View from The Chair Newsletter No. 80 Autumn 2015 Since I took over from Jane Smith as the Chair of the Dorset branch in March this year, I have become even more aware of just how much goes on in our branch, both publicly and behind the scenes. This is reaping great benefits for the conservation of butterflies, moths and other wildlife in Dorset and for environmental Dorset Branch News education and the promotion of our cause.
Arthur Bryant put together a great programme of guided walks and other events through the summer, many of them in conjunction with partner conservation organisations, and the wonderful efforts of the website team directed by Lyn Pullen, Dom Greves and others have ensured that these were widely publicised and well attended. Bill Shreeves and his tireless recording team have coordinated butterfly transect walks on over 60 different sites across the county with several hundreds of volunteers involved in submitting transect results and records for the Wider Countryside and Garden Butterflies Schemes, and with many others sending in casual observations through the website sightings page. Many visitors to Dorset now use these sightings pages and the ’Places’ pages to help them plan their holidays and find the best butterfly sites we can offer Bridget de Whalley and her team of helpers have spent hours, even days, of time promoting the aims and activities of the branch through public shows and fairs through the summer and autumn and as a result many visitors to Dorset have been made more aware of the wealth of wildlife that we are lucky to have in our www.dorsetbutterflies.com county. The branch also has a small group of volunteers who will take the message out to local societies and clubs by giving presentations about butterflies and moths in Dorset; many hundreds of people each year become more aware of our work as a result of these efforts.
2 Robin George has had a busy year as the branch Membership The Emperors of Dorset - Apatura iris person: we now have well over 800 members and this does not yet take into account the increase in numbers expected as a result of By Andrew Cooper the Big Butterfly Count this summer. I, like many others, have been enthralled by the stories and adventures that usually accompany this magnificent butterfly, and None of the activities in our branch take place by magic – an have very happy memories of warm July days in search of this enormous amount of energy and effort goes into the planning, elusive royalty. I have seen and photographed the Purple Emperor coordinating and delivery of our conservation work. We are getting in Bentley Wood, one of its strongholds in the neighbouring county to the point now where we will need more pairs of hands if we are of Wiltshire. to continue to expand. If you can spare the time to help us in some way, just occasionally by serving teas at the AGM in February or the fundraising event at the end of October, or on a regular basis However, the history and the distribution of the Purple Emperor by helping to man a stall, joining the website team or organising the (Apatura Iris) in the county of Dorset, where I have grown up, has photo library for the branch, please get in touch! been a story of scarcity and sporadic appearances. Nonetheless, in recent years the butterfly has graced us with its presence more frequently, raising the exciting possibility of a glorious return. And it does pay off! On one hot Sunday in August, there were at least 16 cars parked at Alners Gorse. This wasn’t an organised The earliest record that I have unearthed regarding this species in event; these visitors had all arrived independently to see the Dorset was published in Edward Newman's: British Butterflies and ‘hairstreak spectacle’ at the site described as the best Brown Moths 1880 (Page 76) where notes from J.C Dale report the Hairstreak site in southern England. There were people with big butterfly's occurrence in Woodland Wood, near Hanford and lists lenses, children, dogs, families enjoying picnics on the benches in Cranborne as a site. Dates were not given for his observations, but the wood. It was a great day out and it was the butterflies that had it must have been prior to 1872, the year of his death. drawn them there. It’s up to us to ensure that this enthusiasm is maintained to enable us to keep the work of the branch going so The butterfly was also seen during the 1880s; the only specific year that butterflies, moths and their habitats are conserved for future given which I can find is 1889 (W. Parkinson Curtis) but no generations to appreciate. extensive data is given. After researching some general historic data, supplied by Butterfly Conservation’s Dorset Branch, it is specified that the butterfly was once found in a particular broad- leaved woodland named Bere Wood. The site, which still exists
today, is situated close to the village of Bloxworth, an area I am Nigel Spring quite familiar with and which, from my own observations, is still home to Silver-washed Fritillary and White Admiral. Despite a Dorset BC Chairman partial conversion to a conifer plantation, the woodland has managed to maintain much of its former glory with many towering Oaks still intact.
