Spring 2014
SuffolkThe Argus
The Newsletter of the Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation
The enigmatic Clouded Yellow Colias crocea f. helice ab. nigra Aigner (page 8)
Photographed by Paul Rusher at Bawdsey
Spring 2014 Volume 59 1
Suffolk Butterflies 2013
The Suffolk Argus Suffolk Butterflies 2013
Suffolk Butterflies 2013
(see page 7) Clouded Yellow Clouded Yellow
Silver-washed Fritillary Silver-washed Fritillary
Wall
Wall
Wall Wall
2 Spring 2014 Contents
Branch Contacts 4 Editorial 5 Events 2014 5 Suffolk Butterflies 2013 7 An Enigmatic Variation 8 Ipswich Heaths Project 9 WCBS 10 A View from the Bridge 12 Chalkhill Blue Returns 13 The Dinghy Skipper 14 Blaxhall Silver-studded Blue Update 15 The Wall in 2013 17 Garden Buddleja 18 The Clouded Yellow 18 Event Report 19 Greenwings Balkan Holiday 20
New Members
We welcome the following new members and look forward to meeting them at our events this year.
Ms S Bennetts Saxmundham Mr K Ling Ipswich Mr A Bimpson Ipswich Mrs H Macleod Hollesley Mr M & Mrs G Bladi Ipswich Mrs A Newcombe Woolpit 0UV-%ORÀHOG ,SVZLFK Mrs N & M Nickerson & Family Lowestoft Mrs J Bridger Brandon Mr J & Ms G Owen Dalham Miss D Broom Hornchurch Mrs J Piper Halesworth Mrs S Collinson Woodbridge Mr J Rankin Bury St Edmunds Mr A Craven Nowton Mr A & Mrs C Sadler Brome Ms D Edwards Earl Soham Mr A Smuk & Mrs Y Westley Ipswich Miss R Garnett Hacheston Mr D Sweeting Martlesham Heath Mr J Harper Rendlesham Miss L Summer & Mr N King Brandon Miss Harris Great Cornard Mr B Taylor Bury St Edmunds Ms H Hepburn Thrandestone Miss G Teoli-Kendall Trimley St Mary Mr E Hopkins Saxmundham Dr S Tucker Woodbridge Rev’d P Ind Woodbridge Mrs E Walling Ipswich Miss R Knight Haverhill Mr P & Mrs S Wilmouth Glemsford
3 The Suffolk Argus Suffolk Branch Contacts
President &RQVHUYDWLRQ2IÀFHU %XWWHUÁLHV Howard Mendel Rob Parker c/o The Natural History Museum, Cromwell &RUQÀHOG5G Rd, London SW7 5BD Bury St Edmunds IP33 3BN Tel: 0207 938 8782 Tel: 01284 705476 email: [email protected] Chairman Mike Dean &RQVHUYDWLRQ2IÀFHU 0RWKV Coach House, Ixworth, Tony Prichard Bury St Edmunds IP31 2HL 3, Powling Rd., Ipswich IP3 9JR Tel: 01359 230292 Tel: 01473 270047 email: Michael.Dean2@ virginmedia.com email: [email protected]
Membership Secretary Programme and Publicity Susan Sidle Matt Berry Five Gables, The Ling, Wortham, Diss, Norfolk Tel: 07599 243026 IP22 1ST email: [email protected] Tel: 01379 643665 email: [email protected] Newsletter Editor Peter Maddison Treasurer Barnmead, Fishpond Rd, Dominic Hill :DOGULQJÀHOG Tel: 01359 269855 Woodbridge IP12 4QX email: [email protected] Tel: 01473 736607 email: [email protected] Secretary Julian Dowding 5HJLRQDO2IÀFHU(DVWHUQ(QJODQG 84, Clapgate Lane, Sharon Hearle Ipswich IP3 0RE 216, The Street, Kirtling, Tel: 01473 436096 Newmarket CB8 9PD email: [email protected] Tel: 01638 731648 HPDLO VKHDUOH#EXWWHUÁ\FRQVHUYDWLRQRUJ &RXQW\%XWWHUÁ\5HFRUGHU Bill Stone Website 27 Draymans Way Richard Perryman Ipswich IP3 0QU email: [email protected] HPDLO EXWWHUÁLHV#VQVRUJXN WCBS Co-ordinator Committee Member Twm Wade Helen Saunders email: twm.wade@ yahoo.com email: [email protected]
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You will have found your 2014 event you become more familiar with how the programme card with this issue of the Suffolk Branch works and meet members Argus. I’d just like to point out some of of the committee, turning us from names the highlights of the year and explain the on a page into real people! The format for focus of one or two newer style of event these events is as follows. We start with that you may not be familiar with. an indoor session and presentations along WKH OLQHV RI ¶:K\ 5HFRUG %XWWHUÁLHV"· There are two dates this year for what ‘Habitat & Ecology’ and ‘The Status & are being called ‘New Members’ Days’. ,GHQWLÀFDWLRQ RI 6SHFLHV· 7KLV OHDGV RQ The idea behind them is to help recently to heading outside to do some practical joined members (of which there have been ÀHOGZRUN DQG UHFRUGLQJ ZLWK KHOS RQ many in the past few years!) learn more REVHUYDWLRQVNLOOVLGHQWLÀFDWLRQRIVSHFLHV about Suffolk and its Lepidoptera and and habitat and larval host plants. I to learn practical skills for identifying encourage you to try these events this year DQGUHFRUGLQJEXWWHUÁLHV,WFDQDOVRKHOS as I’m sure you’d get a lot out of them,
5 The Suffolk Argus particularly if all of this is rather new or If your passport allows you to travel even daunting to you. We’re here to help and IXUWKHU DÀHOG WKDQ 1RUIRON WKHQ WKHUH support you in becoming even more DUH EXWWHUÁ\ ZDWFKLQJ ZHHNV DYDLODEOH informed and interested (or obsessed) in France and Greece, being offered by ZLWKEXWWHUÁLHVDQGPRWKV%XWSOHDVHGR Greenwings Wildlife Holidays. These are register in advance as places are limited. the sole responsibility of Greenwings, but %XWWHUÁ\&RQVHUYDWLRQGRHVUHFHLYHD We also have a focus on our heathland GRQDWLRQ IURP WKH SURÀWV 7KH OHDGHUV sites in the east of the county. The LQFOXGHZHOONQRZQDXWKRUDQGEXWWHUÁ\ Ipswich Heaths Project is a big deal for ÁRZHUH[SHUW7ULVWDQ/DIUDQFKLVDQG5RJHU us as a branch and we want to share *LEERQVDQH[SHUWRQ)UHQFKEXWWHUÁLHV what we’ve been doing to improve sites Not only are these holidays in beautiful for wildlife and to come together and and sunny places but there are often 100 UHFRUG EXWWHUÁLHV DQG PRWKV DV SDUW RI RUPRUHEXWWHUÁ\VSHFLHVWRVHHVRPHLQ our monitoring programme. So starting large numbers. This kind of spectacle can RIIZH·YHJRWWKHÀUVW1HZ0HPEHUV'D\ be quite different and awe inspiring if event at Martlesham Heath in the spring, you’re more used to the modest numbers as outlined above. Then, during National RIEXWWHUÁLHVZHJHQHUDOO\VHHLQWKH8. Insect Week, we’re running a moth night at 3LSHUV9DOHLQ,SVZLFK:HÀQLVKWKHVHDVRQ Finally, if you would like to get more with a summer walk at Purdis Heath SSSI involved in the running of events then in Ipswich, looking for Grayling and other we’d love to hear from you! We depend interesting heathland wildlife. The vast on volunteers to make them happen and majority of work in the heaths project one can never have enough help! You has been on this site so we’re very keen GRQ·W KDYH WR EH DQ H[SHUW RQ EXWWHUÁLHV to monitor how wildlife responds to the or moths, a friendly disposition and habitat management we’re undertaking – an interest in the subject are more than recording during such events is a valuable DGHTXDWHTXDOLÀFDWLRQVRQPRVWRFFDVLRQV way of contributing to this. Quite often we need more people willing to be at a stand to speak to people and give Heading out of the county (as we tend to RXWOHDÁHWVDQGPHPEHUVKLSIRUPVRUWR do occasionally!) we’ve got an interesting help with craft and children’s activities. If day planned looking for Wood Whites that sounds like you, then please do get in LQ -XQH 2XU 5HJLRQDO 2IÀFHU 6KDURQ touch with us! Hearle, will lead the event and she knows the area well so I’m sure that will be well worthwhile attending, especially if you haven’t seen Wood Whites before. We are also venturing north, over the border into Norfolk. Our neighbours have very kindly invited us to visit Kelling Heath with them, to look for Silver-studded Blues and ÀQGRXWPRUHDERXWWKHPDQDJHPHQWDQG history of the site.
