Summer 2016

SuffolkThe Argus

The Newsletter of the Branch of Butterfly Conservation photo: Kevin Ling Green Hairstreak pair. Kiln Meadow, Ipswich Kiln Meadow, Green Hairstreak pair.

Summer 2016 Volume 66 1 The Suffolk Argus

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*UHHQ+DLUVWUHDN Recorded in 139 of 1025 Tetrads (13.5%)

3XUSOH+DLUVWUHDN Recorded in 209 of 1025 Tetrads (20.3%)

:KLWHOHWWHU+DLUVWUHDN Recorded in 83 of 1025 Tetrads (8%)

2 Summer 2016 Editorial Peter Maddison

I imagine that most of us became members for practical conservation work, and our Branch RI %& EHFDXVH ZH KDYH D ORYH RI EXWWHUÀLHV experience shows that we have an enthusiastic and moths. We want to watch them, we want and ever growing group of volunteers whose them to prosper and we are pleased to devote ZRUN DW 3XUGLV +HDWK KDV EHQH¿WWHG WKH RXU DQQXDO VXEVFULSWLRQ WR µ6DYLQJ EXWWHUÀLHV heathland environment and the Silver-studded moths and our environment’, as the wording on Blue in particular. If you would like to be the BC logo states. involved contact Helen Saunders whose email address is [email protected] Can we do more than that? Yes! is the answer, and many of our members do. A 2015 survey It might be that you have the hankering of members interests showed that a good inclination and a certain amount of time that number of us rate our involvement in recording you could devote to the running of the Branch. DQG PRQLWRULQJ RI EXWWHUÀLHV DV SDUWLFXODUO\ Sue Sidle has been our Membership Secretary important. for the past 10 years and would like to hand over this role by the autumn of this year. Sue County Recorder Bill Stone has produced the has developed a slick method for contacting  %XWWHUÀ\ 5HSRUW ZKLFK LV EDVHG RQ WKH PHPEHUVDQGOLDLVLQJZLWK%&KHDGRI¿FH,I 33,000 records that he received. You can read \RXZRXOGOLNHWR¿QGRXWZKDWLVLQYROYHGLQWKLV the report in the following pages. role contact Sue whose email is susansidle361@ gmail.com 7KHUHDUHVHYHUDOZD\VLQZKLFK\RXUEXWWHUÀ\ sightings can be recorded in 2016 and if you We attend a number of events where we set up haven’t taken part in the past why not give it a a stall and meet the public. The Plant Heritage go this summer. Garden records are valuable as event at Helmingham Hall is an example, where are casual records from visits around the county. LW LV JRRG WR WDON WR SHRSOH DERXW EXWWHUÀLHV Records can be sent in on paper or preferably moths, pollinators, plants and more. We can online, or through the iRecord phone app. RQO\ DWWHQG WKHVH HYHQWV LI ZH KDYH VXI¿FLHQW Surveying a 1km square for the Wider personnel to man the stand for the day. A couple &RXQWU\VLGH%XWWHUÀ\6XUYH\RQDYLVLWGXULQJ of hours chatting with like-minded helpers on July and again in August might be possible. one side of the table and an interested public 7KHUH LV WKH *DUGHQ %XWWHUÀ\ 6XUYH\ DQG WKH on the other might be a way in which you are DQQXDO%LJ%XWWHUÀ\&RXQWZKLFKZLOOUXQIURP prepared to help the Branch. Let me know if 15th July to 7th August. you would like to be involved prmaddison@ yahoo.co.uk The BC website and our own Branch website have details about these recording opportunities. One sunny week at the start of May brought RXW WKH VSULQJ EXWWHUÀLHV KHUH LQ WKH HDVW DQG Keep an eye on the Suffolk Branch website Orange-tip and Holly Blue seem to have done Sightings page too. Here up-to-date information particularly well. But then persistent grey skies is shown of sightings in the county. Why not DQGFRROQRUWKZLQGVKREEOHGWKHÀLJKWRIWKH add your own sightings and photos to this page? EXWWHUÀLHVDQGEHIRUHZHNQHZLWZHZHUHLQWR June and looking for the emergence of the early The second way in which members indicated summer species. I hope we see them! Have a that they want to help BC was in volunteering good summer.

3 The Suffolk Argus Suffolk Branch Contacts

President Transect Co-ordinator and WCBS Co-ordinator Howard Mendel Twm Wade c/o The Natural History Museum, Cromwell email: twm.wade@ yahoo.com Rd, London SW7 5BD Tel: 0207 938 8782 &RQVHUYDWLRQ2΀FHU %XWWHUÁLHV Rob Parker Chairman and Newsletter Editor &RUQÀHOG5G Peter Maddison Bury St Edmunds IP33 3BN Barnmead, Fishpond Rd, Tel: 01284 705476 :DOGULQJÀHOG email: [email protected] Woodbridge IP12 4QX Tel: 01473 736607 &RQVHUYDWLRQ2΀FHU 0RWKV email: [email protected] Tony Prichard 3, Powling Rd., Ipswich IP3 9JR Membership Secretary Tel: 01473 270047 Susan Sidle email: [email protected] Five Gables, The Ling, Wortham, Diss, Norfolk IP22 1ST %XWWHUÁ\+DELWDW&RQVHUYDWLRQ2΀FHU Tel: 01379 643665 Matt Berry email: [email protected] Tel: 07599 243026 email: [email protected] Treasurer Dominic Hill Committee Members Tel: 01359 269855 Helen Saunders email: [email protected] email: [email protected] David Basham Secretary David Dowding Julian Dowding Kevin Ling 84, Clapgate Lane, Adrian Richards Ipswich IP3 0RE Tel: 01473 436096 Website email: [email protected] Richard Perryman email: [email protected] &RXQW\%XWWHUÁ\5HFRUGHU Bill Stone 5HJLRQDO2΀FHU(DVWHUQ(QJODQG 26, Thomas Crescent, Kesgrave, Sharon Hearle Ipswich IP5 2HN, Tel: 01473 570204 Tel: 01638 484145 HPDLOEXWWHUÁLHV#VQVRUJXN HPDLOVKHDUOH#EXWWHUÁ\FRQVHUYDWLRQRUJ

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4 Summer 2016 Contents Editorial 3 Plant a Pot for Pollinators! 22 Branch Contacts 4 Why I Volunteer 23 New Members 5 Green Hairstreak 24 AGM & Events 6 Theberton Wood site guide 25 6XIIRON%XWWHUÀ\5HSRUW 7 Book review 27 *DUGHQLQJIRU%XWWHUÀLHV 20 Events & Visit reports 28 $XWXPQ%XWWHUÀ\1HFWDU6RXUFHV 21 Holly Blue 32

New Members The following new members are warmly welcomed to the Suffolk Branch. We hope you ¿QG\RXUPHPEHUVKLSLQWHUHVWLQJDQGHQMR\DEOHDQGWKDW\RXZLOOEHDEOHWRWDNHSDUWLQ some of our events and work parties. Mrs J Bastow & Mr D Sewell, Halesworth Mr E D Jackson & Dr S K Bullion, Brantham Miss T Berry, Lowestoft Mr M Jones, Stradishall Mrs L Blake, Boxford Mr A & Mrs S Leigh, Bury St Edmunds Ms J Blunt & Mr T Marchant & Family, Felixstowe Mrs J Mayes, Eye Mr E Boyle, Harlston Mr I & Mrs C Merch-Chammon, Clare Ms A Chapman & Mr S Wiggin, Stowmarket Mr R Moulson & Miss L Howel, Hadleigh Mr C Cheeseman, Little Bealings Mr C Mudd, Bury St Edmunds Mr K & Mrs S Cooper, Chelmondiston Miss R Pawsey & Mr S Backhouse & Family, Mr P Curtis, Kesgrave Newmarket Ms S Darling, Ipswich Mr S Petrie, Holton Mrs L Earley, Holbrook Ms J Poole, Honington 0V&)LVKHU:DOGULQJ¿HOG 0UV63UHQGHUJDVW/D[¿HOG Mr A Foreman, Lidgate Mr I Pulford, Capel St. Mary Mrs R Forrest, Ipswich Mr N Rozier, Stowmarket Mr J French, Mrs T Rush, Glemsford Dr P & Mrs C Fretwell & Family, Moulton Mrs Z Sedlackova, Wickham Market Mr H Gandy, Lowestoft Mr D & Mrs J Sheppard, Saxmundham Mrs R J Gibbs & Family, Freckenham Mr P Smith, Ipswich 0UV-*ODQ¿HOG1HHGKDP0DUNHW Dr E & Mrs J Steel, Yoxford Mr P Hacon, Lowestoft Mrs J Sweeting, Hadleigh Mrs V Hall, Bramford Mrs H Walker, Lowestoft Mrs L & Mr N Hall & Family, Ipswich Ms J Walshaw, Holbrook Mrs M & Mr E Harris, Bury St Edmunds Mr G Woodard, Hacheston Mr G & Mrs C Hooker, Eye Miss J Wright, Stowmarket Mr H Hurst, Chelmondiston Mrs B Young, Ingham

5 The Suffolk Argus

Annual General Meeting & Members’ Afternoon Members are warmly invited to attend the meeting which will be held on 6DWXUGD\WK2FWREHU at :DOGULQJ¿HOG9LOODJH+DOO at SP OS Grid Ref: TM277444 Post Code: IP12 4QP

Speakers will include Liz Cutting - Photography. /L]ZDVWKHZLQQHURIRXU8.EXWWHUÀ\SKRWRFRPSHWLWLRQ

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It would be helpful if members who wish to make a presentation inform the Secretary, Julian Dowding, at least one week before the meeting. *******

The Photographic Competition will be held for the three classes: 1. Still photo taken in the UK 2. Still photo taken outside the UK 3. A video or digital slide show Full details of the competition can be found on the Home page of the Branch website KWWSZZZVXIIRONEXWWHUÀLHVRUJXNLQGH[KWPO Events this summer

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27th July Wildlife Day at Holywells Park, Family Day and BBC Event

31st July Wildlife Garden Open Day, Prior’s Oak, Aldeburgh

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6 Summer 2016 2015 Suffolk Butterfly Report BIll Stone