3 4
5 6
26th July and another on 5th August, and the next year at least one one least at year next the and August, 5th on another and July 26th
mentioned, in the 21st century I imagine it looks very different. different. very looks it imagine I century 21st the in mentioned,
there were two sightings from an undisclosed site in Dorset, one on on one Dorset, in site undisclosed an from sightings two were there
what the site looked like at the time of sightings but, as already already as but, sightings of time the at like looked site the what
Langton West Woods, south of Corfe in the Purbecks. In 1996 1996 In Purbecks. the in Corfe of south Woods, West Langton
Common. I have been unable to find any images or old maps of of maps old or images any find to unable been have I Common.
one from Stalbridge Park, near the A30, followed by another at at another by followed A30, the near Park, Stalbridge from one
time. In the same year, a final record is provided from Ham Ham from provided is record final a year, same the In time.
slightly puzzling sightings. The first sightings came in 1991, with with 1991, in came sightings first The sightings. puzzling slightly
likely a colony persisted and was simply under recorded at the the at recorded under simply was and persisted colony a likely
The 1990s certainly appear to be a decade of extreme scarcity and and scarcity extreme of decade a be to appear certainly 1990s The
s s ’ It 1939. in Woods Alder at listed again was species the this, After
Bridport and Beaminster, and another near Child Okeford in 1930. 1930. in Okeford Child near another and Beaminster, and Bridport
period. same the during Wood Garston
the Purple Emperor. In 1929 there are further records between between records further are there 1929 In Emperor. Purple the
Manswood. Additionally, the RSPB mention a single sighting from from sighting single a mention RSPB the Additionally, Manswood.
these along with other nearby areas are perhaps worth a search for for search a worth perhaps are areas nearby other with along these
Hill Woods, Woodlands, and Holt forest and again at Horton and and Horton at again and forest Holt and Woodlands, Woods, Hill
There are still woodlands situated to the west of the village and and village the of west the to situated woodlands still are There
areas between Cranborne and Wimborne Minster, including Castle Castle including Minster, Wimborne and Cranborne between areas
intermittently noted in the the in noted intermittently also were butterflies but 80s the during 1927". as recently as "observed was it that stating Woods,
from Cranborne Chase woodlands, close to the Wiltshire border, border, Wiltshire the to close woodlands, Chase Cranborne from page 80 the occurrence of of occurrence the 80 page is mentioned at Middlemarsh Middlemarsh at mentioned is A. iris A.
85, 87, 88 (8 June), 89 (26 May). Brooks and Thomas reported it it reported Thomas and Brooks May). (26 89 June), (8 88 87, 85, of the Purple Emperor" by Heslop, Hyde and Stockley 1964. On On 1964. Stockley and Hyde Heslop, by Emperor" Purple the of
The sightings continue into the 1980s, in the years 1980, 82, 84, 84, 82, 1980, years the in 1980s, the into continue sightings The (c1985). After 1917, there is a comment a is there 1917, After (c1985). from the "Notes and views views and "Notes the from
species over the years, including the rare High Brown Fritillary Fritillary Brown High rare the including years, the over species
Woodlands Park and slightly west of Powerstock. of west slightly and Park Woodlands
but stable colony of Marsh Fritillary; however, it has lost many many lost has it however, Fritillary; Marsh of colony stable but
Woodcutts and Scrubbity Barrows, Holt Forest, the Horton area, area, Horton the Forest, Holt Barrows, Scrubbity and Woodcutts leaved deciduous woodland. The site is still home to a small small a to home still is site The woodland. deciduous leaved - broad
observed, briefly on some occasions, include: Manswood, Manswood, include: occasions, some on briefly observed, which today covers approximately 329 hectares, comprises of 60 % % 60 of comprises hectares, 329 approximately covers today which
1970, 1974 (26 July), 1975 and 1979. Localities where it was also also was it where Localities 1979. and 1975 July), (26 1974 1970, Park and Alder Woods (NBN Gateway) are named. The latter site, site, latter The named. are Gateway) (NBN Woods Alder and Park
sightings were between the villages of Horton and Cranborne in in Cranborne and Horton of villages the between were sightings There are no further records of this species until 1917, when Hooke Hooke when 1917, until species this of records further no are There
butterflies being recorded at a number of locations. The majority of of majority The locations. of number a at recorded being butterflies
Chase woodlands between the years 1973 and 1978 with individual individual with 1978 and 1973 years the between woodlands Chase park. holiday nearby the
observed and studied by Brooks and Thomas in the Cranborne Cranborne the in Thomas and Brooks by studied and observed shade situations with a few impressive Poplars spread over over spread Poplars impressive few a with situations shade - semi
