KENT & SOUTH EAST LONDON BRANCH NEWSLETTER The Adonis ISSUE 93 | AUTUMN 2019 Contents

Chair’s Welcome p.4

Regional Conservation Manager’s Report p.6

Highlights of the 2019 Season p.8

Are our landscapes joined-up? p.9 A Lime Hawk-moth Small Blue in London Cover Story: The Duke of Burgundy p.10

Long-term farm-based conservation work p.14

Wild About Gardens p.16

2019/2020 Conservation Work Party Dates p.18

Black-veined moth members taking part in the Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey p.20 in the Crundale Valley Big Butterfly Count Committee Members p.21

Field Trip Reports p.22

White Hill and

• Abbots Wood • Crundale Valley • Strawberry Banks and Coney Banks

Arable reversion wildflower meadow • East Blean • Burnt Oak Wood Follow us and keep in touch: • Lullingstone Websites: www.kentbutterflies.org / www.kentmothgroup.wordpress.org • Dene Park Woods

• Langdon Cliffs, @BCKentBranch / @mothsinkent • Steyning Rifle Range

• White Hill Reserve, Shoreham Butterfly Conservation Kent & SE London Branch / Kent Moth Group Kent & SE London Branch AGM & Members Day Insert

Kent Butterfly Conservation. Company limited by guarantee, registered in England (2206468). Registered Office: Manor Yard, East Lulworth,Wareham, Please add Butterfly Conservation to your approved email addresses. Dorset, BH20 5QP. Charity registered in England and Wales(254937) and in Scotland (SCO39268). VAT No GB 991 2771 89 Printed by Silver Pines Services Cover photo: Duke of Burgundy: Andrew Cooper Tel: 01732 465641 www.silverpines.co.uk

2 | The Adonis The Adonis | 3 like-minded people, get out in the fresh Our Annual General Meeting and Chair’s Welcome air and are an opportunity to make a Members’ Day is coming up soon. real difference for our . One This year we will be back in Lenham of my highlights of the year was seeing with a fantastic line up of speakers and By the time you read this the 2019 butterfly season will be all but over and Brown Hairstreaks in the Keston area, of course the usual photo competition an experience that probably wouldn’t autumn well upon us. Looking back, the summer was more erratic than last and raffle. See the agenda enclosed have been possible without the hard year although Kent was officially the sunniest county in the UK according and please do come along for what work and dedication of our volunteers promises to be a very enjoyable day. to the Met Office’s National Climate Information Centre. With 736 hours of last autumn. Last but not least, a big thank you sunshine there was plenty of good butterflying to be had! Hopefully you will have received the to Richard Oram for designing this he season got off to a good start The 10th anniversary of the Big email about our new initiative to make edition of The Adonis. If you have any with our county achieving some Butterfly Count was the most The Adonis available online on the thoughts for future articles please do Tnotable national first sightings; successful ever with well over 100,000 branch area of the website, as well as send them my way. sending out the hard copies which are Green Hairstreak were spotted on 24 counts. Kent submitted the third- Nathan Jones, Chair March at by Joanne highest number of counts of all restricted to a degree by the costs of Fegan, Small Blue on 14 April at counties in the UK! Thank you to printing. The online version allows us Langdon Cliffs by Phil Smith and Chalk everyone who submits their records; to include fuller content and additional Hill Blues were seen in Kent on 29 every piece of data helps to build colour. You may need to register your June, a joint-first with the Isle of Wight. a more detailed picture of how our email address so we can keep in touch. It was an exciting year for rare butterflies and moths are faring in migrants, with several Large increasingly concerning times for the Tortoiseshells and a Camberwell environment. If you are interested Beauty seen in the spring and a Queen in walking a transect or a Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey square, of Spain Fritillary and Long-tailed Green Hairstreak (photo credit: Iain Leach) Blues at the end of summer. 2019 please get in touch. is also notable for the Painted Lady The second stage application for Kent’s influx which gained a lot of interest in Magnificent Moths has been submitted the press and with the general public. to the National Lottery Heritage Fund Engagement and education are vital to and we keep our fingers crossed for our cause. good news later this year. If successful, it will be the largest moth conservation project ever in the UK. A huge thank

you to Project Officer Lucia Chmurova Duke of Burgundy (photo credit: Mark Searle) for her work on this! Large Tortoiseshell (photo credit: Tamás Nestor) We had a successful programme of well-attended field trips and it was a pleasure to meet many of you at these. Moving into winter, we have a number of conservation projects to get involved with. Please see our schedule of work parties and if you haven’t been along to one before I thoroughly recommend them! They are a great way to meet Chalk Hill Blue (photo credit: Iain Leach) Heath Fritillary (photo credit: Tamás Nestor).

4 | The Adonis The Adonis | 5 Trust’s Brilliant Butterfly Banks. Both is invaluable for providing a picture Regional Conservation these projects will offer some great of how species are doing at county, opportunities to get involved in nature regional and national levels, which conservation and I’m sure members has never been more important, given Manager’s Report will get to hear much more about these uncertain and changing times. these projects. As ever, the South East is an exciting Butterfly surveys across Kent will place for wildlife, for conservation 2019 was another unpredictable but fascinating season. Thankfully, many continue to provide valuable feedback action and for sightings. I’ve no of our highest priority butterflies seem to have had a good year. The Heath on how our colonies are faring. We doubt 2020 will be just as exciting, Fritillary and Duke of Burgundy did well, thanks in no small part to recent are so grateful to the volunteers who fascinating and probably just as targeted projects and to the great work of volunteers. walk the weekly transects, to those unpredictable. who record their sightings when out- cross the South East, all of the (including Natural England, the RSPB) Steve Wheatley and-about and those that get involved BC Branches and volunteers are and local authorities. We certainly hope Regional Conservation Manager for South in the Big Butterfly Count. The data East England Adoing great work for our most that this project further strengthens threatened species. Conservation our relationship with the many different partners like the RSPB, Natural organisations working in Kent towards England, and White the same goal of saving nature. Cliffs Countryside Partnership are also We’re very grateful to the National all giving a lot of attention to butterfly Lottery Heritage Fund (and to lottery and moth conservation. players) for funding the 9 months This year we’ve been busy developing of project development work. Our the ambitious Kent’s Magnificent funding application for the full three Moths project. Our project year project has been submitted to Development Officer, Lucia Chmurova, the NLHF and we await their decision. has put together a really exciting If successful, this project will launch project that will link our conservation in April, with two new and dedicated efforts with many local community project officers delivering the work. groups, schools and conservation Other very good news for butterflies partners. Kent is home to some of this year includes Kent Nature the UK’s rarest and most threatened Partnership adopting the moths, including the Black-veined Moth as one of their key indicator species (as pretty as any butterfly and found for the Kent Biodiversity Strategy 2019 nowhere else in the UK), the stunning to 2044. This will mean that the Adonis Emerald (which despite its Blue will enjoy a significantly higher name is established only in Kent), and profile amongst conservation partners the quite unique Fiery Clearwing (found in Kent, and being championed, around the Kent coast). The project will monitored and encouraged for the next offer all sorts of opportunities to get 25 years. up-close with this species and many Two London-centric projects that will more of Kent’s magnificent moths. offer new and different opportunities The project is being supported by a to Kent members are our Big City wide range of conservation partners Butterflies project and London Wildlife The iconic . Kent are home to some of the UK’s rarest and most threatened species.

