Commathe No.103 Spring 2019 Regional Magazine of Butterfly Conservation

Butterfly walks: guided events and new leaflet

Garden Open Day: home to 21 butterfly species

‘Celebrating 40 years’

CothemmaNo.103 Spring 2019 Regional Magazine of West Midlands Butterfly Conservation Branch News Branch News

Butterfly walks: guided Branch Calendar 2020 Moths of the events and new leaflet

Garden Open Day: home to 21 butterfly species Chairman's Address The theme for next year will be ‘Celebrating 40 years – a look back over the Peter Seal West Midlands Branch's development’. We plan to feature a mix of images: Butterfly news species (for instance, Orange Tip • Butterflies that have declined or been lost, and those that have extended Led by Ian Duncan, the editorial ‘Celebrating 40 years’ Lots will be going on in the Branch this numbers were down on the Malverns) their range board is embarking on a coming year but let’s start with butterfly but then hot weather brought an early • Moths, especially those newly discovered in recent years companion book to Butterflies Cover story news, as we now have the 2018 record for Grayling, the first being seen • Events, with groups or prominent individuals in active settings. of the West Midlands, with an Walker photographing a Red casual and transect results. John Tilt on 27 June, again on the Malverns. The We’ll select the pictures that most strongly represent what the Branch is Admiral on North Hill, Malvern reported that 2018 was the best of the last was observed on 5 August, which about, rather than judging them on artistic or technical merit. We hope to ambitious publication timescale (Mel Mason). You can read last five years, with an average of 15-20 is exceptionally early. These facts are find suitable historical photos of sufficiently high resolution, or drawings; if of Spring 2020. Please read Ian’s about this year’s Malverns transect species per tetrad (2km x 2km square). taken from the new Butterflies and we can’t, we’ll review our selection method. article on page 4, where you will The star species for 2018 was the Day-flying Moths around the Malverns walks on pages 24-25. see that we are seeking sponsor- , showing increases in 2018 – see page 12 for how to order Please send images to [email protected], no later than 31 July Brown Argus ship for species champions. The both numbers and range compared with this excellent 80-page publication for Contributions minimum contribution will be previous years. I can back this finding only £5. mild winters, it cannot survive as a Philip Nunn and Scott Martin, Please send articles and images to up with a report from my Worcester hibernator in cold weather such as who share the co-ordination task, £75/species from individuals and the Editor. Photographs should be garden. Otherwise poor for butterflies, the winter of 2017/18 – at least are seeking volunteers to walk a families, with £175/species from as high-resolution as possible and although good for bees, I was surprised not in our region. Yet it has again route just twice a year in randomly companies and organisations. sent as separate files (not embed- to find a Brown Argus nectaring on been recorded very late in the selected 1km squares. The scheme Species champions will receive a ded in a document). Linaria and Sage on 7 August – current mild winter of 2018/19. has adopted a new online data complimentary copy of the book. Our copy deadlines are evidence of dispersal. entry system – the WCBS newsletter Branch activities If you would like to be a species Autumn - 31 August Now that more people are using gives some tips. This scheme is Red Admiral (Mel Mason) champion, please contact Peter Winter - 30 November iRecord, coverage was greatly improved. So what is the Branch doing this important because, in being Seal on [email protected] Spring - 28 February John says that over 3000 people In late 2017, the Red Admiral had year? We’ve just held our early randomly selected, the walks give us (early submissions are welcome). submitted records, covering 40 species a bonanza year, running into late Spring Committee meeting, where a different perspective from the stating the species that you’d like Contact the Editor for more (see page 28). Key observations include autumn following recent winter records. we welcomed new Secretary many UKBMS transects that follow a to sponsor and he’ll then confirm information. the early emergence of White Admiral, So, is this species starting to hibernate Martin Harrison, who joined us fixed route in sites with key species. payment arrangements. Editor: Marian Newell, good numbers of Hairstreaks but or just overwinter? Poor numbers in for the first time, and Committee Lastly, we have a number of new [email protected] still poor for Peacock and Small Spring 2018 suggest that, although it member Vicki Liu on her return to conservation projects. Natural Tortoiseshell. had previously been seen to continue its – we need to Networks offers a 45% share for The cold spring held back many breeding cycle through encourage more people below environmental schemes: we have Publisher DATE FOR retirement age to join us! already received approval for a Butterfly Conservation West Midlands National AGM – Good News YOUR DIARY A new Branch Leaflet has been scheme for Shatterford Woods, Branch. The opinions expressed in National AGM printed for events and for new working with the Forestry this magazine are not necessarily In recognition of the West Midlands Branch’s 40th year, Saturday members, while the revised sites Commission, and we’re hoping to those of the Branch or of Butterfly Butterfly Conservation will be holding the national AGM 16 November guide Walking with Butterflies apply for funding for the Grizzled Company limited by guarantee, Conservation. in our region at the Albrighton Hall Hotel, just north of nears completion and can now be Skipper site at Honeybourne. We registered in (2206468) Shrewsbury, on Saturday, 16 November. Plans are underway BC West Midlands Butterflies pre-ordered (see page 30). We’re would then have to find matching Registered office: Manor Yard, and Moths for a celebratory dinner in the evening, with the opportunity for a always looking for more content, funds from other charitable sources East Lulworth, Wareham, Butterfly Conservation raffle to raise funds for the Branch and for a speaker or two on its work. including new walks, to add to our or from the Branch. Dorset BH20 5QP. West Midlands Please put this date in your diary and consider helping for an hour or website. Charity registered in @WestMidlands_BC two, so we can give a good account of the Branch. Another venture that we hope Peter Seal Branch Chair England & Wales (254937) https://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-6629-mercure-shrewsbury- Branch website address to do more with is the national and in Scotland (SCO39268) www.westmidlands-butterflies.org.uk albrighton-hall-hotel-spa/index.shtml Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey.

2 the Comma Spring 2019 3 Branch News Branch News

gardening for moths and the use Plans for the first book on the of moth lights, pheromones and A tribute to Frank Lancaster sugaring. Many of our longstanding members 2015, produced the widely moths of the West Midlands Our aim is to produce a will remember Frank Lancaster, acclaimed book, Nature of Wyre. companion volume to the hugely who died last April aged 86. At Frank’s funeral, Rosemary West Midlands Butterfly Conservation Staffordshire and . successful Butterflies of the West Frank was a pioneer of our work in Winnall, a leading member of the is to publish the first-ever book on the The book will feature all the macro Midlands. It will appeal to the Wyre Forest. Study Group, said of the early Frank Lancaster moths of the area, which covers moths in our region (over 600 enthusiasts of all levels but Frank and his wife Pat moved days: ‘At that time, there were only and the Black species) and many of the micro particularly to beginners keen to to Wyre Forest from St Albans, a few people recording wildlife A meeting was arranged, Country, , , moths regularly recorded. get involved in this fascinating where they’d been prominent regularly in the Forest and Frank attended by more senior The book will be lavishly illustrated subject. members of the Hertfordshire was one of them. His untiring work managers in the Forestry with over 700 photographs, from The editorial team comprises Ian branch of the British Naturalists on recording butterflies influenced Commission and, as a result, local photographers wherever Duncan and Mike Williams, both Association for many years. Frank many of us. He kept meticulous plans were soon in place for more possible, and will also include co-editors of the butterfly book, and was a great enthusiast for wildlife, records in those pre-computer days sympathetic management in the up-to-date distribution maps, habitat Tony Simpson, the moth recorder especially butterflies, moths and and our present Records Room Forest. Over the years, this has information, adult flight periods and for Worcestershire. All contributions other insects. He not only enjoyed contains many of his annual reports resulted in huge benefits for larval food plants. to the book will be voluntary. seeing them but also sharing his that he generously shared.’ wildlife. Frank’s stubbornness, plus The publisher, Pisces, is passion and enthusiasm with Perhaps less well known was a large dose of charm, also led to planning for the book to be others. I first got to know him in the Frank’s key role in starting the experimental management at the available in the spring of 2020. It early 1980s, when he became a off-limits Royal Ordnance site in will have 240 pages, compared member of the fledgling West It’s a reminder that passion, Button Oak to try to save the to the 154 pages in the butterfly Midlands Branch. enthusiasm and commitment Grizzled Skipper butterfly. Here book. A pre-publication offer will In 1986, Frank established a to the natural world … will he also arranged monthly moth be included in a future edition of butterfly transect in the Wyre nights during three summers to take us all a very long way. The Comma. Forest, which he and Pat undertook record night-flying insects, The Branch has agreed to regularly for the next 16 years. He fruitful partnership that now exists sparking the setting up of a Wyre contribute £2,100 towards the cost was a leading advocate of survey between Butterfly Conservation Forest Moth Group. If you would like to be a of publication and, as with the and monitoring work in the Forest, and the Forestry Commission. This Frank’s determination and butterfly book, the greater the which has continued to this day has led to fantastic work being organisational skills will be sadly species champion, contact Branch’s contribution the greater and now involves dozens of done to improve habitats for some missed but the Forest we see Peter Seal on its share of the profits. As a result, volunteers every year. He also of our rarer species. Although it’s today – with sunny rides and open [email protected], the Branch is seeking species began to lead some of our field something we may now take for areas alive with wildlife – is his champions to raise additional trips – we soon came to realise, granted, it wasn’t always so. lasting legacy. It’s a reminder that stating the species that you funds to put towards the cost of sometimes to our cost, that he Frank often told the tale of a visit passion, enthusiasm and would like to sponsor, and he publication. Champions will be didn’t know the meaning of the he made to the FC offices up at commitment to the natural world – will confirm payment arrange- acknowledged in the book and words ‘going for a short walk’! Callow Hill in the dark days of the plus of course a strong sense of In addition to the species pages, receive a complimentary copy. Frank’s recording interests led in 1980s to discuss management for fun, something that Frank had in ments. If you would like to there will also be chapters dealing The minimum contribution is 1991 to the formation of the butterflies – he was, politely I’m abundance – will take us all a donate high-quality photo- with the special moths of the area £75/species from individuals Wyre Forest Study Group, an sure, shown the door. Not a man very long way. graphs to be considered for and the top places to look for moths and families, £175/species from organisation that meticulously to take ‘No’ for an answer, he – ‘hot spots’. Another important companies and organisations. gathers and records data on the contacted the local MP the Mike Williams Publicity and publication, contact me on section will cover attracting and wildlife of Wyre Forest and, in following week to ask for his help. Marketing Officer [email protected]. recording moths. This will include Ian Duncan Co-editor