carried out by Margaret Brooks and Jeremy Thomas. A colony was was colony A Thomas. Jeremy and Brooks Margaret by out carried Birch and a few Oak, but Sallow continues to grow to good sizes in in sizes good to grow to continues Sallow but Oak, few a and Birch
some increasingly detailed records, largely thanks to the work work the to thanks largely records, detailed increasingly some only scraps of woodland are left, consisting mostly of young trees; trees; young of mostly consisting left, are woodland of scraps only
Following this long period of intermittent records, the 1970s provide provide 1970s the records, intermittent of period long this Following The remaining habitat is completely unsuitable for the butterfly, for for butterfly, the for unsuitable completely is habitat remaining The
expect or even hope for his or her majesty to make an appearance. appearance. an make to majesty her or his for hope even or expect
Hanford. and any enthusiast that visits Ham Common today, one would not not would one today, Common Ham visits that enthusiast any
and a list of unnamed locations close to Child Okeford, Studland Studland Okeford, Child to close locations unnamed of list a and waste ground, mixed woodland and a medium freshwater lake. To To lake. freshwater medium a and woodland mixed ground, waste
Wood in Cranborne, Bere Wood and other sites around Bloxworth, Bloxworth, around sites other and Wood Bere Cranborne, in Wood
Poole Harbour and is primarily heathland habitat interspersed with with interspersed habitat heathland primarily is and Harbour Poole M
selection of different locations in Dorset, specifically: Castle Hill Hill Castle specifically: Dorset, in locations different of selection was provided. The site, situated in the town of Poole, overlooks overlooks Poole, of town the in situated site, The provided. was
During the 1960s, the Purple Emperor was reportedly sighted at a a at sighted reportedly was Emperor Purple the 1960s, the During Emperor (NBN Gateway) but once again, no further information information further no again, once but Gateway) (NBN Emperor
site also surviving today, was noted as having hosted a Purple Purple a hosted having as noted was today, surviving also site
Heaths a Common, Ham however, 1898 In specified. are find, can I that but no date or specific location is provided. is location specific or date no but ’,
from a list of sightings from various years under the location location the under years various from sightings of list a from records, no where period year nine a with arises Dorset in butterfly Dorset Dorset ‘
Following another 20 year gap, a single record from 1959 comes comes 1959 from record single a gap, year 20 another Following this of occurrence the in documented gaps many of first The
7 8
July) and 2013. 2013. and July) 30 and (26 2012 July), (15 2011 in Dorchester
at least the past 140 years but, in my opinion, was very likely found found likely very was opinion, my in but, years 140 past the least at
th th th
July) and on the Minterne Estate and adjoining woodland near near woodland adjoining and Estate Minterne the on and July) (17
In conclusion, the Purple Emperor has been recorded in Dorset for for Dorset in recorded been has Emperor Purple the conclusion, In th
discovery, there were single sightings from Deadmoor Common Common Deadmoor from sightings single were there discovery,
another butterfly here just a few days later. Following on from this this from on Following later. days few a just here butterfly another
butterfly have been found since the 1970s. the since found been have butterfly
380 square miles, and Bill Shreeves and Roger Smith recorded recorded Smith Roger and Shreeves Bill and miles, square 380
confirmation of a breeding colony as no immature stages of the the of stages immature no as colony breeding a of confirmation
1970s. This location is based largely on a chalk plateau covering covering plateau chalk a on largely based is location This 1970s.
recent years. Despite this increase, we are still waiting for for waiting still are we increase, this Despite years. recent
away from where it was studied by Brooks and Thomas in the the in Thomas and Brooks by studied was it where from away
being seen towards ground level in Dorset were relatively few until until few relatively were Dorset in level ground towards seen being
first one in Cranborne Chase Woods in July 2010. This is just 2km 2km just is This 2010. July in Woods Chase Cranborne in one first
carried out by Dorset Branch members. Records of butterflies butterflies of Records members. Branch Dorset by out carried
discovered by Steven Andrews, who found and photographed the the photographed and found who Andrews, Steven by discovered
common; however, more detailed searches are needed and will be be will and needed are searches detailed more however, common;
exciting turn with a sudden increase in sightings and a small colony colony small a and sightings in increase sudden a with turn exciting
) are more more are ) ( Willow Crack and ) ( Sallow Grey S. fragilis S. cinerea S.