Comma by Beryl Johnson 6 Spring 2014 Suffolk Butterflies 2013 Bill Stone
I had hoped to be able to provide a also been made with several recorders thorough overview of the 2013 Suffolk noting pairing and egg laying taking %XWWHUÁ\ \HDU EXW , DP VWLOO WU\LQJ WR place. A total of 89 records have been ÀQDOLVHWKHEXWWHUÁ\UHFRUGVUHFHLYHG6R received with some being recorded in far over 18,000 records have been added to urban gardens, near railway lines along the record database and I am still receiving with some records of this species being more each week. Unfortunately, working VHHQ Á\LQJ RYHU RSHQ ÀHOGV FORVH WR full time means that I can only number known woodland strongholds (Pakenham crunch the records in the evenings and Woods). As can be seen in the map (page weekends so please bear with me. I have WKHEXWWHUÁLHVKDYHVSUHDGRXWIURPWKH instead picked three species to provide known woodland strongholds. brief comment on as they highlight some interesting and worrying developments. The Wall, in 2012 was seen to have its range reduced even further with the Firstly, 2013 will be remembered as a Suffolk population being squeezed into brilliant Clouded Yellow year. This several pockets along a narrow strip on the immigrant to the UK from North Africa east coast. Sadly, 2013 has shown no real DQG VRXWKHUQ (XURSH ZDV ÀUVW VHHQ LQ positive development in this situation. In Suffolk in April this year. It was then seen 2012 the Wall was recorded in 23 tetrads, in each month through to November with in 2013 it has been recorded in 24. Again as peak numbers being seen in July and in 2012, the vast majority of records come August. Several counts in excess of 20 from the known strongholds of East Lane/ have been received and several records of Shingle Street, Orford and the Lowestoft/ the female form helice were also recorded Waveney Valley. The most westerly record (see Rob Parker’s article). The map (page in east Suffolk was at Sutton Hoo. There 2) shows the location of the 325 records were no accepted records of Wall in the UHFHLYHG DQG LW LV FOHDU WKDW WKH EXWWHUÁ\ west of the County. The map (page 2) penetrated well into Suffolk through shows the dire situation of this species in the river valleys but with most records, Suffolk. as expected, along the coast. It is also worth mentioning that several observers recorded evidence of pairing and egg laying.
In 2012, the Silver Washed Fritillary in Suffolk was seen to increase its numbers within known woods and expand its range into suitable surrounding woodlands and habitats. In 2013, this SDWWHUQ KDV FRQWLQXHG ZLWK WKH EXWWHUÁ\ being recorded in 32 squares. Some very KLJKFRXQWVLQH[FHVVRIEXWWHUÁLHVKDYH Clouded Yellow by Beryl Johnson 7 The Suffolk Argus
An Enigmatic Variation Rob Parker
2013 was “A Clouded Yellow Year”, and form of the female, properly known as Colias many observers delighted in watching them crocea form helice. LQWKHÀHOGVZKHUHWKH\OLQJHUHG)RUWXQDWHO\ they took photos, which I did not, although I On 20th August, Paul Rusher visited East did enjoy the sight of them at various inland Lane at Bawdsey and managed to get some sites. Colias crocea, the Clouded Yellow, lays nice photos, and I got the helice story out LWVHJJVRQOXFHUQH DOIDOID LILWFDQÀQGLW again. Later, taking a second look at one of but will settle for clover if it has to. So the best his underside photos (cover photo Page 1) ORFDOLWLHV IRU VHHLQJ WKHP ZHUH WKH ÁRZHU a penny dropped and I realised that I was ULFKFRDVWDOVSRWVZKHUHWKH\PDGHWKHLUÀUVW looking at solid black forewing markings landfall for refreshment. If there was clover, - shouting male at me. Since f.helice occurs they stayed on, eggs were laid, and a second only in the female, I knew there was a JHQHUDWLRQHPHUJHGLQ6HSWHPEHUDQGÁHZ problem. After a good deal of searching well into October. for accurate descriptions of the forms and aberrations of the various species, I made &DQ\RXWHOODPDOHIURPDIHPDOH"*HQHUDOO\ an enquiry with Alec Harmer, the author this is quite easy if you get a view of the of 9DULDWLRQLQ%ULWLVK%XWWHUÁLHV, and he was upper surface - as the black margins to the able to tell me that a solid black submarginal forewings are solid black on the males, but marking does not always mean male. disrupted by a string of yellow blotches in There is an uncommon aberration in which the females. Take a look at the photos on Page some female crocea lack the normal yellow 24 and you can see the difference. When they blotches, and this has been named pseudomas settle, they rarely bask, but generally clamp Cockerell when it occurs in the otherwise WKHLUZLQJVWLJKWO\FORVHGPDNLQJLWGLIÀFXOW normal Clouded Yellow. However, a similar to differentiate between the sexes - unless aberration can also occur in form helice (the you get close up and the light is falling white form of the female), and this has been through the wings towards you. The fresh named ab. nigra Aigner. female generally has a rich orange-yellow ground colour, but a small proportion (about 6R WKH EXWWHUÁ\ 3DXO SKRWRJUDSKHG LV 5%) appear with an almost white ground Colias crocea f. helice ab. nigra Aigner - a FRORXU,QÁLJKWWKHVHFDQEHPLVWDNHQIRUD female Clouded Yellow of the “white” “White” by an unimaginative observer, or, female form and the aberration with black by an optimist, for a Pale Clouded Yellow. borders suppressing the pale spots normally , OHW RQH Á\ E\ DW &DYHQKDP DQG SRLQWHG RFFXUULQJLQIHPDOHV,ÀQGLWGLIÀFXOWWRVD\ it out to my companion as the pale female how rare this might be, but let’s just say that form. it is so rare that it took a real specialist to identify it. So, it came as no surprise when several people asked whether these were Colias , WKLQN WKDW LV SUREDEO\ VXIÀFLHQW WULFN\ hyale - the Pale Clouded Yellow. I had to taxonomy for one article! disappoint a couple of observers with an explanation that they were helice - the white
8 Spring 2014
Ipswich Heaths Project - Purdis Heath SSSI update for the Silver-studded Blue Julian Dowding
