Butterfly Transect Sites Around the Malvern Hills

Butterfly transect sites around the Malvern Hills

Butterflies & Day-flying Moths around the Malverns 2019

Contents

Page Title

Cover photo of Orange Underwing, Pinnacle Hill Feb-2019 Inside cover Butterfly transect sites around the Malvern Hills 1 Foreword 2 How to contribute to this Book 3 Introduction 4 Flight Times 5 Overview of the Butterfly Year 8 Transect Counts 2014-19 & Recorders 2019 10 Total Transect Counts 11 UKBMS Week by Week Transect Counts 13 Local Abundance & Trends 15 Population trends between 2011- 2019 17 Phenology trends 2011-2019 19 Butterfly Species Reports – 32 species 29 Report on Timed Counts of Grayling 2019 35 Day-flying Moths around the Malverns 37 A Very Small Study of Sturmia Bella Phil Taylor 2019 39 Acknowledgements 41 References 42 Index of Butterfly Species Reports 43 Gazetteer

Foreword

This report is designed to celebrate the diversity of butterflies and day- flying moths around the Malverns. It is compiled from the records of a large and increasing number of casual and transect recorders.

Butterflies are one of the key indicators of the health of our environment. The wealth of data accumulated over recent years is analysed to provide population trends and an insight into the present state of our local wildlife. This information helps to inform wildlife organisations to consider appropriate wildlife management on the Malvern Hills, surrounding Commons & Meadows, and nearby local wildlife reserves.

1 There are plenty of opportunities to become more involved in recording and conservation work with the Malvern Butterfly Group and West Midland Butterfly Conservation, and also Malvern Hills Trust and Worcestershire Wildlife Trust. Check the online websites / email adresses for more details.

Many thanks to all those who have contributed to this report. All contributors are listed and acknowledged at the end of the book.

Mel Mason Malvern Butterfly Group MBG West Midlands Butterfly Conservation WMBC [email protected]

How to contribute to this Book:

You can share your butterfly and moth sightings at:

Facebook Malvern Butterfly Group – local WMBC members Facebook BC West Midlands butterflies and moths – all WMBC members

Please submit all records of sightings at:

iRecord online or using the app on your smartphone: https://www.brc.ac.uk/irecord/

or send to:

Malvern Butterfly Group on a pro-forma available on request at: [email protected]

Go to https://gridreferencefinder.com/ to find the grid reference

For more information from around the West Midlands:

West Midlands Butterfly Conservation website at: https://www.westmidlands-butterflies.org.uk

2 Introduction

This report is compiled from a combination of transect and casual records. Fourteen transects are walked by volunteers on a weekly basis from April to September and counts are submitted to UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UKBMS). Local transect counts are analysed to give an overview of the abundance of local butterfly species. In addition to nearly 40,000 transect records, more than 6500 butterfly and day-moth casual sightings with grid references were submitted to Malvern Butterfly Group (MBG). Contributors are acknowledged at the end of this report, although notable records are linked to the observer’s initials given to authorise species records. Details of site locations are also given at the end. Butterfly Conservation produced an important report called “The State of the UK’s Butterflies 2015” with the headline “40 year slump for UK Butterflies”. More than three quarters of UK’s butterfly species have declined in either abundance or occurrence (or both) in the last 40 years with some common species suffering significant slumps. In previous years, nine transects were used to determine the changes in annual abundance of butterflies around the Malverns. Overall, based on the average adjusted transect total on nine sites, butterfly numbers in 2019 (2284) are the highest since before 2011 compared with 2018 (1866) 2017 (1992) and 2016 (1137), 2015 (1583), 2014 (1618), 2013 (1557), 2012 (941) and 2011 (1269). These figures show an increase of 22% since 2018. Furthermore, using records collected from 14 local transect sites around the Malverns, the average adjusted transect total in 2019 (2785) is even higher, and show an increase of 34% since 2018.

Flight Times

The table on page 4 shows the flight times and the state in winter of all the butterfly species recorded in recent years.

Leaflet Butterflies around the Malvern Hills

This free leaflet is available by visiting the Malvern Hills Trust, Manor House, Grange Road, Malvern, WR14 3EY and the Local Tourist Office, The Lyttelton Well Courtyard, 6 Church Street, Malvern WR14 2AY. It includes an identification chart of 36 species, a distribution map, caterpillar foodplants and habitat hotspots.

3 Flight Times (taken from local records over recent years)

Flight Times Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Winter Butterfly species 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 State Red Admiral butterfly Peacock butterfly Small Tortoiseshell butterfly Comma butterfly Brimstone butterfly Small White chrysalis Holly Blue chrysalis Orange-tip chrysalis Speckled Wood cat.& chrysalis Green-veined White chrysalis Large White chrysalis Small Copper caterpillar Painted Lady migrant Green Hairstreak chrysalis Dingy Skipper caterpillar Brown Argus caterpillar Small Heath caterpillar Common Blue caterpillar Large Skipper caterpillar Meadow Brown caterpillar Ringlet caterpillar Marbled White caterpillar Gatekeeper caterpillar Small Skipper Colour KEY caterpillar Essex Skipper TRANSECT RECORDS egg Purple Hairstreak egg White Admiral CASUAL SIGHTING caterpillar Silver-washed F. caterpillar Small Pearl-B. F. LOWER ABUNDANCES caterpillar White-letter H. between generations egg Grayling caterpillar Dark Green Fritillary caterpillar Clouded Yellow migrant Drab Looper Moth chrysalis Six-spot B. Moth caterpillar Scarlet Tiger Moth caterpillar

4 Overview of the local butterfly year

Population trends… The significant increase of 34% in the overall abundance of butterfly numbers on our transect sites this year masks the significant variation in abundances on different sites. Four sites showed overall declines between 7 and 30%, while half of local species declined in numbers compared with 2018. In other words, the larger numbers this year largely depended on significant increases of some of our most common species.

In warm and sunny conditions during February, many tens of Orange Underwing moths emerged earlier than usual to fly around the upper branches of birch trees along the Hills but especially around the upper slopes of Pinnacle Hill over a period of several weeks. All four butterfly hibernators emerged in the same month including separate casual sightings before April of 45 Brimstone, 17 Small Tortoiseshell, 13 Peacock and 11 Comma – record numbers for this time of year since before 2014. Orange- tip also emerged in good numbers towards the end of March, just before the start of the transect counts, and continued in flight up to 21-Jun including 119 casual reports. Other early butterflies include a remarkably early Small White on 25-Feb, followed by regular sightings from 24-Mar of Red Admiral, Speckled Wood and Holly Blue. Spring and summer experienced regular periods of wet then dry weather and transect records indicate very high abundances of five species that represent 80% of the total butterfly count in 2019: Meadow Brown 45%, Ringlet 11%, Marbled White 10%, Gatekeeper 9.5% and Speckled Wood 4%. The remaining 20% include Common Blue 2.5%, Small/Essex Skipper 3%, Small White 2% and Green-veined White 2%. None of the remaining 22 species exceeded 1.5% and most were well under 1% of the total recorded. Marbled White numbers have increased dramatically in recent years competing with Ringlet to take second place on several sites this year. Conversely, the following species have significantly reduced in numbers in 2019 compared with the averages between 2011-2018: Green-veined White -67%, Large White -39%, Small Tortoiseshell -29%, Comma -28%, Small Copper -24%, Small White -23% and Large Skipper -19%. Painted Lady shows the most significant increase of 607% in numbers since 2018 and also 674% increase compared with the average between 2011-2018. This migrant butterfly was reported migrating in millions from North Africa across the Mediterranean in early spring.

The least common species do not appear to have significantly changed in 2019 compared with recent years. However, Grayling timed counts in 2019 [33] show similar numbers to 2018 [35] and 2017 [37] and higher than the lowest recorded in 2016 [25] and 2015 [26] but significantly lower than the benchmark number of 56 in 2013.

Surprise sightings… a Swallowtail was photographed on the top of North Hill on 23-Jul [Claire Alcock] and probably a release from a nearby wedding ceremony. More interestingly, a Wall was photographed on the eastern slopes of North Hill on 24-Jul [John Howes] which encouraged another casual recorder to forward a photograph of another Wall on nearby Worcestershire Beacon taken the previous year on 16-Aug [Edward Betteridge]. Both these sightings suggest this species maybe migrating from nearby sites in Shropshire in an attempt to recolonise the Malvern Hills – previously recorded in 2009 and 2010.

Butterfly Walks & Garden Open Days Members and non-members from local wildlife organisations joined 11 local butterfly walks and an ID/transect training day between June-August 2019 – guided by local transect recorders. Visitors were also invited to a local garden along Abbey Road to view up to 22 butterfly species – including White-letter Hairstreak - in June & July plus, in August, the garden’s first recorded sighting of Grayling.

Malvern Three Counties Spring & Autumn Shows 2019 WMBC organised stalls at both events to celebrate our local wildlife, to encourage visitors to record sightings, and to promote conservation & volunteer work with WMBC, MHT and WWT. Two competitions allowed visitors to find out more about our local butterflies & moths and the chance to win a prize including The Nature of the Malverns, The Butterflies of the West Midlands and The Butterflies & Day-flying Moths Around the Malverns. Thanks to MHT & WWT for the loan of display boards. “What an excellent way to teach us about the butterflies of the Malvern Hills! I have learnt a lot!” Helen. “I enjoyed struggling at answering the questions but found at the end of it that I did indeed learn more about the Malvern Hills natural environment.” Mike.

7 Percentage abundances at 14 local sites around the Malverns

TRANSECT SPECIES Number % TOTAL TRANSECT SPECIES Number % TOTAL ORDER OF ABUNDANCE LESS THAN ONE PERCENT Meadow Brown 17602 45.2 Painted Lady 345 0.9 Ringlet 4372 11.2 Small Tortoiseshell 301 0.8 Marbled White 3991 10.2 Large Skipper 284 0.7 Gatekeeper 3700 9.5 Red Admiral 238 0.6 Speckled Wood 1528 3.9 Comma 228 0.6 Small/Essex Skipper 1228 3.1 Brimstone 178 0.5 Common Blue 974 2.5 Holly Blue 176 0.5 Small White 848 2.2 Small Copper 136 0.3 Green-veined White 741 1.9 Brown Argus 126 0.3 Orange-tip 511 1.3 Silver-washed Fritillary 74 0.2 Peacock 459 1.2 Purple Hairstreak 29 0.1 Large White 445 1.1 Green Hairstreak 17 0.0 Small Heath 435 1.1 White-letter Hairstreak 10 0.0 REMAINING 17 SPECIES 2151 5.5 Dingy Skipper 5 0.0 White Admiral 4 0.0 Dark Green Fritillary 0 0 Grayling 0 0 TOTAL records 38985 100 REMAINING 17 SPECIES 2151 5.5

8 Transect Counts 2014-19 and Recorders 2019

Two new transects (Pinnacle Hill & Poolbrook Common) were introduced in 2017 and another (Swinyard Hill) in 2018. There are now fourteen transect sites around the Malverns that provide an extensive coverage of the region. Five transect sites are spread along the higher slopes of the nine mile ridge- line of the Malvern Hills, four sites are located on the eastern commons near the lower slopes, and five are located on the perimeter of the Malverns. A new transect route will be introduced in 2020 at Blackhouse Wood in the north of the Malverns The table below lists the fourteen local transects completed in 2019. The adjusted annual total for each transect is adjusted statistically to account for missed weeks, and this will hereafter be referred to simply as total.