Then in July 2010, the tale of the Purple Emperor in Dorset took an an took Dorset in Emperor Purple the of tale the 2010, July in Then
primary foodplant, Goat Willow ( Willow Goat foodplant, primary ), at these sites, while while sites, these at ), Salix cuprea Salix
s s ’ Emperor the of lack distinct a be to appears there Interestingly,
Gorse reserve. Gorse
clearings, is situated adjacent to Butterfly Conservation's Alners Alners Conservation's Butterfly to adjacent situated is clearings,
morning on 28 on morning June 2009. This site, which lacks any large large any lacks which site, This 2009. June
th
and one seen by Peter Davey at Rooksmoor during the late late the during Rooksmoor at Davey Peter by seen one and
of July 2006, 16 2006, July of 15 and 14 , 11 public: July 2008, 2008, July 21 and 17 ,
th th th st th th
possible records have been noted, some from members of the the of members from some noted, been have records possible
and 1970s. Between the years 2005 and 2010 the following following the 2010 and 2005 years the Between 1970s. and
same site that previously recorded the butterfly in the 1880s, 1960s 1960s 1880s, the in butterfly the recorded previously that site same
successfully recorded in July 2005 at Bere Wood which was the the was which Wood Bere at 2005 July in recorded successfully
in an attempt to uncover the species again. The butterfly was was butterfly The again. species the uncover to attempt an in
in Dorset was launched by Roger Smith and a team of volunteers volunteers of team a and Smith Roger by launched was Dorset in
In 2005, a five year survey of the most likely Purple Emperor sites sites Emperor Purple likely most the of survey year five a 2005, In
location.
Dorset. in Woodlands,
in Dorset that I can find comes from 20 from comes find can I that Dorset in July 2000 at an unnamed unnamed an at 2000 July
th
Aidan Brown in early July 2014 within the Cranborne Chase Chase Cranborne the within 2014 July early in Brown Aidan
Between the years 2000 and 2005, the only sighting of this butterfly butterfly this of sighting only the 2005, and 2000 years the Between
Here are two photographs of an individual male, photographed by by photographed male, individual an of photographs two are Here
these records were of a released or escaped specimen. escaped or released a of were records these
July. 12 on seen being
th between the chalk grassland and farmland, but it but farmland, and grassland chalk the between s possible that that possible s ’
July, with probably the same butterfly butterfly same the probably with July,
sighting here on the 10 the on here sighting M
th the south coast of Dorset where a few small strips of woodland lie lie woodland of strips small few a where Dorset of coast south the
the species has conserved a stronghold. There was another another was There stronghold. a conserved has species the
limestone headland site, which sits close to Worth Matravers, is on on is Matravers, Worth to close sits which site, headland limestone
Sixpenny Handley. This is close to the border of Wiltshire, where where Wiltshire, of border the to close is This Handley. Sixpenny
July, perhaps of the same butterfly. This This butterfly. same the of perhaps July, 25 and 18 the on
th th
1 male was photographed in Cranborne Chase Woodlands near near Woodlands Chase Cranborne in photographed was male 1
s Head (possibly referring to Langton Westwood) Westwood) Langton to referring (possibly Head s ’ Aldhelm St from
In 2014 there were three records from North Dorset: on the 5 the on Dorset: North from records three were there 2014 In July July
th small woodland nearby. In 1998, two single records were provided provided were records single two 1998, In nearby. woodland small
Another was seen on the 8 the on seen was Another a with location a Park, Stalbridge from July 14 on recorded was Alderholt. in 2013 August
th th
9 10
couple of days before her very sudden, though peaceful, passing. peaceful, though sudden, very her before days of couple
Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society Archaeological and History Natural Dorset
the Gatekeepers, the Large Whites and the Red Admirals only a a only Admirals Red the and Whites Large the Gatekeepers, the
. Dorset: Dorset: . (1984) N. Webb, and J. Thomas, Butterflies of Dorset of Butterflies
having walked down her long garden to see the Meadow Browns, Browns, Meadow the see to garden long her down walked having
holes'. Her interest in the natural world was maintained to the end, end, the to maintained was world natural the in interest Her holes'.