4 the Comma Spring 2019 5 Branch News Branch News

The ‘Making a Stand for the Wood White’ project (made returning a few weeks later to search for the Wood White and other priority species. Without our possible by a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund) equivalent of a ‘needle in a haystack’, Wood White dedicated volunteers across all three counties, none sadly finishes soon. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working on this eggs. All this waiting and searching can be of this would have been possible. successful project and send heartfelt thanks to all the excruciating but also – when it works – exhilarating! Sixty site visits and habitat assessments were volunteers, partners and supporters who’ve made my last Just two years after the initial reintroduction in completed on privately owned and partner-owned three years so enjoyable. 2016, almost 300 adults were seen in one day at land, which not only led to the discovery of new It’s been hard work but very rewarding to see a Monkwood, with 254 eggs discovered during occupied sites but also enabled Butterfly nationally rare species of butterfly respond so positively three site visits. The population has expanded, with Conservation to advise, support and influence future to targeted habitat management works in Shropshire, adults seen at three neighbouring sites (including management works on these key butterfly sites. and Worcestershire. Since the project started Monkwood Green). Astonishingly, about 2400 people have attended in 2016, Wood White butterflies have been recorded During 2018, 151 adults were recorded at and supported over 80 project events across the at 36 sites across these counties. Breeding has been Blakeridge Wood (the Shropshire site), with peak region since 2016, including 25 conservation work observed at nine sites, increasing the number of known counts of 34 adults occurring on 3 June and 25 July. parties. Without them, we’d never have achieved breeding colonies in our region from 12 in 2016, to Fifty-nine eggs were discovered during two searches. such great results. Special thanks go to volunteers about 20 in 2019. Three of these are due to project- A single individual was recorded near the Blakeridge from West Midlands Branch of Butterfly Conservation. funded reintroductions (two sites in Worcestershire and Wood boundary, again indicating expansion. The end of the project is by no means the end of Wood White (Rhona Goddard) one in Shropshire). Targeted practical works have taken place at ten Wood White conservation – there’s strong One of the most eagerly anticipated events was sites across the region. Working together we’ve commitment from the Branch to continue. Funding meeting at 6.30am to reintroduce a small number of created about 3ha of open space at two key Forestry bids are in the pipeline and, if successful, we hope We’ll go on Wood Whites to Monkwood (one of the Worcestershire Commission sites (Wigmore Rolls and Bury Ditches), to cover more sites. Once again, I’d like to thank sites), hoping that it wouldn’t rain and that the butterflies tested a new scallop creation technique, and cleared everyone for their support and remind people to ‘Making a Stand for would remain on site after release. We sat waiting for 3.5ha of coppice and ride-edge at Haugh Wood. submit all Wood White sightings using iRecord. the day to warm up, hoping to see flying, feeding and Volunteers have improved a further 8km of ride-edge the Wood White’ egg-laying behaviour and knowing that we’d be habitat and at least 1ha of open space to benefit Rhona Goddard Wood White Project Officer

Telford Millennium Nature Reserve, Ketley Support your Branch in its 40th year! We have a range of UK-made products on sale with

It’s not every day you find for Dingy Skippers, and places need help! butterflyartshopuk.com, including mugs, bags and treasure on your doorstep. I’ve that could become great He’s trying to recruit a team of T-shirts. If you search for 'West Midlands', you'll lived in Telford for over 30 years, wildflower meadows. My initial volunteers. So, calling all Telford find items carrying a full-colour image of a Comma so I was more than a little delight at the sight of all this members… If you live within butterfly and others carrying a monochrome surprised to be asked by Mike was overtaken by despair at reach of Beverley Road, Ketley 40th anniversary logo on Williams to visit a site I’d never the neglected, overgrown state (TF2 6SD) and have some time to various coloured heard of ‘behind the Compass of the place. Could this be spare, please contact Peter backgrounds. Inn in Ketley’. restored? Mcnee, on petermcnee@ground Orders come with a free bookmark I imagined a scrappy bit of The man who assures me it work.org.uk or 07730 688924. featuring eight British butterflies and a land squeezed between derelict can is Peter Mcnee from This is a project that could buildings but instead I found 44 Groundwork. He’s amazingly produce a jewel of a site. free card featuring a butterfly. acres of mixed woodland, enthusiastic about this seriously heathland, ponds, areas ideal daunting task but he’s going to Chris Littlewood