Annual Abundances 2014 to 2015 2015 to 2016 2016 to 2017 2017 to 2018 2018 to 2019 Transect 2019 Recorder 2014 2015 2015 2016 2016 2017 2017 2018 2018 2019

Brotheridge Green HGL 1054 1049 1049 622 622 1015 1015 1214 1214 1123 Castlemorton NUD 2562 1763 1763 750 750 1562 1562 1476 1476 3275 Common Hollybed Farm PSE, JLA 2182 2351 2351 1720 1720 3164 3164 2281 2281 3039

Knapp & Papermill GLO 2174 2508 2508 1893 1893 2268 2268 2235 2235 2752 Melrose Farm HGL 1573 1589 1589 884 884 2263 2263 2282 2282 2297 Meadows LLL, North Hill&Balcony 1355 1208 1208 817 817 1249 1249 1529 1529 1343 MMA Old Hills SRO 2162 2051 2051 2329 2329 4241 4241 3286 3286 3802

St Wulstan’s LNR DTA 982 1255 1255 912 912 1493 1493 1782 1782 2107 DCO, West Malvern 556 473 473 304 304 673 673 708 708 817 JHO Chase End Hill DVE - - 711 582 582 538 538 893 893 623

Hill Court Farm DVE - - 7266 2614 2614 6947 6947 4806 4806 9214

Pinnacle Hill JSL - - - 1789 2197 2197 2278

Poolbrook Common AUR - - - 2370 3185 3185 5366

Swinyard Hill RBA - - - - 1115 949

No. Sites Compared - 9 9 11 11 11 11 13 13 14 14

Totals - 14600 14247 22224 13427 13427 25413 29572 27874 28989 38985

Av. number per site 1622 1583 2020 1221 1221 2310 2275 2144 2071 2785

Annual change % - - -2 -40 89 -6 34

9 MHT Sites

North Hill & Balcony - one of the lowest abundance but one of the best for diversity of species, including Green Hairstreak and Grayling – dependent on regular habitat management by MHT, WMBC and volunteers

Refer to separate Report on Timed Counts of Malvern Grayling 2019 on p29 including habitat management.

West Malvern – good for common species and occasional Green Hairstreak Pinnacle Hill – best site for Small Heath and Green Hairstreak Swinyard & Hangman’s Hill – best site for Silver-washed Fritillary and one of the best for Purple Hairstreak Chase End Hill – good for common species and occasional sighting of Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary. Poolbrook Common – one of the highest abundance especially Small & Essex Skippers, Marbled White, Common Blue, and Six-spot Burnet. Castlemorton Common – very good for common species Old Hills – the highest abundance and one of the best for diversity of species including Purple Hairstreak, White-letter Hairstreak & White Admiral

WCC Site

St Wulstan’s LNR – very good for common species.

WWT Sites

Hollybed Farm – much improved for common meadow species following recent practice of retaining wide margins around fields after hay cutting. Hill Court Farm – by far the best site for total abundance of common species including Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Gatekeeper, Common Blue and Brimstone. Brotheridge Green – very good for common species Melrose Meadows – very good for common meadow species Knapp & Papermill – one of the highest diversity of species, including Dingy Skipper Blackhouse Wood – unrecorded in 2018 & 2019 but new transect recorder for 2020

10 Total Transect Counts 2019

This table shows the total number of each species recorded on each of the fourteen transect sites around the region. Maximum counts of each species are highlighted.

Sites / Species

2019

Brotheridge Brotheridge Green Castlemorton Common End Hill Chase Hill Court Farm Hollybed Farm Knapp & Papermill Farm Melrose Meadows North Hill & Balcony Old Hills Pinnacle Hill Poolbrook Common St Wulstan's LNR Malvern West Swinyard Hill TOTALS TOTALS% ORDER 1 Small/Essex Skipper 8 201 22 25 118 22 36 220 35 448 76 16 1 1228 3.1 2 Large Skipper 5 64 51 5 19 17 9 56 30 9 2 10 7 284 0.7 3 Dingy Skipper 5 5 0.0 4 Brimstone 19 8 6 43 5 14 15 5 16 10 4 17 6 10 178 0.5 5 Large White 22 15 14 35 17 16 20 65 21 64 53 60 22 21 445 1.1 6 Small White 49 28 96 109 27 24 47 60 123 96 52 57 58 22 848 2.2 7 Green-veined White 73 199 42 39 61 140 37 26 40 5 1 62 8 8 741 1.9 8 Orange-tip 37 47 48 47 52 54 34 36 32 19 15 46 24 20 511 1.3 9 Green Hairstreak 10 5 2 17 0.0 10 Purple Hairstreak 1 4 2 12 10 29 0.1 11 White-letter Hairstreak 6 2 1 1 10 0.0 12 Small Copper 8 2 3 4 4 3 40 9 30 5 21 7 136 0.3 13 Brown Argus 20 10 5 1 4 74 6 1 2 3 126 0.3 14 Common Blue 9 34 12 347 62 126 39 8 63 17 198 33 3 23 974 2.5 15 Holly Blue 10 5 2 7 9 9 47 8 13 24 3 29 10 176 0.5 16 White Admiral 1 2 1 4 0.0 17 Red Admiral 11 15 17 6 4 13 12 16 22 19 7 52 27 17 238 0.6 18 Painted Lady 8 25 31 14 6 20 40 41 47 22 50 25 16 345 0.9 19 Small Tortoiseshell 2 89 3 17 7 16 1 3 22 11 73 14 35 8 301 0.8 20 Peacock 23 20 27 120 15 18 12 28 61 45 11 41 20 18 459 1.2 21 Comma 7 6 5 33 7 30 12 14 40 20 1 30 16 7 228 0.6 22 Dark Green Fritillary 0 0.0 23 Silver-washed Fritillary 1 13 1 6 7 2 9 1 2 32 74 0.2 24 Speckled Wood 119 38 39 130 46 65 69 282 120 374 2 92 86 66 1528 3.9 25 Marbled White 69 136 501 259 181 349 5 602 62 1724 39 7 57 3991 10.2 26 Grayling 0 0.0 27 Gatekeeper 35 707 49 650 96 100 227 168 462 323 289 376 78 140 3700 9.5 28 Meadow Brown 453 1113 190 6631 2032 1601 918 173 964 319 2144 710 158 196 17602 45.2 29 Small Heath 87 243 2 63 40 435 1.1 30 Ringlet 163 521 24 394 291 162 449 175 858 407 276 344 99 209 4372 11.2

Annual Total 2019 1123 3275 623 9214 3039 2752 2297 1343 3802 2278 5366 2107 817 949 38985 100.0 No. Species 2019 21 21 19 22 23 26 21 26 26 26 23 23 25 26 23

Annual Total 2018 1214 1476 893 4806 2281 2235 2282 1529 3286 2179 3185 1782 708 1115 28971 No. Species 2018 22 21 20 23 19 27 20 28 26 25 22 21 22 24 23

Annual Total 2017 1015 1562 538 6947 3164 2268 2263 1249 4241 1789 2370 1493 673 N/A 29572 No. Species 2017 22 20 21 24 22 27 23 29 26 25 19 23 21 N/A 23

Sites / Species

UKBMS Week by Week Transect Counts of Butterfly Species 2019

Week 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Date / Species

25-Mar 01-Apr 08-Apr 15-Apr 22-Apr 29-Apr 06-May 13-May 20-May 27-May 03-Jun 10-Jun 17-Jun 24-Jun 01-Jul 1 Small/Essex Skipper 7 7 35 53 2 Large Skipper 2 11 27 45 50 66 3 Dingy Skipper 1 2 1 1 4 Brimstone 5 0 15 26 19 23 21 14 5 5 5 2 2 2 0 5 Large White 2 5 3 5 6 4 10 5 2 0 0 2 5 6 Small White 2 1 9 11 15 15 13 10 7 7 8 4 0 2 12 7 Green-V. White 4 12 20 27 22 42 21 27 10 3 0 3 3 8 Orange Tip 2 16 37 89 90 96 79 62 26 11 3 9 Green Hairstreak 2 5 1 3 2 1 3 10 Purple Hairstreak 4 11 White-L. Hairstreak 1 4 12 Small Copper 1 1 0 3 10 11 9 12 10 6 5 2 0 13 Brown Argus 1 2 5 2 3 1 1 1 0 14 Common Blue 4 8 48 77 81 72 72 50 24 15 Holly Blue 7 15 23 14 23 29 19 8 3 0 1 0 0 16 White Admiral 2 17 Red Admiral 2 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 4 6 3 6 19 15 18 Painted Lady 3 5 43 40 19 Small Tortoiseshell 6 14 15 19 20 7 4 2 2 5 4 8 15 18 18 20 Peacock 17 8 25 39 32 24 18 16 8 3 2 0 0 2 0 21 Comma 6 8 9 2 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 2 3 10 16 22 Dark Green Fritillary 23 Silver-W. Fritillary 1 10 24 Speckled Wood 1 1 20 40 78 65 45 48 24 58 46 47 44 55 18 25 Marbled White 3 9 87 307 1269 26 Grayling 27 Gatekeeper 3 5 15 28 Meadow Brown 34 166 392 1292 2669 29 Small Heath 2 5 10 17 31 22 22 32 80 75 30 Ringlet 30 75 345 1196 Total 41 48 144 260 302 283 254 261 210 259 257 414 796 2328 5514 Week 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

[lighter shade indicate 2018 and darker shade indicate 2017]

UKBMS Week by Week Transect Counts of Butterfly Species 2018

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Est. Week

Date / Species

08-Jul 15-Jul 22-Jul 29-Jul 05-Aug 12-Aug 19-Aug 26-Aug 02-Sep 09-Sep 16-Sep 23-Sep 30-Sep 07-Oct TOTAL 153 422 313 146 66 19 6 1 1228 Small/Essex Skipper 1 54 19 7 2 1 284 Large Skipper 2 5 Dingy Skipper 3 0 10 6 4 0 2 7 3 1 1 178 Brimstone 4 43 46 86 47 20 18 42 32 31 19 8 4 445 Large White 5 65 92 127 86 43 37 68 81 58 34 29 12 848 Small White 6 27 78 68 87 81 65 41 47 25 11 11 5 740 Green-V. White 7 511 Orange Tip 8 17 Green Hairstreak 9 8 5 5 5 2 29 Purple Hairstreak 10 0 1 4 10 White-L. Hairstreak 11 0 0 2 12 7 15 7 11 4 3 2 2 135 Small Copper 12 0 0 0 5 18 19 29 24 12 0 2 1 126 Brown Argus 13 10 2 0 24 55 152 149 96 38 9 2 1 974 Common Blue 14 0 1 7 10 4 6 5 175 Holly Blue 15 2 4 White Admiral 16 14 16 34 17 10 6 9 13 17 15 16 9 236 Red Admiral 17 11 5 6 30 33 43 44 35 27 13 5 2 345 Painted Lady 18 26 12 10 20 16 11 12 2 22 9 3 1 301 Small Tortoiseshell 19 1 7 123 88 20 10 3 2 3 2 3 1 1 458 Peacock 20 18 14 22 21 13 7 5 6 14 25 12 10 228 Comma 21 0 Dark Green Fritillary 22 11 11 15 9 8 3 4 0 1 0 1 74 Silver-W. Fritillary 23 24 27 63 76 88 72 87 113 170 110 76 32 ⓲ 1528 Speckled Wood 24 1328 681 221 70 11 1 1 3 3991 Marbled White 25 0 Grayling 26 109 389 1006 975 594 402 143 43 11 3695 Gatekeeper 27 2626 2966 2825 1982 1153 754 463 190 58 7 2 17579 Meadow Brown 28 37 27 16 7 3 5 12 17 7 2 4 2 435 Small Heath 29 1382 844 362 100 21 13 4 4372 Ringlet 30 5949 5675 5328 3823 2267 1660 1141 719 499 260 176 82 1 0 38951 Total 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 TOTAL Week

[lighter shade indicate 2018 and darker shade indicate 2017]

13 Local Abundance and Trends 2019

The table on page 14 indicates the abundance and distribution of species seen in 2019 on the fourteen transects. The table requires some explanation but will allow annual comparisons based on simple objective analysis. “Maximum count” sub-columns detail the “Transect site” with the “Maximum Total” of all transects, The “Av. Transect Total” gives the total averaged over all transects where the species occurred. “Percentage of transects” where the species occurred is also given. “Annual % Change” sub-columns detail percentage change from the previous year for the “Average Transect Total” and “Percentage of Transects” where the species occurred, to indicate if each is becoming more or less abundant or widespread locally. The national long-term trend according to UKBMS from 1976 to 2014 (Brereton et al. 2014) is shown as “+” for increasing, “=” for stable and “-” for decreasing. A two-letter code may also be given according to the Red List of British Butterflies (Fox et al. 2010) as follows: Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN), Vulnerable (VU) or Near Threatened (NT). A species without a two-letter code is of Least Concern. The following species are rarely seen or were absent in recent years and so are excluded from the table (year of the last local sighting and the national status code are given in parentheses): Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary Boloria selene (2013 & 2017, NT), Pearl-bordered Fritillary Boloria euphrosyne (1998, EN), High Brown Fritillary Argynnis adippe (2008, CR) and Wall Brown Lasiommata megera (2018 & 2019, NT). The table gives approximate indications of local abundance and distribution because the following factors can introduce artificial variability to the annual transect counts. Transects can have different numbers of sections, lengths, variability of walkers and numbers of missed weeks. Furthermore, the number of transects completed may vary from year to year. Care should be taken regarding the scarce and localised species, where the figures in the table can indicate general trends but their accuracy is questionable due to the shortage of underlying records. Discussion for such species is included in the following species reports. The “Annual % Change” from this year’s data indicate that the butterfly numbers generally increased by 30% in 2019. On average there were 23 species per transect. The butterflies were generally found in similar locations as in 2018. Both the abundance and occurrence of each species are described in more detail in the species reports.