Archaeological Society Archaeological
nine 1km squares around her home along with a few other 'white 'white other few a with along home her around squares 1km nine
. Dorset: Dorset Natural History and and History Natural Dorset Dorset: . of Dorset Butterflies Dorset of
butterflies, all meticulously recorded, as were the butterflies in the the in butterflies the were as recorded, meticulously all butterflies,
Shreeves, B., Steele, C., Surrey, R., Thomas, J. (1998) J. Thomas, R., Surrey, C., Steele, B., Shreeves, New Atlas Atlas New
course of many years. Her large garden was a magnet for for magnet a was garden large Her years. many of course
Perryfields and Cerne Abbas transects for several weeks over the the over weeks several for transects Abbas Cerne and Perryfields update. Butterfly Conservation, Dorset Branch Newsletter (no. 75) (no. Newsletter Branch Dorset Conservation, Butterfly update.
Smith, R. (2014) The Purple Emperor in Dorset: a chronology and and chronology a Dorset: in Emperor Purple The (2014) R. Smith, In addition to Tadnoll she also walked the Broadcroft, Tout, Tout, Broadcroft, the walked also she Tadnoll to addition In
transect. 2015]
washed Fritillaries. Over the years she involved 18 people in the the in people 18 involved she years the Over Fritillaries. washed [Online]. Available from http://bit.ly/1EScQ4t [Accessed March March [Accessed http://bit.ly/1EScQ4t from Available [Online].
through Section 3, which did however boast most of the Silver the of most boast however did which 3, Section through - NBN Gateway (n.d.) Gateway NBN (Linnaeus, 1758) [Purple Emperor] Emperor] [Purple 1758) (Linnaeus, Apatura iris Apatura
orchid rich water meadows, even the notoriously difficult notoriously the even meadows, water rich orchid - get - to -
(2009) Butterfly Conservation, Dorset Branch Newsletter (no. 62) (no. Newsletter Branch Dorset Conservation, Butterfly (2009)
of the heathland; ablaze with the purple of heather in August, the the August, in heather of purple the with ablaze heathland; the of
to leave plenty of weeks for herself such was her great enjoyment enjoyment great her was such herself for weeks of plenty leave to
(2007) Butterfly Conservation, Dorset Branch Newsletter (no. 56) (no. Newsletter Branch Dorset Conservation, Butterfly (2007)
immediately set about building up the team of walkers, taking care care taking walkers, of team the up building about set immediately
local RSPB group. On taking over the Tadnoll transect in 1999 she she 1999 in transect Tadnoll the over taking On group. RSPB local
Moths and Butterflies
quickly became active in Butterfly Conservation and also in the the in also and Conservation Butterfly in active became quickly The Illustrated Natural History of British British of History Natural Illustrated The (1880) E. Newman,
On coming back to Dorset after her husband's retirement she she retirement husband's her after Dorset to back coming On
http://ow.ly/Kxv5K 2015] March [Accessed, 2011
generation in those years of abundant flora and fauna. fauna. and flora abundant of years those in generation
Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), © Crown copyright copyright Crown © (JNCC), Committee Conservation Nature Joint
them and sticking them on pins, a pastime shared by many of her her of many by shared pastime a pins, on them sticking and them
References war years was in collecting collecting in was years war - pre the in butterflies with involvement
cottage in Langton Herring. She freely admitted that her her that admitted freely She Herring. Langton in cottage
Surrey and long holidays spent exploring the Fleet area from their their from area Fleet the exploring spent holidays long and Surrey
An interest in nature was nurtured during a childhood in rural rural in childhood a during nurtured was nature in interest An sites at which these butterflies are breeding. are butterflies these which at sites
nevertheless more work definitely needs to be done to locate the the locate to done be to needs definitely work more nevertheless
towards the locations of potential colonies of this butterfly in Dorset; Dorset; in butterfly this of colonies potential of locations the towards
years.