6 the Comma Spring 2019 7 Herefordshire Moth Highlights of 2018 ast year’s weather extremes meant that Herefordshire’s several Ruddy Carpets and Great Oak Beauties. In L moths had mixed fortunes… some species failed to July, he found, along with the Marsh Oblique-barred appear at all in my Bodenham garden (Small mentioned above, a European Corn-borer, several Elephant Hawkmoth and Coxcomb Prominent). Silky Wainscot (first county records, I believe) and, in Many ground-pupating species, such as Large Yellow Hereford, a lovely Gold Spangle, probably a Underwing, seemed less numerous, at least to start wanderer from Wales. with. Some scarce species seemed to do well – Gold In August, John found the first Garden Dart in the Spot, Dog's Tooth and the declining Mouse Moth. county for many years. Peter Hall found the second In early April, around Bodenham, there were three county site for Bilberry Pug at Wigmore Rolls. It may records of Small Eggar, which is now seen nearly be elsewhere on heathy sites in the north of the county. annually in this part of the Lugg valley. Two Red Probably the most exciting records of the year Sword-grass were trapped on 17 and 21 April: occurred in October, when John Walshe and European Corn-borer The year these may have originated from a more Ray Birchenough trapped the county’s (Ostrinia nubilalis) upland area. Early May produced the county’s ended quietly but second and third . This a newcomer to my Clifden Nonpareil Silky Wainscot second and third records of Mompha magnificent Blue Riband species has long garden was the (Chilodes maritima) Palpita vitrealis jurassicella, along with three Buttoned common Mottled been sought as a rare migrant (Ray trapped Snouts as they emerged from hibernation. Umber one many years ago in Kent) but is now June brought a number of the recent colonist, securing resident status in the Thames Valley and Grapholita lobarzewskii. Also, in Peter Hall's trap, may well spread into our area. We have plenty of an unexpected county first was a Platytes alpinella – a Aspen, which is the larval food plant. generally rare Crambid normally found only in coastal There were a few common migrants over the areas. Possibly dispersed by heat and drought? summer: Silver Y, Dark Sword-grass, Rush Veneers July saw the first record of for my and . Then, with exceptional Clouded Magpie Humming-bird Hawks MarshYpsolopha Oblique-barred horridella Scarce Bordered Straw garden, although it feeds on Elm and there’s plenty of southerly gales in mid-October, some of the Scilly Isles (Hypenodes(Steve Whitehouse) humidalis) (Helicoverpa armigera) that in the area. Metalampra italica, another colonist, specialist moths were blown inland. I know of two occurred regularly through the month and so seems well- Palpita vitrealis in mid-November (one in Bodenham, established. More surprising were the appearances one in Whitchurch), plus a Scarce Bordered Straw Cypress Carpet (Thera cupressata) of Catoptria margaritella and the tiny macro in Whitchurch. During the same period, Paddy Marsh Oblique-barred, with another of the latter at Matthews in Longtown trapped the county's first White Whitchurch (second and third county records). These Speck. Normally a regular on Scilly but very scarce wetland species were possibly displaced by the drought. elsewhere, numbers were found in many counties in the Early August produced another wetland wanderer in UK. Paddy also trapped a Scarce Bordered Straw my garden, a Webb's Wainscot, an expanding and Large Wainscot. Juniper Webber (Dichomeris marginella) species but a first county record. The tiny Tortrix The year ended quietly but a newcomer to my Pammene spiniana, long thought extinct in the county, garden was the common Mottled Umber. As I write, appeared three times in my trap. That’s four years in a in February, the winds are coming from the South and row now but, as yet, nowhere else in Herefordshire. more migrant moths are arriving. Fingers crossed! The lovely Crambid Agriphila latistria was another nice Thanks to all those who sent me their most notable surprise. Late August saw a pleasing second-brood sightings. Eyed Hawkmoth, testament to a long hot Summer. Elsewhere, the Summer produced some great Article by Robin Hemming, Photographs by John records. John Walshe trapped Dichomeris marginella Walshe. For more Herefordshire news, visit ( ) at Whitchurch, closely followed by www.westmidlands-butterflies.org.uk/herefordshire- Juniper Webber Clifden Nonpareil (Catocala fraxini) Ruddy Carpet (Ctarhoe cuculata) the first county record of Cypress Carpet, along with newsletter

8 the Comma Spring 2019 9 Silver-washed Fritillary 2019 Open Garden Days

The garden in Abbey Road, Malvern will be open to visitors 9–11am on Tuesday 25 June and Saturday 29 June. Booking is essential as numbers are strictly limited – if you would like to visit, please contact John Lane at [email protected] Tea and coffee will be available. A small donation to Butterfly Conservation West Midlands Branch is voluntary. ONON MY MY PATCH PATCH -- AA MalvernMalvern GardenGarden

21 out of 31 local species right in the explains why anyone surveying Malvern today, from following species begin to arrive: Orange Tip, Holly be disturbed during the or North Hill, looks down at a , , , day by many gardeners. centre of town Blue Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell Red Admiral town that is richly endowed with greenery. Butterflies Comma, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Small The Vapourer moth is and moths have responded. White, Large White, Green-Veined White, fairly regularly seen as hose of us who look out for butterflies and moths in Brimstone, Silver-washed Fritillary, Small Copper a rather exotic-looking Tand around the – recording them, Butterflies and Painted Lady. White-letter Hairstreaks appeared caterpillar, though less photographing them or simply noticing them because Of course, there are some species that rarely stray far in 2018 – the third year in succession – along with a often as an adult. And, we care about them – are fortunate because we live in from their habitats. The Grayling is a butterfly that we’re White Admiral, a Marbled White, a Large Skipper, with Alkanet spreading a very special location. The hills themselves offer a unlikely to see in our gardens, although one was a Brown Argus and, astonishingly, two Purple around the hills and into White-letter Hairstreak variety of habitats for a great many species… but so do photographed as recently as 2015 in a neighbouring Hairstreaks. some of our gardens, our gardens. Those to the east receive early morning garden. Similarly, only a few of us can expect to come Scarlet Tigers are now seen more often than in the past. sun; those to the west are sunlit until late in the evening. across a Six-spot Burnet moth, so abundant on the Moths They have different microclimates. But many of them are commons and other less cultivated areas. However, an Maybe less thoroughly manicured and weeded gardens Other insects wildlife-friendly and benefit from their proximity to a nine- astonishing number of butterflies do arrive in our town. are more likely to have a high species count – especially My garden is visited by a wide range of other day-flying mile chain of elevated sanctuaries for wildlife. Of the 31 species recorded in last year’s edition of Birds with day-flying moths – but regular visitors like the insects. Many Ladybird species appear, though less often When Lady Emily Foley released some of her land and Butterflies around the Malverns, no less than 21 Humming-bird Hawk and the Silver Y are likely to be than they used to because of the Harlequin’s population for housing in the 19th century, she stipulated that each turned up this year in my own garden – a small oasis found in any Malvern garden. The White Plume and explosion. Shield Bugs are rarely absent – I’ve found the plot should have a substantial garden area, and also for wildlife despite being surrounded by buildings in the the Mint moth (Pyrausta aurata) often turn up; and the Green, Hawthorn, Birch and Red-Legged species this made the planting of trees a requirement. This partly centre of . From March until October, the Large Yellow Underwing, although a night-flyer, may CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

10 the Comma Spring 2019 11 From small beginnings…

‘Celebrating 40 years’

Marbled White 1981: a Building Society window display in Stourport marks Butterfly Year 81–82 Purple Hairstreak New Malverns report - butterflies and moths in 2018 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11 1982: BBCS stall at Hagley Hall, Mike Williams flanked by Terry Green The 80-page Butterflies & Day-fly- year. In May, a Cockchafer appeared and then, in (Branch co-founder) and his wife ing Moths Around the Malverns is June, a small but formidable Rhinoceros beetle. Dark- Angela, with Mike’s children Robert now available for just £5. Designed to report on and edged Bee-Flies often visit the apple and pear blossom and Emma in front in spring. celebrate the diversity of butterflies and day-flying moths around the Malverns, it is compiled from the Hoverflies abound – I’ve recorded at least a dozen Postcards from the past show how species, including the very striking Hornet Hoverfly. records and photos of a large and increasing number of casual and transect recorders. Alongside species Along with regular visits from Emperor Dragonflies, far we've come since 1979 reports of all the indigenous butterflies and many moths, Southern Hawkers, Migrant Hawkers, Common orty years ago, a small front parts of the UK) had a profound Harold Hughes took over as there are articles from local recorders on Darters and both Beautiful and Banded Demoiselles, room in a terraced house in and lasting effect on the national national Chairman and eventually related topics such as how to attract F my garden gained a thriving population of Large Red Coventry saw the birth of what charity. A National Development we appointed insects into our gardens and the best Hurry Martin Warren Damselflies as soon as I added a very small pond. became the first regional branch of Committee was established, with as our first paid member of staff. butterfly walks on the Malvern Hills. while stocks Finally, despite the threat from neonicotinoids, many Butterflies are one of the key indica- last!! Butterfly Conservation (BC). The co- two members from the West By then, I’d taken over from Roger bees still visit. Along with Leaf-cutter bees, Red Mason tors of the health of our environment. The founders were Terry Green, Midlands – Ron Hatton and as Chair of the Conservation bees and many species of Bumble bees, Honey bees wealth of data accumulated over recent National Sales Officer of the British myself. This committee produced Committee and therefore chaired appear all over the garden for most of the summer, years is analysed to provide population trends Butterfly Conservation Society a report that recommended the the interview panel that appointed although numbers vary from year to year, presumably and insights into the present state of our local wildlife. (BBCS) – as BC was known in establishment of three main Martin – a fact that I would often due to Varroa mite infestation and other causes of This information helps conservation organisations those days – and myself, the new sub-committees to oversee the remind him of in years to come! colony dieback. when they plan wildlife management in the area. kid on the block. Terry looked after charity’s development: Conservation, Both the Branch and the national I suspect that spiders are well represented in Malvern Mel Mason, Malvern Hills County Leader the money, I took responsibility for Education and Information, and charity have come a long way too; along with the Common Garden Spider, I regularly the newsletter, and everything else Publicity and Fundraising. Members since those far-off days. The best see Crab Spiders, Zebra Spiders and a good many was split between us. By the end of of the Branch were present on way to find out more about the To obtain a copy, send a cheque for £5 made payable Labyrinth Spiders, which take up residence in a granite the first year, we had around 50 all three: on subsequent history of the Branch is to ‘Butterfly Conservation West Midlands’, with your Martyn Davies wall that runs along one side of the garden. I have name and address, to Mel Mason at 16 Albert Road members; many of these are still Education, the late John Reeve on to peruse old copies of The Comma yet to come across a Grasshopper though – I’ve North, Malvern, WR14 2TP. Alternatively, email with us today, a testament to the Publicity, and Roger Smith and on our website (www.westmid established a grassy untended area in the hope that mbg.records@ btinternet.com. success of the Branch and the myself on Conservation (Chair lands-butterflies.org.uk). they will appear. But that’s another story… A separate identification guide to the Butterflies dedication of those involved. and Vice-chair respectively). These Today, we are the largest of all Around the Malvern Hills is included with each copy. The establishment of branches committees made considerable Article and photographs by John Lane (ours was quickly followed in other progress, the BBCS became BC, CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