14 Local Abundance and Trends 2019

Taken from fourteen transects: Brotheridge Green, Castlemorton Common, Chase End Hill, Hills Court Farm, Hollybed Farm, Knapp & Papermill, Melrose Farm Meadows, North Hill & Balcony, Old Hills, Pinnacle Hill, Poolbrook Common, St.Wulstan’s LNR, Swinyard Hill and West Malvern.

Species Maximum count Annual % Change Av. 2018 - 2019 Long % of Transect site Total Transect Average term Transects % of Total Transect trend Transects

Total ORDER 1 Small/Essex Skipper Poolbrook Common 448 94 93 56 -7 - 2 Large Skipper Castlemorton Common 64 22 93 -6 10 = 3 Dingy Skipper Knapp & Papermill 5 5 7 -17 0 -VU 4 Brimstone Hill Court Farm 43 13 100 19 0 = 5 Large White North Hill & Balcony 65 32 100 -63 0 = 6 Small White Old Hills 123 61 100 -65 0 = 7 Green-veined White Castlemorton Common 199 53 100 -45 0 = 8 Orange-tip Knapp & Papermill 54 37 100 93 0 = 9 Green Hairstreak North Hill 10 6 21 -11 -7 - 10 Purple Hairstreak Old Hills 12 6 36 -51 -34 = 11 White-letter Hairstreak Knapp & Papermill 6 3 29 -17 86 -EN 12 Small Copper North Hill 40 11 86 -41 -14 = 13 Brown Argus Pinnacle Hill 74 13 71 -42 -16 = 14 Common Blue Hill Court Farm 347 70 100 -57 0 = 15 Holly Blue North Hill 47 14 93 31 10 = 16 White Admiral Old Hills 2 1 21 -76 39 -VU 17 Red Admiral St. Wulstan's LNR 52 17 100 200 8 + 18 Painted Lady St. Wulstan's LNR 50 27 93 383 51 = 19 Small Tortoiseshell Castlemorton Common 89 22 100 51 30 - 20 Peacock Hill Court Farm 120 33 100 205 8 = 21 Comma Old Hills 40 16 100 -19 0 + 22 Dark Green Fritillary North Hill 0 0 23 Silver-washed Fritillary Swinyard Hill 32 7 71 48 55 + 24 Speckled Wood Pinnacle Hill 374 109 100 -3 0 + 25 Marbled White Poolbrook Common 1724 307 93 100 -7 = 26 Grayling North Hill 0 0 0 -100 -100 -VU 27 Gatekeeper Castlemorton Common 707 264 100 92 0 - 28 Meadow Brown Hillcourt Farm 6631 1257 100 75 0 = 29 Small Heath Pinnacle Hill 243 87 36 -45 55 -NT 30 Ringlet Old Hills 858 312 100 25 0 + Annual Total Hillcourt Farm 9214 2785 N/A 30 N/A N/A

15 Population trends between 2011- 2019

This table shows the ‘averaged counts of each species over all transects where the species occurred’. The population trends of each species in the Malverns are calculated by comparing the average count in 2019 with the average count for the previous seven years 2011-18.

Malvern Hills - Average count per transect Malverns UK trends

LONG

SHORT

Year / Species Year / Species

YEAR

YEARS

2011Av 2012Av 2013Av 2014Av 2015Av 2016Av 2017Av 2018Av 2019Av

Av. 2011Av.2018 -

SCIENTIFICORDER

% Ch.1976-2014 %

% % Ch.2018-2019 ONE % Ch.2005-2014 % % % Ch.2011-2019 NINE No. transect sites 9 9 9 9 9 9 13 13 14 No. transect sites 1 Small/Essex Skipper 34 31 47 103 91 40 84 60 94 61 56 54 -20 -82 Small/Essex Skipper 2 Large Skipper 10 5 10 20 24 14 23 23 22 16 -6 36 23 -17 Large Skipper 3 Dingy Skipper 7 21 8 4 3 3 4 6 5 7 -17 -29 69 -19 Dingy Skipper 4 Brimstone 6 6 8 10 13 10 10 11 13 9 19 38 -1 1 Brimstone 5 Large White 33 16 105 26 45 35 45 87 32 49 -63 -35 -28 -30 Large White 6 Small White 28 15 153 41 36 44 41 172 61 66 -65 -9 9 -25 Small White 7 Green-veined White 148 37 115 103 71 88 67 96 53 91 -45 -42 72 -7 Green-veined White 8 Orange-tip 27 25 20 28 27 23 29 19 37 25 93 47 59 10 Orange-tip 9 Green Hairstreak 4 1 5 3 5 5 7 6 6 5 -11 25 -34 -41 Green Hairstreak 10 Purple Hairstreak 3 4 10 11 11 19 20 12 6 11 -51 -48 -10 -54 Purple Hairstreak 11 White-L. Hairstreak 9 5 1 4 2 2 2 3 3 4 -17 -29 -77 -96 White-L. Hairstreak 12 Small Copper 20 14 14 11 6 9 16 19 11 14 -41 -17 -19 -37 Small Copper 13 Brown Argus 8 3 4 5 4 2 7 22 13 7 -42 84 -11 -25 Brown Argus 14 Common Blue 65 22 17 43 104 16 96 163 70 66 -57 6 1 -17 Common Blue 15 Holly Blue 5 7 6 4 7 6 11 10 14 7 31 94 -61 37 Holly Blue 16 White Admiral 4 1 5 4 4 6 5 6 1 4 -76 -68 -45 -59 White Admiral 17 Red Admiral 7 11 2 10 6 8 31 6 17 10 200 70 -40 257 Red Admiral 18 Painted Lady 2 3 2 2 2 3 3 6 27 3 383 825 -84 133 Painted Lady 19 Small Tortoiseshell 14 9 18 53 23 10 15 14 22 19 51 11 146 -73 Small Tortoiseshell 20 Peacock 16 22 58 51 42 9 8 11 33 27 205 21 21 17 Peacock 21 Comma 11 13 16 18 21 17 31 20 16 18 -19 -11 -28 150 Comma 22 Dark Green Fritillary 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 -100 -100 18 186 Dark Green Fritillary 23 Silver-W Fritillary 3 4 2 2 5 2 9 5 7 4 48 89 6 141 Silver-W Fritillary 24 Speckled Wood 85 45 56 97 77 78 110 112 109 83 -3 32 4 84 Speckled Wood 25 Marbled White 48 24 33 46 52 67 137 154 307 70 100 338 25 50 Marbled White 26 Grayling 9 5 4 4 6 3 2 2 0 4 -100 -100 10 -58 Grayling 27 Gatekeeper 175 111 133 174 165 93 192 138 264 148 92 79 -44 -41 Gatekeeper 28 Meadow Brown 303 454 572 568 588 416 1044 718 1257 583 75 116 -15 1 Meadow Brown 29 Small Heath 29 66 71 54 43 47 96 159 87 71 -45 23 18 -54 Small Heath 30 Ringlet 257 80 159 203 169 148 256 249 312 190 25 64 72 381 Ringlet GRAND TOTAL 1370 1060 1654 1702 1650 1223 2400 2309 2897 1671 25 73 GRAND TOTAL

16 Population trends between 2011- 2019

The most recent UK trends are also provided for short term (2005-2014) and long term (1976-2014). Transect records for the less common species are too low to be meaningful, including: Dingy Skipper, Green Hairstreak, Purple Hairstreak, White-letter Hairstreak, Brown Argus, White Admiral, Painted Lady, Silver-washed Fritillary, Grayling.

Malvern Hills - Average count per transect Malverns UK trends

LONG

SHORT

Year / Species Year / Species

YEAR

YEARS

2011Av 2012Av 2013Av 2014Av 2015Av 2016Av 2017Av 2018Av 2019Av

Av. 2011Av.2018 -

SCIENTIFICORDER

% Ch.1976-2014 %

17 Phenology including weather 2019

Paradoxically, extreme weather events seem to be the norm in recent years. 2019 included the warmest February and the hottest day in July following several of the hottest years on record each with their own extreme weather events. The year ended in one of the wettest autumns on record. Remarkably, five butterfly species were recorded in good numbers in February, plus Small White [25-Feb, Upper Colwall, JSL], a new local record. Peacock was the first butterfly of the year [04-Feb, Wyche Quarry, JSL] although occasional sightings of the four hibernators is not unusual on sunny days during winter. Another new record: 30 local recorders submitted 137 butterfly sightings between 14-27th Feb-2019 during the warmest February on record – up to 19oC locally! Moth sightings include many records of Orange Underwing flying around birch trees between Gullet Quarry and North Hill. And a very early Small Magpie seeking shelter in MHT Offices.

Butterflies Feb Mar Day-flying Moths Feb Mar Brimstone 65 49 Angle Shade 1 0 Comma 15 31 Dotted Border 1 1 Holly Blue 0 8 Early Grey Moth 0 1 Orange-tip 0 8 Herald 0 6 Peacock 17 63 Hummingbird Hawk 0 1 Red Admiral 9 3 Oak Beauty 0 1 Small Tortoiseshell 30 33 Orange Underwing 38 5 Small White 1 5 Small Magpie 1 7 Speckled Wood 0 5 Total 137 205 Total 41 22

All fourteen local transect sites in 2019 (38,951 records) are used to inform the phenology. Casual sightings (over 6,500) are used where species emerged prior to April and for the less common species not regularly seen on the transect routes. The table on page 18 lists the first flight dates in chronological order for local sightings in 2019. A species name ending in “2” or “3” denotes a second or third emergence. Further broods of the following species can appear in August - October, but dates for these emergences are less reliable or omitted: Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Small Copper, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Comma, Speckled Wood and Small Heath. The last column shows the change in the number of days between the emergent dates of each species in 2019 compared with the average emergent dates between 2011-2018. Overall, butterflies emerged in higher numbers at earlier times in 2019 – on average over 30% more and nine days earlier - compared with the average numbers and dates between 2011 and 2018.