6 | The Adonis The Adonis | 7 The 2019 Butterfly Season Are our landscapes joined-up? Testing functional connectivity using butterflies. Alana Skilbeck, Kent Wildlife Trust There was lots of good news for our butterflies in 2019. Some of the rarer butterflies, such as Duke of Burgundy and Heath Fritillary, have had a good year. Numbers of Small Blue showed a large increase at sites such as he natural world isn’t just surveyed by volunteers and so far something for us to enjoy, it our volunteers have recorded Adonis Fackenden Down, and Bex Cartwright found a new colony in the grounds of Tsustains us. The fragmentation blue on Kent Wildlife Trust reserves at Thanet Earth glasshouse complex. Dingy Skippers and Walls were also of landscapes and isolation of habitat Fackenden Down, and quite plentiful. patches put our very survival and . prosperity under threat, which is why Silver-washed Fritillaries were around However, not spotting these species is we work to reconnect these broken in good numbers at some sites and the just as important as finding them as links. Through consultation conducted beautiful, but rare, form valezina was it is showing us where the landscape by Kent Wildlife Trust as part its seen at the RSPB reserve at Northward isn’t connected for butterflies and Nature’s Sure Connected project, the Hill by David Saunders. Several Purple will ultimately help us understand the conservation community have helped Emperors were spotted at Dene barriers to species dispersing in those us prioritise five key questions that will Park and were also seen in gardens areas. Other species our volunteers help us understand whether landscape- at Knockholt by Alan Hofman and have spotted during their surveys scale conservation is working across Southborough by Margaret and Peter include: meadow brown, ringlet, small Kent and beyond. One of these Riley. There was further evidence of a skipper, large white, , questions is about connectivity - is gradual spread eastwards as, following brimstone, gate keeper, small heath, the landscape joined-up well enough Martin Newcombe’s discovery of this marbled white, comma, painted lady, for wildlife to move from one place species south of last , Essex skipper, dark Red Admiral (photo credit: Richard Oram) to another? year, Christine Thompson found one on green fritillary and . Our the Woodland Trust’s Hucking Estate However, other Nymphalids have had Kent Wildlife Trust and Butterfly surveys will continue into the middle this July. Also at Hucking, Alan Stubbs a poor year, with very low numbers of Conservation are working together of September, in which the next step found the caterpillars of White-letter Small Tortoiseshell and fewer Peacocks to see if connectivity is improving. will be to analyse the data collected Hairstreak. Marbled Whites continue and Commas than usual. Butterflies can only move through the and use it to evidence landscape-scale to spread in south-east London and In the last few weeks there have been landscape when suitable connections conservation in Kent. John Denton found them at Woolwich some exciting finds of rare migrant exist, and this means that monitoring Common and Falconwood. butterflies in Kent. The beautiful Queen them can help us determine if the work we do is joining up habitats Brown Hairstreaks have been seen of Spain Fritillary has been seen in the again. In particular we are asking our in good numbers in the Keston area South Foreland area by Phil Smith and volunteers to look for Adonis blue and by Fred O’Hare and others and Colin others and a Long-tailed Blue was seen silver-spotted skipper across the chalk Brotherwood found one at Down at Dungeness Bird Observatory. There grassland situated on the House, a new site for this species. is a good chance that there will be of Kent. By looking for butterflies, and To find out more about Nature’s Also, Mike Reed found an egg at a new more interesting discoveries in the last searching for them nearby to known Sure Connected and the work the location at Edenbridge. weeks of the season. records of these species we hope to project is doing visit: Mike Easterbrook, As I write this in early September there understand if butterflies are able to https://www.kentwildlifetrust. Branch Butterfly Recorder are plenty of Painted Ladies and Red disperse from one patch to another. org.uk/get-involved/our-projects/ Admirals around. natures-sure-connected We have a total of 28 sites being

8 | The Adonis The Adonis | 9 The Duke of Burgundy – Hamearis lucina (Linnaeus, 1758) (photo credit: Bob Eade) On Sunday 12th May 2019, 17 members of the Oaten Hill & South Association were kindly invited by Alan Cooper to join BC members for the Denge Wood Duke of Burgundy visit. In anticipation, Dick Vane-Wright produced an information sheet for OHSCA members which, thanks to Nathan Jones, was shared with all those present. This note is adapted from that leaflet.

he Duke of Burgundy, about closest to the capital that still survive. the size of a Common Blue Its national decline has been due to a T(Polyommatus icarus) and thus complex mixture of changes affecting one of our smallest butterflies, is the management of our woodlands the only European member of the and downs. During May, females lay ‘metalmark’ family, the Riodinidae. their glassy, spherical eggs in small Closely related to our more familiar batches on the underside of primrose blues, coppers and hairstreaks (family or cowslips leaves – the only plants the ), the metalmarks are hairy caterpillars will eat. The pupae, most numerous in South and Central which are also hairy, are formed from the end of July or in August, and have America, where there are well over to survive right through the winter 1300 known species1, with only about to the following May, when the next 15 in Africa, 20 in North America, generation of adults begins to appear. and some 100 or so in Asia and the Found just above the ground, or often Indo-Pacific. in grass tussocks (at up to 60 cm Originally discovered in above the ground), the pupae seem Cambridgeshire by William Vernon vulnerable to predation by slugs and in about 1695, our species was first shrews3. The adults fly from end of named in 1699 by James Petiver, April until early June, perhaps peaking ‘father of British butterflies’, as Mr a bit earlier on more open downs and a Vernon’s Small Fritillary – fritillary then little later in woodlands. being a name given to any butterfly A map, produced some 20 years ago4, with a pattern of small chequers or revealed that the Duke of Burgundy in spots. In 1717, in the first ever attempt Kent was by then restricted to an area Chasing at a comprehensive account of of about 40 km2 centred on Crundale 2 stated British butterflies, Petiver (just to the south of and including wwwthat it was “found in several woods Denge Wood). Concern for its survival round London”. in Kent and other counties has since Alas, “round London” is no longer led to a considerable turnaround, His Grace the case. The last remaining colonies brought about by focused conservation Dick Vane-Wright, of this butterfly in Kent, which all work over last 10 years – with a very OHSCA, Scientific Associate NHM London, and DICE Canterbury occur near Canterbury, are among the notable local input from BC Kent

