dumican at Great Whelnetharn and Peacock-Bill Last in Ipswich), a total of 29 species at Minsmere and chief warden at North Warren, Rob Macklin, still had time to record 25 different species in his garden at Snape. Please note when you receive the 1996 recording form, that there are two changes: first all records to go to me at the Biological Records Centre, Ipswich Museum, and a

Green Hairstreak • (Callophrys rubi) •

request for records by the end of November, which will allow time to get all completed in time for the 1997 season. I set two targets for 1996-a personal one to cover 125 tetrads (I managed 128) and a total coverage of 600 (600 so far with a few records still to chase up). This has been a very promising start but filling the gaps· is obviously a more difficult exercise.

Finally, can I thank all 1995 recorders and hope this summer will match the last.

The very latest information I have from Richard Stewart is that Camberwell Beauty was recorded in 40 tetrads and Queen of Spain Fritillary in 6 tetrads in Suffolk during 1995-Ed.

Please see overleaf for Tetrads Map

Area Covered (1995)

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