Phenology in chronological order 2019 Key: calculated from transect records except bold italic from casual sightings Change Phenology determined from 14 Transects: Brotheridge Green, Castlemorton Common, Chase End Hill, Hillscourt Farm, Hollybed Farm, Knapp&Papermill, Melrose Farm Meadows, North Hill&Balcony, Old Hills, Pinnacle Hill, Poolbrook Common, 2011- St.Wulstan’sLNR, West Malvern, Swinyard Hill 2019 Species 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 Generation Days Small Tortoiseshell 03-Feb 25-Mar 09-Mar 15-Mar 27-Feb 24-Feb 04-Mar 07-Mar 24-Feb 1 -31 Peacock 04-Feb 13-Mar 15-Mar 25-Mar 11-Mar 07-Mar 03-Apr 24-Feb 04-Mar 1 -33 Brimstone 15-Feb 15-Mar 24-Feb 12-Mar 07-Mar 20-Feb 18-Mar 23-Feb 12-Mar 1 -19 Red Admiral 15-Feb 28-Jan 24-Mar 13-May 25-Mar 11-Mar 17-Jun 06-May 29-Apr 1 -55 Comma 23-Feb 25-Mar 20-Feb 25-Mar 01-Apr 09-Mar 06-Apr 06-Mar 12-Mar 1 -26 Small White 25-Feb 26-Mar 15-Mar 15-Apr 01-Apr 29-Mar 25-Apr 08-Apr 25-Mar 1 -37 Holly Blue 24-Mar 14-Apr 25-Mar 07-Apr 05-Apr 09-Mar 23-Apr 23-Mar 22-Mar 1 -6 Speckled Wood 24-Mar 26-Mar 31-Mar 08-Apr 08-Apr 11-Apr 06-May 28-Mar 02-Apr 1 -14 Orange-tip 26-Mar 08-Apr 31-Mar 31-Mar 25-Mar 29-Mar 17-Apr 26-Mar 02-Apr 1 -7 Green-veined White 11-Apr 15-Apr 02-Apr 08-Apr 15-Apr 30-Mar 29-Apr 26-Mar 02-Apr 1 3 Large White 15-Apr 08-Apr 08-Apr 08-Apr 01-Apr 12-May 17-Apr 08-May 08-Apr 1 -1 Small Copper 15-Apr 06-May 15-Apr 22-Apr 13-May 09-May 31-May 12-May 22-Apr 1 -20 Painted Lady 19-Apr 20-Apr 01-Apr 13-May 03-Jun 03-May 10-Jul 26-May 02-Apr 1 -21 Small Heath 29-Apr 13-May 08-May 20-May 20-May 17-May 04-Jun 25-May 05-May 1 -19 Common Blue 12-May 23-May 13-May 20-May 13-May 16-May 03-Jun 25-May 25-Apr 1 -5 Green Hairstreak 13-May 27-May 22-May 06-May 05-May 13-May 25-May 12-May 25-Apr 1 0 Brown Argus 13-May 03-Jun 14-May 20-May 10-Jun 21-May none 22-May 30-Apr 1 9 Dingy Skipper 14-May 20-May 13-May 20-May 20-May 03-May 18-May 12-May 28-Apr 1 1 Large Skipper 01-Jun 27-May 31-May 03-Jun 03-Jun 26-May 14-Jun 24-Jun 22-May 1 -2 Meadow Brown 09-Jun 03-Jun 30-May 03-Jun 03-Jul 01-Jun 25-Jun 19-Jun 31-May 1 -1 Small Skipper 16-Jun 03-Jun 17-Jun 24-Jun 01-Jul 21-Jun 03-Jul 15-Jul 09-Jun 1 -7 Marbled White 16-Jun 10-Jun 14-Jun 10-Jun 17-Jun 17-Jun 30-Jun 24-Jun 13-Jun 1 -1 Ringlet 16-Jun 15-Jun 11-Jun 10-Jun 17-Jun 14-Jun 29-Jun 04-Jul 13-Jun 1 -2 Essex Skipper 22-Jun 03-Jun 24-Jun 01-Jul 01-Jul 23-Jun 08-Jul 11-Jul 13-Jun 1 -4 Gatekeeper 22-Jun 01-Jul 24-Jun 01-Jul 08-Jul 22-Jun 11-Jul 17-Jul 02-Jul 1 -11 Silver-washed Fritillary 26-Jun 24-Jun 10-Jun 17-Jun 30-Jun 17-Jun 13-Jul 21-Jul Unk 1 21 White-letter Hairstreak 28-Jun 25-Jun 18-Jun 03-Jul 23-Jul 01-Jul 31-Jul 10-Jul 13-Jun 1 -6 Grayling 28-Jun 27-Jun 23-Jun 01-Jul 09-Jul 09-Jul 15-Jul 21-Jul 10-Jul 1 -9 Purple Hairstreak 01-Jul 17-Jun 10-Jun 01-Jul 08-Jul 30-Jun 01-Jul 08-Jul 25-Jun 1 4 White Admiral 02-Jul 10-Jun 10-Jun 17-Jun 08-Jul 24-Jun 13-Jul 10-Jul Unk 1 29 Comma 2 17-Jun 17-Jun 10-Jun 24-Jun 10-Jun 13-Jun 01-Jul 04-Jul 13-Jun 2 -2 Red Admiral 2 17-Jun 20-May 17-Jun 15-Jul 17-Jun 01-Jul 22-Jul 01-Jul 26-Jun 2 -9 Small Tortoiseshell 2 17-Jun 17-Jun 02-Jun 10-Jun 17-Jun 08-Jun 29-Jun 11-Jul 03-Jun 2 1 Large White 2 24-Jun 17-Jun 17-Jun 01-Jul 01-Jul 04-Jul 07-Jul 08-Jul 20-Jun 2 -4 Small White 2 24-Jun 17-Jun 24-Jun 24-Jun 24-Jun 09-May 07-Jul 15-Jul 24-Jun 2 2 Green-veined white 2 24-Jun 24-Jun 24-Jun 24-Jun 01-Jul 29-Jun 17-Jul 15-Jul 26-Jun 2 -7 Speckled Wood 2 24-Jun 15-Jul 29-Jul 18-Jul 22-Jul 23-May 22-Jun 08-Aug 05-Jul 2 -16 Holly Blue 2 15-Jul 01-Jul 01-Jul 15-Jul 15-Jul 16-Jul 22-Jul 15-Jul 01-Jul 2 4 Peacock 2 15-Jul 01-Jul 01-Jul 08-Jul 15-Jul 07-Jul 13-Jul 28-Jul 20-Jun 2 7 Brimstone 2 15-Jul 02-Aug 08-Jul 22-Jul 08-Jul 11-Jul 23-Jul 08-Aug 25-Jun 2 -2 Small Copper 2 22-Jul 08-Jul 08-Jul 22-Jul 08-Jul 07-Jul 01-Aug 22-Jul 27-Jun 2 9 Brown Argus 2 29-Jul 08-Jul 05-Aug 22-Jul 22-Jul 20-Jul 22-Jul 09-Aug 23-Jul 2 5 Common Blue 2 29-Jul 08-Jul 08-Jul 22-Jul 15-Jul 14-Jul 27-Jul 09-Aug 26-Jun 2 13 Small Heath 2 12-Aug 05-Aug 05-Aug 01-Jul 26-Aug 11-Jul 26-Aug 05-Jul 04-Jul 2 17 Painted Lady 2 12-Aug 29-Jul 12-Aug 18-Jul 26-Jul 25-Jul 16-Jun 2 Red Admiral 3 19-Aug 19-Aug 19-Aug 09-Sep 02-Sep 19-Aug 09-Sep 3 Small Copper 3 0 09-Sep 3 Dark Green Fritillary 13-Aug 21-Jun 09-Jul 01-Jul 27-Jul 14-Jul 1 Wall Brown 24-Jul 16-Aug previously seen 2009 & 2010 1 Pearl-bordered Fritillary last seen 1997 & 1998 1 High Brown Fritillary last seen 2008 1 Clouded Yellow previously seen 2014 04-Aug 02-Aug 08-Aug 1 Small Pearl-Bd. Fritillary previously seen 2017 06-Jul 30-Jun 1

Overall change in 2019 compared with average date between 2011-2018 -6 First generation -9 Second generation 1

19 Butterfly Species Reports:

Note: where mentioned, average transect counts are taken between 2011 – 2018 to compare with average transect counts in 2019

Small Skipper & Essex Skipper Thymelicus sylvestris & T. lineola

These two similar common species are counted together because they require careful examination of minute distinguishing features, and are difficult to separate. Essex Skipper is identified in particular by its characteristic black antenna and was first recorded in 2001. The average transect number in 2019 (94) is one of the highest in recent years. Prevalent sites were the lower areas with large open grasslands, especially Poolbrook Common (448), Old Hills (220), and Castlemorton Common (201). One useful method to determine the ratio of these two similar looking skippers is to net a selection and apply the ratio to the total population counted on a particular site. Over recent years several recorders reported sampling ratios that suggest an even split of both species but varying from site to site, possibly depending on their different larval host plants – Cock’s- foot for Essex Skipper and Yorkshire-fog for Small Skipper.

Large Skipper Ochlodes sylvanus

This widespread species emerges relatively early in the year and benefits from a mild spring and hot summer, as is shown in the records between 2014-2019, except 2016 during a very cold spring.

Grizzled Skipper Pyrgus malvae

No further sightings of Grizzled Skipper were reported in 2019 folowing the first record in more than 30 years on 23-May-2018 at Leigh Sinton Fishery just 2km NW of Great Malvern. However, further searches for this elusive species are planned for 2020 where wild strawberry and tormentil, the larval host plants, still grow in less accessible quarries around the region.

Dingy Skipper Erynnis tages

This is a well-camouflaged species easily mistaken for Burnet Companion

20 (a common day-flying moth). Knapp & Paper Mill recorded five in 2019, about the average since 2013. Outside of the transect sites, a small colony survives on an open level area near Mathon, although not visited this year. None have been seen at nearby Purlieu since 2011. Just beyond the Malvern Hills there is a small colony near Knightwick Bridge. However, Penny Hill Bank near Martley is the main stronghold for this species with over 50 annual (timed count) sightings in recent years (WMBC).

Clouded Yellow Colias croceus

A migrant which may breed after arrival in southern England to produce large numbers of north-bound offspring. This species is seen in reasonable numbers at irregular intervals of up to ten or more years. Five individuals were last seen in 2013 from early August to late October, then two sightings at Knapp & Papermill in 2014, and one individual in 2015. Again, none seen this year in the Malverns, but outside the region there are regular sightings at Venus Pools in nearby Shropshire.

Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni

This hardy and long-lived butterfly was seen very early from February onwards during a very mild spring. Seen on all transects particularly the lower and more peripheral sites around the Malverns notably Hill Court Farm (43). Eggs are laid on the two larval host plants of buckthorn and alder buckthorn. “I planted a hedge of alder buckthorn in my garden in central Malvern several years ago without any sign of Brimstone until this year. Female Brimstones were seen regularly in the last half of May laying eggs on the underside of leaves. Interestingly, on one occasion, a Holly Blue layed an egg on a flower bud next to a recently laid Brimstone egg on a connecting leaf. The emerging Brimstone caterpillars grew quickly and maintained a hook-like pose on the mid-rib of the upper leaves when disturbed.” (MMA)

Large White & Small White Pieris brassicae & P. rapae

Both Large White and Small White decreased by over 60% in 2019 following one of the best years for both species in 2018 since before 2011. Their annual numbers fluctuate widely, partly due to the variation in the arrival of migrants with peak counts in July. Furthermore, identification of these two species, along with Green-veined White is easily confused in flight

21 and the above figures are subject to some errors.

Green-veined White Pieris napi

This is a widespread species but the average transect count (53) was the second lowest since the wet summer of 2012 (37) following the highest in 2011 (148).

Orange-tip Anthocharis cardamines

Average transect records (37) are the highest since before 2011 – 93% higher than 2018 and 47% higher than the average between 2011-18. This maybe a reflection of a very mild February followed by a mild spring. Casual sightings (221) were also high between 26-Mar (IDU) to 21-Jun (DCO). “Consequently, it was easy to find females and their relatively large orange eggs in April and May on almost any patch of Lady’s Smock and, to a lesser extent, Garlic Mustard.”(MMA)

Green Hairstreak Callophrys rubi

One of our most charismatic species, transect records in 2019 are slightly better than the average between 2011-18. Recorded between 22-May (DCO) & 28-Jun (APE), there were 17 transect sightings on North Hill (10), Pinnacle Hill (5) and West Malvern (2). The larval foodplants include Gorse, Broom, and Bilberry, which are common around the Hills. The best sites include the eastern slopes of North Hill and Pinnacle Hill, and the many quarries, especially Tank, North, Westminster, Berrington and Gardiner’s.