10 | The Adonis The Adonis | 11 Branch. The decline has been arrested of all Lycaenidae had an ecological References in several areas, and the Duke is relationship with ants – and this may 1.Callaghan CJ & Lamas G. 2004. 99. Riodinidae. In Lamas G (ed.), Checklist: Part 4A Hesperioidea – Papilionoidea. thankfully now experiencing an overall even be true for the ancestor that gave Atlas of Neotropical Lepidoptera volume 5A. Gainesville, Scientific Publishers, pp. 141–170. upward trend, including the Kent sites. rise to both families6. Thus a number 2.Petiver J. 1717. Papilionum Britanniae. London, Royal Society. Even so, the existence of this in of American Riodinidae are adapted to 3.Oates M & Emmet AM. 1989. Hamearis lucina (Linnaeus). The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and lreland volume 7(1), 177–179. Great Horkesley, Harley Books. England (already extinct in Scotland interact with ants in various ways8, as 5 4.Philp EG. 2004. Butterflies in Kent, 1991–2000. The Transactions of the Kent Field Club volume 17(1): 1–24. and Wales ) will probably depend on are numerous Lycaenidae worldwide. 5.Dennis RLH. 1977. The British Butterflies. Their Origin and Establishment. Faringdon, EW Classey. continuing efforts by conservationists, However, even if this was an ancestral most notably those linked with 6.Espeland M & 14 others. 2018. A comprehensive and dated phylogenomic analysis of butterflies. condition of the metalmarks, the Current Biology volume 28: 770–778. Butterfly Conservation. Duke of Burgundy belongs to a major 7.Ackery PR, de Jong R & Vane-Wright RI. 1999. The butterflies: Hedyloidea, Hesperioidea and Papilionoidea. In Kristensen subgroup (subfamily Nemeobiinae – NP (ed.), Handbook of Zoology volume 4(35). Berlin, Walter de Gruyter, pp. 263–300. What makes a metalmark probably over 50 million years old6) 8.DeVries PJ. 1991. Ecological and evolutionary patterns in riodinid butterflies. In Huxley C & Cutler DF (eds), Ant-Plant a metalmark? that, if it ever did have a relationship Interactions. Oxford, Oxford UP, pp. 143–156. The family Riodinidae was for long with ants, there is no direct evidence considered to be a subfamily of the of that now. Lycaenidae – worldwide, a huge family One of the structural differences, of some 7000 or more species of with respect to the Lyaenidae at mostly rather small butterflies known least, that does seem to ‘work’, is colloquially as hairstreaks, blues and the affecting the coppers. We have ten extant native legs. In male metalmarks the first pair Lycaenidae in Kent, including the of legs are small, and not used for Adonis Blue. walking, whereas the females walk on Recent research strongly suggests that all six legs – as do both sexes of all Part of Plate 4 from Petiver 1717 – are ‘Vernon’s small Fritillary’ the roughly 1500 known metalmarks Lycaenidae, so far as known. The sexes (photo credit: NHM London). share a common ancestor with all of the Duke of Burgundy differ only other Lycaenidae. In other words, the slightly in wing shape and coloration, two groups diverged from the butterfly but if you have really good eyesight (or family tree at the same time, perhaps are very handy with a digital camera!) The male Duke (on two pairs of legs) is on as much as 90 million years ago6. you can use this curious difference to the left, the ‘Duchess’ (on three pairs) is on the right (photo credit: Bob Eade). Modern approaches to establishing tell the sexes apart when the butterflies butterfly classification depend heavily are at rest with wings folded – as in the on DNA data, and all recent molecular image here of a mating pair. analyses support the idea that the Thanks to Alan and all the hard work metalmarks form a ‘natural group’. done by BC volunteers, all those This is significant because much of present on 12th May were privileged to the morphological evidence on which see this charismatic little butterfly at recognition of the group was long home among the primroses on Bonsai based has proved equivocal7. Bank. The Duke is the only metalmark Many naturalists know about the in the whole of western Europe – and remarkable relationship between indeed, the only member of the genus ants and the Large Blue. Fewer seem Hamearis. Mysteries to ponder as well to be aware that there is now strong as a lovely sight to behold. evidence that the common ancestor The hairy caterpillar feeds only on Primula (photo credit: Peter Eeles).

12 | The Adonis The Adonis | 13 focused on recovering butterfly and Long term farm-based moth populations that act as ‘flagship’ species for a whole range of bird, reptile and mammal life. conservation work for Our Stour Valley to Stone Street project encompasses the grassland colonies butterflies and moths in Kent for Duke of Burgundy and Black-veined moth and where long-term grassland habitat creation is now paying off with For almost 25 years Environmental Stewardship schemes have been the main 3 new Black-veined moth colonies mechanism for delivering conservation work in the agricultural landscapes establishing in the last 3 years on of Kent. land that was formerly used for arable crops. The network of new flower-rich None more so than in the Kent countryside with groups of 12 to 20 grasslands is also benefitting Duke of Downs where ‘landscape-scale’ work farms in each project. Central to the Burgundy which is enjoying an upward has been at the heart of Natural delivery of the projects has been the trend and where new sightings are England’s approach to working with use of targeted, ‘on-farm’, one to one made each year across the landscape. farms and landowners for many advice and where the main aim is Wall Brown, Green Hairstreak, Dingy years and where the main aim has building long-term relationships with Skipper and Adonis Blue are amongst been to create, from arable land and farmers to achieve longstanding land the many butterfly species recorded agriculturally ‘improved’ species- use change and so create a network across the landscape. poor fields, a new generation of of contiguously linked species-rich In our East Kent Valleys project the wildflower-rich grasslands across five grassland habitats. creation and restoration of 200ha large geographical areas. Each area Across the project areas, more than of new flower-rich grasslands across encompasses typically between 50 (If you look closely!) a Black-veined moth in 900ha of arable and species-poor arable reversion land the landscape is now entering a and 80 square kilometres of farmed grassland have now been converted new phase where foodplant seed for into wildflower-rich meadows, putting Adonis, Small and Chalk Hill Blue are in place the foundations of local being introduced to new grasslands. ‘Nature Recovery Networks’ across Meanwhile new colony sites for Adonis multiple farm holdings. Botanical Blue and Silver-spotted Skipper have diversity is increased through a appeared this year in the project area combination of natural regeneration, showing the benefits of increasing seeding of native wildflowers and habitat connectivity. spreading of green hay. Native provenance wildflower mixtures have In the more intensive agricultural been sown over 330ha, spread across landscapes of the Barham Downs our projects include some larger areas of Arable reversion / habitat creation 90 individual field sites, ranging in size native wildflower seeding / natural colonisation from small part-field plots to whole- native wildflower seeding work with Existing species-rich grassland field areas of up to 20ha and with a ex-arable fields up to 20ha in size now rolling programme of around 30ha supporting wildflower-rich grasslands 1 km of native wildflower seeding projects and with Small Copper, Brown Argus, Aerial photography copyright Bluesky International Ltd/Getmapping plc being completed each year. Common Blue and Small Heath amongst the new colonists. Long known as good biodiversity Dan Tuson, Natural England. indicators, much of this work is

