The SuffolkArgus
1996 Annual General Meeting The Chairman opened the meeting at 7.30 pm and began with thanks to the committee for their hard work in organising the 14 Field Trips, rhe Member's Evening, attendance at the Suffolk Woodlands Conference, the Suffolk Show and also for the not inconsiderable work that goes on constantly behind the scenes. He talked of how as a boy, 50 years ago, he could remember many more butterflies than are about today but that with TEN species becoming extinct in Suffolk and many more showing severe decline in this time, it was sadly not surprising. He also went on to explain rhat the coming year would see the beginning of working relationships with other groups as part of the Biodiversity Challenge and that • we are part of the Suffolk Group involved with this initiative. Further, we were reminded that at the same time, branch members will continue to be busy recording for the Millennium Atlas. Each Officer of the Committee then gave a brief report on their work during the year. The Butterfly Conservation Officer asked thar records be sent to him rhroughout the year to enable him to spread his workload. The Treasurer's report is included within this article in the form of a Balance Sheet and Income and Expenses Report.
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October l 996
The election of the committee was disappointing in so far as no new names came forward but the current committee expressed their willingness ro continue in office with the exception of Roger Kendrick who is off to Hong Kong to study for his Phd. Dr. Neil Ravenscroft gave a very interesting talk which he had entitled 'The Recoveryof Butterfliesin Suffolk', a programme that is now being jointly pursued with Suffolk Wildlife Trust. This presentation paved the way for a return to the Chairman's vision expressed as part of his opening address. After refreshments, there ensued varied discussion together with a question and amwer session that proved to be of real value to all since both Neil Ravenscroft and Howard Mendel our Presid.c:ntwere taking part, responding to many questions and giving good opinions. The Chairman closed the meeting by thanking our speaker and also the Butterfly Hotel for generously sponsoring the event. He also wished the 20 or so members who had attended, a safe journey home.
What a summer for garden butterflies byJean Garrod
I 996 has been an exceptional year for butterflies in our garden. I expect most of you will say the same. Before the storms and heavy rains of August 28th and 29th, the Buddlejas heaved with Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Peacock and perhaps surprisingly to a lesser extent, Small Tortoiseshell. The former were clearly the most prolific and surely, 1996 will become known as 'the Painted Lady Year·.After rhe storms, the numbers were dramatically reduced bur still Painted Ladies were the most numerous. From April 9th, when we saw our first Small White in the garden, we noted that all species sightings had increased in number with the exception of the Common Blue. We added two new species to our garden list this year namely, Ringlet on August 1st and Brown Argus on August 21st. Silver Y moths also came in profusion and at close quarters, the noise from rhe whirring wings of both the moths and butterflies was quite incredible. The icing on rhe cake however, was two prolonged visits by a Hummingbird Hawk-moth on August 22nd. At least four other people in various parts of Ipswich have told me that they roo were privileged to watch this remarkable insect in their gardens round about the same date. As I write we are now weli into September with far less activity in the garden but there is always 1997 to look forward to!
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