Purple Hairstreak Neozephrus quercus

Transect records are the lowest since 2011 and 2012. However, they are still seen in good numbers around sites containing oak trees, especially Old Hills and Hangman’s Hill. However, this species is under-recorded and unsuited to the transect method as it spends most of the time hidden in the top of oak trees where it feeds on aphids’ honeydew. It is seen more often on warm and sunny summer evenings when males fly above and below the canopy defending their territories and seeking mates.

22 White-letter Hairstreak Satyrium w-album

Like Purple Hairstreak, this species is under-recorded as it frequents tree- canopies and often appears outside the typical hours for butterfly flight, tending to be on the wing early in the morning. A sedentary species, it rarely flies very far from its larval foodplant – Elm or Wych Elm. It feeds on aphid honeydew found on neighbouring oak and ash, and may descend to feed on thistle and other flowers. However, with the severe effects of Dutch Elm Disease, this butterfly is an endangered species that has a reported 96% long-term decline in the UK. Hence the transect method is unsuitable. So, it is not surprising that only ten were recorded on transect sites including Knapp & Papermill (6), Old Hills (2) and one each at Swinyard Hill and St. Wulstan’s LNR. However, the most surprising and one of the most reliable sightings are recorded in a small enclosed garden in Abbey Road in the middle of Malvern where at least three individuals were recorded between 28-Jun and 22-Jul including a mating pair on 07-Jul. This small garden regular records up to 22 species including the first ever Grayling sighting in 2019. For more information read the article written by John Lane in the Comma Edition 103 pp10-12 “On my patch – a Malvern garden” or online at: https://www.westmidlands-butterflies.org.uk/download-the-comma

Small Copper Lycaena phlaeas

Preferring the hills where sorrels, the caterpillar food-plants, are more abundant, Small Copper was seen on most Malvern sites but numbers are down by 17% compared with average counts between 2011-18. Best sites include North Hill (40), Pinnacle Hill (30) and West Malvern (21). Many late sightings depended on any remaining patches of ragwort and other yellow compositae still providing nectar nearby sheep’s sorrel, the larval food plant..

Brown Argus Aricia agestis

Although numbers decreased this year, the transect records are still 84% higher than the average between 2011-2018. The second brood (110) is always more abundant but, unusually, a significant increase (16) were recorded in the first brood during May & June compared with only 1-5 in recent years. This might be a consequence of good numbers last year and a mild spring this year. Recorded on 10 sites especially Pinnacle Hill (74).

23 Common Blue Polyommatus icarus

Annual counts vary widely, in part depending on parasitism. Average transect records peaked in 2018 (163), more than twice the average count of the previous seven years but declined significantly in 2019 (70), about average between 2011-18.. Notable sites include Hill Court Farm (347), Poolbrook Common (198), Knapp & Papermill (126).

Holly Blue Celastrina argiolus

Like the Common Blue, numbers are subject to annual fluctuations due to its complex ecology, particularly its relationship with two species of parasitic wasp (braconid Cotesia inducta & ichneumon Listrodomus nycthemerus) which tend to cause numbers to fluctuate in a five or six year cycle. However, the Holly Blue is less colonial and typically widespread in low numbers. Average transect numbers in 2019 (14) are the highest since before 2011 and have not declined since 2014 (4) and so appearing to counteract the timing of the host-parasite cycle described above. Holly Blue depends on two larval foodplants and is often seen in local gardens between April and September with very few sightings in June between both generations. Caterpillars feed on holly flower buds in spring and ivy flower buds in autumn before hibernating as a chrysalis. “Interestingly, in late May while filming Brimstone butterflies laying eggs on the underside of Alder buckthorn leaves, I filmed a Holly Blue laying an egg on a nearby flower bud – perhaps a different form we could call Buckthorn Blue.”(MMA)

White Admiral Limenitis camilla

This impressive canopy-dweller declined significantly in 2019 with only four sightings at three transect sites - Old Hills (2), Knapp & Papermill (1) and Pinnacle Hill (1). Correspondingly, the only casual sightings came on 02-Jul near Wyche School (JSL) and 03-Jul at Old Hills (LLO). White Admirals patrol woodland rides and edges, resting on the upper branches of large trees and swooping down to visit honeysuckle – the caterpillar foodplant. It is probable that this species is under-recorded and numbers are typically low, worrying for this vulnerable species with a 59% long-term decline in the UK.

Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta

Average transect numbers have fluctuated widely over the past ten years

24 for this migrant species - from two in 2013 to 31 in 2017 – an exceptional year with regular sightings from March through to December. However, a very cold winter in 2017-18 across the UK and to a lesser extent in southern Europe meant that numbers in 2018 dropped to six per site. A mild winter in 2018-19 may have helped some individuals to survive and complete their life cycle. This year numbers increased to 17 per site - reported from 15-Feb to 08-Nov. Migrants usually arrive on the Malverns towards the end of May or as late as mid-June. There is now growing evidence of an extended winter breeding cycle in sheltered areas of southern UK where nettles, the larval food-plant, survive. Early sightings may not be migrants but a growing number of adults emerging from pupae slowly developing in more sheltered and warmer winter sites. Recent autumns have been much warmer and Red Admiral is the most common species seen in Sep/Oct/Nov. It frequently feeds on ivy flower during this period and moves to the tops of hills on sunny days to exhibit breeding behaviour – defending territory, pursuing females – before migrating south.

Painted Lady Vanessa cardui

This large and handsome migrant was seen in record numbers (345) on thirteen sites but none at Melrose Farm Meadows. There were regular casual sightings (280) between 19-Apr and 02-Oct. It is often seen hill- topping with Red Admiral and Small Tortoiseshell on many of the summits along the Malvern Hills. “Millions” were reported flying from North Africa via Israel and Cyprus towards Europe. “During a visit to NW Greece in March to search for False Apollo Archon apollinus, Painted Lady was the most common species flying in the persistent drizzle during an unusual cold period of spring – presumably on their migration journey north.”(MMA)

Small Tortoiseshell Aglais urticae

There has been a significant decline in average transect numbers since 2014 (53) – but it was seen on all sites and the average transect number (22) in 2019 increased by 11% compared with the average between 2011- 18. Across the UK the long term trend is 73% down. These losses are partly due to parasitism by the fly Sturmia bella, and it is possible that the local increase in 2014 represents a peak on a parasite-host cycle, followed by further declines as in recent years. For more information on the life cycles and effect of parasites refer to the article on pp 37-38 or online at WMBC Comma 2020 Edition 105 pp16-18:

25 https://www.westmidlands-butterflies.org.uk/download-the-comma

Peacock Aglais io

Like the other hibernators - Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell and Comma - Peacock is one of the first species to emerge. The first recorded sighting was 04-Feb at Wyche Quarry (JSL). Despite a significant increase in average transect numbers in 2019 (33) compared with 2018 (11), it is still well below the highest number recorded in 2013 (58) since before 2011. The dramatic decline in recent years is illustrated by the drop in numbers recorded during the peak weeks. For example, almost 200 Peacock were recorded during the peak week in July on nine local transect sites in 2013, compared with only eight recorded during the peak week on fourteen local transect sites in 2017 and just 31 in 2018. Peacock are early hibernators and the vast majority have found shelter by early September. Research by Butterfly Conservation (Press Release, Nov. 2016) suggests that (recent) warm winters have affected the ‘overwintering’ life stage of our common species “… due to increased incidences of disease or potentially extreme hot temperatures acting as a cue for butterflies or their larvae to come out from overwintering too early and subsequently killed off by temperatures returning to colder conditions.”

Comma Polygonia c-album

This attractive well-camouflaged butterfly is easy to identify at rest with its distinctive wing shape and comma marking, but it is sometimes confused with Fritillaries when in flight. Early spring caterpillars eventually change to form ‘Hutchinsoni’ adults which go on to mate and produce a second brood, while late spring caterpillars eventually change to form butterflies that do not breed before hibernation. The long-term increase of 150% hides a short term decline of 28% in the UK. Local transect counts are down by over 11% compared with the average recorded on local transects between 2011-18. Highest transect counts include Old Hills (40), Hill Court Farm (33), Knapp & Papermill (30) and St Wulstan’s LNR (30). There were 151 casual sightings between 23-Feb and 11-Oct.

Dark Green Fritillary Argynnis aglaja

This butterfly is a wandering species and is occasionally seen in ones and

26 twos almost anywhere around the Malverns. One was recorded on 13-Aug in Lower Dingle (JWA). Sightings in previous years include: five individuals on 21-Jun-2018 in a meadow at Birchwood (CGR) and seen again on several other days by different visitors (MMA, GLO and MWI); one on 26-Jun-2018 in Tank Valley on the North Hill Transect (MMA), two on 09-Jul-2017 (JT) at the western edge of Swinyard Hill, one on 07-Jul-2016 at Berrington Quarry (SRO), one on 01-Jul-2015 at Hollybed Farm (PSE), one on 27-Jul-2014 in North Quarry (MWI, PSE, MMA), one on 14-Jul-2013 at Malvern Common (Jane Smith), one on 15-Jul-2013 at North Hill (MMA). Surprisingly, this species has a 186% long-term increase in the UK, but local records are too few to determine any population trends, and may be complicated by possible unofficial releases in some years.

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary Boloria selene

Historically, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Pearl-bordered Fritillary, were regularly seen on the southern hills until 1997 and 1998 respectively. For Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, singletons were also seen in 2010 (SRO) and 2013 (Mick Colquhoun), suggesting dispersal from a remnant colony perhaps in the less-monitored area around Eastnor. This possibility is further supported by the sighting of two Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries on 06-Jul- 2017 at Chase End Hill (DVE). Annual counts of violets (larval food-plant) in spring between 2012 & 2017 (JTI, PSE, MMA) show medium to high densities on the east & west sides of Swinyard Hill, and prolific numbers on the west side of Chase End Hill – a privately managed area covered in wild daffodils in early spring and followed by a succession of wood anemones, violets, bluebells and bracken. The Butterfly Conservation / Natural England Survey in 2016 suggests these three sites may be suitable to re-introduce one of the previously indigenous species of fritillary, such as Pearl-bordered Fritillary or, perhaps, High Brown Fritillary.

Silver-washed Fritillary Argynnis paphia

This butterfly benefits from the wide wooded corridors and open scallops around the Malvern Hills, such as Hangman’s Hill, Swinyard Hill, Gullet Quarry, Chase End Hill and Park Wood – all maintained, except the privately owned west side of Chase End Hill, by MHT and its volunteers for the wild flowers and butterflies. This Fritillary was seen on ten sites in 2019 compared with seven in 2018

27 and appeared to increase in number by 48%. However, the new transect on Swinyard Hill and Hangman’s Hill was set up in 2018 to record this species at its best site – 32 in 2019 compared with 49 in 2018, which contradicts the overall smaller counts on other sites. Hopefully, this new site will provide a more accurate population count and reference point for the future. The only other site to record a double-digit count is Chase End Hill (13). Interestingly, casual sightings in 2019 (42) suggest a longer flight period between 26-Jun to 01-Sep than in 2018 (81) between 01-Jul to 21-Aug. Casual records include between 1-3 at Abbey Road, Gullet Quarry, Gullet Wood, Hancocks Lane, Hanley Castle, Hanley Swan, Hollybush, Lower Dingle, Malvern Wells,North Hill, Park Wood, West Malvern, Upper Colwall, Whitman Hill Quarry, and notably 12 on 26-Jul in Park Wood (DTA), one of the best sites outside the butterfly transects. However, this fast flying butterfly can reach almost anywhere on its journey between suitable habitats, and it is most probably under-recorded. This is the only Fritillary that has increased both in abundance (6% in short term and 141 % in long term) and in occurrence (56% in long term) in the UK.

Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria

Although enjoying an 84% long-term increase, UK numbers have hardly increased (4%) in the short term. Local transect sightings have fluctuated since 2011 but the highest counts were recorded in the past three years. The wooded lower slopes of the hills produce the highest counts notably Pinnacle Hill (374) and North Hill (282). There were 253 casual sightings between 24-Mar and 02-Oct. Unique amongst British butterflies in being able to hibernate as caterpillar or chrysalis, a consequent frequent succession of emergences produced peak numbers in April and September that suggest at least two or more overlapping broods.

Marbled White Melanargia galathea

This butterfly, above all the rest, seems to be one of the winners in an increasingly changing climate. It has consistently achieved improving record numbers over recent years and is now at its highest count in local recorded history. This year it increased by over 338% compared with the average between 2011-18. Remarkably, it is now more common than Speckled Wood and Gatekeeper and is the third most common species this year. Across the UK, the long-term trend is 50% increase in abundance and 29% increase in occurrence as it moves further north in a warming climate. This colonial species also produces wandering individuals and so is

28 widespread but in greatly varying numbers. Seen between 10-Jun and 04- Aug. The best sites include Poolbrook Common (1724), Old Hills (602), and Hill Court Farm (501). Casual sightings (467) were reported from many long grass sites around the hills, including a notable count of 50 on 28-Jun at Rhydd Meadow (PTA) and 44 on 01-Jul at Guarlford Road (DCO).

Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus

The population of this common and widespread butterfly has fluctuated considerably in recent years. Fortunately, numbers increased significantly in 2019, the highest in recent years. Seen between 22-Jun and 16-Sep, the highest transect counts include Hills Court Farm (650), Old Hills (462) and Castlemorton Common (707), plus 326 casual sightings around many grassy sites in the region.

Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina

The population of this most common species boomed in 2019 to reach the highest numbers since before 2011 and represents 45% of all transect records – 17,602 out of a total of 38,985 for all butterfly species this year. Counts are particularly high at Hills Court Farm (6631), Poolbrook Common (2144) and Hollybed Farm (2032). Casual sightings (1614) between 15-Jun to 10-Sep reflect this boom in numbers around the region Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Gatekeeper and Speckled Wood are historically the four most common butterflies by a large margin, but Marbled White has increased to record numbers in recent years to reach third position in 2019.

Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus

Seen between 2-Apr and 23-Sep, numbers decreased significantly by 45% in 2019 following the highest count in 2018 since before 2011. It is largely restricted to the slopes of the hills including Pinnacle Hill (243), North Hill (87), West Malvern (63) and Hangman Hill (40). The preference for the higher slopes is linked to the abundance of its larval foodplants, especially Sheep’s Fescue. Two broods are typical but may overlap due to some caterpillars developing at different rates or even going into early hibernation. Nationally it has undergone a long-term decrease of 54% in the UK.

29 Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus

Ringlets tolerate humid and wet summers and will fly in dull, damp conditions. Even so, it thrived in the previous two years of very hot summers and reached the highest numbers in 2019 since before 2011 - notably at Old Hills (858). Seen between 16-Jun and 15-Aug, casual sightings (402) were widespread.

30 Grayling Hipparchia semele

The Malvern Hills and several sites in Shropshire are the only places in the West Midlands for this vulnerable species, nationally becoming confined to coasts and southern heathlands, with 58% long-term decline in UK. On the Malvern Hills, it favours rocky outcrops above 230m where it can bask, defend rocky territories, shelter in vegetation, nectar on Bramble and where larvae can feed on finer grasses, such as Sheep’s-fescue. However, its local range has contracted by 5.5 miles from its southern most territory in Gullet Quarry to the northern hills, not recorded south of Worcestershire Beacon since 2007. In recent years it has been restricted to the eastern slopes of North Hill around three parallel ridges called Grayling Ridge - leading to a prominent buttress, Grayling Rock (330m) - Chat Valley and De Walden Loop; and to a lesser extent on Ivy Scar Rock.

Report on Timed Counts of Grayling between 28-Jun & 08-Aug 2019

John Howes and Mel Mason completed eighteen timed counts of Grayling on four key sites on the eastern slopes of North Hill between 28-Jun & 08- Aug - each recorded in one session over approximately three hours. All sites appear to be improved following regular habit management during the winter months in recent years to clear more scrub and reveal more bare rock and grassy areas. Following a mild winter and spring, and warm temperatures in early summer, the first sighting (28-Jun) was very early, similar to the hot summers of 2017 (23-Jun) and 2018 (27-Jun) – the earliest on record. Rushy Valley has not been included in the timed counts this year but one sighting per year in recent years is not significant. Also, there were no casual sightings reported from this site. The peak count on 15-Jul occurred about two weeks after the first sighting. As usual, males emerged earlier but both sexes were seen on all sites while egg laying was reported on Grayling Rock and Chat Rock. The last sighting on 15-Aug in a garden on Abbey Road followed several days of persistent rain (photograph evidence provided by John Lane). The maximum timed count population (33) appears to have declined from the encouraging increases seen in 2017 (37) and 2018 (35), but still above the lowest ever recorded in 2015 (26) and 2016 (25). The maximum seen in a single count on 15-Jul (27) is also greater than 2015 & 2016 but less than 2017 & 2018. The most optimistic trend-line for maximum population counts between 2010-2019 continues to show a downward decline, and all counts between 2015-2019 are well below the benchmark of 2013 (56).

Refer to tables of records and graphical analysis at bottom of report…

31 Shropshire Site(s) Our nearest inland sites are The Bog at the Stiperstones and, several miles northeast, at Earl’s Hill. Reliable population trends for these sites are not available although, anecdotally, numbers in Shropshire appear to be relatively very high, as described in the following comments on WMBC Facebook: Stephen Lewis on 19th July 2019 – “Lucy and I visited The Bog at the Stiperstones yesterday and did a Grayling count over all the area where the habitat appeared suitable. So not just the big car park but also across the road around the old Miners Institute and beyond wherever there was stony ground. The weather was warm, sunny and breezy, and the count was an impressive 172. I have entered this on iRecord. We celebrated in the traditional manner with coffee, scone and cake in the Visitor Centre afterwards. A contrast with Earl's Hill which I have visited three times recently and only seen 3.” Reply from Heather Bennet – “There were a few around on Nipstone on Monday but nothing like these numbers.” (Nipstone Rock is very close to the Bog). Penelope Ann Constable 29-Jul-2019. “At The Bog today encountered the masters of disguise! 100+ Graylings showed themselves hopping and flying plus feeding on blackberry flowers all around the car park and surrounding grass, old mine workings and pathways around the ponds.”

Habitat management & comments – North Hill It is difficult to assess the impact of habitat management over recent years. The main sites are more open and Grayling are using the uncovered rocks – particularly on Ivy Scar this year following habitat management work by MHT, WMBC and Pershore College students and staff in February 2019. However, numbers are still well below the 2013 benchmark despite increased volunteer work since 2015 and the considerable support provided by MHT and WMBC. Fewer local volunteers seemed to be helping last year despite the relatively mild winter. Perhaps the determination to help save the Grayling is less appealing as numbers decline and the work becomes more humdrum – “grazing” the steep slopes with loppers and shears rather than the excitement of cutting down saplings and removing large scrub and woodland. At present, we are barely managing to maintain existing habitat and, it seems, unable to recover overgrown sites nearby on the eastern slopes of Worcestershire Beacon, such as Firs Ridge. There are suggestions to use sheep grazing / browsing for habitat management but there are difficulties managing and funding unprofitable schemes. Perhaps now is the time to find out more about this highly vulnerable and

32 increasingly isolated colony – before it becomes extinct? For example, we do not know the genome for this isolated population, perhaps an invaluable ‘fingerprint’ to compare with other declining or healthy populations, or a clue to their fertility or adaptability, or as a reference for future research?

Work Parties Winter 2019-20 In addition to work parties organised by MHT, WMBC has agreed with MHT to lead and support four further winter work parties on 07&21-Oct-2019 and 10&24-Feb-2020.Many thanks to MHT for help with transport, kindly offered in recent years, to transfer necessary tools up to the work site in the morning of each work party – although, at the end of the day it is not too difficult to carry tools downhill from Ivy Scar Rock using a wheel barrow and volunteers.

Fire management A fire seems to be the only option for managing cut scrub but this needs to be monitored for up to two hours after volunteers have left. The Fire Brigade is notified at the start of the fire and on leaving the fire site.

Working with Pershore College Students Pershore College have asked to join another work party with adult supervision this winter 2019-20 and MHT have kindly offered staff support, additional tools and transport.

Facebook – Malvern Butterfly Group The MBG Facebook site includes many photos and comments on Grayling behaviour from John Howes, myself and various casual recorders.

Thankyou to… John Howes for his considerable support in completing timed transect recording. The MHT, WMBC and the volunteers who work hard in the winter months to maintain suitable sites for this vulnerable butterfly.

TIMED COUNTS BETWEEN 28-JUN & 08-AUG 2019

Total Count in one day = 27 on 15.07.2019 (four sites recorded up to three hours)

Maximum Population = 33 [IVS=2, GRI=13, CVA=6, DWL=12] (sum of maximum counts for all sites)

33 TIMED COUNTS - GRAYLING DISTRIBUTION BETWEEN 28-JUN & 08-AUG 2019

Count TOTAL GRI GRO

IVS

CVA DWL

Recorder Date GRO GRI& TOTAL CommentCHECK 1 Andy Pearce 28-Jun 1 1 1 FIST SIGHTING - ON PATH BELOW IVY SCAR ABOVE RECENTLY FELLED OAK 2 Mel Mason 28-Jun 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 TIMED COUNT - NONE RECORDED-90%,20oC,W2 3 John Howes 29-Jun 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 TIMED COUNT-SECOND SIGHTING DWLOOP 26oC / wind=1 / sun=90% 4 Mel Mason 02-Jul 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 TIMED COUNT-THIRD SIGHTING THE NOSE CHAT VALLEY 19oC / wind=2 / sun=60% 5 John Howes 03-Jul 5 2 0 1 2 0 2 5 TIMED COUNT - IVS=2,GRI=2,CVA=0,DWL=1-80%,22oC,W1 6 John Howes 05-Jul 6 0 1 2 1 2 3 6 TIMED COUNT - IVS=0,GRI=3,CVA=1,DWL=2-90%,24oC,W2 7 Mel Mason 10-Jul 14 0 1 6 5 2 7 14 TIMED COUNT - IVS=0,GRI=5,GRO=2,CVA=1,DWL=6-60%,20oC,W1 8 John Howes 15-Jul 27 0 4 10 10 3 13 27 TIMED COUNT - IVS=0,GRI=13,CVA=4,DWL=10-90%,21oC,W1 9 John Howes 18-Jul 22 1 6 8 6 1 7 22 TIMED COUNT - IVS=1,GRI=7,CVA=6,DWL=8-70%,18oC,W2 10 Mel Mason 21-Jul 21 2 1 7 7 4 11 21 TIMED COUNT - IVS=2,GRI=7,GRO=4,CVA=1,DWL=7-40%,19oC,W2 11 John Howes 22-Jul 13 2 0 3 8 11 13 TIMED COUNT - IVS=2,GRI=3,GRO=8,CVA=0-70%,22oC,W2 12 Mel Mason 23-Jul 20 1 4 5 6 4 10 20 TIMED COUNT - IVS=1,GRI=6,GRO=4,CVA=4,DWL=5-100%,26oC,W1 13 John Howes 24-Jul 27 2 3 12 4 6 10 27 TIMED COUNT - IVS=2,GRI=4,GRO=6,CVA=3,DWL=12-90%,23oC,W2 14 Mel Mason 26-Jul 14 1 4 3 2 4 6 14 TIMED COUNT - IVS=1,GRI=2,GRO=4,CVA=4,DWL=3-50%,24oC,W2 15 Mel Mason 29-Jul 9 2 1 3 0 3 3 9 TIMED COUNT - IVS=2,GRI=0,GRO=3,CVA=1,DWL=3-70%,24oC,W2 16 John Howes 29-Jul 11 2 2 2 0 5 5 11 TIMED COUNT - IVS=2,GRI=0,GRO=5,CVA=2,DWL=2-100%,19oC,W2 17 Mel Mason 02-Aug 6 0 0 2 1 3 4 6 TIMED COUNT - IVS=0,GRI=1,GRO=3,CVA=0,DWL=2-70%,24oC,W2 18 John Howes 02-Aug 6 0 1 3 0 2 2 6 TIMED COUNT - IVS=0,GRI=0,GRO=2,CVA=1,DWL=3-70%,19oC,W1 19 Liz Lloyd 08-Aug 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 LAST RECORD - 60%,19oC,W=1 - Chat rock just below LHDW Path 20 John Lane 15-Aug 1 LAST SIGHTING - ABBEY ROAD FOLLOWING VERY WET PERIOD TOTAL 206 16 30 65 47 47 94 205 205 TOTAL CHECK KEY: NOT VISITED 8 15 32 23 23 46 % of total 2 6 12 10 8 13 38 MAXIMUM SEPARATE SITES (SEPARATE GRI & GRO) 2 6 12 10 8 13 33 MAXIMUM SEPARATE SITES (COMBINED GRI & GRO) 21 LESS DWLOOP (COMBINED GRI & GRO) 27 MAXIMUM ONE DAY (COMBINED GRI & GRO)