14 | The Adonis The Adonis | 15 We are delighted your chairman the project relevant and fresh. If you Wild About Gardens Nathan will be joining us this year, with would like to find out more, take a a display about moths and butterflies. look at the Wild about Gardens section Once the Celebration is over, we go of Kent Wildlife Trust’s website or straight into planning for Wild about give me a call at www. Thank you for allowing me space in your newsletter to tell you about the Gardens 2020, where once again we kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/get-involved/ inspirational work Kent Wildlife Trust’s team of volunteer wildlife gardening rely on feedback and support from wild-about-gardens. advisors have been doing for the past 11 plus years. our 50 strong volunteer team to keep Maureen Rainey, Kent Wildlife Trust

2019 has been a record-breaking year with a glass of wine and enjoy the for us. We’ve seen a marked increase increased bees and butterflies visiting in the number of gardeners asking their garden! advice as to how they can encourage Since 2008 when the scheme was more bees, butterflies and hedgehogs revamped, our volunteers have visited in their gardens. In response, TV over 1,200 different gardens (2,350 programmes such as Gardeners’ World if you include gardens which re-enter have been talking about nectar and for more advice). We include anything pollen rich planting. But as members which can be loosely described as a of Butterfly Conservation will already garden from small town centre beds, know, to maintain a healthy butterfly allotments, community gardens to population, you need to cater for large private estates. eggs, caterpillars and pupae. Bees Our aim is to encourage everyone in need winter shelter and Hedgehogs Kent to help create those vital stepping need connectivity. All these things stones and corridors that nature are generally insufficiently covered by desperately needs. celebrity gardeners. In October we invite everyone That’s where our volunteer advisors who enters the scheme to our big can help. Every garden which enters Celebration event. We promise no Kent Wild about Gardens is offered boring speeches and there is no a personal visit and what’s more, overall winner, apart from the wildlife. we don’t expect the garden to be Plaques and certificates are given out completed before entering. Our depending on how wildlife friendly each volunteers are keen to visit a work in garden is and we have “special” awards progress or a beginner gardener. That for gardens of particular interest, such way we can encourage people to (for as “Best for Bats”, “Best Front Garden” example) choose the best trees and and “Young Wildlife Gardener”. There shrubs for wildlife, leave a bit of longer are short presentations about these grass or even better, ease up on the special gardens and displays from mowing altogether and cut out using partners such as Kent Bat Group, poisons. It’s amazing how with gentle Kent Mammal Group, Kent Reptile persuasion from a friendly face, even and Amphibian Group and Bumblebee the most die-hard of the stripy lawn Conservation Trust to encourage brigade can be encouraged to give the beginner gardeners to become mower a break and instead to relax more involved.

16 | The Adonis The Adonis | 17 Conservation Work Parties Conservation Work Party Directory

White Hill Reserve, Shoreham Crundale Valley Area f fresh air, physical work and a deep sense of satisfaction are what you are Important chalk downland habitat Natural England work closely with after, then look no further! By volunteering at a work party, you will help with home to a notable colony of Chalkhill farmers and landowners to improve Iessential tasks to restore or maintain important butterfly and moth habitats. Blue butterflies and resident moths biodiversity across these sites. Duke of When you join a work party you will learn all about the specific habitat species including Peach Blossom and Burgundy and Black-veined moth are requirements of target species and how to manage for them. While the tasks vary, Pale Pinion. target species for conservation work. some features don’t change. You will enjoy friendly company, be provided with Dates: 27th October, 24th November, Dates: TBC hand tools and health and safety equipment and of course the all-important tea 22nd December, 26th January Contact: Dan Tuson, and biscuit supplies! Please meet onsite for a [email protected] As well as the positive impacts on the environment, conservation volunteering 10am H&S briefing brings a host of benefits including improved physical and mental health and Contact: Peter Kirby, 07710 546453 Blean Woods, Canterbury wellbeing, and increased levels of positivity, as a result of the physical activity [email protected] and contact with green space. A Kent Wildlife Trust reserve, the ancient semi-natural woodland of the We have more work parties than ever before this season. Please wear appropriate Denge Woods, Canterbury Blean is home to critically endangered clothing and bring a pack lunch if you plan to stay all day. Get in touch with Heath Fritillaries as well as many other Nathan Jones [email protected] or the site contact if you have any Part of an ancient semi-natural lepidoptera species. questions about volunteering. Keep an eye on our website and social media for woodland complex, this site is home dates yet to be confirmed. to the endangered Duke of Burgundy Dates: Every Tuesday and Thursday butterfly as well as many important Contact: Will Douglas, moth species, rare orchids and bird [email protected] life. Dates: TBC, usually Sundays mid-Dec Vanbrugh Pits, Blackheath and mid-Jan. A rare, relict acid grassland habitat. Contact: Claire Ward, An incredible 29 butterfly species have [email protected] been recorded at this London site including Small Copper, Brown Argus, Green and Purple Hairstreak. Dates: TBC Contact: Joe Beale, [email protected]

Volunteers at a work party in Denge Woods

18 | The Adonis The Adonis | 19 Wider Countryside Committee Members Butterfly Survey President: Dr. Jim Flegg Chair: Nathan Jones [email protected] irstly, a big thank you to all our 2019 WCBS volunteers (up from two last year to over a dozen!) who have made it one of the best years for Kent BC squares Conservation Officer: Simon Ginnaw Fon record. We can now boast coverage from the Sussex border to East Kent [email protected] and from London to Folkestone. Even the Isle of Grain was surveyed this year and Conservation Officer & H&S Officer: Peter Kirby proved to be our most populous square with well over 400 individual butterflies [email protected] seen! A couple of personal highlights included an amazing spot in Bromley, London; Country Butterfly Recorder: Mike Easterbrook whilst doing a recce of square TQ3771 with one of our members we were treated [email protected] to a slightly tatty but very special Large Tortoiseshell. Needless to say, very exciting and I wasted no time getting the photos identified by Mike Easterbrook. Membership Secretary: Jackie Kirby I’d also been wishing for a Clouded Yellow all over the August bank holiday [email protected] weekend. When one actually appeared over the White Cliffs while I was completing Moth Recorder (Macro): Ian Hunter the last section of my last kilometre of my last square, I’m not ashamed to admit [email protected] I ran almost the entire kilometre back to where I’d started to secure a photo - once it finally settled on a clump of ragwort it deemed worthy to nectar from. A Moth Recorder (Micro): Dave Shenton wonderful memory of a Clouded Yellow on a cloudless summer day! [email protected] We do still need more volunteers to take on vacant squares and I’m happy to say we have two new squares to add to the list, up for grabs next year. So please, if Secretary & Branch Contact: Peter Riley you’re interested in getting involved in a very easy way with BC’s crucial citizen [email protected] science work, feel free to reach out to me on [email protected]. Transect Officer: Paul Tinsley-Marshall Paolo Farina, WCBS Champion [email protected]