12 the Comma Spring 2019 13 From small beginnings... CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

1989: celebrating the Branch’s 10th anniversary

wildlife trusts, the Forestry find new volunteers. Staff based in Commission, Natural England, our Head Office can only achieve 1993: wildlife artist Gordon English Heritage and the so much and, if BC is to move Beningfield, President of BC in National Trust, as well as farmers forward in the way that we all its 25th year, at the opening and other agencies. Species hope, greater emphasis must be of a jubilee flower bed in such as , placed on the development of Wood White Pearl- bordered and Small Pearl- strong regional staff teams working 1988: first reserve sign at Trench Wood bordered Fritillaries, Grayling alongside branches. and Brown Hairstreak have all As pressure on land continues to habitats through practical action. been major beneficiaries of grow, butterflies and moths need Our experience is that the public working in partnership. our help more than ever. We now and our members are more likely know that the main threat they face to support organisations that are 3 Our success in developing work is fragmentation and isolation of 1995 : sponsored cyclists at the Bill doing more than monitor declines alongside BC staff in the region. habitat, so we must work to link up Smyllie reserve, raising funds for the in our wildlife and are instead We were the first region to see some of their remaining strongholds purchase of Prees Heath reserve, Mike making a real difference. The the recruitment of a paid member – landscape-level conservation. Williams on the right with Trevor Bucknall acquisition and management of of staff. That proved to be the It’s clear that a joined-up crouched down at the front nature reserves is an important catalyst for many new projects, landscape needs joined-up thinking part of this appeal, as is striving partnerships and successful joint and landscape-level conservation to obtain good visibility for our working over the years. The requires staff and volunteers to work Secrets of our success work, both through local media ‘Making a Stand for the Wood together across boundaries. It’s easy to look back on our history and our physical presence at White’ project is just one of The success of BC still depends and count the successes, but it’s events that attract large numbers many examples where paid staff, on the commitment of its volunteers 1993: The Land Rover Butterfly also worth reflecting on how we’ve of people. the Branch, other organisations and branches. Our challenge in the Check calls in to Monkwood reached this point and identifying and volunteers have worked years ahead is to find new ways to some of the strengths that have 2 Our record of working in effectively together to achieve underpin this effectively, which will BC’s 32 branches, managing five underpinned our success. Three partnership with other some great results. require more members and possibly of the charity’s biggest reserves, factors seem key and, as we organisations and demonstrating a reallocation of resources away publishing a regional magazine celebrate our 40th year, worth that we can achieve more by Looking to the future from Head Office and towards that is the envy of many and running sharing: doing so. Our three reserves in Many new challenges face regional development and staffing. an active conservation programme 1 Our positive message to the Worcestershire are managed conservation organisations, including It would be great to have a that involves hundreds of volunteers outside world, reinforced by our jointly with the Wildlife Trust to the Branch. Financial resources are crystal ball… annually and has turned around the actions, that BC regionally is both organisations’ benefit. We likely to remain tight, making it more fortunes of many of our most focusing its efforts on conserving have similarly productive important than ever for charities to Article by Mike Williams threatened butterflies and moths. butterflies and moths and their relationships with other county build membership and continually Publicity and Marketing Officer

14 the Comma Spring 2019 15 Photography tips

To capture both butterfly and beautiful light is a ButterfliesButterflies atat sunsetsunset andand beyondbeyond photographic challenge and, before you can even think about how to make such The second of two a shot, you have to photography specials find roosting sites for your chosen species and then make sure that you will not disturb them. Butterflies are in steep decline so getting the shot should be second- ary to making sure habitat is not affected. Also, when you’ve found Stiperstones - Small Heath against the sun and with fill flash one roosting butter- fly, be careful as sun setting behind that perfect purple heather and then you try to get level that you are not trampling on a posing male-female pair in fantastic orange dusk light. others behind you. Let’s hope we have another good show this year – this In an ideal world, you are aiming your camera species really is a symbol of the hard and dedicated conservation work that has been done at this site and at towards the setting sun, though when the sun is too high, the details will be blown out. The Prees Heath - Silver-studded Blue Stiperstones - Common Blue and Milky Way long exposure sites all around the West Midlands. The other spot that I visited repeatedly this year was golden hour is called that for a reason, and you the Stiperstones, where, after a couple of seasons have to be patient as the sun sinks low and turns he evening, going towards sunset and into dusk, searching, I finally found the roosting sites of Common gold. This sort of photo is all about framing and Tgives us a chance to get closer to butterflies as they Blue, Small Copper and Small Heath (but not selecting what lies behind your roosting butterfly roost – though of course we must make the greatest effort Grayling – if there’s a Grayling roost expert out there, I to create much more than a record shot: some- not to disturb their special sleeping spots. Butterflies are would love to know where they go at night). The thing that captures the moment both at sunset like clockwork wound up by the sun and, when that Common Blue loves the swaying upland grasses and and beyond into the dusk, when often the light source of energy dips and finally sinks beneath the heather. A glorious butterfly is even more glorious when can be even better than at sunset itself. After horizon, they will often find the tips of grasses or heather seen against the sun falling on the distant Welsh Hills. that, it’s simply working out your settings and and cling on, whatever wind or breeze is about. At last light, this small butterfly really comes into its own and using a wide-angle lens showed the habitat in which practice, practice, practice. Framed by sunsets it rests at this time of day. I was also able to frame a Catching detail and surroundings will require Sometimes, as with the Silver-studded Blue at Prees Small Heath within the circle of the sun – no Photoshop, more than a phone or point-and-shoot camera Heath, great clumps of them settle together on the just this photographer lying on the ground and working but your camera kit can only take you so far – blossoming bell heather. There is then a chance to sit hard to frame both light and butterfly delight. As the dusk the rest is down to your patience and persist- close and capture a moment of stillness in wonderful deepened, I carefully used a bit of fill flash on the same ence. Good luck! light. 2018 was one of the best-ever years for this butterfly to show intricate macro detail. species at Prees Heath, so I was fortunate to have a few wonderful visits there, staying late enough to catch the Pair of Silver-studded Blues in dusk light CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