Efforts have During the winter period we are also continued over aiming to scrape back other areas, where the winter heather has become old and degenerate, months, often in to the underlying sand, by using a JCB. spite of gloomy By judiciously strewing these scraped w e a t h e r areas with heather clippings, containing p r e d i c t i o n s , Bell Heather seeds, we hope to encourage with regular new heathers to germinate. Scraping work parties also removes much of the decomposing RQ WKH ÀUVW heather and gorse litter, which if left on Saturday of site would eventually add unwanted the month of nutrients to the site, which is already a between 16 and SUREOHPIRU3XUGLVDQGLWVKHDWKODQGÁRUD 19 volunteers and fauna. clearing gorse and birch scrub from the heath. These along with more informal Work has also started to create suitable sessions accomplished much habitat FRQGLWLRQV WR KHOS WKH EXWWHUÁ\ LQFUHDVH work. both the size and range of its colony on a section of the heath north of Purdis This work will allow a follow up machine Farm Lane. This has been achieved with cut of mature heather by a technique additional help from Greenways Project known as forage harvesting. By choosing and Ipswich Wildlife Group. The work where we cut we can encourage the will also provide a habitat link from growth of early stage or pioneer and Purdis to Ipswich Golf Course, where, in building heathers, interwoven with WKHQRWWRRGLVWDQWSDVWWKHEXWWHUÁ\ZDV areas of mature heather. This will create recorded on suitable habitat. The map a mosaic of different age structures of highlights the area with an obvious white heather suitable for the Silver-studded arrow showing the direction we hope the %OXH EXWWHUÁ\ DQG WKH DQW XSRQ ZKLFK EXWWHUÁLHVZLOOWDNHJLYHQWKHSUHYDLOLQJ it depends. The interface between tall south-westerlies. DQGVKRUWKHDWKHUZLOOFUHDWHDEHQHÀFLDO micro-climate providing shelter for the With the current level of interest in the EXWWHUÁ\DQGZDUPSODFHVIRUWKHIHPDOH site, we are constantly learning of other EXWWHUÁ\ WR OD\ KHU HJJV ,W VKRXOG DOVR VSHFLHVZKLFKVHHPWREHEHQHÀWLQJIURP increase the abundance of Bell Heather, KDELWDWZRUN/DVWVXPPHUÀYH*UD\OLQJV WKH EXWWHUÁ\·V SULQFLSDO QHFWDU SODQW were recorded on just one day and Small which is in short supply. In the not too Heaths were also present. Both of these distant past, livestock grazing would have are noteworthy BAP species. The heath created this structure, but today our only is also a good place for Small Coppers, recourse is by human intervention. Green Hairstreaks and Common Blues.
9 The Suffolk Argus
The management of the woodland edge, The east and south facing edges, with the removal of scrub and invasive particularly where dead hedges and species such as Birch, has extended and habitat piles have been created using improved the woodland - heathland scrub removed from the heathland, have interface. This is an important zone also been brilliant in providing habitat particularly for birds and reptiles. A for Viviparous Lizards and Slow Worms. number of Woodcock have been observed Again, these are BAP species. Hopefully, here and although probably only some of you will visit the site over the wintering birds, they are very welcome. coming weeks and months and enjoy For those of you with an ornithological this rare fragment of what was once an interest, it might be worth searching the extensive tract of heathland stretching site for roding Woodcock at dusk and from Ipswich all the way to Lowestoft. If dawn in early spring, just in case they are you see anything interesting, please let in fact breeding. us know. There are a number of ways of keeping up to date with what’s going on. Please see contact details page.
The Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey (WCBS)
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Twm Wade Are you like me six months ago, not What does it involve? knowing what “WCBS” stood for or ZKDWLWZDVDERXW":RXOG\RXOLNHWREH A standard method has been set out which involved with Citizen Science (the use of is both practical and provides statistics DPDWHXUVWRDVVLVWZLWKVFLHQWLÀFSURMHFWV " ZLWK VFLHQWLÀF PHULW ZHEVLWH ZZZ Can you spare two dry, sunny summer ukbms.org/wcbs.aspx). The commitment days a year in your local area to identify of time is much less than surveying a DQGFRXQWEXWWHUÁLHV" transect, and developing or average LGHQWLÀFDWLRQ VNLOOV DUH DFFHSWDEOH 7KH So what is it about? scheme requires 2 surveys to be done, one each in July and August in a local The purpose of the WCBS is to provide kilometre grid square, at a gentle walking evidence about the abundance of common pace along a route you have chosen being DQGZLGHVSUHDGEXWWHUÁLHV$VHFRQGDU\ about 1.5 miles long; enjoy. The square outcome can be to identify areas where is allocated to one person (but there is WKHUHLVDGHDUWKRUDEVHQFHRIEXWWHUÁLHV nothing to stop you taking friends or ZKLFKLVDVLPSRUWDQWDVÀQGLQJDFRORQ\ family). of a rare, specialist species. :KDWLVWKHVFLHQWLÀFRXWFRPH"
Each year BC produces a report giving the immediately available statistics about
10 Spring 2014
species, numbers, ups & downs, squares schedule in a location that is convenient to surveyed and a general roundup so that where you live. When you contact me I each surveyor knows what they have will provide you with a plan of the square, been part of. In time, it will become guidance, H&S advice, the standard letter DSSDUHQW ZKDW LV KDSSHQLQJ WR EXWWHUÁ\ to a landowner whose land you wish to populations across the UK and help cross, electronic forms for recording your inform government and environmental work, and as much help to get you started organisations about this beautiful insect. as I can. In truth, we do not know how important the survey will be as time progresses. Finally 6FLHQWLÀFDOO\ JRRG GDWD FROOHFWHG RYHU time can be used in a wide range of studies This is meant to be fun I hope you will by students and professors alike and is so IHHO \RX DUH FRQWULEXWLQJ WR EXWWHUÁ\ much better than hearsay. conservation in Suffolk and across the UK in a practical way. To get started please How do I get involved? contact me on:- email [email protected] or post - I have been asked to take on the role Northbrook, North End, Exning, of WCBS Co-ordinator for the Suffolk Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7JT. Branch. You may choose a square from the
WCBS Squares Available to New Participants
Grid Ref Town Parish of Grid Post Code of Grid TL6545 Haverhill CB9 9PP TL7779 Eriswell IP24 3TX TL8381 Thetford (west) IP24 3ST TL8482 Thetford (west) IP24 3QP TL9859 Rattlesden IP30 0RR TM0057 Buxhall IP14 3DL TM0058 Buxhall IP14 3DH TM2975 Cratfield IP19 0DP TM3180 St James, South IP19 0HT Elmham and Metfield TM3183 St Margaret, South IP20 0PJ Elmham TM3568 Peasenhall IP17 2NQ TM4069 Darsham IP17 3PH TM5195 Flixton, Lowestoft NR32 5PB
