October l 996
The Suffolk Argus
The LandroverWoodlands Campaign,Wednesday July10th by RichardStewart The long-awaited visit of Gary Roberts, Butterfly Conservation Press Officer and the Landrover Woodlands Campaign was blessed with a good day but regrettably no media presence. Both Gary and I had contacted all local and regional press, radio and rv but the only response, via a telephone call on the day and a good, detailed article a few days later, was from Dave Green of the East Anglia Daily Press. It was nevertheless, a good opportunity to renew acquaintances with representatives of SWT, RSPB and the Forestry Commission to whom our thanks must go to Richard Davis for allowing us co use their land. Possibly as a consequence of the dreadful weather in May, the White Admiral, our target species, was late emerging and only one was seen by a few at the rear of the group. The 'late' emergence was further emphasised by many brambles still in bud. Other species recorded were Large and Small Skipper, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Painted Lady, Speckled Wood, Red Admiral, Comma and Small Heath. Broad-bordered Bee-Hawk moth and two fallow deer were also seen.
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Encounter witha Beauty byJohn Dolman Cycling along the lcknield Way on 30th, May this year I stopped co enjoy my first Green Hairstreak of the season. Whilst writing up the record, I became aware of something fluttering against my bike as it lay on the ground. Expecting it to be a piece oflitter, imagine my surprise as I turned to see a large dark butterfly, with a white margin to the wing, perched on the rear wheel. Fortunately, 1 froze at once and was able to study the insect for upwards of one minute at a distance of as little as two metres. As I watched what was clearly a Camberwell Beauty, my initial delight was tempered somewhat by disappointment in that it was a rather aged specimen having lost the blue spots and cream from the upper wings, appearing as only black or dark brown and white. Nevertheless, what a wonderful find. Then suddenly, my efforts to take an even closer look were curtailed as just the slightest movement from myself caused the insect to take off and soar up and over nearby birches against quite a strong wind. That was the last I saw of this lovely creature but my encounter will last long in my memory. When I reported my sighting co the County Recorder his comment was "Well, I don't know if this is the first record for Britain this year but I can say for certain you are the first person co see one on a bike!" Returning to this location on 28th July, I was sad to see a gypsy caravan occupying the site. Still, one on the caravan roof would have made a notable double, Richard!
Suffolk Show is a big success by Steven Goss Suffolk Branch members will be pleased to know that our display at this year's Suffolk Show was well received and that we managed to cover our costs. This was our third year at this event and once again, we extend our thanks to the Suffolk Naturalists' Society for inviting us to share their marquee. Thanks must also go to those members, particularly Judy Clarke and Paul Gilson, who grew butterfly attracting plants to sell on the stall. We sold nearly all of the plants and a few books but more importantly, we took the opportunity to talk with interested people and hopefully, made them more aware of our work and why we need co enlist further support. One of the new ideas at this year's show was our Butterfly Conservation quiz. Entrants were asked to fill in our questionnaire with most of the answers concealed within the information on our display boards. The prize was a copy of 'Saving Butte,flies 'by David Dunbar and this was won by Timothy Davies, aged 14, from Melton. Congratulations to him.
Hornet predating S01all Tortois~shell byJean Garrod
The kitchen _,., __ window • . od ,,,, , 1sa go vantage 1/ point from which to• watch various Buddleja bushes in our back garden. The morning of Tuesday, August 27th 1996was warm and sunny. Five species of butterfly were nectaring on the nearer bush whilst several Painted Ladies and a lone Small Tortoiseshell were basking, with wings outstretched, on our scorched lawn. Glancing away for a second, I looked back again to see a strange looking butterfly laboriously taking off from the ground. As I ran outside it alighted on the Buddleja. I found that it was a Hornet which had taker the Small Tortoiseshell. It bit off the wings and as they fluttered to the ground, it sucked the insect dry before flying away. In the past I have witnessed this at Minsmere, when the victims then were Small Tortoiseshells even though Red Admirals and Peacocks were there for the taking. I wonder if Hornets tend to predate this species in preference to others and if so - why? Either way, it is not a pretty sight!
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