16 the Comma Spring 2019 17 A Flutter in the Past PART 3

The last part of Mel Mason’s review of Malvern butterflies brings us up to date Fritillaries fluctuate In 1986 [R1], High Brown Fritillary (HBF) ‘had a good year’. ‘The colony south of Swinyard Hill and into Eastnor Estate is of major national importance’. Also, ‘Matthew Oates … while studying High Brown Fritillaries using a capture-release technique, regularly found Dark Green Fritillary (DGF) among them (approximately 2%)’. The report notes ‘the increasing presence of collectors in the area. One person was found in charge of two children carrying about twelve HBF in a killing bottle’. It seems Victorian habits die hard! By 1987 [R2], HBF was in ‘satisfactory numbers’. ‘With a national decline of this species we are privileged to have one of its two major strongholds’. However, lack of bracken Stiperstones - Common Blue Prees Heath - Silver-studded Blue bruising in Eastnor Park ‘… may reduce the population next season’. Only ‘… one or two [DGF] were identified this CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 heath with the flare of the leaning Milky Way as year’. backdrop. This was all contained in one single long The 1980s had regular sightings of HBF around Lit by the stars exposure with the goal of showing both the habitat and Swinyard, Gullet Quarry, Ragged Stone, Eastnor and Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary was re- But it’s worth staying even later. After developing new the distant dreams of these beautiful butterflies. Chase End [R3]. In 1988 [R4], records had ‘reduced to ported again in 2017 after many years of photographic techniques over the last two years and 10% of last year’s numbers, hopefully due to weather apparent absence (Mick Culquhoun) with some attachments on my camera and lens, I was Article and photographs by Andrew Fusek Peters conditions’. As part of habitat management, ‘Matthew able to show the unique context of Common Blue in the www.andrewfusekpeters.com Oates suggests clearing breaks in bracken adjacent to breaks cleared in previous year, rather than in same place’. A hand-written summary table in 1989 [R5] lists sightings on the Swinyard Hill Transect: 156 in 1987, 32 in 1988 and 17 in 1989. Despite this decline, Jeremy Thomas wrote that the Malverns was ‘one of the few places where HBF can be seen in any numbers… It is heartening to know that the management of the area is specifically designed to encourage this and other Fritillaries’ [R6]. However, in 2014 [R7] he wrote: ‘it was evidently a much harder task than was envisaged in those optimistic days.’ HBF recovered in the 1990s. By 1994 [R3], ‘numbers are well up’ on the past three years (18 Swinyard, 19 Scarlet Tiger may be benefiting from the Eastnor and 14 Chase End) and that ‘maybe present spread of its larval food plant, Alkanet (a garden escape) across the lower slopes of Common Blue lit by the last light and using a wide-angle lens to show its habitat the Hills (Mel Mason) CONTINUED ON PAGE 20 CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

18 the Comma Spring 2019 19 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 in 1994/5 [R12]. moth was one swatted by a tennis racket and given to the Thanks management is beginning to have some effect’. Then, in The last individual sightings [R13] of PBF and HBF were late Jack Green in the 1960s’. Thanks to all past recorders, transect walkers, Malvern Hills 1995 [R8], the Chase Transect recorded 129 1998 and 2008 respectively, but two SPBF were recorded This was a harbinger of things to come. Today, this Trust, Ian Duncan for collecting many of the historical reports, Worcester Museum and the Archive Collections, Malvern and during seven transect walks in June and July. Digby as recently as 2017 on Chase End Hill. DGF is recorded moth is common and more widespread. In contrast, Worcester and Malvern Library Archive Publications. Wood wrote post-2000 [R9] that ‘The overall picture is in low numbers, more recently two west of Swinyard Hill Wood Tiger (Parasemia plantaginis) and Garden Tiger one of decline, the ’95 peak being only 50% of the ‘87 [2017] and one on North Hill [2018] [R14]. (Arctia caja) are now far less common. However, References peak and the current trough being the lowest ever’. In (Euplagia quadripunctaria) is slowly spreading Tiger 1. MHC Report 1986, Trevor Trueman, Mike Williams, 2000, there was a ‘Slight recovery on the Malvern Hills Grayling loses out north in a warming climate – with an August 2017 Jack Green but still below average’ and ‘not recorded again at has been recorded on the Hills since 1853, sighting in Worcestershire (Steve Whitehouse) – and Grayling 2. MHC Report 1987, Trevor Trueman, Jack Green, Chase End (last record in 1998)’ [R10]. but a Malvern Hills Conservators (MHC) Report in Ruby Tiger (Phragmatobia fuliginosa) remains both Mike Williams In 2004, ‘searches… again only found HBF on the 1988 [R4] states ‘No Grayling seen’ – very surprising common and widespread. 3. MHC Lepidoptera Report for Malvern Hills 1994, Eastnor Estate’ … ‘the new transect from Peacock Cottage and likely to reflect a lack of effective monitoring. Tony Simpson et al to the caravan park found HBF in good numbers’. Subsequent years show records of this species as far south Back to the future… 4. MHC Report 1988, Trevor Trueman, Jack Green, as Gullet Quarry. In 1991 [R12], An impressive 47 local butterfly species in 1887 had Mike Williams the Worcestershire Nature fallen to 40 species by the 1960s. Of species now extinct 5. Hand-written records, Trevor Trueman (1984-89) 6. Butterflies of Britain & Ireland, Thomas & Lewington Conservation Trust (WNCT) wrote in the UK, local records show four Camberwell Beauty ‘The species is now scarce at in 1966–97, five in 1966–82 and (first edition,1991) Large Tortoiseshell 7. Butterflies of Britain & Ireland, Thomas & Lewington inland sites and something of a one n 1968. was noted in Monarch i Purple Emperor (revised edition, 2014) surprise to county newcomers’. In Gullet Quarry and Eastnor in the early 1960s, while 8. UKBMS Records (1995) Chase End Hill 1994 [R3], and were recorded Mike Williams Wood White Grizzled Skipper 9. The High Brown Hills Project by Digby Wood (post- asked for a survey of Grayling on regularly until the 1980s (and the latter photographed in 2000, exact date not given) the Hills. Eventually, two habitat 2018 at nearby Leigh Sinton Fishing Lake – the first record 10. West Midlands 2000 Annual Butterfly Review, Ian Duncan surveys were completed on the in more than 30 years). 11. Malvern Butterfly Transects 2004, Ian Duncan northern hills in 2007 and 2015 As recently as 1991 [R12-pp58-59], the WNCT 12. WNCT, The Nature of Worcestershire p58-59, ISBN 0 [R15], highlighting a contraction of wrote ‘The Hills are excellent for butterflies with colonies 86023 487 8 (1991) Barracuda Books Ltd. 5.5 miles in range. of HBF, DGF and PBF, Wood White and Grayling’. But, 13. Birds and Butterflies Around the Malverns 2015 p76, Now restricted to North Hill's by the beginning of the 21st century, local losses Annual Publication eastern slopes, the population included , PBF, SPBF and HBF. Nevertheless, the 14. Birds & Butterflies (& Day Moths) Around the Wall Malverns, Mel Mason (2017) and distribution of this species Hills and Commons remain species-rich, with up to 33 15. Habitat Condition Survey of Grayling Hipparchia since 2009 is well documented of the 59 butterfly species native to the UK. semele, Sue Clarke & Mel Mason (2007 & 2015) [R16]. MHT organises grazing, Butterfly populations and distributions fluctuate with 16. A Report on the Malvern Grayling 2007–2017, contract work and volunteers to climate, habitat management and host-parasite cycles. Mel Mason, WMBC Wood White specimens collected by the late Leigh Spencer Plester from help to control the invasion of Even so, the overall trend in the Malverns (as nationally) 17. The State of UK’s butterflies 2015, Butterfly Malvern in 1947, donated to WMBC by his brother Keith Plester for scrub up the slopes in recent in the past 40 years shows decreases in both Conservation educational purposes; lost in the 1980s, this species has been reintroduced successfully to nearby reserves including Monkwood (Mel Mason) decades. Limited funding is abundance and occurrence [R17]. available through a partnership As the Malvern Hills are largely composed of However, in 2004, Sue Clarke (a contractor for BC) between Malvern Hills Trust (MHT), Malvern Hills AONB igneous rocks and acidic flora, they will never Grayling is now confined ‘undertook a survey of the HBF habitat in the southern hills and West Midlands Butterfly Conservation for further attract chalk-loving species. However, earlier records to North Hill (Mel Mason) in the spring. She found lots of suitable HBF breeding habitat management for the Grayling, now the rarest show that they have the potential to support other species habitat from to Chase End’ [R11]. butterfly in Worcestershire (the nearest other colonies are still found nearby, including Dingy Skipper and Wood Similarly Pearl-bordered and Small Pearl-bordered in Shropshire). White. Fritillary declined up to 1989 [R5] (SPBF: 81 in1987, More recent records and habitat surveys clearly show 34 in 1988 and 56 in1989; PBF: 41 in 1987, 6 in Scarlet Tiger gains ground that appropriate funding and habitat management could 1988 and 20 in 1989). By 1994 [R3], ‘no PBF were The recording of an attractive day-flying moth in the 1994 enable the reintroduction of several once-common recorded this year at all’, although ‘19 SPBF were Report [R3] indicates a distinct change over the last 20 species, such as PBF, SPBF and even HBF. recorded in Eastnor.’ Transect records from Eastnor, years. Four Scarlet Tigers (Callimorpha dominula) were Castlemorton and Chase End for these species show ‘… recorded by Peter Holmes from his garden at Article by Mel Mason WMBC Malvern Representative similar trends to High Brown, with populations peaking … the only other record for this spectacular Malvern Butterfly Group Recorder

