Equestrian

Field & Stream Why tortoiseshells fly straight – but an orange tip doesn’t

Butterflies sum up summer. Whether flitting from flower to flower, fluttering across a meadow or dancing along hedgerows and field margins they evoke all that is uplifting and joyous about sun filled days between spring and autumn. But do you know your Speckled Wood from your Meadow Brown and can you tell the difference at a glance between a butterfly and a moth? The answers to these and many more questions about the species group collectively known as Lepidoptra can be found on a visit to the Countryside Restoration Trust’at Bere Marsh Farm, Shillingstone. The CRT’s Dorset wildlife monitoring officer Andy Fale is keen that everyone better understands the joys of these fragile, multi-coloured jewels of the sky and has set up a series of wildlife walks on the farm to pass on his skills in tracking and identifying them. “They are utterly magical creatures but so few people really know much about them,” he said. “They seem bewildered in trying to tell them apart yet the more you learn about butterflies the more fascinating they become.” Butterfly tracking and identification needs close focus binoculars and a lightweight laminated field guide. A common misunderstanding is that butterflies prefer only lush meadows and leafy woodland but it can be just as rewarding to search disused quarries and stony gravel workings as they like to bask on the bare stones in warm, sunny weather. Talking of sun, it is easier to keep it behind you when trying to move in close on a basking target. Another important factor to bear in mind is flight behaviour – erratic fluttering and flitting about is a defence mechanism used by many butterflies to make it hard for predators to predict their position. Others which are either less palatable, such as the small tortoiseshell, or brightly coloured like the peacock, don’t have to employ this erratic flight tactic as a deterrent and so have a much straighter and more predictable flight path. Early in the year the most likely ones you could spot at Bere Marsh would be Orange Tips (fluttering flight, white with tipped wings), Speckled Woods (dark brown with yellow rings on their wings) and the more common Peacocks (giant ‘eyes’ on their dark wings) or Small Tortoiseshells (multi coloured, predominantly orange/red). There is also the possibility of Brimstones (soft yellow with a dancing flight) and Red Admirals (dramatic, dark coloured flyers touched with vivid red and white). Later in the year there is the added lure of such exotic flyers as Small Skippers, Green Veined Whites, Marbled Whites (stunning black and white numbers), Small Coppers (vivid little orange charmers) and Gatekeepers and perhaps the elusive Clouded Yellow. All are pure magic and worth every minute of your time spent in their tracking down. So how do you tell them from the much more numerous and often exotically coloured moths? Simple – butterfly antenna are clubbed or hooked at their ends whereas moths are thin and straight or slightly feathered. Happy hunting… Wildlife walks at Bere Marsh Dawn Chorus – May 29 & May 31. 4.45am start. 10 people per walk £12 per person Butterfly Walks – July 9 (1pm) & July 10 (10.30am). Donations to Butterfly Conservation Contact: afale@countryside restorationtrust.com

Equestrian Stay vigilant for early signs of sweet itch

By Karen Bate

Many of us tend to think sweet itch, an allergic reaction caused by biting insects and affecting up to five per cent of horses and ponies in the country, as a summer condition. However, sweet itch can be caused much earlier in the season and indeed, much later as the mosquitos and midges which cause the condition are active between March and November. The condition varies in severity from the horse occasionally scratching his tail on a tree to the very worst cases with horses causing self-trauma through scratching who will scratch and scratch, causing selftrauma with many cases 96 causing secondary infections. Early diagnosis is important to get on top of the condition so it is good to keep vigilant for those tell-tale signs including rubbing, scratching and biting their skin, lumpy or scaly areas which may be inflamed, skin loss may occur and sometimes the skin will look dull and patchy. Some horses can become restless and in the very worst cases may even start to lose weight. Grooming regularly is a good way to keep a close eye on his skin and when it comes to sweet itch, prevention is better than cure. A fly rug is a must, some horses affected badly will need to wear one 24/7 so it is well worth investing in a good one. Fly repellents - there are a huge number of different types, brands and applications available. DEET is effective along with Avon Skin-so-Soft but this should not be used on hot, sunny days as it can cause sunburn. Biting insects tend to be at their most prevalent at dawn and early evening or dusk so if possible, try to keep your horse stabled during these times. Female midges lay their eggs in the soft mud after feeding so areas with standing water should be avoided. A combination of preventative measures and taking appropriate action/treatment as soon as any signs develop will help to manage the problem and make life as comfortable for the affected horse as possible. World Horse Welfare charity has its own advice line on 01953 497238.

EQUINE CLASSIFIEDS

2 STABLES PLUS 2 ACRE FIELD FOR RENT. (2 further stables and acreage maybe available) Hazelbury Bryan On secure farm Cottage and workshop available by separate negotiation £200pcm 07734 059190

PADDOCKS For all your paddock & field maintenance, call Mark 01747 821271 or 07810 540725