GRAYLING DISTRIBUTION BETWEEN 28-JUN & 08-AUG 2019 30

02-Jul 04-Jul 06-Jul 08-Jul 10-Jul 12-Jul 14-Jul 16-Jul 18-Jul 20-Jul 22-Jul 24-Jul 26-Jul 28-Jul 30-Jul

28-Jun 30-Jun

05-Aug 07-Aug 01-Aug 03-Aug

TOTAL IVS GRI GRO CVA DWL

34 Recorded sightings 2019 – different timed counts represented by

coloured markers

Year total timed Max. day in one counts Population Max. Adjusted DWLoop ie except 2010 49 49 49 2011 39 39 39 2012 46 46 46 2013 56 56 56 2014 41 49 35 2015 22 26 24 2016 24 25 21 2017 33 37 32 2018 32 35 26 2019 27 33 21

35 Timed Records indicated by symbols on attached map

For further information refer to… Malvern Grayling Habitat Survey 2015 (Mel Mason) & 2007 (Dr Sue Clarke) Malvern Grayling Hipparchia semele Species Action Plan – Worcestershire County Council (Mel Mason) Malvern Grayling Report 2007-2017 (Mel Mason) Malvern Grayling Summary Report 2018 (Mel Mason) Malvern Grayling Summary Report 2019 (Mel Mason) Malvern Butterfly Group FACEBOOK –images and records of sightings

Male Grayling on bramble flower 21-Jul-2019 MMA

36 Day-flying Moths around the Malverns in 2019

The day-flying moths recorded in 2019 are listed in the attached table – but more information about where to find many of these species is available in an extended article in the in the ‘WMBC Comma Magazine No.101 Autumn 2018’. Go to: https://www.westmidlands-butterflies.org.uk/download-the-comma

Notable sightings

Feb-2019 During exceptionally warm and sunny weather in late winter and early spring, Orange Underwing (43) moths were seen in good numbers between 23-Feb and 27-Mar flying around the many birch trees on higher slopes of the Malverns especially Pinnacle Hill. (Mel Mason, Liz Lloyd, Nicky Rowberry, Jess Sly, Hugh Glennie)

May-2019 An unusual sighting of an Emperor Moth was recorded on 29-Mar at St Wulstan’s LNR (Ann Brookes). Later, on 23-Apr at Castlemorton Common two more were seen attracted to a pheromone lure set up in two different locations next to gorse and bramble (Mel Mason & Liz Lloyd).

Dec-2019 Dave Cook reported these sightings on MBG Facebook on 26-Dec, “Surprise moth event last evening, 26th, about 5.30pm at the triangle on the bend where Chance Lane meets Sherrards Green road. I was driving and unfortunately didn't stop but did slow up. At first I noticed 3 moths in the light beams and then 5 or 6 and then more. Probably saw a max of 10ish at one time. Thought I'd gone back to the 1960s. The car dash said 6 deg C. It wasn't raining but damp with no wind. This all happened in no more than 100yds and then there were none. I returned about 2 1/2 hrs later and saw only 1 moth in same area but conditions had turned very misty and 4 ½ deg C. Did I experience a mass emergence or something?” At a Malvern WWT meeting on 02-Jan-2020, Carol reported the same observations observed also on 26-Dec-2019 near the same site but thought she saw about 30 moths in her car headlamps. After some discussion we thought it could be male Winter Moths attracted to the pheromones released from a nearby flightless female. The County Moth Recorder, Tony Simpson, also suggested it could have been males assembling to a female.

37 Species 2019 2018 Species 2019 2018 Species 2019 2018 Angle Shades Moth 1 2 Eyed Hawk Moth 1 0 Peach Blossom 0 1 Phlogophora meticulosa Smerinthus ocellata Thyatira batis August Thorn 0 1 Garden Carpet 0 2 Poplar Hawk-moth 0 1 Ennomos quercinaria Xanthorhoe fluctuata Laothoe populi Barred Grass Veneer 0 1 Garden Grass-veneer 0 19 Powdered Grass-veneer 0 1 Agriphila inquinatella Chrysoteuchia culmella Thisanotia chrysonuchella Barred Marble 0 1 Ghost moth 0 1 Red Twin-spot Carpet 1 1 Celypha striana Hepialus humuli Xanthorhoe spadicearia Barred Straw 0 1 Grass Emerald 0 1 Red Underwing 0 1 Gandaritis pyraliata Pseudoterpna pruinata Catocala nupta Blood-vein 1 1 Grass Rivulet 6 296 Regal Piercer 1 0 Timandra comae Perizoma albulata Pammene regiana Brimstone Moth 1 0 Grass Veneer 40 Ruby Tiger 0 1 Opisthograptis luteolata Crambus pascuella Phragmatobia fuliginosa Brown Silver-line 4 25 Green Carpet 1 0 Scalloped Oak 1 0 Petrophora chlorosata Colostygia pectinataria Crocallis elinguaria Buff Ermine 0 1 Green Long-horn 2 30 Scarlet Tiger 8 63 Spilarctia luteum Adela reaumurella Callimorpha dominula Buff-tip 1 0 Green Oak Tortrix 0 9 Shaded Broad-bar 4 1 Phalera bucephala Tortrix viridana Scotopteryx chenopodiata Burnet Companion 4 567 Herald Moth 50 2 Silver Y 13 282 Euclidia glyphica Scoliopteryx libatrix Autographa gamma Cinnabar 15 89 Hummingbird Hawkmoth 42 47 Silver-ground Carpet 0 2 Tyria jacobaeae Macroglossum stellatarum Xanthorhoe montanata Clay Triple-lines 0 1 Large Yellow Underwing 6 0 Six-spot Burnet 109 1179 Cyclophora linearia Noctua pronuba Zygaena filipendulae Common Carpet 1 45 Least Carpet 1 0 Small Blood-vein moth 0 2 Epirrhoe alternata Idaea rusticata atrosignaria Scopula imitaria Common Flat-body 1 0 Lesser Yellow Underwing 2 0 Small Eggar Caterpillars 1 Agonopterix heracliana Noctua comes Eriogaster lanestris Common Marble Moth 0 2 Light Brown Apple Moth 2 2 Small China Mark 1 0 Celypha lacunana Epiphyas postvittana Cataclysta lemnata Common Nettle-tap 0 2 Lime Hawk Moth 1 Small emerald Moth 1 0 Anthophila fabriciana Mimas tiliae Hemistola chrysoprasaria Common Plume Moth 1 0 Lunar Spotted Pinion 0 1 Small Fan-footed Wave 1 0 Emmelina monodactyla Cosmia pyralina Idaea biselata Common Rustic 0 1 Marbled Beauty 1 0 Small Magpie 8 0 Mesapamea secalis Cryphia domestica Anania hortulata Common Tubic 1 1 Mint Moth 19 18 Snout 3 1 Alabonia geoffrella Pyrausta aurata Hypena proboscidalis Common Yellow Conch 0 1 Mother of Pearl 4 1 Speckled Yellow 4 29 Agapeta hamana Pleuroptya ruralis Pseudopanthera macularia Crescent 0 1 Mother Shipton 0 14 Straw Dot 1 5 Helotropha leucostigma Callistege mi Rivula sericealis Dark Arches 0 3 Mullein Moth caterpillar 7 4 Twenty Plume moth 3 4 Apamea monoglypha Cucullia verbasci Alucita hexadactyla Dingy Footman 0 1 Muslin Moth 0 1 Vapourer 0 13 Eilema griseola Diaphora mendica Orgyia antiqua Dotted border 2 0 NB Five spot burnet 2 7 White Plume 1 1 Agriopis marginaria Zygaena lonicerae Pterophorus pentadactyla Double-striped Pug 0 1 November Tubic 0 Willow Beauty 1 1 Gymnoscelis rufifasciata Diurnea lipsiella Peribatodes rhomboidaria Drab Looper 4 0 Oak Beauty 1 0 Winter Moth 30 0 Minoa murinata Biston strataria Operophtera brumata Earl Grey 1 0 Old Lady 1 1 Yellow Shell 17 16 Xylocampa areola Mormo maura Camptogramma bilineata Early Thorn 0 1 Orange Underwing 43 1 Yellow tail moth 0 1 Selenia dentaria Archiearis parthenias Euproctis similis Elephant Hawk Moth 4 0 Pale Straw Pearl 0 1 Yellow-barred Longhorn 21 26 Deilephila elpenor Udea Lutealis Nemophora Degeerella Emperor Moth 3 1 Pale Tussock larvae 0 1 Yellow-spot Tortrix 0 1 Saturnia pavonia Calliteara pudibunda Pseudargyrotoza Conwagana 45 750 192 499 229 1634

Total No. / Species2019 466 56 38 Total No. / Species2018 2883 70 A Very Small Study of Sturmia Bella Phil Taylor 2019

This year we have been lucky to experience the joy of many colourful Vanessids ( or Nymphalids ) adorning Buddleia bushes in our gardens. Many of us can recall childhood memories from the years during the 60s and into the 70s when there was often too many to count, and the Small Tortoiseshell competed with the Meadow Brown as the most common UK butterfly. In recent years the decline in numbers of both Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock butterfly in the South of England has been alarming. Recordings of Peacock around the Malverns in 2018 were very few, and the Tortoiseshell didn't fare much better. By comparison the warm summers saw most of our meadowland butterflies flourishing. The Vanessids are our most mobile butterflies, and their strength of flight on a hot day is spectacular, and it is worth remembering that both the Red Admiral and Painted Lady are migrants, capable of flying from and to the near continent. These two species are not experiencing the decline of our domestic Vanessid species, yet neither is the Comma, which in contrast is expanding its range, having been in drastic decline during the 19th Century due to the loss of Hop fields. In the 1960's this butterfly adapted to using nettles, and hasn't looked back since. That's another story, but may suggest reasons behind what is going on with the Tortoiseshell and Peacock. One fact which separates these two species is that they lay their eggs in large batches on nettles, as opposed to single placement of eggs distributed over a wider area. Butterfly larvae are hosts for many parasitic wasps, and also from certain flies from the Tachinid family e.g. Phryxe Vulgaris and Pelatachina tibialis. The decline of the aforementioned species in the South has coincided with the spread of a new species of Tachinid fly called Sturmia bella which has spread northwards from the continent (almost certainly due to climate change). Studies based on numerical evidence show a fairly clear correlation, but reasons as to why these species are being affected, and the extent to which the population decline is attributable to this particular parasite is open for debate, and further experimental data is being gathered. In the UK we already have Pelatachina tibialis which lays its eggs directly on to young caterpillars, and this species also parasitises ‘Cabbage White’ butterflies. Sturmia bella lays microscopic eggs onto the nettle leaves where young larvae are feeding. The larvae then ingest the egg, and the larval parasitoid hatches and grows within. The method by which Sturmia bella enters its host makes it far more efficient to target batches of caterpillars as presented by the Tortoiseshell and Peacock. By contrast, individual caterpillars would offer a greatly reduced probability of