20 the Comma Spring 2019 21 Male Silver-studded Blue (Stephen Lewis)

The Hangars Field in 2017

Mating pair of Silver-studded Blues on the Hangars Field (Stephen Lewis)

Silver-studded Blue caterpillar attended by ants (Stephen Lewis)

From crops to 200 SSB records at Prees Heath

180 174 butterfly counts at 160 140 124 120 Section 3 110 Prees Heath Common 100 Section 7 Section 11 When all the campaigning and hard work starts to pay off 80 76 60

t’s now over 12 years since Butterfly Conservation Re-creating the heathland 40 Prees Heath from a drone, showing purchased the western half of Prees Heath Common, Three of these sections include areas where we have I restored areas left and right (Bob Kemp) 20 19 10 7 7 5 and started to re-create heathland on land that had tried to re-create heathland by deep ploughing to invert 2 4 0 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 been in arable cultivation for around 40 years the soil profile, applying sulphur to lower the pH levels extent that if ants are not present there will be no SSBs. 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 previously, being used to grow potatoes and other and spreading heather brash containing seed sourced So ants had to become established on these areas and, crops. The site was purchased to conserve the Silver- from Cannock Chase or the Long Mynd. following 40 years of arable cultivation and then all our area to receive these treatments, we can hope that studded Blue (SSB) at its sole remaining location in The Hangars field (6.5ha, and including Section 7 of interventions, this was clearly going to take time. It was numbers there will increase in the near future. Skylarks the Midlands, and our Branch led the campaign to the transect) was the first area to receive these decided to let them colonise these areas naturally rather are also using all these areas for ground nesting. secure it. Much work has been carried out for interventions, in 2007. The East of Runway than attempt any translocation, as we knew they would ...if ants are the benefit of all heathland wildlife and field heathland area (6.5ha, and including do this once these areas became suitable for their Looking to the future not present there visitors since then, and it’s time to consider will be no SSBs. Section 3 of the transect) was the second ecology, and that the butterflies would then follow. So re-creating heathland suitable for the SSB takes a how this project is progressing with specific So ants had to area to be treated, in 2008, but, as the And so it has proved over time. The following table and long time, and things do not always go smoothly. But regard to the SSB. become established initial result was copious quantities of graph show how the SSB has colonised these three the restoration of Prees Heath Common is a long term, on these areas... weedy species and very little heather, further separate areas. Section 7 on the transect, the Hangars cutting edge and ambitious project, and it never was Setting up the transect work had to be carried out, and more heather field and the first area to be treated, is now supporting the going to be a quick fix. More work is yet to be done. In 2009, we set up a UK Butterfly Monitoring seed was sown in 2009, 2010, 2012 and largest number of SSBs of the three areas, with 174 being We have been told that the SSB used to be all over Scheme transect on the reserve, walking a designated 2014. Work on the Corner field (2.5ha, and recorded on the transect in 2018. The first evidence that Prees Heath Common before arable cultivation started route once a week from the beginning of April to the including Section 11 of the transect) was started in 2010, they were breeding there came on 31 May 2014 when in the 1960s, and not just confined to certain areas. end of September and recording all butterfly species with additional heather sowings in 2012 and 2014. Natalie Kay, an MSc student, photographed a SSB What we’re doing there will hopefully be for the benefit seen within an imaginary 5m-wide box. Volunteers Heather was not the only seed applied to these areas, as caterpillar there, attended by ants. On the morning of 27 of the flagship species, the SSB, as well as all heathland were trained and walked the transect when we were various wildflower and grass seeds were also sown. June 2018, two of our volunteers, Derek and Mary wildlife and visitors over many generations to come. not able to do it. The transect consists of 12 sections, Sparkes, counted systematically an impressive 700 SSBs Meanwhile, our thanks to all our volunteers. designed to include all the different habitats on the Waiting for results on the whole of the Hangars field. Numbers on Section 3 reserve, and it provides a sample rather than a The SSB has a uniquely close symbiotic relationship with are progressing well. Section 11 of the transect is yet to Article by Stephen Lewis Prees Heath Reserve Manager complete count of the number of butterflies present. ants, the Black Ant (Lasius niger) at Prees Heath, to the record numbers in double figures but, as this was the last and Lucy Lewis Branch Treasurer

22 the Comma Spring 2019 23 Summer walks in the Malverns To celebrate the 40th Local recorders walk 14 transect routes once a week species and various day-flying moths in one of the anniversary of WMBC, the from April to September and submit all records most scenic regions in the UK, and to take part in transect recorders of the Malvern online to UKBMS – up to 30,000 a year. In addition, recording them with the help of the local recorder. over 50 casual recorders submit their sightings to Each walk will take two to three hours, giving time to Butterfly Group are inviting iRecord directly or via the local recorder – up to identify the species seen. members and volunteers from the 10,000 a year. A free guide, The Butterflies around the Malvern This is an opportunity to see up to 30 butterfly Hills, will be available on each walk. local community and across the West Midlands to join one or Places are limited to small groups on each walk and booking is essential. Send your name and email address, with the number and date of the walk, to Mel Mason at [email protected]. Note: Email addresses more butterfly walks around the will be passed to the walk leaders, who will then contact you by email with final details of the venue and time Malvern Hills.

No Name Leader Date Notes 1 North Hill - Green Hairstreak Liz Lloyd Wed 12 June Very steep slope on good paths 2 North Hill - Grayling Mel Mason Thur 11 July Very steep slopes, some scrambling over rocks 3 Jess Sly Tue 2 July Steep slopes on good paths 4 Tue 9 July 5 Common Alison Uren Thur 20 June Large meadow on good paths 6 Thur 18 July 7 St Wulstan’s Local Nature Reserve Dave Taft Mon 22 July Woodland and meadows on good level paths 8 Mon 29 July 9 Hangman’s Hills Roger Bates Sat 13 July Steep slopes mainly on good paths 10 Silver-washed Fritillary Walk Sat 20 July

24 the Comma Spring 2019 25 Red Underwing Skipper

Dusky Heath Great Banded Grayling Fiery Clearwing Marbled Fritillary

Provence in early summer: scents of thyme, rosemary and lavender as you walk in the beautiful hills, Butterfly Walks in Provence heady stuff indeed – who could resist?