Treasurer: Trevor Manship [email protected]

WCBS Officer: Paolo Farina [email protected]

Website & IT Officer: Ben Kirby [email protected]

Committee Member: Margaret Riley [email protected]

Associate Member: John Bangay [email protected] Clouded Yellow TR2839 Large Tortoiseshell by Platform 2 Lower Sydenham

20 | The Adonis The Adonis | 21 White Hill and Fackenden Down Field Trips 2019 5th May 2019 Peter Kirby

tepping out of my car was a shock vetch had finally established itself on the to the system to say the least and main ride, offering additional breeding Sa cold breeze quickly chilled my areas for the Chalkhill Blues. bones. Would anyone venture out on such Our slow walk to Fackenden Down failed a cold day with little chance of seeing to produce any butterflies but the sky any butterflies? Butterfly enthusiasts are was clearing just a little so we walked a tough breed, if not a little optimistic, so on. As if to order, the sun popped out it came as no surprise to see cars arriving for little more than three minutes but and some hardy souls assemble in the this was enough time to stir three Dingy lay-by. Whilst I was waiting for people to Skippers into action and they were soon arrive, I tracked down an Orange Tip egg joined by two more. I was delighted to on the roadside vegetation to show folk see a single Grizzled Skipper enter the just in case we found nothing else at all, ring and good views were had by all. It a high likelihood at these temperatures, seemed an appropriate time to search and the party of fourteen set off up the for Dingy Skipper eggs but a close path towards the reserve. search produced nothing so I can only It really was a lottery but we arrived on guess that the adults we were seeing the reserve to see the habitat looking were fairly fresh and yet to lay. good after our winter work parties and we We spent some time in the area but the must thank our volunteers for their hard sun disappeared all too quickly and we work. Ben and I had varied the sward were left enjoying the birdsong. Blackcap depth whilst brush-cutting and it was and Whitethroat were readily identified interesting to see the results and proved and a possible Lesser Whitethroat but, valuable data for the management next with the sun now lost, were retraced autumn. our footsteps through White Hill. Any We made our way towards the main chance of seeing a butterfly now were reserve where I had hoped to see a very slim indeed but we had enjoyed Brimstone or Peacock and, with any luck, a very pleasant walk and seen at least a Green Hairstreak but it was simply too two species plus some eggs. Given the cold. Ben and Jackie Kirby found some conditions, I should not complain but, as Brimstone eggs so all was not lost but leader, I try to find things of interest but these hardly made up for flying . sometimes these early season field trips I took the opportunity to explain the can prove very tough but there is still a management targets for the various whole season to follow and who knows, I habitat panels and how the horseshoe might have an easier time!

22 | The Adonis The Adonis | 23 Abbots Wood Crundale Valley 26th May 2019 9th June 2019 Peter Riley Nathan Jones

n a breezy, but reasonably warm he day was mild but overcast with moths which was very encouraging for and sunny morning twelve BC the earlier sun giving way to cloud the ongoing conservation efforts. Omembers met at an entrance Tas 20 nature enthusiasts from as Yellow Shell, Common Heath, Burnet to the Abbots Wood complex in East far away as Suffolk and London ventured Companion, Common Blue, Green Sussex. Of the twelve, one was a to East Kent to join this late addition to Hairstreak, Small Heath and Large member from Oxfordshire on a cycling the planned field trips programme. Dan Skipper, amongst others, brought weekend to South East England, two Tuson of Natural England lead our group. the lepidoptera species seen into were from Essex and four from the Dan is a conservation advisor to farmers double figures. We were also keeping an Sussex Branch. As we walked the short and landowners in the area, focusing on eye out for any late Duke of Burgundy distance to the Pearl-bordered Fritillary landscape-scale biodiversity restoration butterflies, but their season appeared to site we did not see or hear the usual projects. Some of the meadows we have ended. cuckoo or nightingale but this was soon walked are the result of 20 years of Toward the end of the walk we reviewed forgotten as the first Fritillary found was successful land management under the some of the areas Kent Branch a beautifully fresh Small Pearl-bordered Countryside Stewardship Schemes. volunteers had worked on in the winter, Fritillary which I had never seen at Dan explained what the schemes are clearing scrub and bramble to improve this site before. (I understand from Pearl-bordered Fritillary (photo credit: Iain Leach) achieving and it was fascinating to see habitat for the Duke of Burgundy and the Sussex Branch that in 2017 they Wood and Brimstone, but, unusually, the various stages of restoration across the Black-veined moth. A big thank you introduced the Small Pearl-bordered there were only limited numbers of fields that have been recently reseeded, to Dan for leading our group, and to to Abbots Wood at the same time as Speckled Yellow day-flying moths which compared to those that have been the land owners for allowing access. We re-introducing them to their reserve are normally very numerous. As usual, established for much longer. The plant hope to make this walk an annual event. at Park Corner Down where they had Park Corner Heath was also on the diversity was staggering and we enjoyed become extinct in 2016). We saw at itinerary for the Small Pearl-bordered dozens of Bee Orchid and other early least one other Small Pearl-bordered as Fritillary. On this occasion this was summer orchids amongst many other well as several Pearl-bordered Fritillaries not necessary, but four of us went on chalk grassland specialists. most of which were noticeably pale there in the early afternoon anyway. Our target species was the Black-veined and worn and were obviously coming Unfortunately, by the time we got there moth, one of the UK’s rarest moths that to the end of their flight period which the sun had gone and the weather is found only here in East Kent and one usually overlaps that of the later flying cooled and there were no butterflies to of the eight species that will be a focus Small Pearl-bordered. It was good to be seen, but we were still very pleased of the Kent’s Magnificent Moths project. be able to compare the two species with our day. When the first ghostly-white individual as they do not very often fly together. fluttered up from the grass it was met The size difference is not marked and with great excitement, being the first cannot really be used in identification. time most of us had ever seen one. In the As is quite normal, there were few other end we saw around 10 of these ethereal butterflies on the site, only Speckled Black-veined moth (photo credit: Nathan Jones)