11 The Suffolk Argus A View from the Bridge? Mike Dean Chair of Suffolk Branch and BC Trustee I’m sure that almost all of you who are overseen by a Board of Trustees (the BC reading this at the moment know all Council). Currently there are 15 Trustees DERXW EXWWHUÁLHV HVSHFLDOO\ WKRVH WKDW who come from all walks of life and we are lucky enough to see in Suffolk, all different types of background from and probably know quite a lot about ÀQDQFHDQGPDUNHWLQJWRHGXFDWLRQDVD moths as well. However, you might not balance of skills is essential as many of the EHVRDZDUHRIRXURZQVRFLHW\%XWWHUÁ\ issues that face BC as a charity are pretty Conservation (BC); I say that with a little complicated. The Council is chaired by certainty, as before I became a Trustee for a Trustee (currently David Dennis, with BC at the 2012 AGM, my own knowledge vice chair Jim Asher) and the Council was certainly a little hazy! meets formally 4 times a year to keep on top of business. BC was formed by a small group of dedicated naturalists in 1968 following All this may seem a far cry from the joy of the alarming decline of many beautiful most members, which is to get out in the EXWWHUÁLHVDFURVVWKHQDWLRQDQGDWWKDWWLPH summer sunshine hunting and watching it was sited in Quorn in Leicestershire, run lepidoptera! However, driving the I believe, from the then Chairman’s living strategy of BC at the highest level is really room! Its raison d’être is very simple: the important because BC needs to manoeuvre FRQVHUYDWLRQRIEXWWHUÁLHVPRWKVDQGRXU within the national conservation and environment but, as we all appreciate, the political landscape so as to have as much practice is much, much more complicated. FORXW DV SRVVLEOH ZKLOVW FDUU\LQJ WKH ÁDJ 7RGD\ %& +HDG 2IÀFH FDQ EH IRXQG DW for lepidoptera conservation. In this sense East Lulworth in Dorset which is a lovely that position is recognised by the current corner of rural England but a devil to get BC 2020 Vision; numbers of members is to either by road or public transport; it’s very important when talking to politicians set up as a charity, which means that it has and national funding bodies. You will hear to abide by very strict and complicated more of all of this over forthcoming years. regulations laid down, like other charities, by the Charity Commission, especially in the way the society behaves and how it allocates it’s spending. Our society has paying membership (us) and local Branches which implies that Branches & members all fall under the same rules and regulations that BC itself does, which means that Branch autonomy can only go so far and there can sometimes be tensions.
BC is headed by a long-standing Chief Executive (Martin Warren) who is charged with running the operational side of the organisation along with his staff. The overall strategy and governance of the society (in conjunction with Martin) is Orange-tip (f) on garlic mustard by Beryl Johnson 12 Spring 2014 The Chalkhill Blue Returns Rob Parker
The Chalkhill Blue is back in Suffolk coridon WR JLYH WKH EXWWHUÁ\ LWV VFLHQWLÀF after a 90 years’ absence. Well, it is not QDPH$EXWWHUÁ\WUDQVHFWZDONHGHYHU\ quite as simple as that, as readers of week in the 26 week season by our very ´7KH %XWWHUÁLHV RI 6XIIRONµ 0HQGHO own Sharon Hearle allows us to measure Piotrowski, 1986) will know. In the 19th the progress of the colony from year century it was known from the chalk-pits to year. In recent years, the numbers at Little Blakenham and Blakenham Parva, have risen back towards the “boundless Creeting Hills and lesser chalky outcrops profusion” in which they were said to at Moulton, Eriswell, Dalham in the west, Á\WKHUHLQ2YHUWKHVDPHGHFDGH and even at Felixtowe and Lowestoft in coridon has been doing rather well in the the east. However, it began to thin out, south of England too, straying away from and was last known to be breeding in its established colonies in particularly Suffolk from a series of 16 specimens hot weather. Just south of the Devil’s taken in Barton Mills in August 1923. Dyke, lies another similar, but smaller line feature – the Fleam Dyke, where the Even then, a healthy colony continued chalkland was also receiving the attention to breed on the Devil’s Dyke – along of conservationists, and in the past 5 the border with Cambridgeshire. It is years coridon has established a second well known that the Cambs/Suffolk stronghold there. Further south still, lies administrative boundary lies along the top the Roman Road, and when it reached RIWKDWÁRUDOO\ULFKFKDON\DUFKDHRORJLFDO there, perhaps we should have sent out feature. It is less well understood that search parties along the Suffolk border – the present administrative county but we did not. boundaries are not relevant to biological recording. For that purpose, the Victorian We were taken by surprise. An entry on Vice-county boundary divides VC26 the Sightings page of the Branch website (Suffolk) from VC29 (Cambs); it crosses ZZZVXIIRONEXWWHUÁLHVRUJXN in August Newmarket Heath a couple of hundred 2013 made us sit up though. A visitor yards to the Newmarket side of the Devil’s from London claimed to have seen 30 Dyke, leaving the Chalkhill Blues in the coridon on a chalky site near Cavenham. Cambridgeshire recorder’s domain. The 6R QDWXUDOO\ \RXU FRXQW\ EXWWHUÁ\ ORQJVWDQGLQJ6XIIRONEXWWHUÁ\UHFRUGLQJ recorder shot out there to see whether this sheet does not list the species, and could possibly be true. Although it was a VRPHKRZWKH EXWWHUÁLHV VHHPHG FRQWHQW JORRP\GD\LWGLGQRWWDNHORQJWRFRQÀUP to keep it that way. that at least 7 were indeed present. A few days later, on 20th Aug, I returned to the Over the past 10 years, volunteers of the site in good weather, in the company of Cambs Wildlife Trust and the Cambs & Twm Wade and the Estate gamekeepers. (VVH[ %UDQFK RI %XWWHUÁ\ &RQVHUYDWLRQ We counted 50 coridon, some settled, some have been working hard to extend Á\LQJ VRPH SDLULQJ VRPH IUHVK RWKHUV the suitable habitat along the dyke by worn. This was no gaggle of vagrants, but clearing scrub on the southern side, and an established colony. encouraging the spread of horseshoe vetch – the larval host plant for Lysandra By now, I was in touch with Rupert Kaye,
13 The Suffolk Argus
WKHYLVLWRUZKRPDGHWKHÀUVWVLJKWLQJDQG close to Higham, by Tim Wesley. It would he told me they had been there for several be helpful if others wish to join in a search years. He checked his diaries and found of that area next year. that he had noted some on 18th August 2010, but had not appreciated at the time, As for the breeding site, I need to make it that we believed that we did not have clear that it is on privately owned land, coridon in Suffolk. My impression is that and that whilst I had the landowner’s they are properly established, and had not consent, his approval does not extend to just covered the 14 km from the Devil’s unauthorized visitors. An August search Dyke during the extremely hot weather for chalky outcrops with public access, for of August 2013. It seems quite likely that example the protected roadside verges there were other touchdowns at points astride the Cavenham – Lackford road at between the Cambridgeshire colonies TL770698, or the historic sites mentioned and Cavenham, so a quick search of likely in Mendel & Piotrowski would be a better chalk outcrops and quarries was made by use of resources. Bear in mind that the last a small bunch of enthusiasts, but we were thing we want is to upset the landowner. DSSURDFKLQJWKHHQGRIWKHÁLJKWSHULRG 9LVLWWKH'HYLO·V'\NHÀUVWWRJHW\RXUH\H and only one single coridon was seen at a in for coridon and for the horseshoe vetch. different site, on the railway embankment