,QWURGXFWLRQ the deterioration of suitable habitats due to DJULFXOWXUDO LQWHQVL¿FDWLRQ DQG FKDQJLQJ The year will not be remembered as a great ZRRGODQG PDQDJHPHQW DUH VHHQ DV PDMRU 6XIIRON EXWWHUÀ\ \HDU LQ UHVSHFW RI UDULWLHV causes. For our wider-countryside species QXPEHUV RI EXWWHUÀLHV HQFRXQWHUHG RU then the reasons are less understood but migrations. However, 2015 was important climate change and the use of pesticides may IRU EXWWHUÀLHV IROORZLQJ WKH SXEOLVKLQJ RI be the answer. WZR VLJQL¿FDQW UHSRUWV EDVHG RQ ORQJWHUP EXWWHUÀ\ VWXGLHV ZKLFK ZHUH SDUWLFXODUO\ ,QUHVSHFWRIWKHXVHRISHVWLFLGHVWKH¿QGLQJV relevant for Suffolk. of a study on the use of neonicotinoid pesticides was published this year (see p17- 7KH6WDWHRIWKH8.¶V%XWWHUÀLHVUHSRUW 18, Suffolk Argus Spring 2016). This study, ZDV SXEOLVKHG ZKLFK FRYHUHG WKH ¿YH\HDU undertaken by the universities of Sussex period 2010-2014, for which nearly 100,000 DQG 6WLUOLQJ LQ SDUWQHUVKLS ZLWK %XWWHUÀ\ 6XIIRON EXWWHUÀ\ UHFRUGV ZHUH VXEPLWWHG Conservation and the Centre for Ecology This report also reported recent trends in and Hydrology suggested that the use of the ten-year period 2004-2010 together these pesticides may be contributing to the with the long-term trends going back to GHFOLQHRI8.EXWWHUÀLHV,QWURGXFHGLQWKH .H\¿QGLQJVIURPWKHUHSRUWUHYHDOHG mid 1990’s, the neonicotinoid pesticide is that 76% of the UK’s resident and regular absorbed into every cell of a plant making PLJUDQW EXWWHUÀLHV GHFOLQHG LQ DEXQGDQFH all parts poisonous to pests. However, the occurrence or both over the last four decades. chemicals were also found to remain in the 6LJQL¿FDQWO\ WKH UHSRUW DWWUDFWHG KHDGOLQHV environment and were being absorbed by wild in the media such as “40 year slump for UK ÀRZHUVJURZLQJLQ¿HOGPDUJLQVDQGQHDUE\ %XWWHUÀLHV´³&RQWLQXLQJGHFOLQHVIRU%ULWLVK areas. It is these plants that are likely to be %XWWHUÀLHV´DQG³%XWWHUÀLHVVXIIHUDJDLQ´ SURYLGLQJ QHFWDU IRU EXWWHUÀLHV RU DFWLQJ DV food plants for their caterpillars. Of particular $GHFOLQHLQDQXPEHURIVSHFLHVZDVLGHQWL¿HG note, the study found that population trends DVEHLQJRIPDMRUFRQFHUQRQHRIZKLFKZDV RI  VSHFLHV RI EXWWHUÀ\ VKRZHG GHFOLQHV the Wall. The report found that the Wall had associated with neonicotinoid use including suffered a 36% fall in occurrence and a 25% Small Tortoiseshell, Small Skipper and drop in abundance since 2005. This decline :DOO7KLVVWXG\KDVVLJQL¿FDQFHIRU6XIIRON chimes with what is being seen in Suffolk EXWWHUÀLHV JLYHQ WKH DPRXQW RI LQWHQVLYH with the species slowly slipping away from arable farming undertaken in the county. the county and for which further comment is given in the species account of this report. Both studies show the importance of recording EXWWHUÀLHVDQGHQVXULQJWKHFROOHFWHGGDWDLV The report also sought to identify or submitted for use in conservation efforts. VXJJHVWUHDVRQVIRUWKHGHFOLQHVLQEXWWHUÀ\ This will remain a priority for me as Suffolk’s numbers. In respect of habitat specialists, EXWWHUÀ\UHFRUGHU

7 The Suffolk Argus

2YHUYLHZRIWKH8.ZHDWKHULQ was very mild and December exceptionally Until mid-November 2015 saw mostly quiet so; easily the mildest December in the Hadley weather. The summer was rather cool and Central England Temperature Dataset (CET) ZHW EXW HDUO\ DXWXPQ SURYLGHG ¿QH VXQQ\ series from 1659. Remarkably there were no weather as compensation. However from air frosts during December across southern late autumn a succession of Atlantic storms Britain. brought exceptional rainfall to the north and The UK rainfall total was 1289 mm, 112% ZHVWFDXVLQJZLGHVSUHDGVHYHUHÀRRGLQJWR of the 1981-2010 average and sixth-wettest in many towns and cities. the UK series; these six years include 2015, 2015 was a sunny year. January to April and 2014, 2012 and 2008. March, April and June September were all sunny months, whereas were dry in the south-east and September and November was provisionally dullest in the October in the north-west before the onset UK series. of the storms. Twice the normal rainfall fell across Snowdonia, northern England and The UK mean temperature was 9.2 °C, 0.4 °C southern Scotland in November, followed by above the 1981-2010 long term average. For two to three times in December. The latter most months, temperatures were fairly near was the wettest calendar month in the series average, although somewhat below from May for the UK. Despite all that rain, East Anglia to September. New UK temperature records remained drier than average for 3 seasons of of 36.7 °C and 22.4 °C were set on 1st July the year. See table below. and 1st November respectively. November

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Winter 14/15 4.6 0.3 239.6 129 144.4 98 Spring 9.2 0.2 555.2 119 94.9 69 Summer 16.4 0.0 593.0 101 180.1 112 Autumn 11.3 0.4 315.8 97 165.5 92

6RXUFHZZZPHWRI¿FHJRYXN Anomalies are measured against the 1981-2010 averages. 5HVLGHQWV:LQQHUV /RVHUV very cold nights and periods of windy and wet weather. Given the erratic weather Looking at the results achieved indicates KLEHUQDWLQJEXWWHUÀLHVVXFKDV3HDFRFN6PDOO that almost half of the 38 species recorded Tortoiseshell and Comma appeared early in in Suffolk had a slightly better year than in the year but then seemed to disappear by April, 2014. Despite it being a relatively sunny start with subsequent populations being poor. As to the year with reasonable day temperatures such, both Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell the spring will be remembered for some registered a disappointing year and this

8 Summer 2016

ZDVUHÀHFWHGLQERWKWKH8.7UDQVHFWVDQG letter Hairstreak was recorded on 30th May, the Wider Countryside Survey results with with the previous earliest being 2nd June perhaps both poor weather and parasitism to 2011. Continuing with the hairstreaks a new EODPH,QWKHPDLQLQLWLDOÀLJKWVHDVRQVZHUH latest date was set for Purple Hairstreak on patchy due to the weather. This seemed to 27th September with the previous latest date UHÀHFWWKHSRRUVHDVRQUHFRUGHGIRU6SHFNOHG being set last year on 15th September 2014. Wood, Orange-tip and Green-veined White. Increased monitoring of the Chalkhill Blue 'XH WR WKH ODWH 6SULQJ HDUO\ ÀLJKW VHDVRQV population in the west of the county extended seemed to last longer and the traditional the latest date seen from 7th September 2014 spring/ summer gap was less noticeable. With to a new date of 28th September. With the a relatively settled but slightly cooler than mild winter it was to be expected that some DYHUDJH 6XPPHU PRVW EXWWHUÀLHV VWUXJJOHG YHU\ ODWH À\LQJ EXWWHUÀLHV ZRXOG FKDQJH to increase their numbers, however, a few a latest-date record. This occurred when did reasonably well against the odds. For a Brimstone was seen on 28th December JUDVVODQG EXWWHUÀLHV PRVW KDG DQ DYHUDJH almost a month later than the previous date of VHDVRQDQGRXUZRRGODQGEXWWHUÀLHVDOVRKHOG 27th November 2006. ¿UPRQODVW\HDU¶VSRVLWLRQEXWZLWK6LOYHU washed Fritillary increasing its range again. 5DULWLHVDQG0LJUDQWV Both Purple Hairstreak and White Admiral showed small increases on last year and ,Q  6XIIRON VKDUHG LQ WKH EXWWHUÀ\ White-letter Hairstreak appeared to register a event of the decade with the arrival of small better year but this may simply be down to numbers of the 6FDUFH7RUWRLVHVKHOO (Yellow- increased coverage in suitable habitats. With OHJJHG7RUWRLVHVKHOO EXWWHUÀ\IURPPDLQODQG D ZDUP DQG VHWWOHG $XWXPQ ÀLJKW VHDVRQV Europe. This event was well reported were extended again for a number of species and observers from Suffolk were able to DQG WKH PLOG ZLQWHU VDZ EXWWHUÀLHV VXFK DV contribute to a number of articles which Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Red Admiral has assisted in increasing our knowledge DQG&RPPDDOEHLWLQVPDOOQXPEHUVÀ\LQJ and awareness of this species, particularly well into December. Stand out species for ZLWK LGHQWL¿FDWLRQ  7KLV LV D VSHFLHV WKDW the season, however, was the Holly Blue hibernates early and it was hoped that some ZKLFKHQMR\HGDYHU\JRRG\HDUDQGUHÀHFWHG RIWKHEXWWHUÀLHVIURPWKHLQÀX[ZRXOG SRVLWLYHQDWLRQDOWUHQGVIRUWKLVEXWWHUÀ\ remain in the UK and over winter until the spring of 2015. Incredibly, records were (DUO\ /DWH made again in Suffolk with a singleton being VHHQ DW 3HHZLW +LOO )HOL[VWRZH DQG À\LQJ 6SULQJEXWWHUÀLHVZHUHUHSUHVHQWHGE\DIHZ between 27th March and 2nd April 2015 and HDUO\ ÀLHUV SHUKDSV IDOVHO\ OXUHG RXW E\ WKH DWOHDVWWZRPRUHEXWWHUÀLHVÀ\LQJDW563% sunny days. Remarkably, this led to new North Warren along the old railway track earliest dates for Orange-tip on 16th February, between 15th and 20th April 2015. previously 9th March 2014, and Speckled Wood on 10th March, previously 12th March Other rarities of note included a Queen of 2014. A Meadow Brown was seen on 12th 6SDLQ)ULWLOODU\ seen at Fritton on 18th and April two days earlier than the previous 19th July 2015 and a single Long-tailed Blue earliest date of 14th April 2014 and a White- at Landseer Park, Ipswich on 9th August 2015.