24 | The Adonis The Adonis | 25 Strawberry Banks and Coney Banks 8th June 2019 Peter Kirby

quick look at the early morning with the promise of rain. We just made reflected that members have a choice to A big thanks goes out to Liz who braved forecast showed trouble on the it to the edge of the wood when the stay at home if things are rough but the the elements and made it all worthwhile Away with very high winds and sky opened up with a downpour and I poor old leader has to travel to the venue but, come to think of it, Liz was also at downpours expected. France had was glad that I had packed an umbrella come rain or shine in case anyone turns the Temple Ewell trip so there could be already endured 80mph winds and the which saved me from the worst of the up, even if there is more likelihood of a pattern appearing here! front was heading our way so I was very weather. We certainly wouldn’t see any selling snow shoes in Africa than seeing surprised to see anyone turn up but just more butterflies but, when the rain a butterfly. one stalwart made it through and made cleared, we enjoyed good showings of our journey worthwhile. Man and Bee Orchids. The habitat for A quick look around the car park Adonis and Chalkhill Blues was superb revealed three Orange Tip larvae on and showed good results to the grazing. garlic mustard so at least I hadn’t As we indulged, a dense black cloud blanked! The sky was totally clouded appeared over the tops of the trees and over and the wind threatened to level the I knew we were in for a beating with trees but we leaders are not easily put nowhere to shelter and the rain began to off (I believe optimistic is the word) and fall with anger. My umbrella tried to turn we headed off to the distant valley. The itself inside-out and I feared becoming main site had been lightly grazed during Mary Poppins and they tell me Herne the winter months and the sward looked Bay is nice at this time of year which all the better for it with a good display of was something to look forward to if I flowers and should suit the forthcoming couldn’t sort things out. The rain was Marbled Whites and Meadow Browns. very heavy and coming in head-on and No blues showed as we walked down soon penetrated my clothing but there into the valley which was surprising was nowhere to hide so ‘take it on the given the habitat and plentiful Birdsfoot chin Peter’ and make the most of it. The Trefoil all around but the wind would situation reminded me of a field trip probably send them to had to Temple Ewell a few years ago when they flushed from the grass! Alan Cooper led a similar trip and the We took the path crossing the main bank rain dropped out of the sky all morning and were soon surrounded by orchids and we saw no butterflies and talk about with Fragrant, Common Spotted, Man wet. and Pyramidal all from one spot. As All thoughts of going on to Coney if by magic, two Adonis Blues flew by Banks were abandoned and we headed in the relative shelter of the wood but back towards the cars in torrential rain soon disappeared as the sky darkened and squelching boots. As we walked, I Chalk Hill Blue (male & female) (photo credit: Adam Gor)

26 | The Adonis The Adonis | 27 East Blean Burnt Oak Wood 16th June 2019 23rd June 2019 Peter Riley Peter Kirby

Heath Fritillaries. This kept everybody fter the field trip to Strawberry there were Painted Ladies on seemingly happy as the butterflies were reasonably Banks where rain stopped play, every flower so could well lead to a accessible to the cameras. I should Athe air was warm and humid with migration to the UK and I had seen two think we saw about six specimens in a hint of sunshine as we assembled in a local nature reserve. A call rang all in two recently cleared patches of in the car park. Given the weather of out as one of the party spotted a White the habitat which is chestnut coppice. I late, things were running a little behind Admiral in the clearing. It settled for managed to get a good look at three of this season so I was a quite surprised a short while and was reckoned to be them, which all seemed to be recently to see a Purple Hairstreak making its a male judging by its wing shape but emerged males, which suggested to me way to the top of the oaks near the cars could not be confirmed. With the sun that the 2019 season was significantly and a few Meadow Browns were breaking through, things began to liven late. On the same site and date last fluttering in the tall grasses nearby so up and a Marbled White crossed the ride year, admittedly in better weather, there things were looking good as we headed followed by a Red Admiral. As we stood were over 200 fritillaries flying including for the forest. listening to a distant cuckoo, Nathan many females and mating pairs. As we negotiated the path leading to the spotted a Purple Hairstreak deep in a As is usual on rare fritillary sites there rides and clearings, I spent a little while grass tussock and trying to crawl up were few other butterflies to be seen. We searching for Brimstone larvae but had to safety. Closer examination showed recorded a single Holly Blue, Speckled no success and I suspected that they that it had a damaged wing, probably Wood and two Meadow Browns, and a had pupated by now. The first Ringlets due to the butterfly being unable to Red Admiral flew swiftly through the began to show and most were in good hang correctly during the wing drying Heath Fritillary (photo credit: Paolo Farina) area. Unusually we were visited by a condition so had only recently emerged. process. Many of the hairstreaks seen Brown Hawker Dragonfly which I have Several moths were flushed from the at ground level are those that have ixteen members, one of whom never seen there before and which, vegetation and a Clouded Border posed just emerged and are in the process of had come down specially from even more unusually, actually settled well for photographs. As we reached heading to the canopy of trees where SNuneaton, leaving home at 6am, for a minute or two quite close to the the first ride, the first of several Large they will spend most of their lives and met Margaret and I in the car park of the edge of the patch, giving photographic Skippers were spotted on the brambles seldom descend to take nectar from National Nature Reserve of East Blean opportunities. but a diligent search failed to reveal any flowers. Another cry saw the arrival of on a cloudy and cool morning. We made two Brimstones that were still in good The member from Nuneaton was the Small Skippers which was surprising our way to the nearby fritillary site and condition but they stayed just out of first to leave to start his long journey given the ideal habitat. I spent some noted that recent heavy rain had left reach of the cameras. The remainder of home, very happy with his morning. time discussing the various grasses several puddles on the path which was the trip was spent enjoying the flora and Shortly after this the sun ceased to and where the skippers would later lay unusual, but welcome, summer weather particularly the grasses and orchids. A appear and light drizzle started and the their eggs. in the South East. Speckled Wood along the lane rounded car park was clear well before 1300 but A flash of ginger proved to be a Painted things off nicely on what was a marginal We waited a few minutes, seeing everybody seemed to be well satisfied Lady and this was soon joined by day with very little bright sunshine. nothing, but then the sun began to with the trip. another. A friend had been away in come out enough to tempt out a few Poland a few days ago and said that