The Dingy Skipper – Suffolk’s rarest breeding butterfly Rob Parker Judged by the number of tetrads in which sites on the 2nd & 7th June produced nice it is found, the Dingy Skipper has become surprises with a total of 11 seen on Thetford Suffolk’s rarest breeding species in recent Heath and its immediate vicinity, and the years, and by 2010 it was restricted to ÀUVWVLJKWLQJDW5$)%DUQKDPVLQFH one healthy colony in the (FC) King’s In the meantime, the staff at Center Parcs Forest, and an ongoing search at the sites DOVRKDGWKHLUÀUVWVLJKWLQJVLQFH from which it had disappeared over the previous 6 years was optimistically kept The King’s Forest is a large site; usually up. There were a couple of small rays it is seen in 2 tetrads, but this year it of light during the 2012 season, but the was in 4, and the spread is partly down counts at the King’s Forest site were on to conservation work done (at our the low side, so my expectations for 2013 suggestion) by the Forestry Commission - were low. rides were widened about 4 years ago to let more sunlight in. This seems to have It actually turned out much better than I paid off, and elsewhere the bird’s-foot had ever hoped. The deferred spring of trefoil has spread naturally, extending 2013 may have suited the species in some WKH ÁLJKW DUHD HDVWZDUGV ,W VHHPV WKDW way. Although they were late on the wing they bred well and dispersed somewhat E\DFRXSOHRIZHHNVÀUVWVLJKWLQJZDVRQ - confounding our gloomy expectations. 19th May and the annual count on 26th Let’s hope the unexpected surge continues 0D\IRXQGDWRWDORIÁ\LQJRYHUDPXFK in 2014. wider area than usual. Visits to outlying
14 Spring 2014
An Update on the Population of Silver-studded Blue over the 6 years since its Translocation to Blaxhall Common. Rob Parker
The translocation in 2007 of 60 adult have cleared areas of gorse and other scrub. Silver-studded Blues to Blaxhall Common in 2 batches from 2 different donor sites A single-species transect was established ZDV QRWLÀHG WR WKH -RLQW &RPPLWWHH IRU in time for the emergence of the 2008 the Conservation of British Insects, and generation, and has just completed its followed up with a detailed account of the 6th year of monitoring. This too has been re-establishment attempt in a special edition organized by the volunteer team, with the of the Suffolk Argus (2008). The consents UHVXOWV IHG EDFN WR WKH &RXQW\ %XWWHUÁ\ required us to accept the obligation to Recorder and to UKBMS. Transect results maintain the habitat and to monitor the have been the prime means of monitoring health of the colony over a minimum period the health of the colony. The table below of 5 years. What follows is a progress report provides 4 different elements of results, 3 of on what appears to have been a successful them entirely transect derived: establishment. A longer version has been submitted to Invertebrate Link and to 1. A progressively rising single day peak %XWWHUÁ\&RQVHUYDWLRQ·VKHDGRIÀFH count for each year. 2. The total count for the whole transect The code of conservation practice for the season. This also rose progressively, translocation of invertebrates (JCCBI, apart from a slight dip in 2012 (a poor 2010) and the International guidelines for season for most species). reintroductions and translocations (IUCN, 3. The number of consecutive transect 2013) both stress the need for responsible weeks in which P. argus was recorded. post-release monitoring, outcome 7KLV LV D FRDUVH UHÁHFWLRQ RI WKH WRWDO assessment and continuing management ÁLJKWSHULRGIRUWKHVHDVRQ of the release site. The importance of 4. 7KHH[SDQVLRQRIWKHÁLJKWDUHDÀUVWO\ disseminating information on establishment within the 8 sections of the transect, and attempts is also stressed. latterly beyond the boundaries of the transect. The observations were made The Common is owned by Blaxhall Parish mostly by the local volunteers, and Council and the Suffolk Wildlife Trust is some by casual recorders on occasional responsible for the management of the YLVLWV WR WKH VLWH 7KH PRVW VLJQLÀFDQW site, both professionally and with the expansion has been to a triangle of assistance of a team of local volunteers led pioneer heather to the south west of by Terry Peake. Over the period since the Section 1. On two occasions, singletons translocation, the common has been forage have been seen to the south of the B1069. harvested in such a way as to create patches of pioneer heather, extending the area of One additional element became available in suitable habitat for the Silver-studded Blue. 2013, through the co-operation of Dr Neil The volunteer work parties have kept the Ravenscroft, a professional ecologist living silver birch encroachment under control and in Blaxhall. He conducted an independent
15 The Suffolk Argus
DVVHVVPHQW RI WKH ÁLJKW DUHDV ZDONHG peak one-day transect count and the highest mini transects and extrapolated the likely off-transect count (160 + 51 = 211), and may population of the entire site to something be optimistic. It caters for the incomplete in the order of 900. (Ravenscroft, N., 2013,). GHWHFWDELOLW\ RI EXWWHUÁLHV LQ WKH KHDWKHU This is materially higher than the sum of the habitat not visited by the transect route.
It is clear from the table that the to thrive. Fortunately the motivation of establishment attempt got off to a very everyone involved remains strong. satisfactory start and this was featured in the journal of the Royal Entomological Society References: “Antenna” (Parker, 2012). The two donor IUCN, 2013, Guidelines for Reintroductions and other Conservation Translocations. sites have also been monitored, and show no JCCBI, 2010, Invertebrate Translocation – a code of evidence of damage following the donation. conservation practice. The receiving site passed the fragile three Parker, R., 2008. Report on Translocation of Silver- studded Blue, Plebejus argus to Blaxhall Common, WR ÀYH\HDU GDQJHU ]RQH DQG WKH UHVXOWV Suffolk. In Suffolk Argus Special Edition, Summer 2008 for 2013 look re-assuring by every measure. Parker, R., 2012. Monitoring a translocation of Silver- However, there is no cause for complacency; studded Blue in Suffolk. In Antenna 36 (1). regular habitat management remains a key Ravenscroft, N., 2013 (unpublished email) Silver-studded requirement if this colony is to continue Blue Counts.