9 The Suffolk Argus

Only one record of 6ZDOORZWDLO was received was noted to be in good condition. Although LQWKH\HDUDQGWKLVFRQFHUQHGDEXWWHUÀ\VHHQ WKH EXWWHUÀ\ ZDV VHHQ WKURXJKRXW WKH IXOO in the west of the county on 16th August and survey area, close monitoring now suggests ZKLFKZDVLGHQWL¿HGDVWKHFRQWLQHQWDOUDFH that there are two distinct populations. Based gorganus. On 19th November, following on these results the colony appears to be email contact and the sharing of photos a self-sustaining and worthy of an ongoing *HUDQLXP %URQ]H ZDV LGHQWL¿HG DV EHLQJ monitoring effort. No other records were SUHVHQWDQGÀ\LQJLQDNLWFKHQLQ/LQGVH\$V received in the year but it is likely that small WKHUHSRUWHUKDGMXVWUHWXUQHGIURP,WDO\DQG pockets of this species exist in suitable chalk had brought back geranium cuttings it seems land habitat especially if the larval host FOHDUWKDWWKHEXWWHUÀ\KDGEHHQLQDGYHUWHQWO\ plant, horseshoe vetch (Hippocrepis comosa) transported from Italy as an egg/ larva/ pupa can be found. It is worth noting that the amongst the cuttings. Cambridgeshire population along the Devils '\NHQHDU1HZPDUNHWHQMR\HGDQLQFUHGLEOH Despite large numbers of Painted Lady year with some very high counts made and at EXWWHUÀLHV DSSHDULQJ LQ 1RUWK $IULFD DQG OHDVWRQHQHZVLWHZDVLGHQWL¿HG southern Europe at the appropriate time to signal large scale northerly movements the :LWK EHWWHU DZDUHQHVV RI WKH EXWWHUÀ\ DQG DQWLFLSDWHG3DLQWHG/DG\³LQYDVLRQ´GLGQRW its life cycle along with improved recorder occur. That said, an increase in sightings of coverage sightings of 3XUSOH (PSHURU WKLVUHPDUNDEOHEXWWHUÀ\ZDVQRWHGZLWKVRPH increased slightly and a few new sites were reasonable counts being made at coastal sites. LGHQWL¿HG  6XVWDLQHG YLVLWV WR VXLWDEOH Clouded Yellow was much less numerous VLWHV DV LGHQWL¿HG LQ  VXFK DV %RQQ\ than in previous years although was seen Priestley Wood near Needham Market led in small numbers throughout the county. WRVHYHUDOEXWWHUÀLHVEHLQJZDWFKHG,WZDV Some evidence was reported of migrating also pleasing to see that a Suffolk Branch, EXWWHUÀLHV LQFOXGLQJ 5HG $GPLUDO 6PDOO %XWWHUÀ\ &RQVHUYDWLRQ 3XUSOH (PSHURU Tortoiseshell and Small White. In respect of event held at these woods, was rewarded the latter, large numbers were reported along with some stunning views of this incredible the coast at East Lane/ Shingle Street in late EXWWHUÀ\ 5HSRUWV ZHUH DOVR UHFHLYHG IURP September. RSPB Wolves Wood near Hadleigh and in maturing woodlands close to Ipswich. 2WKHUVSHFLHVRILQWHUHVW There is now growing evidence that this species is expanding its range eastwards The &KDONKLOO %OXH site in the west of the within East Anglia, with nearby Essex and FRXQW\ ZDV FORVHO\ PRQLWRUHG ZLWK WKH ¿UVW Cambridgeshire also seeing an increase in EXWWHUÀLHV VHHQ RQ WK -XO\ ZKHQ  PDOHV records. were counted. This date was almost a week later than 2014. The peak count was made In 2015, records received for the 6LOYHU on 16th August with 156 males counted ZDVKHG )ULWLOODU\ demonstrated that the along with 18 females. Compared to 2014 foothold that this species now has in Suffolk this year’s peak was higher by 63% and was was maintained and extended slightly with a week later. The last visit on 28th September WKHEXWWHUÀ\EHLQJUHFRUGHGLQWHWUDGVDQ UHFRUGHGDVLQJOHPDOHEXWWHUÀ\KRZHYHULW increase from 33 tetrads in 2014. Again, some

10 Summer 2016

JRRG FRXQWV ZHUH UHFHLYHG ZLWK WKH ÀLJKW 8QXVXDO6SHFLHV season running well into early September. As with previous years, garden records $V ZLWK SUHYLRXV \HDUV D QXPEHU RI ³RGG´ continue to be made which demonstrates that EXWWHUÀLHVZHUHUHSRUWHG2QWKHWK-XO\ WKLV EXWWHUÀ\ ZLOO KDSSLO\ ZDQGHU IURP LWV a &OLSSHU (Parthenos sylvia  EXWWHUÀ\ ZDV preferred habitats. LGHQWL¿HGIURPSKRWRJUDSKVDVEHLQJSUHVHQW LQ&KHOPRQGLVWRQ7KLVEXWWHUÀ\RULJLQDWHV Disappointingly, no records for 0DUEOHG from South/ South-east Asia and features White were made in the west of the county UHJXODUO\LQEXWWHUÀ\KRXVHFROOHFWLRQV,WLV despite this species seeming to have likely that its origins lie in such a collection, HQMR\HGDQH[FHOOHQWVHDVRQLQQHLJKERXULQJ HVSHFLDOO\ DV WKH -LPP\¶V IDUP EXWWHUÀ\ Cambridgeshire and on a national level. house is only a few miles away. +RZHYHUWKHEXWWHUÀ\FRQWLQXHVWRÀ\DWWKH Continuing the exotic theme, in August, two central Ipswich site at Landseer Park and was reports of a =HEUD /RQJZLQJ (Heliconius UHFRUGHGÀ\LQJIURPODWH-XQHLQWRODWH-XO\ charithonia) EXWWHUÀ\ ZHUH UHFHLYHG  7KH 7KH EXWWHUÀ\ ZDV DJDLQ UHFRUGHG LQ VPDOO EXWWHUÀ\ LV DFWXDOO\ WKH VWDWH EXWWHUÀ\ RI numbers at another site close by at Pipers Florida and is known for its long migration Vale but it is unknown if its presence here is to Mexico. Remarkably, both sightings were by natural expansion from the original site or made within a few miles of each other with by deliberate intervention. one sighting from the Gislingham area on 7th August and the other from Badwell Ash on In 2015, news of the existence of a %URZQ the 8th August. What makes these sightings +DLUVWUHDN colony in Suffolk was received. even more unusual is the fact that two This location is close to the introduced more sightings of this species were made in Marbled Whites in central Ipswich and Norfolk, one near Cromer on the 22nd August information received suggests that the and the other at Garboldisham on the 23rd colony has existed in small numbers since $XJXVW,WLVQRWFOHDUKRZPDQ\EXWWHUÀLHV 2009. It is assumed that the population were actually on the wing but clearly the four derives from an unauthorised introduction records over a large area suggest multiple perhaps undertaken by those responsible for EXWWHUÀLHVEHLQJDWODUJH,WLVKLJKO\OLNHO\ the nearby Marbled Whites. Egg searches WKDW DV ZLWK WKH &OLSSHU WKHVH EXWWHUÀLHV undertaken over the 2015/2016 winter by a originate from a private breeder/ collector or small number of individuals suggest that the KDYHHVFDSHGIURPDEXWWHUÀ\KRXVH SRSXODWLRQLVFRQ¿QHGWRFHQWUDO,SVZLFKDQG has not spread further.  6XIIRON %LRGLYHUVLW\ $FWLRQ 3ODQ  3ULRULW\6SHFLHV The recording position on these presumed releases of Marbled White and Brown 6HYHQ VSHFLHV RI EXWWHUÀ\ RFFXUULQJ LQ Hairstreaks is that they will not be submitted Suffolk are deemed as UK BAP priority WR %XWWHUÀ\ &RQVHUYDWLRQ IRU LQFOXVLRQ LQ species. These are Dingy Skipper, Silver- national data sets. However, some local studded Blue, White-letter Hairstreak, White monitoring will be undertaken and records Admiral, Grayling, Wall and Small Heath. will be maintained at a county level in order See also http://www.suffolkbiodiversity.org/ to assess population and range changes. biodiversity-action-plans.aspx

11 The Suffolk Argus

'LQJ\6NLSSHU and focussed on the eastern Kings Forest. Numbers of Dingy Skippers seen were The Dingy Skipper appears to have had a noticeably low compared to previous years, poor year in 2015 with no new territories however, the weather in the morning was GLVFRYHUHG DQG QR VLJQL¿FDQW FRXQWV PDGH not very suitable as it was damp and cool. ,Q  WKH EXWWHUÀ\ ZDV UHFRUGHG LQ  As mentioned above the area surveyed was tetrads. In 2015, this had fallen to 4 tetrads. QRWHGWREHVXEMHFWWRH[WHQVLYHIRUHVWU\ZRUN ,WZDV¿UVWUHSRUWHGRQWK0D\DORQJWKH involving felling and clearance work. This Wordwell Ride in the Kings Forest and the meant that some of the routes undertaken in ODVWEXWWHUÀ\ZDVVHHQRQWK0D\FORVHWR previous years had to be abandoned due to the Archery Course, Kings Forest. The only access being restricted or on health and safety other sites that produced records in addition grounds. The survey reinforced what was to the Kings Forest were at Heath QRWHGLQDQGLQWKDWWKHÀLJKWDUHD and sites immediately local to the heath along was still biased towards the eastern edge of the the St. Edmund Way. forest. The Wordwell ride, in the south east The dates recorded, allowing at least another FRUQHURIWKHIRUHVWSURYLGHGPRVWEXWWHUÀLHV week of laying after the 25th May, suggest VHHQDQGFRQWLQXHGWRVKRZWKHEHQH¿WVRIWKH DÀLJKWVHDVRQRISHUKDSVZHHNV,WKDV ride widening work undertaken. The second WR EH VDLG WKDW GLI¿FXOW ZHDWKHU FRQGLWLRQV survey date was on the 20th May and again and a lack of active recorders led to under- this was a complete wash out in the morning recording in 2015. I myself spent a lot of time due to heavy rain. In the afternoon, limited in the Suffolk Brecks looking for the Dingy coverage was possible and this led to counts Skipper but was greatly hampered by strong being undertaken along the Chalk Lane path winds and heavy rain. In addition, intensive in the Kings Forest and then an exploration of forestry operations close to and including key sites along the St. Edmund Path. Here small Dingy Skipper locations within the Kings numbers of Dingy Skippers were found at Forest were also underway at the time when both locations. EXWWHUÀLHV ZHUH À\LQJ 7KLV ZRUN KDG DOVR Over the next week further searches were been in place in the preceding months so it undertaken on Thetford Heath area and is feasible that numbers of caterpillars and sites nearby. Unfortunately, despite being pupae were lost. looked for no Dingy Skippers were found at Elveden Center Parcs. Also, no surveys 'LQJ\6NLSSHU6XUYH\ were undertaken on any MOD sites which was disappointing given the successful visit $V ZLWK PDQ\ EXWWHUÀ\ VXUYH\V FKRVHQ to RAF Barnham in 2014. dates to undertake counts, do not necessarily FRLQFLGHZLWKLGHDOZHDWKHUDQGSHDNÀ\LQJ 6LOYHUVWXGGHG%OXH periods. The Suffolk population Report by Helen Saunders and David QRUPDOO\ÀLHVGD\VDIWHUWKRVH¿UVWVHHQ Dowding in Cambridgeshire along the Devils Dyke. ,QWKH¿UVWEXWWHUÀLHVÀ\LQJDORQJWKH 3KHQRORJ\ Devils Dyke were seen on 27th April. Due to some poor spring weather the Silver- Two survey dates were organised in 2015 studded Blue was expected to emerge slightly DQGWKH¿UVWVXUYH\WRRNSODFHRQWK0D\ later than the recent 5-year average. Indeed,