Fritillary and Spanish Gatekeeper. And we were soon Fritillaries, along with Dusky Heath. Baton Blue, Chalkhill Blue, Silver-washed Fritillary, trying, and often failing, to distinguish between two Our last walk in Var was in the grasslands at the foot Blue-spot Hairstreak and Red Underwing Skipper, lookalikes, Provençal Fritillary and Heath Fritillary. of the Sainte-Baume limestone massif, where we saw as well as a small flock of Crested Tits. Nearer to the Before starting out, we’d been in touch with Roger Mazarine Blue, Adonis Blue, Large Wall Brown, farmhouse where we stayed, Lucy found a resplendent Gibbons, who has expert knowledge of the area and its Ilex Hairstreak and Pearly Heath. We then climbed Fiery Clearwing moth. butterflies. He told us that the best place to see Provençal up to the monastery in the cliff face, which has a chapel The last walk was a real oddity in terms of both habitat butterflies is in the département of Var, to the east of in a natural grotto next to it; this was both exhausting and weather. It had turned unseasonably hot (mid-30s) Aubagne – Provence is divided into six départements – and, disappointingly, butterfly-free. but with a very strong wind as well, and we went to and so it proved. A 10-mile hike in Var, in the area explore the Crau, a rare and fragile habitat of stony where the films Jean de Florette and its sequel Manon des Week 2 grassland steppe. The wind meant we saw next to Ilex Hairstreak Sources were made, took us into some varied For the second week, we were based further west, near nothing, but it was one of those places you felt was unlike countryside, with plenty of butterflies on offer. They St Martin-de-Crau. Two trips to the Camargue were anywhere else, and we were glad we visited it. e spent two weeks in Provence in June 2017. It included Black-veined White, Bath White, Oberthur’s mainly centred on birdlife, including the famous So, all in all, it was a wonderful holiday. Huge Wwas not primarily a butterfly holiday but rather a Grizzled Skipper, Western Marbled White, Flamingos and various Herons, as well as the numbers of butterflies, with several species seen by the number of walks in the countryside spotting, identifying Provençal Short-tailed Blue, Osiris Blue, Escher’s Camargue horses. There were some butterfly species to dozen, especially in the first week, and, although we and, when possible, photographing butterflies as we Blue and shedloads of Southern White Admirals. be seen, however, including Lulworth Skipper, Great saw no rarities, great fun in a lovely part of the world. went along, as well as enjoying some of the cultural The following day, again in Var, we walked Banded Grayling, Scarce Swallowtail and highlights on offer in this historic region. Some around a site known as the House of the 4 Southern Gatekeeper. On a walk further north in the Article and photographs by Stephen Lewis, Prees Heath And we days were spent with the butterflies, some in Brothers. While chasing after a white wooded hills of the Parc National d’Alpilles, we saw Reserve Manager, and Lucy Lewis, Branch Treasurer were soon trying, the footsteps of Cezanne, Picasso and Van butterfly that refused to stop, possibly a and often failing, Gogh, and some visiting the old towns and Wood White, Stephen caught sight of a to distinguish their huge markets. butterfly sitting on a branch. To his between two amazement, it was Europe’s largest butterfly, lookalikes Week 1 a Two-tailed Pasha, albeit a rather worn For the first week, we were based at La Destrousse specimen with very little left by way of tails. It near Aubagne in the Department of Bouches-du-Rhône. stayed for one photo and then took off. Later that A walk in the hills behind our accommodation on the day, walking along a path flanked by Strawberry trees first day produced an impressive list, with some species (Arbutus unedo), its larval food plant, we saw more becoming very familiar in the days ahead – Southern overhead – majestic and very big. Other highlights of Blue-spot Hairstreak Spotted Fritillary Two-tailed Pasha White Admiral, False Ilex Hairstreak, Spotted the day included Marbled, Knapweed and Niobe

26 the Comma Spring 2019 27 Please use Dates for your diary Butterfly recording in 2018 iRecord 40th anniversary events Blooming Gardens at Witley Court Results and coverage are both up, but Peacock 2014-2018 Sat 22 Jun: Butterfly stall, guided walks, more records are always needed Field trip, South Wales: Sat 29 Jun, 11am, High Brown Fritillary pollinating plant advice. English Heritage event (admission charge non-EH members). Transect records Garden Open Day: Sun 30 Jun, 11am– • 65 transects walked 4pm, 'From Oilseed Rape to Orchids', Brown Hairstreak Week at Grafton Wood Mr & Mrs K Turner, The Red House, Eldersfield, • 114,723 butterflies counted 17-26 Aug: Guides available from 2pm daily, Worcs. Own picnic lunch, drinks and cakes contact John Tilt: 01386 792458 or • Results 20% better than 2017 provided. [email protected] • 47 transects adequately covered • 37 transects have been walked for five years Field trip, South Wales: Fri-Sun 5-7 Jul, Members weekend. Butterfly and moth ID workshop After a poor year in 2017, most species recovered well Sat 13 Jul, 9.30am–3pm: Old Hills near in 2018, with remarkable figures for many Lycaenidae Small Tortoiseshell 2014-2018 Wyre Forest Guided Walk: Wed 10 Jul, Callow End, Worcs. Tutor Mel Mason, book at 11am, followed by Big Butterfly Picnic, meet (Brown Argus improved most to become joint Butterfly [email protected] of the Year). Over the past five years, Blues showed Hawkbatch car park, B4194 Farm Open Day and Brown Hairstreak hunt significant increases but and Malvern Garden Open Day: See page 10–12 Sat 10 Aug (BBC): Lower Hollowfields Farm, near Peacock Small Hanbury, Worcs. Leader: Gert Corfield. Details showed significant decreases. Tortoiseshell Malvern Hills Guided Walks: See page 24–25 www.wildhollowfields.co.uk

Casual records National AGM: 16 Nov, Mercure Shrewsbury Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary Surveys • 52,124 records Albrighton Hall Hotel & Spa, SY4 3AG, 17 Jun, 24 Jun: 10am–3.30pm, Sherbrook • 3332 recorders 01939 291000, [email protected] Valley, Cannock Chase, meet in car park opposite • 40 species Advance booking required on the above events: The White House, Marquis Drive, Cannock, WS12 4PR (SJ 994161). Contact Rhona Goddard: 01746 • 134 10km squares Contact: Mike Williams on 01299 824860 762364 or [email protected] For the first time, our Branch area has been adequately or [email protected] covered with most 10km squares showing 14–32 Hartlebury Common Green Hairstreak Hunt species (22–40 species over the last five years). This Northern Ireland Trip: Mon-Thu 3-6 Jun, Sun 19 May, 2pm: Leader Mike Lomax , meet at enables us to identify squares in which new species only a few places left. Contact: Mel Mason, 01684 565700 or Wilden Top car park, Stourport-on-Severn, off have been recorded and plan conservation work [email protected] B4193 (SO827713). Joint event with the for them. Hartlebury Common Local Group. Casual records combine numbers from transects, iRecord and the Big Butterfly Count. Remember to log Big Butterfly Count Haugh Wood Guided Walk (BBC) your own sightings on iRecord (www.brc.ac.uk/irecord). 19 Jul–11 Aug: Branch events marked (BBC), Sat 20 Jul, 2pm (BBC): meet in reserve car park, www.bigbutterflycount.org for other events minor road Mordiford–Woolhope (SO592365), You can record individual sightings on maps of key sites. tea and cake at Woodbines, Checkley (10 mins For more detailed results, including trends and Branch Stall at RHS Spring Festival, Malvern away). Contact Bob Hall: 01432 850623 or distributions for other species, visit www.west mid Thu–Sun, 9–12 May, 9am–6pm: Displays, films, [email protected] lands-butterflies.org.uk/recording pollinator plants. See www.rhs.org.uk. Contact: Mel Mason on 01684 565700 or Llanymynech Rocks Guided Walk Article by John Tilt Records Co-ordinator [email protected] Sat 4 May, 2pm: joint event BC North Wales. Meet Gainers 2017-18 Losers 2017-18 at car park on Underhill Lane, Pant (SJ272219). • Brown Argus • Red Admiral Countrytastic, Three Counties Showground Leader Dr Simon Spencer: 01691 648339 or Thu 18 Apr, 10am–5pm: BC stall, family day out [email protected] • Small White • Brown Hairstreak in Malvern. Advanced tickets at • Common Blue • Small Pearl-bordered www.countrytastic.co.uk (none on the day). Moth Trapping Events • Large White Fritillary Sat 15 Jun, 9am: Ashwood Nurseries, • Wall • Meadow Brown Field Studies Council (FSC) courses Kingswinford, Moth Morning with Tom Woodall Grizzled Skipper Throckmorton • Green-veined White • Small/Essex Skipper Butterfly and moth courses at two West Midlands and Mike Williams (01299 824860 or Landfill 29 Grizzled Skipper Dave W found 60 on the same day • Dark Green Fritillary • Comma centres (Bishops Wood and Preston Montford), [email protected]) www.field-studies-council.org CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