16 Spring 2014
The Wall in 2013 Richard Stewart
In recent issues of the Argus Rob Parker contacted our editor the previous date, on has given detailed analysis of the Wall’s a different matter, and when I mentioned national and county decline. In the past my forthcoming visit he told me he had few years I have only located it on the been there that day, recording six Wall, coast, previously having recorded it from and giving me their location. My visit several inland sites, including the Fynn SURGXFHG ÀYH IRXU RI ZKLFK ZHUH ZHOO Valley transect walk. apart from his sightings. Subsequent correspondence has revealed that others In 2013 I went to four locations on a Wall saw the Wall in this area in 2013, including search, all previously having held this Beryl and Alan Johnson, Chris Strachan VSHFLHV 7KH ÀUVW RQ WK -XO\ZDV WKH and Debbie Broom. Peter’s comments river walk from Slaughden back to the included: far side of Aldeburgh, using the lower, ‘All the Walls were well separated except more sheltered path, which has more for two that were performing courtship nectar sources. None was found, but I did spirals that went on and on. Two of the count a welcome 49 Small Tortoiseshell, RWKHU IHPDOHV ZHUH Á\LQJ ORZ RYHU WKH virtually all of them nectaring on thistles long grasses and descending every few and almost certainly migrants. metres into the grass, working their way deep into the base of the grass, then East Lane Bawdsey on 24th July also was emerging within 30 secs or so. Egg laying unsuccessful and I noted that the area I presume, but the chosen places were not cleared of vegetation, for pipes/cables to particularly hot, dry tussocks on the path come ashore, was just in the area where edge. All very fascinating to watch. But I had seen them previously. The day’s I dread what the people of Orford must highlight was a close view of a hare, have thought about the loiterer on the VORZO\ DPEOLQJ DFURVV D VWXEEOH ÀHOG DV river wall. I won’t go back ‘till next year!’ ,VDWHDWLQJP\OXQFKFDPRXÁDJHGE\WKH nearby Martello tower. Several sightings were well away from the river path, along the surrounding lanes. I A much longer walk from Boyton to have sent Bill Stone all the relevant notes Hollesley produced four Clouded Yellow and marked locations on a large scale map. ZKLFKZHUHP\ÀUVWLQ6XIIRONVLQFH Perhaps in 2014 we can organise a one day one a deep saffron colour. Right at the comprehensive survey of the whole area. end of the river section, where a footpath This is obviously, at present, a valuable heads inland to the Hollesley Bay colony, hotspot for this threatened species. I at last found just one Wall. The date was 14th August.
The best was still to come, on 29th August at Orford. By sheer coincidence I had
17 The Suffolk Argus
Garden Buddleja Richard Stewart As a follow up to Bill Stone’s article in in a pot and the other two having attracted volume 57, here are observations on our sixteen species so far: all three whites, garden buddlejas in 2013. We have an Brimstone, Large Skipper, Holly Blue, HDUO\ ÁRZHULQJ B. alternifolia which over Peacock, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, the years has attracted six feeding species: Comma, Painted Lady, Speckled Wood, Small and Green-veined White, Holly Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper and the two Blue, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma and rarest, Purple Hairstreak and Grayling. Meadow Brown. It is, anyway, worth 7KH ODWWHU LQ ZDV RXU ÀUVW JDUGHQ having just for its long cascades of light record for over ten years. Twenty species SXUSOLVKÁRZHUV were recorded in the garden this year, helped by good views from our kitchen 7KH ODWH ÁRZHULQJ \HOORZ B. weyeriana window of the main buddleja. On some has attracted seven: Large and Green- GD\V LW ZDV GLIÀFXOW WR FRXQW QXPEHUV veined White, Peacock, Red Admiral, accurately, with a maximum on one day Comma, Speckled Wood and Gatekeeper. of 21 Small Tortoiseshells (what a contrast 7KH ODWH ÁRZHUV SDUWLFXODUO\ DWWUDFW 5HG to previous years) and 26 Peacocks. The Admirals and with constant deadheading ÁRZHULQJ SHULRG ZDV H[WHQGHG E\ VL[ LWÁRZHUHGWKURXJKWRPLG'HFHPEHU separate deadheadings and the main B. davidii ZDV VWLOO ÁRZHULQJ XS WR WKH WK The other three are B. davidii varieties, one October.
Clouded Yellow - Field Note Bill Stone
On the 12th October 2013, I visited East I watched it for a while and then was quite /DQHLQWKHKRSHRIÀQGLQJVRPH&ORXGHG VXUSULVHG ZKHQ LW ÁHZ VWUDLJKW DW D SDLU Yellows and to have a good look around of Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum IRURWKHUEXWWHUÁLHV2QDUULYLQJDWWKHFDU WKDWZHUHÁ\LQJLQWDQGHP7KHEXWWHUÁ\ park I immediately saw a male Clouded appeared to try and break the pairing. Clouded Yellow do this to two more pairs ,KDYHVHHQDQXPEHURIEXWWHUÁ\VSHFLHV RI&RPPRQ'DUWHUVEHIRUHLWÁHZVWURQJO\ acting aggressively towards each other, north along the path and out of sight. IRUH[DPSOHPDOH*UHHQ+DLUVWUHDNVÁ\LQJ out from perches on Broom. However, I I saw at least three other Clouded Yellows KDYHQHYHUFRPHDFURVVDEXWWHUÁ\ZKLFK PDOH ²D PXFK WDWWLHU EXWWHUÁ\ WKDQ WKH appeared to deliberately go out of its way ÀUVWRQHDQGWZRIHPDOHV GXULQJP\YLVLW to disrupt other insects in such a way as but none showed any similar behaviour. seen with this Clouded Yellow. It would be interesting to hear from anyone else that has come across this behaviour. Great Glemham Farms and Pound Wood, 3rd August 2013 Rob Parker By kind invitation of Lord Cranbrook, patchwork of scrub was expanding across (President of SWT and a Vice President of the site in places. Many of the trees were %XWWHUÁ\&RQVHUYDWLRQ ZHPDGHDVXUYH\ now mature and sheltered the site from RI$LUÀHOG)DUPVLWHGRQWKHROG3DUKDP the wind, but the impression was that the DLUÀHOGRQUG$XJXVW site was becoming too overgrown. A party of 14 members were met by Lord 7KH HQRUPRXV ÀHOG DORQJVLGH WKH &:6 Cranbrook’s son Argus and escorted to a was a work-in-progress, having almost most unusual