12 Summer 2016 on 29/05/15 a last instar caterpillar was other transect surveys, but not with the total observed climbing up a heather stem on species counts. Purdis Heath. This suggested there were still 2-3 weeks until emergence, slightly later than The data indicates that overall SSB had a ODVW\HDU7KH¿UVWEXWWHUÀ\ZDVVHHQRQWKH poor year across Suffolk but with only a 9th of June in , 6 days later 24% decrease from last year there were no than 2014 but in time with the recent 5 year critically low counts. It was pleasing to see average. This year’s average population peak the new site at Piper’s Vale hold fast, despite was on the 30th June, 4 days later than 2015 the small size of the site. It was also good to but on time with the 5-year average. note an increase at Purdis Heath, where a huge volunteer effort over the last 5 years seems to 3RSXODWLRQFRXQWV have revitalized the population. Nevertheless This year’s total was 995. When compared WKHEXWWHUÀ\LVVWLOOVWUXJJOLQJDFURVV6XIIRON WR WKH ³GDWXP \HDU´ RI  ZKHUH  and the ongoing maintenance and recreation EXWWHUÀLHV ZHUH FRXQWHG WKLV UHWXUQV D YHU\ of pioneer heathland communities will prove ORZ ¿JXUH RI RQO\  EXW WKLV LV GRZQ vital to the species’ success. to a change in sampling techniques. This year arrangements had been made to create two single-species transects as a method :KLWHOHWWHU+DLUVWUHDN of sampling the overall numbers in the Minsmere colonies. This is in place of the The White-letter Hairstreak is a troublesome traditional 100% annual count at population EXWWHUÀ\ IRU UHFRUGLQJ SXUSRVHV 6HHLQJ peak and only records a small fraction of the WKH EXWWHUÀ\ DQG DFFXUDWHO\ DGGUHVVLQJ WKH EXWWHUÀLHV SRSXODWLRQRIWKLVVSHFLHVLVGLI¿FXOWGXHWR LWLQYDULDEO\À\LQJLQWKHFDQRS\RIHOPVDQG This now means that the 2006-2014 data neighbouring trees. It can also roam wide for the Minsmere complex is no longer areas utilising elm hidden amongst roadside comparable with the present results. In order KHGJHURZV,WLVWKHUHIRUHGLI¿FXOWWRFRXQW to compare the 2015 data fairly with the 2006 away from known sites where established ³GDWXP \HDU´ ERWK VHWV RI 0LQVPHUH GDWD viewing positions are normally used. had to be excluded. As a result the 2015 data ,Q  WKH EXWWHUÀ\ ZDV ¿UVW UHFRUGHG was actually 50% of the 2006 data, despite an on 30th May, a new earliest date for the LQLWLDO¿JXUH species in the county and last recorded on 16th August. The highest count was 11, on As a result only 26 out of the original 44 WK-XO\LQ'XQZLFK)RUHVW7KHEXWWHUÀ\ sites are comparable. There was still a 24% was recorded in 32 tetrads, 10 more than in decrease in the remaining 26 sites with only 3  DOWKRXJK WKH YDVW PDMRULW\ RI UHFRUGV of these sites (11%), Purdis Heath, Westleton ZHUHRIVLQJOHEXWWHUÀLHV$OWKRXJKWKLVLVD football pitch and Lower Hollesley F, small but positive increase over the previous VKRZLQJDQ\VLJQL¿FDQWSRSXODWLRQLQFUHDVHV year, the long-term county trend still raises Three sites continued to produce nil counts concern. On a national level, the UKBMS DQGWKLV\HDUWKH\ZHUHMRLQHGE\WKHVSRUDGLF \HDUWUHQGLQGLFDWHVDVLJQL¿FDQWIDOO Ransomes Lagoon site. In the future the 5 in abundance with a 2014/2015 comparison sites for Minsmere will be comparable with indicating a -12% fall.

13 The Suffolk Argus

Identifying additional sites is important distribution and in the numbers actually seen. for the future assessment of this species. However, in 2015 this species appears to Looking for elms is the spring is a useful have slipped back again being seen in only method as they often get lost amongst other 59 tetrads as opposed to 70 in the previous more dominant trees as the canopy develops. \HDU  7KH ¿UVW EXWWHUÀ\ ZDV VHHQ RQ WK These sites can then be recorded and returned June on Upper Hollesley Common and was to in the summer for accurate monitoring. last reported on 20th September on Purdis Heath. When seen at key sites good numbers were recorded with the highest count of 100 :KLWH$GPLUDO seen at Westleton Heath on 21st July.

A small increase in numbers seen and range The Grayling is found in the Breckland was noted for this species in 2015. Records habitat in the west of the county and the UHFHLYHGLGHQWL¿HGWKDWWKHEXWWHUÀ\ZDVVHHQ Sandlings habitat in the east and sharply in 61 tetrads, 6 more than in 2014. represents this species’ preference for dry, sandy grasslands. It used to be recorded in 7KH ¿UVW :KLWH $GPLUDO ZDV UHFRUGHG RQ the general countryside on clay soils in High WK -XQH DQG WKH ÀLJKW VHDVRQ DSSHDUHG Suffolk but these records are now few and WR QDWXUDOO\ ¿QLVK DW WKH HQG RI$XJXVW $ far between. A few wanderers were recorded late record on 13th September at Hurst away from key sites in gardens and parklands Fen, Mildenhall Woods was the only record indicating that this species is capable of received which was indicative of a second ¿QGLQJ QHZ VLWHV DQG ZLOO H[SORLW WKHP LI generation. The highest count was of 14 suitable. EXWWHUÀLHV VHHQ DW 3DNHQKDP:RRGV RQ WK July, although, several other low double It is not entirely clear why the population ¿JXUHFRXQWVZHUHPDGH was knocked back in the year, but it is likely WR UHÀHFW KDELWDW ORVV RU SHUKDSV LQFUHDVHG 'HVSLWHEHLQJDEXWWHUÀ\RIPDWXUHGHFLGXRXV disturbance. It may also be that developing woodlands a number of records and caterpillars in the spring were victims of the photos received for this species concerned unsettled weather. individuals seen in gardens and parks. This UHLQIRUFHV WKH IDFW WKDW LW LV D VWURQJ À\HU The UKBMS Summary of Changes Table prone to wandering and seeking out new IRULGHQWL¿HVDFKDQJHRIIRUWKH territories. Despite the species appearing to Grayling population between 2014 and 2015. be stable in the county, albeit, in low numbers So, Suffolk unfortunately appears to be in the national position is very different. The line with this trend. However, the position is UKBMS 10 year trends indicate a -43% worse when looking at the national long term fall in abundance and the 2014/2015 year series trend with the Grayling recorded as comparison shows a -19% fall. KDYLQJGHFOLQHGE\ZKLFKLVFODVVL¿HG DV ³YHU\ KLJKO\ VLJQL¿FDQW´  ,Q 6XIIRON LW *UD\OLQJ remains a weak but stable population but clearly vulnerable and it is essential that close ,QWKH*UD\OLQJHQMR\HGDUHDVRQDEO\ monitoring continues. good year and showed a small increase in

14 Summer 2016

:DOO This year the Wall was only recorded in 22 Based on the records received the Wall tetrads as opposed to 36 in 2014. From the appears to have had two distinct generations records actually received it appears that the ZLWK WKH ¿UVW EHLQJ IURP DSSUR[LPDWHO\ WK stronghold for this species in Suffolk is now May (Blundeston) to 7th June (Bradwell/ very much in the north-east of the county Hollesley) and then again from approximately around the Waveney Forest and Waveney 1st August (Hollesley) to 29th August (SWT Valley. Records have been received from Carlton Marshes). The best single site count Gunton west through to the Beccles area. A was 9 made at Beccles Marshes on 11th VLJQL¿FDQWSHUFHQWDJHRIWKHUHFRUGVIURPWKLV $XJXVW$ VLQJOH EXWWHUÀ\ UHSRUWHG RQ WK area come from recorders visiting the Suffolk September at Iken is the only evidence of a Wildlife Trust reserves at North Cove and potential third generation. The graph below &DUOWRQ 0DUVKHV ZLWK WKH EXWWHUÀLHV EHLQJ shows the two generations quite well. seen along grassy paths and meadow edges.