28 the Comma Spring 2019 29 Branch contacts CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29 Sun 26 May, 10am: Milldale Circular walk, 4 Chairman miles, steep terrain, good footwear, packed lunch, Peter Seal [email protected] 01905 426398 meet Milldale carpark (SK135547), DE6 2GB Vice Chairman & Conservation Officer Sun 23 Jun: Monkwood, 9am Moth Breakfast (bacon rolls available) and 11am Butterfly Walk (phone/sat nav reception intermittent) – Dingy Mike Southall [email protected] 01299 251467 with Mike Southall and Mike Williams (01299 Skipper, Green Hairstreak, Wall Brown, Cistus Treasurer Lucy Lewis [email protected] 07840 530270 824860 or [email protected]) Forester, Marsh Pug, Speckled Yellow Sat 29 Jun, 9pm: Sun 2 Jun: Swynnerton Training Area, Grizzled Branch Secretary Ewyas Harold Common Martin Harrison [email protected] 01743 351929 trappers and recorders, meet at the burning Skipper, development threat, chance to increase Regional Officers ground (SO382299). Sun 9am: big reveal and wildlife/botany records Sun 14 Jul, 10am: Milldale Circular walk (as Dr Jenny Joy (Senior Regional Officer) [email protected] 01952 249325 moth breakfast for anyone interested, contact Rhona Goddard [email protected] 01746 762364 Robin Hemming ([email protected]) above) – Dark Green and Silver-washed Fritillary Recording, Transect and Website Co-ordinator or Ian Hart ([email protected]) John Tilt [email protected] 01386 792458 Sat 13 Jul, 9am: Moth morning with Tony Worcestershire Wildlife Trust Open Day Sun 5 May, 10am–5pm: Tiddesley Wood, near County Records Co-ordinators Simpson followed at 11am by guided walk at – Bham & Black Country - Richard Southwell [email protected] 01384 397066 with Peter Seal (01905 426398 or Pershore (follow signs), butterfly stall, guided walks, Trench Wood www.tiddesley.org.uk – Herefordshire – Bob Hall & Ian Draycott [email protected] 01432 850623 [email protected]). – Shropshire – Tony Jacques [email protected] 01952 882096 20 Jul, 9-11 am: (BBC) Moth Morning with the – Staffordshire – John Bryan [email protected] National Trust at , £6 (includes Wood White Events Edge – Worcestershire – Mike Williams & Mel Mason [email protected] 01299 824860 breakfast). Book on 0344 249 1895 or Contact Rhona Goddard: 01746 762364 or Reserve Managers www.nationaltrust.org.uk/kinver-edge [email protected] 2 May, 7pm: Join BC to launch Wood Brewery's Ewyas Harold - Ian Hart [email protected] 01981 510259 Wood White beer at Shropshire Hills Discovery Grafton Wood - John Tilt [email protected] 01386 792458 Prees Heath Common Reserve Monkwood - George Groves (retiring) [email protected] 01905 620721 Meet on the access track opposite Steel Heath Centre to celebrate the 5th anniversary of Grow, Prees Heath - Stephen Lewis [email protected] 07900 886809 turning off A49. Contact Stephen Lewis: 07900 Cook, Learn and the end of the Making a Stand Trench Wood - John Holder (retiring) [email protected] 01905 794854 886809 or [email protected] for the Wood White project. Wed 29 May, 10.30am–12.30pm: Hunt for 22 May, 7.30pm: Talk for the Strettons Branch of Conservation Officers Silver-studded Blue caterpillars attended by ants Shropshire Wildlife Trust, Mayfair Community Worcestershire - Trevor Bucknall [email protected] 01905 755757 Sun 30 Jun: 2pm Silver-studded Blue Guided Centre, Church Stretton, SY6 6BL Herefordshire - Ian Hart [email protected] 01981 510259 Walk, 10.30am–4pm Control Tower Open Day 12 Jun, 7 Aug (BBC), 10am: egg-monitoring, Moth Officers Wed 31 Jul, 10.30am (BBC): Ragwort and survey, Blakeridge Wood car park (SO295866) Bham & Black Country - David Jackson [email protected] 01902 344716 Birch clearance 16 Jun: Mortimer Forest, 10am Moth Morning, Herefordshire - Robin Hemming [email protected] 01568 797351 Fri 27 Sep, 7pm: Moth Night 11am Wood White Walk, meet at Vinnals car park Worcestershire - Mike Southall [email protected] 01299 251467 Sat 28 Sep, 8am: Moth Breakfast (SO474731) – in partnership with FC County Leaders Wed 9 Oct, 10.30am: Birch clearance and 1 Aug (BBC): Guided walk at Wigmore Rolls, North Staffordshire - John Bryan [email protected] 01782 541870 Bell Heather seed harvest meet in small car park (SO397688) – in Central Staffordshire - Robert Winstanley [email protected] 01889 576768 Wed 13 Nov, 10.30am: Multi-tasking partnership with FC - David Jackson [email protected] 01902 344716 Wed 11 Dec, 10.30am–12.30pm: Litter pick Herefordshire - Dean Fenton [email protected] 01568 611575 Malvern Hills - Mel Mason [email protected] 01684 565700 Brown Hairstreak Champion Sandwell Valley Naturalists Joint Events Walking with Butterflies Contact Joy Stevens: 01384 372397 or 40A guide to 40 top sites in the West Midlands STOP PRESS Simon Primrose [email protected] 07952 260153 [email protected] Committee Members Sat 4 May, 1pm: Emperor Moths, Sutton Park, - new sites guide just out - Martyn Davies [email protected] meet in Banner's Gate car park (parking urban and rural walks in the Peter Hall [email protected] Vicki Liu [email protected] 07731 924822 charge likely) West Midlands, complete with Sat 25 May, 11am: Green Hairstreak, Portway Joy Stevens [email protected] 01384 372397 Hill, Rowley Hills – recorded for 7 years but photos and maps. Steven Williams [email protected] 07974 152081 how common is it? Meet inside Bury Hill Park Celebrating 40years Publicity and Marketing Officer Mike Williams [email protected] 01299 824860 entrance, short distance north of Cookhouse Available May 2019, £5.95 each + £1.50 and Pub on A4123 Magazine Editor p&p, cheques payable to Butterfly Marian Newell [email protected] 01746 765287 Magazine Design and Production Staffordshire Guided Walks Conservation West Midlands Branch. Trish Connolly Morgan [email protected] 01939 220776 Booking required: John Bryan on 01782 541870 Order from WMBC, Annesbrook, Wider Countryside Butterfly Count Co-ordinator or [email protected] 2 Dewberry Close, Stourport, DY13 8TB Philip Nunn [email protected] 07931 488624 For more information, see www.westmidlands-butterflies.org.uk/contacts 30 the Comma Spring 2019 31 Book Review Rainbow Dust – Three centuries of delight in British Butterflies

• ISBN: 978-1784703189 • Author: Peter Marren • Publisher: Vintage • Publication date: 28 July 2016 • Cost: £9.99

clouds of butterflies in sunlit meadows were evocative and, as Biography I read it in late autumn, had me Peter Marren is a wildlife longing for spring once more. writer, journalist and authority on invertebrate One passage that stopped me in folklore and names. His my tracks was: ‘Nature would books include the bestselling probably get on without butterflies. Rainbow Dust; The New Unlike bees, they are not vital Naturalists, which won the bought this book after reading a short pollinators. Unlike moths, they Society for the History of quote from it on my local Butterfly probably do not have any I Natural History’s Thackray Conservation Facebook group. significant role as bird (or bat) Medal; and Britain’s Rare It’s not a field guide and it food. Unlike worms, they are not Flowers, which won the doesn’t contain any photographs energetic recyclers… The planet Botanical Society of the or colour illustrations, but I think we does not “need” butterflies any British Isles’ Presidents’ all have plenty of that type of book more than it needs whales, hawks already. This is a book about the or primroses – or humans for that Award. Peter also won a natural and social histories of matter… We do not need them, Leverhulme Research butterflies. nor, in the natural order of things do Fellowship for his work on they need us. But we care about Bugs Britannica. It takes us from the early days of them all the same, because that is collecting in the 1700s, through the way we are.’ the frenzy of Victorian obsession butterflies, but I didn’t find it and up to the recent extinction of I so wanted to love this book but, engaging. It didn’t have a natural three British butterflies and the while I enjoyed it and found it flow for me and I wasn’t longing to subsequent efforts to preserve our interesting – indeed parts of it were pick it up each evening, or not until remaining species. Rainbow Dust is fascinating and had me turning the last quarter of the book or so, packed with information. From the many corners over for future when I reached Chapter 11, early days of the Aurelian Society, reference and making notes to Endgame, which I devoured. the story of Lady Glanville and remind me to search for paintings ‘her’ fritillary, the cultural later – I found it to be more about Overall, I’d give it four stars out references to butterflies in art and people and less about butterflies. of five. literature, how they were named It’s clearly written by someone with and by whom. The descriptions of a passion and huge respect for Article by Julia Saunders

FROM THE EDITOR I’d like to continue to carry a book review on the back cover of each issue of The Comma. Newly published titles are ideal but particularly interesting or useful books from the past are also worth highlighting. Do drop me a line if you have a title you’d like to review. Designed by morgancreative.carbonmade.com 01939 220776 Designed by morgancreative.carbonmade.com

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