County Wildlife Site - the ÀOOHG XS ZLWK VXUIDFH PRXQWHG VRODU disused runway, alongside a half-built panels. Our host explained that the VRODU IDUP :KHQ WKH ZDUWLPH DLUÀHOG LQWHQWLRQ LV WR VRZ ZLOGÁRZHUULFK VHHG was returned to agriculture, the concrete mixes under the panels, including nectar runway was smashed up and most of DQG SROOHQ ULFK SODQWV IRU WKH EHQHÀW RI the rubble was removed from the site, at bees and lepidoptera - and to graze the which point the contractor went bankrupt sward with sheep. It had been necessary to and the site was abandoned. The lime- UDLVHWKHSDQHOVWRJLYHVXIÀFLHQWFOHDUDQFH rich runway shaped recess that remained for the sheep, and then to adjust the angle ZDVQRWÀWIRUDJULFXOWXUHDQGZDVOHIWWR of the panels downwards to minimize natural regeneration. Many years later, visual impact from the surrounding WKHTXDOLW\RILWVÁRUDZDVUHFRJQL]HGDQG countryside. A boundary hedge will be CWS status was awarded. Occasional planted to obscure the view as well. This VXUYH\VRIWKHÁRUDDQGVRPHRIWKHIDXQD ZDVDOORIJUHDWLQWHUHVWDQGZHÀQLVKHG have been conducted, but until this visit, with an appreciation that a great deal of the lepidoptera had not been properly thought has gone into ecological aspects examined. The site we found was deeply of managing the land for electricity ULFKZLWKÁRZHULQJNQDSZHHGDQGSOHQW\ generation, farming for sheep, and RI FRPPRQ EXWWHUÁLHV ZHUH HQMR\LQJ WKH conserving habitat for wildlife too. nectar. As we walked, we appreciated that there were plenty of other, less evident, The third element of interest was a pleasing plants beneath the knapweed, and a DUHD VXUURXQGLQJ D VWULQJ RI ÀVKLQJ 19 The Suffolk Argus lakes. These are used by the local angling Great Glemham - 3 whites, 3 skippers, club, and for general recreation, being Peacock, 2 Painted Lady, Ringlet, Meadow accessible to local people too. There were Brown, Gatekeeper, Common Blue female, nice areas of mixed scrub, attractive to Speckled Wood, Small Heath, one Purple ERWKELUGVDQGEXWWHUÁLHVDQGWKHVXEVRLO Hairstreak, and Comma. The lacewing extracted during the digging of the ponds that landed on Twm Wade’s monocular KDVSURGXFHGDÀQHFURSRIRUFKLGV:H was admired close-up by everyone and added Painted Lady and Brown Argus, the ‘spot of the afternoon’ award went to EULQJLQJWKHWRWDOIRU$LUÀHOG)DUPWR Beryl Johnson who, without binoculars, species (see table below). VDZ D ORZÁ\LQJ 3XUSOH +DLUVWUHDN We also recorded Southern and Brown For the afternoon, we moved on to Pound Hawker. My thanks to Richard Stewart Wood, a Woodland Trust site that was who kindly took the lead for the afternoon. WKHLU ÀUVW ODUJH VFDOH ZRRGODQG FUHDWLRQ planting on previously agricultural land. Species List AM. - CY, SS, ES, LS, LW, SW, GVW, - After a picnic lunch, we took a stroll BA, CB, PL, P, C, GK, MB, R. through the woodland and meadows, PM. - SS, ES, LS, LW, SW, GVW, PH, BA, seeing 16 species in the tetrad north of CB, PL, P, C, GK, MB, R, SH. Greenwings’ Balkan Butterfly Holiday, 15-22 June 2013 Bill Stone and Julian Dowding Our base was the little town of Kalavryta, Dowding and Bill Stone. The holiday was situated in the foothills of Mount Chelmos, run by Greenwings Wildlife Holidays. in the Peloponnese region of Greece. The area is a wilderness of pine forested slopes, Day 1: Chelmos.7KHÀUVWGD\IROORZLQJ PHUJLQJLQWRÁRZHU\JUDVVODQGVDQGURFN our arrival. The weather was perfect with at around 800 metres and is renowned blue skies interspersed with light cloud IRULWVHQGHPLFÁRUDDQGIDXQD%XWWHUÁ\ cover as we headed out onto the mountain species such as the rare, beautifully exploring different habitats ranging from coloured Chelmos Blue, found in Europe gullies to scree and meadows. All around only on Mt Chelmos, are not only a XV LQ KXJH QXPEHUV ÁHZ %ODFNYHLQHG delight to behold, but creatures which Whites, Cleopatras, Large Tortoiseshells, must be preserved. It’s a very peaceful Greek Clouded Yellows Powdered place too, often with only the hum of bees Brimstones and Amanda’s Blues. The or the tinkling of goat bells to punctuate group was thrilled that we found all of our the silence. To be out on this vast magical key target species: Pontic, Chelmos, and mountain, which is sometimes known as Odd-spot Blue and Southern Swallowtail. ‘Aroania’, will always engage the mind and lift the spirits. Day 2: The coast. Search for the Two-tailed Pasha. We stopped en route at a meadow The group of ten guests was guided by by a stream, to see curious looking Nettle- celebrated author and naturalist Tristan 7UHH%XWWHUÁLHVDORQJZLWK6RXWKHUQ:KLWH Lafranchis and Suffolk’s own Julian Admirals, and good numbers of Escher’s 20 Spring 2014 Blues. Great Banded Graylings were there. Wood Whites in this part of Greece ubiquitous among the many other species choose Dorycnium hirsutum on which to there. At a gorge, beautiful pink Crepis lay eggs. We saw plenty of these. At the rubraÁRZHUVDGGHGDVSODVKRIFRORXUWR glade we picnicked by a babbling stream, the impressive geological feature rising frequented by nesting Grey Wagtails, up high above and around us. Tristan had picking their food from the small boulders prepared a bait for the Pashas, and with and stones. Clumps of the beautiful pink his hand held out of the window, Pashas valerian species, &HQWUDQWKXV ORQJLÁRUXV were soon following the car. Equally SURYLGHG D EDQTXHW IRU PDQ\ EXWWHUÁLHV impressive were the swathes of wild including Cleopatras and Brimstones. The ROHDQGHU WKHLU SLQN ÁRZHUV VHHPLQJ WR JODGHZDVÀOOHGZLWKVRPDQ\EXWWHUÁLHV touch the deep azure sky. Our third site but the most exciting and interesting was a walk back along the gorge walls in a discovery was that of the Blue Argus. successful search for new brood Southern We all watched spellbound as the male &RPPDEXWWHUÁLHV settled, rubbing his hindwings back and forth, while the female buzzed him 6 Day 3: Undisclosed location. Tristan had inches or so overhead. spent a few years studying the 3 regional Anomalous Blues and took us to a secret