In the south-east of the county sightings WKH EXWWHUÀLHV DSSHDU WR EH DWWUDFWHG WR D continue but are very much reduced few private “wildlife “gardens and also on compared with previous years. The East land managed by the RSPB at their reserve Lane/ Shingle Street corridor has historically at Boyton Marshes. In the Orford area, been a favoured Wall location but this VLJKWLQJV RI XS WR  EXWWHUÀLHV ZHUH PDGH position has changed dramatically in recent from the churchyard at Orford Church and years. Suitable habitat has been lost through some nearby gardens but no records from changes in land use, coastal erosion and by localities such as Chantry Marshes or Chantry ZD\ RI DVVRFLDWHG PDMRU FRDVWDO SURWHFWLRQ Point were received. Of note, however, were activities. This year, there were only three UHSRUWV RI WKH EXWWHUÀ\ EHLQJ VHHQ LQ VPDOO Wall sightings from this corridor in May/ numbers on Orfordness on 16th and 17th May June. In August, only one sighting was made, close to the landing quay and it is hoped that this being on the 15th. This record concerned WKHEXWWHUÀ\PD\IDYRXUWKLVDUHDHQRXJKWR DVLQJOHPDOH:DOOZKLFKZDVIRXQG³LQODQG´ establish itself in good numbers. along Red House Lane, approximately 1km from the lagoon and car park area. Sadly, there have been no sightings reported this year despite a number Small numbers are still believed to be present of appeals encouraging recorders to search in the Hollesley and Boyton areas. Here suitable areas. It was hoped that some

15 The Suffolk Argus records may have been made from the RSPB seen for Grayling this year and the fact that Lakenheath area especially given increased ERWK EXWWHUÀLHV VKDUH VLPLODU KDELWDW KDV WR visitor numbers whilst a male Little Bittern EH FRQVLGHUHG DV D PDMRU FRQFHUQ  $JDLQ was present for a long period in May. as with Grayling the year’s shortfall may be connected with habitat loss or increased The Wall continues to decline in Suffolk and disturbance. WKLVSRVLWLRQLVUHÀHFWHGWKURXJKRXWWKH8. and parts of Europe. The UKBMS Summary The UKBMS Summary of Changes Table of Changes shows a depressing -44% fall IRULGHQWL¿HVDVHULHVWUHQG RYHUODVW between 2014 and 2015. Consideration years) of -56% for the Small Heath population of the long term series trend is even worse and this fall in abundance is described as with a -88% decline. As such, this decline is ³YHU\ KLJKO\ VLJQL¿FDQW´   $ FRPSDULVRQ FRQVLGHUHGDV³YHU\KLJKO\VLJQL¿FDQW´,WLV between 2014 and 2015 showed a percentage therefore essential that the county population change in abundance of -10%. In Suffolk it is monitored very closely and both range and remains a weak but stable population and as abundance recorded accurately. Sadly, our with the Grayling it is clearly very vulnerable Wall transect along the sea wall at East Lane and requires continued monitoring. has failed due to the absence of Walls. 5HFRUGLQJDQG*HRJUDSKLF&RYHUDJH 6PDOO+HDWK In 2015,  EXWWHUÀ\ UHFRUGV ZHUH The Small Heath was recorded in 122 tetrads added to the county database. These records this year which represents a disappointing UHÀHFWHG 38 naturally occurring species of decrease of 20 tetrads when compared to the EXWWHUÀ\ DQG UHODWHG WR  WHWUDGV  :LWK DFKLHYHGLQ7KH¿UVWUHFRUGZDV 1089 tetrads in Suffolk that meant that the received on 4th May and interestingly was records received provided positive coverage seen at sites in both the east and west of the for 65% of Suffolk. county on this date. It was last reported on 29th October at RSPB Boyton Marshes. The The level of recording coverage achieved maximum count for the year was made on the LQLVVLJQL¿FDQWDVWKLV\HDUUHSUHVHQWV transect walked at RSPB North Warren on WKH¿UVW\HDURIWKHQHZ¿YH\HDUUHFRUGLQJ 1st July and resulted in 118 being recorded. SHULRG   IRU WKH  ³%XWWHUÀLHV IRU (OVHZKHUH KLJK GRXEOH¿JXUH FRXQWV   WKH1HZ0LOOHQQLXP´ %10 VXUYH\7KLV were recorded at key sites in both the east and scheme operates in Britain and Ireland in order west of the county. to assess change, inform conservation and 7KH  GLVWULEXWLRQ RI WKLV EXWWHUÀ\ LQ VWLPXODWHUHVHDUFK%HLQJWKH¿UVW\HDURIWKH the heaths of the Sandlings to the east of new recording period the excellent coverage the county and the to the west. achieved will assist in targeting those areas of However, WKH6PDOO+HDWKLVQRWFRQ¿QHGWR the county that are historically under recorded heathland. It is highly adaptive and can be RUIRUZKLFKQREXWWHUÀ\UHFRUGVDFWXDOO\H[LVW found in a variety of grassy habitats including 7KHVHDUHDVNQRZQDV³EODFNKROHV´ZLOOIRUP woodland rides but the key requirement the focus of future recording efforts. LV D VKRUW VZDUG RI ¿QH JUDVV VSHFLHV 7KH decrease in distribution is similar to that 7KH VLJQL¿FDQW LQFUHDVH LQ EXWWHUÀ\ UHFRUGV 16 Summer 2016

LQUHÀHFWVWKHDFFHVVQRZDYDLODEOHWR surveyed tetrads with Peacock a close second and the inclusion of county level data from, a (77.9%) and Large White being in third place QXPEHURIVFLHQWL¿FEDVHGUHFRUGLQJVFKHPHV    1DWLRQDO WUHQGV UHÀHFW WKLV FKDQJH VXFK DV 8. %XWWHUÀ\ 0RQLWRULQJ 6FKHPH at the top and reference to the “UKBMS (UKBMS) and the Wider Countryside VXPPDU\RIFKDQJHVWDEOHIRU´VKRZV %XWWHUÀ\ 6XUYH\ :&%6   2WKHU FLWL]HQ that Small Tortoiseshell showed a decrease VFLHQFH LQLWLDWLYHV VXFK DV WKH %LJ %XWWHUÀ\ of -44% compared to numbers recorded in Count are also included along with other 2014. Similarly, a decrease of -21% is seen VLJQL¿FDQW SDUWQHU VFKHPHV VXFK DV %72 IRU 3HDFRFN 7KH %LJ %XWWHUÀ\ &RXQW DOVR Garden Bird-watch. Great efforts are now VKRZHG VLJQL¿FDQW GHFUHDVHV LQ WKH VXUYH\ being made by a number of organisations, period for both Peacock (down 61% on 2014) LQFOXGLQJ %XWWHUÀ\ &RQVHUYDWLRQ WR HQDEOH and Small Tortoiseshell (down 57% on 2014). easy recording and capture of important data through the use of online recording schemes Comparing the Suffolk scarcity data for DQG VPDUW SKRQH UHFRUGLQJ ³DSSV´  +HUH  WR  VKRZV D ZRUU\LQJ ³GURS´ IRU LQ 6XIIRON D VLJQL¿FDQW LQFUHDVH LQ UHFRUGV two key Suffolk species: Dingy Skipper submitted via social media such as Twitter and Wall. Both are discussed in subsequent DQGE\ZD\RIVXFK³DSSV´LVEHLQJQRWLFHG annexes, however, long term trends for both annually. species suggest both have weak populations and are very vulnerable. The position of 6SHFLHV0DSV WKH³JROGHQ´VNLSSHUV 6PDOO(VVH[/DUJH  is always worthy of a close look. Despite 'LVWULEXWLRQ0DSVDQGÀLJKWFKDUWVKDYHEHHQ EHLQJ UREXVW DQG DGDSWDEOH EXWWHUÀLHV DQ\ prepared for our regular Suffolk species, negative changes recorded can act as an and these are available for reference on the indicator of problems that are affecting Suffolk Branch website: grassland habitats. All three species showed http://www.suffolkbutterflies.org.uk/ little change in Suffolk compared to 2014. distribution%20maps.html However, Small and Large Skipper showed With the high number of tetrads visited in small percentage decreases on the “UKBMS 2015 and the incredible number of records VXPPDU\RIFKDQJHVWDEOHIRU´RI UHFHLYHG WKH DYHUDJH EXWWHUÀ\ VSHFLHV SHU and -21% respectively. Conversely, very tetrad for 2015 was recorded as 11. To put small percentage increases are noted for WKDW LQWR FRQWH[W WKH ODVW ¿YH\HDU SHULRG all three species in the WCBS results. The (2011-2015) gives us an average of 14.6 6PDOO &RSSHU LV D EXWWHUÀ\ WKDW KDV EHHQ species per recorded tetrad. LGHQWL¿HGUHFHQWO\DVDVSHFLHVLQVLJQL¿FDQW decline. Again, a number of poor summers $QDO\VLV and habitat loss has contributed greatly to WKLV GLI¿FXOW VLWXDWLRQ ZLWK UHVXOWV IURP WKH 7KHPRVWDEXQGDQWEXWWHUÀLHVLQWKHFRXQW\ UKBMS summary table indicating nearly a in 2015 were Large White which was seen in 50% decline in the last ten years. Always 78.3% of surveyed tetrads closely followed by D SRSXODU EXWWHUÀ\ ZLWK 6XIIRON UHFRUGHUV Small White (74.2%) and Peacock (71.8%). Small Copper appears to have been recorded Of note, in 2014, Small Tortoiseshell was the at a similar level in 2015 compared to 2014. PRVWDEXQGDQWEXWWHUÀ\EHLQJVHHQLQRI /RRNLQJ DW WKH ODVW ¿YH\HDU SHULRG  17 The Suffolk Argus

2015) suggests a stable position but clearly it walked in Suffolk have been added to the is a species that will require close monitoring Suffolk database and are a useful addition as in the future. WKH\UHÀHFWFRQVLVWHQWVXVWDLQHGDQGIRFXVHG recording within the county. During 2015, 7KHODWHVWUROOLQJ¿YH\HDU¿JXUH   20 transects and 5 single species transects covers 1025 tetrads and shows an average of were monitored and these are listed below.  species per tetrad. My thanks go to all those team coordinators and walkers, who put in dedicated monitoring 7UDQVHFWV efforts, these are shown in the table on the next page. Transects are very effective at monitoring KDELWDW VSHFLDOLVW EXWWHUÀLHV DQG ORZODQG During 2015, a new transect was set up at SWT semi-natural habitats. They are resource Redgrave and Lopham Fen and the original LQWHQVLYH EXW JLYH D VKDUS YLHZ RI EXWWHUÀ\ transect at SWT Lakes resurrected. trends. The 2015 results from those transects Both will be walked and monitored in 2016.