39 a successful parasitisation event. It has been observed, that Small Tortoiseshell are more affected by Sturmia bella than the Peacock, and this has been attributed to the timing of the parasite and host lifecycles. The Peacock has a single brood and is at the larval stage during June, whereas the Tortoiseshell is double brooded with larvae present from June to August. At the bottom of our garden we have a very large patch of nettles. Each spring eggs are laid around the edge of old bonfire sites, which provides an ideal sunbathing area for prospective butterflies. This year I was delighted to find a very large number of reasonably mature Peacock larvae, so I took into captivity 42 individuals. I fed them on nettles taken from the location of the caterpillars. Of these 32 progressed to Adult, and 10 were parasitised. Of the 10 that were parasitised, 8 were by Pelatachina tibialis, 1 by an Ichneumon wasp and another by an unknown insect. None were affected by Sturmia Bella. However, later in the summer I rescued a couple of batches of freshly hatched Tortoiseshell eggs from an area which was due to be strimmed. I took about 50 tiny larvae into captivity. None were parasitised and 48 produced adults. The rest had been relocated to the nettle patch. As my captives were hatching from the cage placed in the garden, I noticed a lovely golden pupa hanging from a leaf of a nearby Buddleia. It was so beautiful I took photos of it and placed it on the Malvern Butterfly Group website. Within 2 hours I noticed a maggot at the bottom of the container, and a hole in the ‘golden pupa’. This was rather exciting, as Sturmia bella hatches from the chrysalis, unlike Pelatachina tibialis which emerges from the final larval instar. Within 10 days a Sturmia bella fly emerged from the pupa of the Tortoiseshell parasitoid, whereas the morphologically different Pelatachina tibialis pupae ( note the bifurcated projection in attached image) which emerged from Peacock larvae had not hatched, and will not, until the spring of 2020, which is perfectly sensible for a species adapted for northern Europe. From such a small sample one can draw no conclusions, but the results might imply that later broods of Tortoiseshell are more susceptible to Sturmia bella, as the progeny of winter Sturmia bella survivors in the south spread northwards throughout the summer months. It seems we will continue to see population fluctuations which in part may be due to the new Tachinid on the block – Sturmia bella.

Thanks to members of the UK Diptera group for helping with Identification of the Tachinid species.

Article also online at WMBC Comma 2020 Edition 105 pp16-18: https://www.westmidlands-butterflies.org.uk/download-the-comma

40 Acknowledgements

Sincere thanks are due to: Rhona Goddard and Jenny Joy at Butterfly Conservation; Peter Seal, John Tilt, Mike Williams, Ian Duncan and Tony Simpson at WMBC for their guidance and advice; Liz Lloyd for editing; MHT for their support and vital habitat management and in particular Andy Pearce, Simon Roberts & Rich Vale for organising the volunteer group; the volunteers at MHT, WMBC, WWT and MBG who work very hard to manage the habitat sites around the Hills; the transect walkers and casual recorders, especially those who discovered butterfly recording this year – we hope you enjoyed it and participate again next year.

WMBC / MBG Work Party Volunteers

Alex Henderson Ian Duncan Mel Mason Richard Clarke Alison Uren Jess Sly Mike Williams Rob Horey Andy Dorey John Howes Nick Lobo Simon Roberts Ann Hadfield John Oldham Pete Parkes Stephen Braim Dave Cook Jon Lloyd Peter Seal Steve Miller Derek Fearnside Ken Allcock Peter Suddab Tom Woodhall Dick Stockford Liz Lloyd Rex Eckley Tony Simpson Hugh Glennie Mark Roberts Rich Vale Trevor Truman

MHT Volunteers

An even larger group of volunteers work regularly with MHT on many wildlife sites around the Malverns, including several butterfly sites. Many thanks to all involved.

WWT Volunteers

Five of our local butterfly sites are managed by WWT. Many thanks to both staff and volunteers who work on these sites.

Pershore College Volunteers

Many thanks to the staff and students who helped on our February Work Party on Ivy Scar.

41 Butterfly and day-flying moth recorders (transect recorders in italic)

Alison Uren AUR Jackie Walbridge JWA Peter Seal PSE Alex Henderson AHE Jane Taverner JTA Simon Primrose SPR Andrew Magnay AMA Jess Sly JSL Phil Taylor PTA Angie Hill AHI Jim Beard JBE Ray Bishop RBI Ann Bowker ABO John Howes JHO Rex Eckley REC Ann Brookes ABR John Lane JLA Rich Vale RVA Brian Iles BIL John Tilt JTI Richard Medley RME Cherry Greenway CGR Jonathan Bills JBI Richard Newton RNE Christine Seymore CSE Laurence Gough LGO Roger Bates RBA Clive Lloyd CLL Liz Lloyd LLO Rosemary Eustace REU Dave & Carol D&C Margaret Vernon MVE Safi Szabolcs SSZ Dave Cook DCO Marion Marsey MMA Shabra Dowson SDA Dave Cunliffe DCU Mel Mason MMA Simon Lampitt SLA Dave Taft DTA Mick Woodward MWO Simon Roberts SRO Dave Vernon DVE Mike Perry MPE Sue Wolfendale SWO Dave Palmer DPA Mike Pullen MPU Tessa&AndyDorey T&A David West DWE Mike Uren MUR Tessa Bramall TBR Dick Stockford DST Mike Williams MWI Tim Dixon TDI Garth Lowe GLO Nick Underhill-Day NUD Tony Simpson TSI Hugh Glennie HGL Peter Holmes PHO

References

1. Agassiz, Bevan & Heckford (2015) Checklist of the Lepidoptera of the British Isles. 2. Fox, R., Brereton, T.M., et al (2015) State of the UK’s Butterflies, Butterfly Conservation 3. Butterfly Conservation (2019) Big Butterfly Count online: butterfly- conservation.org 4. Butterfly Conservation (Nov 2016) ‘Extreme Weather can lead to butterfly declines’ 5. Thomas, J. & Lewington, R. (2014) The Butterflies of Britain and Ireland (New Rev Ed) 6. Duncan I., Seal P., Tilt J., Wasley R., Williams M. (2016) Butterflies of the West Midlands, Pisces Publications 7. Duncan I., Garner P.,Comont R., Creed P. (2018)The Nature of the Malverns, Pisces Publications 8. Newland, D., Still, R, & Swash A. (2013) Britain’s Day-Flying Moths. 9. UKBMS Transect Records for Malvern Hills Region (2011-2019) 10. UKBMS Transect Records for the West Midlands Region (2011- 2019) 11. Fritillary Habitat Survey completed in 2016 by Katey Stephen, Natural England for WMBC 12. Grayling Habitat Survey completed in 2007 by Sue Clarke (Butterfly Conservation) 13. Grayling Habitat Survey completed in 2015 by Mel Mason & Liz Lloyd (WMBC) 14. Report on the Population & Distribution of the Malvern Grayling between 2007-2017 submitted to MHT in September 2017 (Mel Mason). 15. Report on the Population & Distribution of the Malvern Grayling in Summer 2018 submitted to MHT in September 2018 (Mel Mason). 16. Report on the Population & Distribution of the Malvern Grayling in Summer 2019 submitted to MHT in September 2019 (Mel Mason).

Index of Butterfly Species Reports

Common Name Scientific Name Page

Small Skipper Thymelicus sylvestris 19 Essex Skipper Thymelicus lineola 19 Large Skipper Ochlodes sylvanus 19 Dingy Skipper Erynnis tages 19 Clouded Yellow Colias croceus 20 Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni 20 Large White Pieris brassicae 20 Small White Pieris rapae 20 Green-veined White Pieris napi 21 Orange Tip Anthocharis cardamines 21 Green Hairstreak Callophrys rubi 21 Purple Hairstreak Neozephrus quercus 21 White-letter Hairstreak Satyrium w-album 22 Small Copper Lycaena phlaeas 22 Brown Argus Aricia agestis 22 Common Blue Polyommatus icarus 23 Holly Blue Celastrina argiolus 23 White Admiral Limenitis camilla 23 Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta 23 Painted Lady Vanessa (Cynthia) cardui 24 Small Tortoiseshell Aglais urticae 24 Peacock Inachis io 25 Comma Polygonia c-album 25 Dark Green Fritillary Argynnis aglaja 25 Small Pearl-B. Fritillary Boloria selene 26 Silver-washed Fritillary Argynnis paphia 26 Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria 27 Marbled White Melanargia galathea 27 Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus 28 Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina 28 Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus 28 Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus 28 Grayling & Report 2019 Hipparchia semele 29

44 Gazetteer

The places mentioned in this report are generally shown on Malvern Hills and Bredon Hill 1:25,000 Ordnance Survey Explorer Series, Sheet 190, and Worcester & the Malverns 1:50,00 Ordnance Survey Landranger Series, Sheet 150. In addition, common names used by local naturalists are listed.

Site Name Grid Reference Bagburrow Wood SO749451 Ballard’s Land SO766426 Berrington’s Quarry SO769412 Blackmore Park SO815442 Brookbatch SO757515 Brotheridge Green Nature Reserve SO815413 Chat Valley, North Hill SO772463 Clenchers Mill SO732352 Coombe Green Common SO777365 Cother Quarry and Cother Wood SO757464 County (West of England) Quarry, Summer Hill SO768447 Cowleigh SO765477 Danemoor Farm SO796413 DeWalden Ridge, North Hill SO772460 Dingle Quarry and Dingle Valley SO765456 Earnslaw Quarry SO771445 Eastnor Park SO750379 Firs Valley, Worcs Beacon SO772449 Fish Pools, Colwall SO740425 Gardiner’s Quarry, Pinnacle Hill SO766421 Grayling Ridge and Grayling Rock, North Hill SO773465 Gullet, The (Gullet Quarry) SO762381 Happy Valley SO770458 Hills Court Farm SO825355 Hollybed Common SO776374 Hollybed Farm Meadows Nature Reserve SO780378 Ivyscar Rock, North Hill SO773463 Joyner’s Meadow SO765465

Site Name Grid Reference Kettle Sings, The SO765421 Lower Mitchell SO725388 Malvern Common East (Poolbrook Common) SO785443 Malvern Common West (Peachfield Common) SO777444 Mathon Gravel Pits (The Brays / Warner’s Farm) SO733444 Melrose Farm Meadows Nature Reserve SO818410 New Pool (Poolbrook) SO786438 News Wood SO755382 North Quarry SO770469 Obelisk, The SO755379 Old Country Orchard SO728445 Old Hills SO827487 Old Hockey Field, nr Mathon Lodge SO757452 Park Wood SO764444 Purlieu, The SO764443 Rhydd Green SO833451 Rushy Valley, Worcs Beacon SO772454 Shadybank Common SO768395 St Ann’s Well SO772458 St Wulstan’s Local Nature Reserve SO783414 Stamp's Orchard, Colwall SO751429 Swinyard Flush SO764381 Tank Quarry SO768470 Thirdsland SO768425 Wells Common SO775443 Westminster Quarry SO765461 Wheatear Valley (unofficial name) SO761399 Wide Valley, Worcs Beacon SO771451 Wood Street SO805443 Woodford's Meadow SO782463 Wyche Cutting SO768430