28 | The Adonis The Adonis | 29 for their hard work. As many of you A flash of ginger turned out to be a Lullingstone will be aware, the future of White Hill male Dark Green Fritillary but more was is under review and we are seeking to come as more fritillaries began to 30th June 2019 additional help with our winter work show and we even saw a female being Peter Kirby and to neglect any part of the habitat courted by a male. As we continued our spells disaster with scrub taking over walk, we saw more and more fritillaries very rapidly. Today was different. and our final estimate of those seen Stepping out onto the main slope and was about ten to fifteen, an all time breeding ground, we were confronted record for White Hill and the peak was he previous day had seen record took half an hour or so to really make it. with a green paradise with flowers all yet to come. temperatures well in excess of 30 This often happens at this site and the around and the sinister scrub still only Our return walk revealed even more Tdegrees so it was with some relief males were clearly emerging from their a few centimetres tall and posing no Marbled Whites but the fritillaries that a few clouds and a light breeze as we watched and the numbers immediate threat. Marbled Whites were were ‘photo-sensitive’ and completely were set for today as, to attempt a field rose steadily to give good viewings. Each literally everywhere and we could count disappeared when the sun disappeared trip in the furnace like conditions would male would fly downwind of a patch of dozens at any one time from all corners behind a cloud – quite extraordinary have been unthinkable. As it was, the habitat and then turn into the wind and of the site. This was particularly and goes to show how important it is to temperature was still very high and my begin that familiar search for a female, pleasing and surprising as both the be in the right place at the right time. H&S briefing centred on dehydration. flying close to the ground and checking Marbled Whites and Ringlets had not Our day could not have been any more Our first stop was in a sheltered corner the base of any scrub before repeating fared well when we lost so much grass rewarding and the icing on the cake had where we traditionally find a few the exercise. Some even posed for and habitat with the rabbit invasion a to be White Hill with its fritillaries. I am skippers and Ringlets and we were not photography but it is far more rewarding few years ago. so glad we visited the site at, what can to be disappointed. The Ringlets were to wait a week when the females emerge be, a quiet butterfly time of year as very fresh and had not been on the wing as they often ‘tank-up’ on nectar before broods come and go. very long but the Meadow Browns were beginning their egg laying but, by the well established but skippers were hard time we decided to work our way back to find. A single Cinnabar moth added to the car park, everyone had enjoyed some colour and a Small Heath rounded views of the males and we had no thing off nicely. The display of orchids complaint. was a picture and most were fresh and The walk back was a pleasure and we all in mint condition. enjoyed the orchids once again and all Crossing the golf course, we arrived at agreed that it had been a good day and the bank where we expected to see a agreed that we would return next year few Dark Green Fritillaries but, at first, and hope for peak emergence. we saw none at all and began to wonder if we had missed the peak but a shout Footnote: indicated that we were OK and a fresh After a quick lunch, we decided to call in male flew past. As if by magic, several on White Hill as it was on the way home. more fritillaries were sighted and the Most people only see this site on our place became alive with butterflies. early season visit and the mid August Marbled Whites stole the show and field trip so miss out on a real treat. could be counted in hundreds and were The winter work parties are vital to the in competition with the Meadow Browns fortunes or otherwise of this site and but the fritillaries were a little slow and the volunteers are to be congratulated Marbled White (photo credit: Iain Leach)

30 | The Adonis The Adonis | 31 Dene Park Woods White Hill Reserve, Shoreham 7th July 2019 4th August 2019 Trevor Manship Trevor Manship

n the week leading up to this event it welve of us assembled on a warm had been very warm and sunny with sunny morning at White Hill. We IPurple Emperor’s being seen on most Thad butterflies from the start as days. The weather for our walk was a we headed up the downs, with around little different! It started with being 4-5 Speckled Woods in the shaded overcast with some mizzle and a bit of woodland. In the first clearing we light rain. Did this dampen our spirits? connected with our first Silver washed Of course it didn’t! Fritillary and went on the see around 9 of these brilliant butterflies, both 23 people were forever hopefully that male and females during the walk. the sun would come out. We were first Brimstones were also putting on a show, entertained by examining the exit holes we had 2 males and 2 females. It wasn’t Chalk Hill Blue (photo credit: Trevor Wilson)

of Hornet Clearwing around the long before we had our first sighting

base of a tree in the car park, and found of Chalkhill Blues, taking time to look

empty cases around the base of at the differences between the male

the tree. We heard Marsh Tit calling in and females.

the car park. Peter Kirby showed us all Gatekeeper (photo credit: Richard Oram) As we continued towards the main

Comma eggs attached to the top of “Chalkhill” area, we added Large This lifted our spirits and we headed a nettle. and Small White, Peacock , Comma, back into the wood with new optimism Due to the weather, the low vegetation Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper and around and it wasn’t long before we were in the wood was damp as we walked 3 Painted Lady On the moth front, we watching a White Admiral. A Southern into the wood but at least had Speckled had several Five and Six spot Burnets Hawker dragonfly also paraded along Wood along the first woodland ride. and the small but beautiful purple and the rides. Whilst waiting for butterflies to appear yellow coloured Pyrausta aurata. Six-spot Burnet (photo credit: Iain Leach) we were serenaded by a Song Thrush The sun came out in the triangle clearing We then reached the main “Chalkhill” and also had Nuthatch and Great where we added Green-veined White to area in glorious sunshine to be met with Spotted Woodpecker. the days list and were treated to views literally hundreds of Chalkhill Blues of a White–legged Damselfly resting in We walked to the edge of the wood out like light blue clouds flying low over the the vegetation and some toadlets! ground – absolutely stunning! We also to a meadow area which was beginning found around 4 late Marbled Whites, 3 to see some sunlight and became dry. Brown Argus and one Small Copper. It felt warm and it wasn’t long before we were treated to our first Gatekeepers Two species of dragonfly were seen – of the year. We also had Meadow Browns, Brown Hawker and Common Darter. Ringlets, Small Skippers and Small White. All in all an excellent walk, with 14 species of butterfly and an unforgettable Comma (photo credit: Bob Eade) memory of hundreds of Chalkhill Blues.

32 | The Adonis The Adonis | 33 every sheltered corner and even behind The site was perfect for butterflies Langdon Cliffs, Dover a single bush and we could only wonder and it was a shame the weather was at their resolve in such conditions. We so tough. Even so, we found plenty of Sunday 11th August 2019 made our way back to the car park and Chalk-hill Blues and Gatekeepers and Peter Kirby enjoyed a few more butterflies before we will certainly include it in our future we took a break for lunch. The shelter in calendar. The weather had dictated the car was most welcome but the sun our day but we had seen all target was shining so, after a cup of tea, we species and enjoyed bright skies all decided to check out the habitat above morning which is more than can be said ith much of the Midlands under several war time trenches affording a the top car park where the ranger had for where heavy rain ruled water with massive floods and degree of shelter and the prospect of suggested we visit. the day! Wgale force winds forecast for the some butterflies. A short search revealed south east, the prospects of seeing any a Large Skipper, Small Heath and the butterflies at all seemed optimistic to first Chalk-hill Blues. Both males and say the least and I expected a nil turn- females were observed battling the wind out. Imagine then my surprise when ten and even making some headway which stalwarts assembled in the car park was remarkable as we were having under bright but total cloud cover and trouble standing up let alone beating a very stiff breeze. If nothing else, it the wind! promised to be a day of getting back Our next stop was the cliff ledge that what you put into a situation and we would take us back to the car park would have to work hard for results. and visitor centre. This part of the site Given the strength of the wind and usually turns up a Wall or two and today occasional powerful gusts, I led the was no different with two being spotted, party away from the unfenced cliff path along with a pair of Small Whites. A and up the slope to the Coastguard female Chalk-hill Blue was observed egg Station. The wind was particularly laying in a sheltered spot and several strong on the open ground so we found a male aberrations, where the dots on sheltered corner where we hoped to find the underside were reduced or absent, a species or two. Almost immediately, a were noted. My own observations at Wall was spotted which was a pleasing our White Hill reserve revealed similar start to the day. This was soon joined anomalies. The reason for this is not by a Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown and fully understood but it is well known Small White, all of which were reluctant in this species and the reason why to fly due to the wind, even in the early collectors sought tray after tray shelter of the scrub. A flash of ginger of pinned insects. There is evidence saw a Painted Lady greeting the wind to suggest that hot conditions during head on, seemingly not bothered about the pupal stage can give rise to this the conditions and more than powerful aberration and, given the extremely hot enough to fly at will. weather during July, it is quite possibly One of the site rangers came over for a the cause in this case. chat and he suggested we try an area With the wind now reaching gale force on further along the path where there were the ledge, we were finding butterflies in