6XIIRON7UDQVHFWV Alton Water RSPB Minsmere Black Heath RSPB North Warren Center Parcs (Elveden) RSPB Wolves Wood. Dunwich Forest 1 Belts Dunwich Forest 2 Spring Lane (Bury St Edmunds) 0DQRU)DUP &RGGHQKDP   6:7%UDG¿HOG:RRGV Newsons Farm (Thorpe Green) SWT Cavenham Heath Newsons Farm Extension (Thorpe Green) SWT 1RZWRQ&RXQWU\3DUN  7\WKH)DUP )UHVVLQJ¿HOG Ramsey/ Upper Abbey Farm (Leiston

Single-species transects:

6LWH1DPH   6SHFLHV Silver-studded Blue Dunwich Heath Silver-studded Blue RSPB Minsmere Silver-studded Blue Purdis Heath Silver-studded Blue 6:7%UDG¿HOG:RRGV  3XUSOH+DLUVWUHDN

18 Summer 2016

:LGHU &RXQWU\VLGH %XWWHUÀ\ 6FKHPH ZKLFKDUHWKHQVXEMHFWWRDPLQLPXPRIWZR (WCBS) visits ideally in July and August. In 2015, a total of 32, 1km squares (27 WCBS, 5 BTO) The WCBS complements transect monitoring were surveyed. The records generated from RIEXWWHUÀ\SRSXODWLRQVRQVHPLQDWXUDOVLWHV the scheme are included in the Suffolk data and forms part of an integrated approach VHW DQG UHSUHVHQW D VLJQL¿FDQW FRQWULEXWLRQ WR PRQLWRULQJ EXWWHUÀLHV WKURXJK WKH 8. both in terms of record numbers but also %XWWHUÀ\ 0RQLWRULQJ 6FKHPH 8.%06  in respect of the locations involved. The ,W UXQV DV D SDUWQHUVKLS EHWZHHQ %XWWHUÀ\ squares surveyed in 2015 were: Conservation, the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), the Centre for Ecology 7KHIXOO%XWWHUÀ\5HSRUWLQFOXGLQJ\HDU and Hydrology (CEH) and the Joint Nature DQDO\VLVWDEOHVZLOOEHSXEOLVKHGLQWKHQH[W Conservation Committee (JNCC). The volume of Suffolk Natural History. scheme targets common and widespread EXWWHUÀLHVE\VHOHFWLQJUDQGRPNPVTXDUHV

6TXDUH5HIHUHQFH 1DPH 6TXDUH5HIHUHQFH 1DPH TL6381 West Row TM0871 Gislingham TL6545 Haverhill TM0969 Wickham Skeith TL7163 TM1666 Aspall TL7262 TM2144 Foxhall TL7781 Wangford TM2147 Playford TL7866 Risby TM2481 Shotford Heath 7/  7KHWIRUG :  70  &UDW¿HOG TL8482 Thetford (W) TM3150 Eyke, Woodbridge TL8566 Fornham St Martin, TM3183 St Margaret, Bury St Edmunds (N) South Elmham TL8843 Sudbury (N) TM3388 Bungay TL9047 Acton, Lavenham TM3450 Rendlesham Forest, Eyke TL9577 Coney Weston TM3549 Rendlesham Forest, Capel St. Andrew TL9859 Rattlesden TM3568 Peasenhall TM0048 Nedging-with- TM3762 Benhall, Naughton Saxmundham TM0378 Redgrave TM4162 Knoddishall TM0553 Battisford TM5075 Southwold

19 The Suffolk Argus Gardening for Butterflies Kevin Ling Although regularly a feature of the ‘Argus’ :HKDYHDOVRHQMR\HGRWKHUVXFFHVVHVRYHU magazine, I thought I would continue the the past couple of summers. Following trend of advice and observations, in respect the rescue of some Peacock caterpillars RI HQFRXUDJLQJ %XWWHUÀLHV DQG 0RWKV LQWR destined for the council shredder, we the garden. hurriedly planted up some pots with nettles DQGHQMR\HGZDWFKLQJWKHFDWHUSLOODUVJURZ By way of introduction, our garden is in an SXSDWHDQG¿QDOO\KDWFK7KLQNLQJWKLVZDV urban setting (within a mile of Belstead), so it for the year, we turned our attentions to attracting the spring species has always been ZDWFKLQJ WKH EXWWHUÀLHV QHFWDULQJ RQ WKH more of a challenge. The spring of 2016 has SODQWVZHKDGJURZQVSHFL¿FDOO\$YLVLWLQJ however given us reward for our planning. Red Admiral took notice of the potted A couple of years ago we planted some nettles and duly laid eggs, although by the Garlic Mustard seedlings and following time we returned from our holiday there D GRUPDQW ÀRZHULQJ \HDU LQ  GXH WR were no signs of larvae (predation being the them being bi-annuals, 2016 has produced most likely cause). DSURIXVLRQRIÀRZHULQJSODQWV7KHWDUJHW VSHFLHVLVRIFRXUVH2UDQJHWLSDEXWWHUÀ\ 2XU ¿QDO VXFFHVV ZDV ZLWK /DUJH :KLWH that has been very rare in our garden, with A good number of eggs were found on the only a single male seen in 2015. All that underside of Nasturtium leaves. We found has changed this spring, with a female seen that by planting them up against the wall ÀLWWLQJDFURVVVHYHUDOÀRZHUKHDGVOHDYLQJ of our house, the larvae by nature then a trail of single eggs in it’s wake. Only one crawled up the wall and pupated under the egg is generally laid per plant stem, due to fascia boards, allowing close observation the caterpillar’s cannibalistic tendencies. throughout winter.

A second spring species seen regularly was Our top recommendations for the garden Holly Blue, with a couple of males very would be: attracted to our extensive Privet hedging. /DUYDO)RRGSODQWV After watching their movements for a Garlic Mustard (Orange Tip) FRXSOH RI ZHHNV ZH ZHUH ¿QDOO\ YLVLWHG Nasturtium (Whites) by a female who took no time at all laying Nettles (Peacock, Red Admiral) HJJVRQWKHÀRZHUEXGVRIRXUHVWDEOLVKHG Pyracantha. Also competing for our attention 1HFWDULQJ3ODQWV was the larvae of the Brown-tail moth, with Buddleia several seen feeding on both the leaves Verbena bonariensis DQGÀRZHUEXGV$QRWKHUZHOFRPHVSULQJ Red Valerian (Centranthus) visitor was the tiny but beautiful Mint Moth, Knapweed Pyrausta aurata. A regular daytime visitor Privet (Holly Blue) WRRXUJDUGHQLWIDYRXUV0LQW0DMRUDPDQG Meadow Clary, Salvia Pratensis.

20 Summer 2016

Autumn Butterfly Nectar Sources in an Ipswich Garden. Richard Stewart

To complete the seasonal list this shorter hibernating site, especially for Brimstones. selection should be prefaced by the fact Finally, we also put out large bowls of that many of the nectar sources listed for apple, plum and damson pieces, mainly summer are still available well into autumn. chunks cut off before freezing the fruit. The These include %XGGOHLDGDYLGLL, if constantly MXLFHVKDYHDWWUDFWHG5HG$GPLUDO&RPPD GHÀRZHUHG %RZOHV PDXYH ZDOOÀRZHU and Speckled Wood but never a Small Verbena bonariensis and valerian. The list Tortoiseshell or Peacock. Also surprisingly, is in order of numbers of species observed ZH KDYH QHYHU KDG WR UHVFXH DQ\ EXWWHUÀ\ nectaring: IURPWKHVWLFN\MXLFHVSURGXFHGE\WKHVRIW 6HGXP VSHFWDELOH (8) Large and Small fruits. White, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Painted Lady, Speckled Wood, 5HFRUGVDUHQHHGHGIURP :DOO7KLVSLQNYDULHW\LVGH¿QLWHO\WKHEHVW &KULVWFKXUFK3DUN,SVZLFK We also have the deep red Autumn Joy but it has only attracted a Comma. 5LFKDUG6WHZDUW %XGGOHLD[ZH\HULDQD (7) Large and Green- veined White, Red Admiral, Peacock, Have you seen any of the following species Comma, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper and in the park? 6LOYHU < PRWK 7KLV LV D ODWH ÀRZHULQJ Swallowtail yellow variety and with regular deadheading % LW FDQ VWLOO KDYH ÀRZHUV LQWR 'HFHPEHU ,W % Clouded Yellow JURZVWRWKHWRSRIDQDGMDFHQWSLQHWUHHLQ which Red Admirals sometimes hibernate. % Green Hairstreak These can be seen nectaring well into the winter months. % Brown Argus Michaelmas Daisy (2) Large White and Red Wall Admiral. The low number is explained by % RXU KDYLQJ MXVW D VPDOO FOXPS QRW LQ WKH % Small Heath sunniest of positions. Usually a larger sunlit EHG SDUWLFXODUO\ RI SXUSOH ÀRZHUV ZLOO attract more species. If so, please contact Richard Stewart by Ivy  ZH MXVW KDYH VRPH ZLWKLQ RXU EDFN email [email protected] hedge but a more luxurious growth has With the following information: reached almost to the top of a tall sycamore name, address, phone or email for any MXVWEH\RQGRXUEDFNIHQFH6XQOLWLQWRODWH follow-up, date, place seen within the park evening it attracts many insects, including and any noted activity such as nectaring, Red Admiral. Hornets also patrol and not basking or egg-laying. MXVW IRU WKH LY\¶V DEXQGDQW ODWHÀRZHULQJ nectar. Ivy is also a good roosting and

21 The Suffolk Argus Plant a Pot for Pollinators!

%XWWHUÀ\&RQVHUYDWLRQ¶VQHZ3ODQWD3RWIRU 7KH 7RS 1HFWDU 6RXUFHV )RU &RQWDLQHU 3ROOLQDWRUVSURMHFWHQFRXUDJHVKRXVHKROGHUV *DUGHQLQJ to plant a pot with nectar sources such as Shasta Daisy, Oregano and Catmint. 1. Balkan Clary Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’ BC’s Vice-president, Alan Titchmarsh said: 2. Catmint Nepeta racemosa “One carefully planted, well positioned pot ‘Walker’s Low’ or container can make a huge difference 3. &RQHÀRZHU Echinacea purpurea WR EXWWHUÀLHV PRWKV EHHV DQG SROOLQDWLQJ ‘Pow Wow Pink’ insects that need nectar to fuel their work. 4. Cosmos bipinnatus Sonata Series You don’t need a big, fancy garden to be 5. Cranesbill Geranium ‘Rozanne’ EXWWHUÀ\IULHQGO\ 