We are at an exciting period where evidence is building to point us us point to building is evidence where period exciting an at are We
ordinator of the Tadnoll Nature Reserve, a position she held for 15 15 for held she position a Reserve, Nature Tadnoll the of ordinator
possible fourth in the Rooksmoor and Deadmoor woodlands. Deadmoor and Rooksmoor the in fourth possible
was known to many in the Dorset BC branch as the Transect Co Transect the as branch BC Dorset the in many to known was - M
surrounding Horton, Cranborne and Alderholt, in addition to a a to addition in Alderholt, and Cranborne Horton, surrounding
Watson, who died at the end of July at the age of 93, 93, of age the at July of end the at died who Watson, - Lindsay Griz
that a third colony survives in small numbers in the area area the in numbers small in survives colony third a that
s likely likely s ’ It Magna. Minterne near or in another and Chase Cranborne
populations of the butterfly in Dorset; one within the woodlands of of woodlands the within one Dorset; in butterfly the of populations Elliott John by appreciation An
s Dorset branch it seems that there are two viable viable two are there that seems it branch Dorset s ’ Conservation
Griz Lindsay Griz Watson -
here long before that. From recent reports by Butterfly Butterfly by reports recent From that. before long here
12 11
decline. apparent the explains probably this and
since those of 1970 of those since recorded the species, species, the recorded - under have will 1984 -
worse. did Fritillaries bordered - Pearl Small and bordered
butterflies can be seen with certainty. As a result all the atlases atlases the all result a As certainty. with seen be can butterflies
14). On these criteria, only Silver only criteria, these On 14). - 2010 - Pearl Skipper, spotted -
concentrate upon well upon concentrate known spots like Alners Gorse where the the where Gorse Alners like spots known -
99 against against 99 - (1995 measurement year 5 term short the and 14) -
Understandably, photographers and casual recorders tend to to tend recorders casual and photographers Understandably,
the long term 15 year measurement (1970 measurement year 15 term long the both on 84 against 2000 against 84 -
3.30pm, are very unlikely to count Purple Hairstreaks. Hairstreaks. Purple count to unlikely very are 3.30pm,
one of a group of 6 species which managed to decline by over 50% 50% over by decline to managed which species 6 of group a of one
transect walkers, who usually operate between 11.00am and and 11.00am between operate usually who walkers, transect
order fell by 5 places from 30 to 35. Sadly the Purple Hairstreak is is Hairstreak Purple the Sadly 35. to 30 from places 5 by fell order
This means that that means This ” honeydew. for leaves the at dabbing circles,
14 this had fallen by 41% to 86kms. Over the same period its rank rank its period same the Over 86kms. to 41% by fallen had this 14
in the canopy where they rested, basked or slowly walked in in walked slowly or basked rested, they where canopy the in
99 Atlas it was recorded in 145 km squares but by 2010 by but squares km 145 in recorded was it Atlas 99 - 1995 the -
weather. Most of their lives were spent perched in sheltered nooks nooks sheltered in perched spent were lives their of Most weather.
the Purple Hairstreak appearing to be in steep decline in Dorset. In In Dorset. in decline steep in be to appearing Hairstreak Purple the
seldom flew during the main part of the day, least of all in dull dull in all of least day, the of part main the during flew seldom
Using a much shorter period of 5 years for comparison still leaves leaves still comparison for years 5 of period shorter much a Using
plantation in Norfolk. He confirmed that the Purple Hairstreaks Hairstreaks Purple the that confirmed He Norfolk. in plantation
four days from a gazebo overlooking the canopy of an oak oak an of canopy the overlooking gazebo a from days four
their presence. David Newland observed them for 23 hours over over hours 23 for them observed Newland David presence. their
). (30
th bearing several hundred Purple Hairstreaks without being aware of of aware being without Hairstreaks Purple hundred several bearing
) the Green Hairstreak (27 Hairstreak Green the ) (25 Argus Brown ) and the Adonis Blue Blue Adonis the and )
th th In the daytime, it is possible to walk beneath a tree tree a beneath walk to possible is it daytime, the In “ ’, Ireland
additional Lycaenids Lycaenids additional 4 than common less ) the the ) (19 Blue Holly the –
th Butterflies of Britain and and Britain of Butterflies ‘ the in explains Thomas Jeremy as
places had fallen further. The Purple Hairstreak at 33rd was now now was 33rd at Hairstreak Purple The further. fallen had places
course later recorders have continued to look for the butterfly but but butterfly the for look to continued have recorders later course
was a fall of 7 places: only the White Admiral with a drop of 8 8 of drop a with Admiral White the only places: 7 of fall a was
of these egg surveys which have never since been attempted. Of Of attempted. been since never have which surveys egg these of
rank order of km squares occupied has fallen from 26 from fallen has occupied squares km of order rank . This This . 33 to