Day 5: The road south. By steep banks spot high in the mountains to see them all above a stream shaded with overhanging WRJHWKHU:HZHUHGHOLJKWHGWRÀQGDOO oriental planes all sounds were drowned Grecian, Ripart’s, Anomalous. We lunched out by a chorus of freshly hatched singing at the top of the mountain overlooking the Cicadas. We followed the stream, meeting Gulfs of Patra and Corinth whilst Scarce Camberwell Beauties, Balkan Marbled Swallowtails, Ilex and Sloe Hairstreaks Whites, Mallow Skippers and Chapman’s ÁXWWHUHG DOO DURXQG XV 2Q UHWXUQLQJ Blues along the way. A short walk after towards Kalavryta we encountered OXQFK VDZ RXU ÀUVW 2ULHQWDO 0HDGRZ innumerable Balkan Marbled Whites, Browns nectaring on an abundance of imbibing nectar from Echium italicum and SLQN ÁRZHUHG EUDPEOH 2XU ODVW VWRS DOVRRXUÀUVW*UHFLDQ&RSSHUV of the day by a rushing stream full of half submerged waterside vegetation Day 4: Hidden glades. Greenwings had ZDV DOLYH ZLWK EXWWHUÁLHV 7ULVWDQ KDG visited the area in 2010, thus it was a treat LPSORUHG XV WR FKHFN HYHU\ EXWWHUÁ\ this day to lead Tristan to a new spot. A particularly the blues. And so it was that ÁRZHU\ PHDGRZ ZDV ÀOOHG ZLWK D KXJH ZH REVHUYHG RXU ÀUVW 0HOHDJHU·V %OXH YDULHW\RIEXWWHUÁLHV)ODVKHVRIYLROHWDQG mud-puddling in a mixed group which metallic orange Purple-shot Coppers took also included Chapman’s and Common our breath away, Queen of Spain Fritillaries Blues, Grecian and Sooty Coppers. Flying JLOGHGHYHU\RWKHUÁRZHUZKLOVWEHDXWLIXO above the water, Silver-washed Fritillaries Marbled Fritillaries dabbed their eggs performed their courtship and all around, onto Brambles. Ambling up the mountain &OHRSDWUDV ÀOOHG WKH DLU /DWWLFH %URZQV track we watched Pearl-bordered and perched on half submerged branches and Dark Green Fritillaries with Grizzled an interesting skipper proved to be our Skippers nectaring on the many clovers ÀUVW6DJH6NLSSHURIWKHKROLGD\:HZHUH and sages, whilst we paused occasionally also added Oberthur’s Grizzled Skipper to to take photographs or sample the our list whilst being serenaded by purring delicious wild strawberries growing Turtle Doves. 21 The Suffolk Argus Day 6: Chapel meadow and ridge. for lunch and headed back down to a The alpine terrain above the snow line spot that Tristan had noted earlier. Upon promised a very different selection of arrival we were amazed at the spectacle of ZLOGOLIH SDUWLFXODUO\ ÁRZHUV DQG ELUGV Crocus sieberi, growing in purple profusion and the opportunity to watch hill-topping all around the damp patches left by the EXWWHUÁLHVORRNLQJIRUPDWHV$'HODWWLQ·V receding snow. *UD\OLQJ ÁHZ XS WKH VORSH ZKLOVW D ÀQH PDOH 3HORSRQQHVH :DOO /L]DUG DQ Day 7: Floriferous meadow outside endemic species) basked on a rock to Kalavryta. 2XUÀQDOGD\LQWKLVEHDXWLIXO warm up. Silver-Studded, Common, corner of Greece. We had an afternoon Escher’s and Balkan Zephyr Blues were ÁLJKWEDFNWRWKH8.VRWLPHZDVOLPLWHG DOO Á\LQJ DV WKH VXQ ZDUPHG WKH ORZHU +RZHYHUZHPDGHRQHÀQDOH[FXUVLRQWRD VORSHV 2Q 0W $YJR ZH VWRSSHG EULHÁ\ meadow close to Kalavryta. This lush area for Woodlarks singing their beautiful song ZDVÀOOHGZLWKHFKLXPVDQGWKLVWOHVZKLFK IURPWKHSLQHVDQGÀUVZKLOVWD:KHDWHDU provided plenty of nectar for myriad perched on the buildings. As we began Eastern Bath Whites and Cleopatras. A the ascent, Queen of Spain Fritillaries VPDOO WUDFN OLQHG ZLWK ÁRZHULQJ PLQWV and Large Tortoiseshells seemed to be attracted both Lesser Fiery and Sooty following us. When the vehicles could Coppers. A pair of Malacosoma franconica, go no further, we parked and carried on moths (members of the Eggars and Lappet upwards, passing a huge patch of melting IDPLO\ KDG XQLWHG RQ D ÁRZHU VWHP snow. Here we watched Alpine Accentors providing a good chance to observe the and one of the true alpine specialists, sexual dimorphism of the species with the Clouded Apollo, which was out in force, females being possibly twice the size of Á\LQJ RYHU WKH YHJHWDWLRQ ORRNLQJ HLWKHU the males. In total we recorded 97 different for mates, nectar, or Corydalis blanda on EXWWHUÁ\ VSHFLHV GXULQJ RXU KROLGD\ DQG which to lay eggs. Mountain Small Whites much other wildlife. involved in courtship activity appeared in huge numbers, along with Spotted If all this has all whetted your appetite, Fritillaries, Eastern Zephyr and Adonis you might like to know that Julian will Blues. We were well above the tree line be running the trip himself this June with now at around 2,000 metres and in a truly a 10% discount for branch members. alpine setting with patches of snow still The services of a local botanical guide on the ground in the middle of summer. will also be enlisted in order to take an Tristan pointed out 5DQXQFXOXVÀFDULRLGHV, LQWHUHVWLQWKHULFKÁRUDRIWKHDUHD)RUWKH and then Verbascum acaule, a small stem- full report and more about Greenwings less variety of Verbascum. He uttered his and their conservation ethos visit www. surprise at seeing Grecian Coppers which greenwings.co had never before been recorded there above 800m. At the ridge we observed at least 20 Camberwell Beauties hill- topping, along with Swallowtails, Large Tortoiseshells and Painted Ladies. It was a Summer copy date real privilege to witness such a wonderful Sunday 18th May 2014 QDWXUDOVSHFWDFOH+HUHZHÀQDOO\HQMR\HG a number of Blue Argus females egg- laying on Erodium chrysanthemum in the sward. After such excitement we rested 22 The Suffolk Argus Purdis Heath Megabash January 2014 Matt & Dave Bonfire Building Anne & Susanne Photos by Helen Saunders Greenwings‘ Balkan Holiday 2013 Purple-shot Copper Photo Julian Dowding Lesser Fiery Copper Photo Bill Stone Balkan Zephyr Blue Plebejus ‘brethertoni” Chelmos Blue Photo Julian Dowding Photo Tim Norris The Suffolk Argus 2013 A Clouded Yellow Year Clouded Yellow female Clouded Yellow Helice Form Photos Tim Bagworth Clouded Yellow male Suffolk’s Chalkhill Blues Chalkhill Blue pair Photo Twm Wade Chalkhill Blue male Chalkhill Blue male Photo Rob Parker Photo Rob Parker 24