Comma by Beryl Johnson

22 Summer 2016 Why I Volunteer Twm Wade I recently heard on the radio that without and then chilling out. You may also want to volunteers society could not function. The know if there is more you could do to help; nature of volunteering and why people do it probably, and without getting too involved. and what they get out of it, could be a topic IRUDFDGHPLFVWXG\EXWDSHUVRQDOUHÀHFWLRQLV Volunteers come forward to help work parties probably more interesting. such as those at Purdis Heath; a hard slog but very satisfying teamwork. Then there are :KHQ,MRLQHG%&LQWKH\SURYLGHGPH the many individuals who report sightings with guff about the organisation from which and it has to be emphasised that all reported I gleaned the nugget that I could help by sightings are valuable (even those that show providing 3 bits of information: what, where DQ DEVHQFH RI EXWWHUÀLHV   (YHU\ UHSRUW RI DQGZKHQ,VDZEXWWHUÀLHV,VWDUWHGWROHDUQ ‘what, where and when’ adds to the statistical how to identify them and soon I was hooked. GDWDDERXWEXWWHUÀLHVWKHVSHFLHVGLVWULEXWLRQ :KDWIRUPRVWSHRSOHZDVDEXWWHUÀ\GLVDVWHU and abundance. It is the survey data gained at of a season, for me was fantastic. Purdis Heath that proves that the work parties DUH EHQH¿WWLQJ WKH 6LOYHUVWXGGHG %OXH DV Rob Parker pointed out to me that Exning, well as other species. where I live, was under-recorded so I set out WR¿OOWKHVHEODFNKROHVDUPHGZLWKP\QHZ So why do I visit ‘black holes’, make records HD video camera. The Black hole map (see DQG ¿OP EXWWHUÀLHV DQG RWKHU ZLOGOLIH"  , website) became my guide for places to visit. HQMR\LW,ORYHWKHFRXQWU\VLGHGRQ¶WKDYHD Rob then asked me to take on administering dog to walk or grandchildren to keep amused, WKH :LGHU &RXQWU\VLGH %XWWHUÀ\ 6XUYH\ so off I go. Casual recording means I can (WCBS) scheme for Suffolk. This year I VSHQGWLPHHQMR\LQJWKHPRPHQWZKHWKHULWLV took on the same role for transects because JHWWLQJDEHWWHUFORVHU¿OPVKRWRUFKDWWLQJWR I thought it would be something simple to do a passer-by or appreciating the view, it does when nothing much is going on. not matter. In addition, I do it when I have FRPSDQ\ FDVXDO UHFRUGLQJV DUH MXVW WKDW Routine administration was a career weakness casual. And yes, I do have a few places I visit but I did learn how to make it less time- each year as best I can and do compare the consuming. Thankfully we have an excellent count of one year with another. &RXQW\5HFRUGVRI¿FHUZKRFROODWHVDOOWKH information so I am like a salesman, selling Why do people do the WCBS? The scheme the idea of the need to record and report selects OS squares randomly and surveyors EXWWHUÀ\VLJKWLQJV:KHQ,WRRNRQHDFKWDVN cross the square twice on different routes I had a lot to learn and now wish to share identifying and counting as they go. The VRPHRIWKDWZLWK\RX,DVVXPH\RXMRLQHG VXUYH\RU RQO\ FRXQWV EXWWHUÀLHV ZLWKLQ D %&EHFDXVH\RXORYHVHHLQJEXWWHUÀLHVZDQW short distance and walks the same route each to know more about them and want to support time but is only obliged to walk it in July and their conservation. But you are busy earning August. Reporting the information on-line is money, keeping up with family and friends usually simple. Like the Radio 4 programme

23 The Suffolk Argus

Just a Minute, there is meant to be no ZD\RIPHDVXULQJWKHEHQH¿WRURWKHUZLVHRI repetition, hesitation or deviation as the walk the work; as at Purdis Heath. They require progresses but I feel sure it happens. I have discipline or a small team of helpers because had different responses from those who have the transect needs to be walked once a week a square but one theme is common; it is ‘their for 26 weeks of the year, preferably in suitable square’. Another common theme is that the weather during the middle of the day. square is somewhere they would otherwise not go; a novelty. So it is a fun adventure on The answer to why I volunteer is simple. a patch that they can say is theirs to survey. , HQMR\ LW LW FRVWV QRWKLQJ EXW WLPH DQG LQ that time I would only be doing other things. What about transects? The great thing %XWWHUÀLHVDUHEHDXWLIXOZKHWKHUDWDGLVWDQFH about these is that the walker chooses the or close up. Their lives are simple yet location and the route. It could be their complex because their lives are so dependant regular lunchtime walk, where they take the RQ FOLPDWH DQG KDELWDW 

The Green Hairstreak… and the computers that will work at the speed of light.

%XWWHUÀLHV KDYH D ZLQJ SDWWHUQ RI FXUYHG fast devices that beam information at the intertwined surfaces, known as the gyroid speed of light - these structures improve structure. They are minute: the holes within resolution and have better mechanical the structure are less than one micron strength. thick (one micron = one thousandth of a millimeter). These new gyroid structures could help make more compact, light based electronics because their smaller size will allow larger Researchers from the Australian Swinburne numbers of devices to be integrated onto a University of Technology together with single chip. The new material can be used RMIT University have been examining to control the way that light interacts with these structures, which are incredibly strong it, and therefore could be used to transmit and have interesting light properties that light-based information at the speed of light JLYHEXWWHUÀLHVVRPHRIWKHLUVXSHUYLEUDQW around a computer chip. colours. The researchers have made their own version of the gyroid structure, based on the intricate wing structure of the Green Hairstreak, Callophrys rubi. The research has been published in the MRXUQDO 6FLHQFH$GYDQFHV. When built into optical computers - super-

24 Summer 2016

Theberton Wood: A brief site guide Adrian Richards 7KLV H[FHOOHQW EXWWHUÀ\ ZRRG LV ZHOO ZRUWK White Admirals with their graceful gliding a visit on any sunny day throughout spring ÀLJKW FDQ DOVR EH VHHQ DURXQG WKH FOHDULQJ and summer. It is at its best during July, YLVLWLQJ %UDPEOH ÀRZHUV  7KH\ RFFXU ZKLFKLVWKHPDLQÀLJKWSHULRGIRUWKHWKUHH throughout the wood. Gatekeepers are also main target species found here: the Purple common here. They can be seen in good Emperor, White Admiral and Silver-washed QXPEHUIHDVWLQJRQ%UDPEOHÀRZHUVDQGWKH Fritillary. The wood, owned by the Forestry bright yellow - coloured Fleabane found in Commission consists mainly of oaks with an the damp areas. understory of sallow, hazel and aspen, most of the conifers having been removed. Purple Hairstreaks are on the wing during July and into August, and visitors to the wood, The entrance gate is at grid ref. TM 422656 on who scrutinise the treetops for the emperor, the northern edge of the wood. There is also often spot the hairstreak in the oak and ash a layby here which offers limited parking. If canopy. Oaks around the clearing inside the this is full there are further pull-ins on the gate are a good place to begin the search. same road, but please do park with care. Just beyond the gate is a large clearing surrounded The clearing often provides an opportunity by oaks and sallows. This is the best place to WR VHH VRPH LPSUHVVLYH GUDJRQÀLHV  7KHUH see Purple Emperors. On a warm sunny day it is often a Norfolk Hawker here. One seems LVXVXDOO\WKHPDOHVWKDWDUH¿UVWRQWKHZLQJ to take up residence each July. The Brown IURP PLGPRUQLQJ RQZDUGV À\LQJ DURXQG Hawker with its amber tinted wings is another WKHWRSVRIWKHRDNVGHVFHQGLQJORZHUWRÀ\ often seen along with Southern Hawker and around the sallows looking for newly hatched (PSHURU'UDJRQÀLHV females. It is not unusual to see 2 or 3 males À\LQJDURXQGDWWKHVDPHWLPH7KHIHPDOHV If you wish to explore the wood further, a ride are usually seen from midday onwards, leads away from the clearing to the south. At perched on the Sallow branches. Now and the next ride, turn left. You are now on a wide then the Purple Emperors will descend ride lined with Brambles. Keep a lookout and land on the ground, dabbing with their for the large and impressive Silver-washed proboscises to extract mineral salts from the )ULWLOODU\YLVLWLQJWKH%UDPEOHÀRZHUV

25 The Suffolk Argus onto another large clearing dominated by a Flycatchers usually nest in one of the many watch tower at its centre. This area is also nest boxes dotted around the wood. The a good spot to see Purple Emperors as they wood also hosts at least 2 pairs of Marsh often perch on the tower roof. Just beyond 7LWV RIWHQ WKHLU GLVWLQFW ³3LWFKRX´ FDOO FDQ the tower and to the right is a large pond. be heard, even if the birds themselves appear 7KH SRQG LV FRYHUHG LQ SDUW ZLWK ÀRDWLQJ elusive. Many different birds of prey are pondweed. Great Crested Newts breed here often seen as people look up to the treetops EXWDUHGLI¿FXOWWRVHHDOWKRXJKWKHLUWDGSROHV to see the Purple Emperor! Look out for FDQ EH VHHQ KDQJLQJ PRWLRQOHVV MXVW EHORZ Buzzards, Kestrels and Sparrowhawks. I was the surface. The tadpoles have feathery gills OXFN\HQRXJKWRVHHD+RQH\%X]]DUGÀ\RYHU that look sprayed with gold and glint in the last July but that was exceptional. I hope this OLJKW /DUJH QXPEHUV RI GDPVHOÀLHV FDQ EH article will encourage you to visit this lovely seen around the pond. Azure Blue, Large ZRRGDQGHQMR\LWVH[FHOOHQWZLOGOLIH*RRG Red and Blue-tailed are the main species luck. KHUH 'DUWHU GUDJRQÀLHV WR ORRN RXW IRU DUH the Ruddy Darter, Four-spotted Chaser and Broad-bodied Chaser, which all occur in good Historic Note E\WKH&RQVHUYDWLRQ2I¿FHU numbers here. It is known that the Purple Emperor did not arrive naturally at Theberton. It was Other than Grey Squirrels, mammal sightings WKH VXEMHFW RI D VHULHV RI UHOHDVHV PDGH DW LQ WKH ZRRG DUH UDUH  0XQWMDF 'HHU DUH Theberton Wood circa 2000, by an individual sometimes seen but more often it is their loud DFWLQJ ZLWKRXW WKH NQRZOHGJH RI %XWWHUÀ\ bark that is heard. Occasionally a herd of Conservation, and without the consent of the Red Deer can be seen, nonchalantly walking ODQGRZQHU%XWWHUÀ\&RQVHUYDWLRQGRHVQRW through. approve of any release made without strictly following the guidelines set out in Insect Most of the common woodland birds occur re-HVWDEOLVKPHQW  D FRGH RI FRQVHUYDWLRQ here. During the summer a pair of Spotted practice. Invertebrate Link, 2002.