rd th 94 atlases testify to the large scale scale large the to testify atlases 94 - 1980 the and 84 - 1970 the both
88% respectively] doing worse. The Purple Hairstreak Hairstreak Purple The worse. doing respectively] 88% - and 67% - (
The huge black blotches on on blotches black huge The ”. occasions five only on eggs find to
bordered and Pearl and bordered - Pearl Small and 59%) - ( bordered Fritillaries Fritillaries bordered -
examined oaks in more than 100 km squares in 1983 in squares km 100 than more in oaks examined 84 and failed failed and 84 -
highest rate of decline with only Silver only with decline of rate highest 4 the spotted Skipper Skipper spotted -
th high base. As Jeremy Thomas explained in the atlas: atlas: the in explained Thomas Jeremy As base. high We have have We “
84 Atlas to 205 in the 2000 the in 205 to Atlas 84 - 1970 the in kms 2014 Atlas. This was was This Atlas. 2014 -
84 Atlas kicked off from a very very a from off kicked Atlas 84 - 1970 the start a For recording! the
Hairstreaks have been recorded has declined by 38%, from 283 283 from 38%, by declined has recorded been have Hairstreaks
is not the butterfly which has declined but the quantity and skill of of skill and quantity the but declined has which butterfly the not is
However, the number of km squares in which Purple Purple which in squares km of number the However, ”. Copper
drastic decline of a once common butterfly. It is very possible that it it that possible very is It butterfly. common once a of decline drastic
Hairstreaks) in the county after the Common Blue and Small Small and Blue Common the after county the in Hairstreaks)
Of course there is an alternative explanation for this apparently apparently this for explanation alternative an is there course Of
commonest of the Lycaenid butterflies (Blues, Coppers and and Coppers (Blues, butterflies Lycaenid the of commonest
the conspicuous Green Hairstreak and that it is the third third the is it that and Hairstreak Green conspicuous the right. Collier) R. (©
Purple Hairstreak underside (© G. Cryer) left, and male upperside upperside male and left, Cryer) G. (© underside Hairstreak Purple many naturalists to learn that this species is more numerous than than numerous more is species this that learn to naturalists many
Purple Hairstreak is a common butterfly in Dorset. It will surprise surprise will It Dorset. in butterfly common a is Hairstreak Purple
Jeremy Thomas wrote: wrote: Thomas Jeremy 84)’ - (1970 Dorset of Butterflies ‘ In The The “ M
Shreeves Bill By
declining butterflies? declining
s most rapidly rapidly most s ’ Dorset of one Hairstreak Purple the Is
13 14
Dorset (around Powerstock), the woodlands on the North and and North the on woodlands the Powerstock), (around Dorset distribution. population Hairstreak Purple measuring
possibly most widely distributed in the Blackmoor Vale, West West Vale, Blackmoor the in distributed widely most possibly caterpillar or chrysalis is too time consuming to be a method for for method a be to consuming time too is chrysalis or caterpillar
concluded that Purple Hairstreaks were were Hairstreaks Purple that concluded ’ Dorset of Butterflies ‘ It is clear that looking for for looking that clear is It ’. song ‘ and secretions through ants attract
butterflies and eggs found on each tree could be recorded. The The recorded. be could tree each on found eggs and butterflies nests, contained a chrysalis. Both caterpillar and chrysalis can can chrysalis and caterpillar Both chrysalis. a contained nests,
Transect Walking. Every year, timed counts of numbers of of numbers of counts timed year, Every Walking. Transect searched 76 antless tussocks but only another 5, which had ant ant had which 5, another only but tussocks antless 76 searched
oak tree on a site could become the equivalent of a section in in section a of equivalent the become could site a on tree oak ground at least 5 metres from the oak trunk. Jeremy Thomas Thomas Jeremy trunk. oak the from metres 5 least at ground
Each Each ’. walks Hairstreak Purple ‘ up set to possible be even might the caterpillars pupate in ant nests located in tussocks on the the on tussocks in located nests ant in pupate caterpillars the
gradually build up the distribution map. With some organisation it it organisation some With map. distribution the up build gradually described fully in in fully described suggests that that suggests ’, Ireland and Britain of Butterflies ‘
either method could be tried out in adjoining km squares to to squares km adjoining in out tried be could method either emerge under the safety of darkness. Fascinating recent research, research, recent Fascinating darkness. of safety the under emerge
counts. When more skill has been gained for finding the finding for gained been has skill more When counts. eggs, eggs, hearts of the oak buds and then form cocoons from which they only only they which from cocoons form then and buds oak the of hearts
their eggs, especially on the oak trees which had the highest adult adult highest the had which trees oak the on especially eggs, their a recommended method. The caterpillars start by boring into the the into boring by start caterpillars The method. recommended a
coins. Later when the leaves have fallen, come back and search for for search and back come fallen, have leaves the when Later coins. Searching for the caterpillar and chrysalis is not easy enough to be be to enough easy not is chrysalis and caterpillar the for Searching