34 | The Adonis The Adonis | 35 Adonis Blue and possibly Long-tailed saw many more Adonis Blues as well Steyning Rifle Range Blues that had been reported recently. as Small Heath, Comma, Painted Lady, We drove there and pulled into the first Small Tortoiseshell and others, but no 24th August 2019 obvious car park. The site didn’t look Long-tailed Blues unfortunately. Pete & Karen Hall quite right for our plan but we had a All in all, we had a great day and many look around and found a perfect Adonis thanks to Richard for his leading skills, Blue which allowed us a good view. This advice and help. Steyning Rifle Range is was a first life time sighting for two a site that I would recommend you visit of our party. We decided to go further for Brown Hairstreaks and then onto group of four set off from Kent to I personally walked slowly to the far up along the road to another part of Mill Hill for other downland species, join the Sussex Branch trip. The end of the hedge and may have seen the downs that, from where we were, either with the Sussex group or as a Aweather was going to be sunny, one flying high in the trees. Not having looked more promising. We pulled up ‘solo’ trip when the butterflies are likely pretty still, with the temperature likely seen a Brown Hairstreak before, and the and immediately an Adonis Blue flew to be seen, late July through to early to get up to 25 degrees - perfect weather fact it flew off out of sight very quickly, past before we had got out of the car. September and after 11.30! for the target species Brown Hairstreak. I didn’t call it out. I wandered back We then walked onto the downs and We arrived at 10am and joined a along the hedge and was having a chat group of 30 or more and were first to Richard when a butterfly flew past given a brief talk on the history and us low to the ground. We both noticed management of the site. The site is it and then looked at each other with a on chalk downland which has a 400- ‘I think that is one look’. We ran after yard length of blackthorn and wild it up the hill and Richard confirmed it plum hedge with large master trees was indeed a female and interestingly behind. This is maintained by the it landed on some red bartsia and Steyning Downland Scheme who cut fortunately stayed put. This allowed the hedgerow on a rotational basis to some others in the group to catch maintain areas of new growth that the up and see it posing nicely and well butterflies prefer for egg laying. positioned for the cameras. Brown Hairstreak, female (photo credit: Bob Eade) Brown Hairstreak, female (photo credit: Iain Leach) Richard Roebuck gave us a quick talk Sometime later more females started on the Brown Hairstreak’s life history to come down from the trees. Most and how to spot them. It helps to have went for the blackthorn, with some 30 or more pairs of eyes. We were told then moving from one place to another. that the males tend to stay high up in From the general chit chat amongst master trees, whilst the more colourful the group I would say everybody got female flies straight down to lay their great views of the butterfly, wings both eggs on the blackthorn. They land on open and closed. Other butterflies that a stem and then spiral down it before were spotted included a few Common turning back up to lay their eggs; all Blue, Small Heath, Brimstone and interesting and fascinating but we were Speckled Wood. keen to get going and find them. This After a couple of hours we felt it was we learnt was not a good plan because time to seek shade and have lunch. the butterflies were unlikely to fly until Before this we chatted to Richard and 11am or later. The group walked up to others in the group and decided to the range and then spread out along the go to Mill Hill a Local Nature Reserve hedge row. It was still only 10.30am. near Shoreham-by-Sea to look for the Brown Hairstreak, male (photo credit: Pete Withers)

36 | The Adonis The Adonis | 37 KENT AND SOUTH EAST LONDON BRANCH Kent & SE London Branch AGM & Members Day AGM & Saturday 26th October Lenham Community Centre MEMBERS DAY 12 Groom Way, Lenham, Maidstone, ME17 2QT Programme:

10.00 Doors open for members and guests to sign in and enter photos into the competition

10.30 AGM. Agenda as follows:

• Welcome • Minutes of previous AGM* and matters arising • Treasurer’s report • Reports by other Committee Officers • Election of Committee • Any other business

*The minutes of the 2018 AGM may be viewed in the 2019 spring edition of The Adonis

Members Day:

• Guest Speaker – Dan Tuson on Stewardship Schemes • Lunch Break* • Guest Speaker – May Webber on Big City Butterflies • Photo Competition Results & Raffle

*A buffet lunch will be provided, please feel free to make a donation. You are also welcome to bring your own lunch if you prefer. Income & Expenditure for Year Ended 31st March 2019 Balance Sheet at 31st March 2019

2018/2019 2017/2018 2018/2019 2017/2018 Income Current Assets Subscriptions 6189 6000 Bank Account 30640 30183 Fund-raising 0 24 Represented by:- Donations 0 0

AGM Raffle & Lunch 20 General Fund 81 Transfer from SP Fund (KMP) 2000 Opening Balance 10183 20367 Net Surplus 2457 3816 VAT Refund 7 11 Transfer to Special Projects Fund 0 14000 Bank Interest 179 100 Closing Balance 12640 10183 Legacies 0 0 Gift Aid Tax Refund 0 0 Bank Charges Refund 0 0 Special Projects Fund 8395 6216 Opening Balance 20000 6000 Expenditure Transfer From General Fund 14000 Newsletter 1442 1456 Transfer to General fund (KMP) -2000 Membership Costs 1038 574 Closing Balance 18000 20000 AGM Expenses 80 0 Branch Liaison meetings 0 95 Total Funds 30640 30183 Subscriptions 50 50 Notes: PCs and Accessories 0 0 Kent Moth Project (KMP) 2000 0 Income: Mostly relates to Subscriptions Butterfly and Moth Reports 789 0 and Bank interest.

Office Expenses 41 0 Expenditure: Membership Costs are for posting Bank Charges 0 0 the Newsletter and Butterfly Report. Reserve Management 478 102 Outgoing Subscription is Moth Recorders meeting 0 123 for KWT membership. Branch Websites 0 0 VAT 0 0 Reserve Management covers fuel, training and Insurance 20 0 safety equipment. Committee Expenses 0 0 Special Project Fund: £12,000 is held for Kent 5938 2400 Magnificent Moth Project costs in 2019/20.

Surplus 2457 3816