Map of 7KHUEHUWRQ:RRG

26 Summer 2016

Book review: ‘In Pursuit of Butterflies’ by Matthew Oates, pub. Bloomsbury, 2015 Richard Stewart

I must admit that the Purple Emperor included and he displays a wide interest proliferation on both front and back covers in many conservation and more political was initially off-putting but this is indeed a issues, including protesting against the Iraq ¿IW\ \HDU ORYH DIIDLU ZLWK EXWWHUÀLHV IURP war and insensitively located windfarms. childhood to 2013. The index lists sixty I did feel ‘Mrs. O’ should have received seven native, migrant and rarer species more praise: she must be a very patient and which Matthew has studied in all their stages understanding lady, though to be fair the of life. I particularly admired his resilience book is dedicated to her. There is thankfully and patient with Mountain Ringlet egg plenty of humour, from the very amusing laying and winter searches for Wall Brown account of tenant farmer Arthur Brown to larvae. Not surprisingly the Purple Emperor Matthew’s remarkable ability to encounter is the star species, one mating pair after ‘mating large whites’, often in the company VHSDUDWLQJEHLQJGHVFULEHGDVµÀ\LQJRIILQWR of prestigious groups. I loved his reply to the concluding pages of a D. H. Lawrence someone encountered while he was carrying novel’. There are accounts of memorable a milk churn for extra height in watching years that include the long, hot summer of Purple Emperors: ‘The Lord hath need of 1976 and the Painted Lady year of 1997 it’. I also chuckled at his collective noun for plus intimate and comprehensive studies an ‘encirclement of nature consultants’ - a of habitats ranging from Meathop Moss to ZDIÀH the New Forest, also of course including Purple Emperor hotspots such as Savernake In a book of 480 pages there are bound and Alice Holt forest. I loved his account to be a few raised eyebrows. There is of Compton Farm on the Isle of Wight, an obvious ambivalence about using where health and safety issues ‘had scarcely a net and I found repeated support for penetrated the farm’. I would question some breeders and unauthorised releasing very accounts, especially his assertion that eggs DODUPLQJEHDULQJLQPLQGKLVKLJKSUR¿OH of the rare Long-tailed Blue on Denbies near 7KLV LV FRQWUDU\ WR HYHU\ WKLQJ %XWWHUÀ\ Dorking disappeared through deer grazing Conservation stands for and there is a long RQ SHD ÀRZHUV  , ZDV WROG LW ZDV D PRUH HVWDEOLVKHG DQG ZLGHO\ DFFHSWHG RI¿FLDO dastardly human intervention. code for reintroducing species which I am sure his employers, the National Trust, As with many contemporary natural VXSSRUW%XWWHUÀ\&RQVHUYDWLRQJHWVPDQ\ history writers, he includes many quotes positive mentions, including having made and references to poetry, from his beloved µEXWWHUÀLHVVRFLDOO\DFFHSWDEOH¶$PD]LQJO\ Edward Thomas to his own efforts - WKRXJK , FRXOG ¿QG QR PHQWLRQ RI WKH ‘Drunkard’s Corner’ and ‘Green Man’ Millennium Survey, probably the largest were my favourites. Prose icons such as VWXG\DQGUHFRUGLQJRIEXWWHUÀLHVFDUULHGRXW Richard Jefferies and Thoreau are also anywhere in the world.

27 The Suffolk Argus

There are also examples of what I can EXWWHUÀLHV7KDQNIXOO\DOVRWKHUHLVMXVWRQH only describe as something that verges on adverse comment about the Swallowtail, our the edge of hubris. Matthew is good at largest and most beautiful British species. what he does and he knows it. There’s no I also deeply admire anyone prepared intrinsic harm in that but some examples to publicly confess to being stung by a JLYHQ VKRXOG KDYH EHHQ ¿UPO\ HGLWHG RXW December wasp and forgetting the presence The worst came when he counts 316 Green of his two children, ages six and nine, while Hairstreaks at one site in 36 minutes, then VWXG\LQJ 0RXQWDLQ 5LQJOHWV  , HQMR\HG LW berates a transect walker nearby who has immensely, despite the above reservations recorded only 38, suggesting she should go and will end with a few quotes from an back and do it properly. In what I can only author who describes his life as being surmise was a momentary lapse of reason he ‘primarily about the love of natural beauty’: seems to have forgotten that on a transect \RXFDQRQO\FRXQWWKHEXWWHUÀLHVZLWKLQDQ µ%XWWHUÀLHVOLYHLQWKHPRPHQWWKHPRPHQW imaginary box around you. of being’ ‘Some things we are not meant to understand, but merely to believe’ and my However, this is always a very honest and favourite which is ‘Whatever mistakes you up-front account from someone who, from make in life, please do not underestimate a his many television and radio appearances, caterpillar’. has increased the public perception of

Newbourne Springs SWT Reserve, Tuesday 7th June 2016 Peter Maddison This was a morning walk at the 19 hectares ZHUHÀRZHULQJ%URDGERGLHG&KDVHUVDQG reserve, which is about 8 miles from Ipswich YDULRXVGDPVHOÀLHVGDUWHGDURXQGWKHSRQG on the Felixstowe peninsula. Here alder carr, wet fen and heathland are the main On the heath there were more Small Copper habitat types. but a search for Small Heath was in vain. We stopped to listen to a Nightingale and Before the meeting started a Brown Argus OHVVHU:KLWHWKURDWWKHQPRYHGRQWRUHMRLQ had been found and it obligingly stayed in our circuit of the carr. Occasional whites, the vicinity so that newly arriving members including Large White and Green-veined could see it. A Turtle Dove purred from a :KLWHZHUHLGHQWL¿HGDQGLW¶VSRVVLEOHWKDW nearby thicket. DPRQJVWWKHXQLGHQWL¿HGSDVVLQJEXWWHUÀLHV Small white and Female Brimstone put in Speckled Wood and Holly Blue eluded us in an appearance. Three Speckled Wood were WKH¿UVWVHFWLRQRIZRRGODQGEXWLQWKHVPDOO counted before we reached the reversion meadow by the pond two Small Copper, an ¿HOG ZKHUH D VKRUW H[FXUVLRQ DGGHG Orange-tip, a Green-veined White and a Common Blue to our list of species. An Mother Shipton moth were found. A couple interesting observation was that Bird’s-foot of Marsh Orchids and a spotted Orchid Trefoil was absent here so perhaps the fairly

28 Summer 2016 abundant Hop Trefoil was their larval food The previous week’s grey skies and northerly plant. ZLQGVKDGSUREDEO\HQGHGWKHÀLJKWVHDVRQ RI PRVW RI WKH 6SULQJ EXWWHUÀLHV $W OHDVW The fen, bathed in sunshine seemed ideal for our day was warm and sunny and in our EXWWHUÀLHV EXW D GLVWDQW ZKLWH ZDV DOO WKDW two hour walk six species were positively could be counted. However the abundant recorded. Ragged Robin, whose vibrant pink colour contrasted with the lush green vegetation of the fen, was an impressive sight.

Gislingham Primary School visit, Tuesday 10th May 2016 Fay Jones I was kindly invited to visit Gilslingham :H WKHQ ZHQW RXWVLGH WR SOD\ D EXWWHUÀ\ 3ULPDU\ 6FKRRO WR KDYH D MDPSDFNHG and food plant match up game as some of EXWWHUÀ\¿OOHG DIWHUQRRQ ZLWK

Painted Lady by Beryl Johnson

29 The Suffolk Argus

Plant Heritage Spring Plant Fair at Helmingham Hall, Saturday 29th May 2016

It was last December that we learned of an VKHOWHUHG NQRW JDUGHQ QR EXWWHUÀLHV ZHUH event being organised at Helmingham Hall to be seen. During the afternoon a visitor by the Suffolk group of Plant Heritage. The WRWKHVWDQGDVNHGIRUWKHLGHQWL¿FDWLRQRID committee decided to take a stall at the May EXWWHUÀ\WKDWWKH\KDGMXVWSKRWRJUDSKHGLQ event on Whitsun Bank Holiday Sunday. the garden - it was a Holly Blue. The day started at 10.00am which meant that the people with the SBBC stand, Peter Sarah Cook who organised the Plant Fair and Anne, would have to be there at 9.00am said it was the best-attended event they had if not sooner to set up our stall. ever had and we have agreed that the event will be well worth doing again next May. We $OLWWOHODWHU7ZP:DGHMRLQHGWKHFUHZDV hope that there will be future collaboration did Sue Sidle and Richard Perryman. The EHWZHHQ 3ODQW +HULWDJH DQG %XWWHUÀ\ day started cloudy but brightened up later, &RQVHUYDWLRQWRRXUPXWXDOEHQH¿W although a cooling wind persisted. If anyone else would like to be involved in Our stand had a good location between such events, please let any member of the the plant selling stands and the main car Committee know. park and we received good interest from the public. Adults asked questions about Autumn SODQWV IRU EXWWHUÀLHV DQG PRWKV DQG PDGH comments about frequent sightings of Holly Copy date Blue in their gardens this year. Children HQMR\HGWKHDFWLYLWLHVRQWKHEXWWHUÀ\FUDIW Sunday 2nd October table.

7KH%UDQFKKDGMXVWUHFHLYHGDQLQIRUPDWLRQ SDFNRQWKHQHZ%&SURMHFWµ3ODQWD3RWIRU Pollinators’ and the poster, showing the ten plants that are suggested for attracting EXWWHUÀLHV SURYHG WR EH DQ DWWHQWLRQ grabbing, talking point for visitors to the stand.

$ EXWWHUÀ\ ZDON ZDV RQ WKH SURJUDPPH but disappointingly, even in the relatively

30 Summer 2016

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Photos Twm Wade

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White-letter Hairstreak PRM Purple Hairstreak PRM

31 The Suffolk Argus

Holly Blue A note from David Basham ‘I got home from holiday yesterday [28th May] and went over to my allotment in Ipswich where, as I was talking to a friend, I observed a female Holly Blue laying an egg on a neighbour’s Bay bush. A cursory internet search doesn’t show Bay as a known foodplant so this morsel of information may increase our knowledge base. It might at least be worth people with Bay in their garden keeping an eye out for Holly Blues.’

Holly Blue egg on Bay 'DYLG%DVKDP

,GHQWLI\LQJ+ROO\%OXHDQG&RPPRQ%OXHFDQEHFRQIXVLQJ,IDEOXHEXWWHUÀ\LVVHHQLQ your garden early in the year it will almost certainly be a Holly Blue. The Common Blue is a grassland species usually using Birds-foot trefoil on which to lay its eggs.

7KHXSSHUZLQJVRIERWKVSHFLHVDUHVXSHU¿FLDOO\VLPLODUEXWWKHUHDUHGLIIHUHQFHV/RRNDW the underwing of the two blues - they are very different. With experience the powder blue RIWKH+ROO\%OXHFDQEHVHHQZKHQWKHEXWWHUÀ\LVLQÀLJKW

Holly Blue BC website photo Common Blue PRM

32