watch through binoculars to find which oak trees have tossing silver silver tossing have trees oak which find to binoculars through watch
August, August, - July in evening dry and calm warm, a chosen and square
break. to begin buds First, having discovered a suitable collection of oak trees in a km km a in trees oak of collection suitable a discovered having First,
of March. After this the caterpillars start to hatch and the oak flower flower oak the and hatch to start caterpillars the this After March. of So we have two methods of locating Purple Hairstreak colonies. colonies. Hairstreak Purple locating of methods two have we So
The time to look is from after the fall of the oak leaves until the end end the until leaves oak the of fall the after from is look to time The
(Thomas, Butterflies of Britain and Ireland). Ireland). and Britain of Butterflies (Thomas, ” twigs adjoining of parts
make rough counts of their numbers for the next Dorset atlas! atlas! Dorset next the for numbers their of counts rough make
and is stuck on the base of a plump flower plump a of base the on stuck is and bud or on the rough rough the on or bud -
and, we might add, to to add, might we and, ” flight of dexterity and speed their appreciate
after oak leaves have fallen. It looks like a small, pearl small, a like looks It fallen. have leaves oak after grey bun bun grey -
wonders of the butterfly season. Watch them through binoculars to to binoculars through them Watch season. butterfly the of wonders
egg is about the size of a pinhead but is reasonably conspicuous conspicuous reasonably is but pinhead a of size the about is egg
coins that has been tossed into the sunlight, and are one of the the of one are and sunlight, the into tossed been has that coins
grasp. The southern and warmer side of trees are the best. best. the are trees of side warmer and southern The grasp. Each Each “
the treetops. From the ground they look like a handful of silver silver of handful a like look they ground the From treetops. the
and out of reach, a reasonable proportion are within a searcher a within are proportion reasonable a reach, of out and s s ’
aerial battles with rivals, spinning and diving at high speed above above speed high at diving and spinning rivals, with battles aerial
groups in parks. Although many eggs are laid high up in the canopy canopy the in up high laid are eggs many Although parks. in groups
themselves after any passing female or engaged in prolonged prolonged in engaged or female passing any after themselves
sheltered sides of woods, copses, hedgerows and even in isolated isolated in even and hedgerows copses, woods, of sides sheltered
uppermost branches of the highest trees. From there they launched launched they there From trees. highest the of branches uppermost
recently in Kent. Egg searchers need to look for oak trees on the the on trees oak for look to need searchers Egg Kent. in recently
higher levels than their daytime positions yet still avoiding the the avoiding still yet positions daytime their than levels higher
4, and which has been carried out more more out carried been has which and 4, - 1983 in base strong
about 5.00pm to 8.00pm the males established perching posts at at posts perching established males the 8.00pm to 5.00pm about
search for eggs, which Jeremy Thomas used to set up such a a such up set to used Thomas Jeremy which eggs, for search
approached the Purple Hairstreaks became more active. From From active. more became Hairstreaks Purple the approached
The most obvious method we could adopt in Dorset is to revive the the revive to is Dorset in adopt could we method obvious most The
as evening evening as “ research: gazebo his from key the provides
Kent. and Durham
counted. The researcher David Newland, referred to earlier, earlier, to referred Newland, David researcher The counted. M
This was notably the case in Northumberland, Northumberland, in case the notably was This ”. found ones new three hour period when Purple Hairstreaks can quite easily be be easily quite can Hairstreaks Purple when period hour three
special efforts have been made, colonies have been reconfirmed or or reconfirmed been have colonies made, been have efforts special sapling ash trees to search for aphid honeydew. However there is a a is there However honeydew. aphid for search to trees ash sapling
down to ground level to nectar on bramble blossom or to lower lower to or blossom bramble on nectar to level ground to down where “ that and ” concern conservation for cause a not is Hairstreak
Hairstreaks are seen and recorded when hot weather pushes them them pushes weather hot when recorded and seen are Hairstreaks Purple “ the that reported (2006)’ Ireland and Britain in Butterflies
time out of sight in the canopy. Currently most of the Purple Purple the of most Currently canopy. the in sight of out time of State The ‘ Hairstreaks? Purple s ’ Dorset of recording the
This brings us back to locating adult butterflies which spend their their spend which butterflies adult locating to back us brings This improve we can how year this starting 19 - 2015 for atlas new a With
16 15
which was initially developed by the Dorset Wildlife Trust but has has but Trust Wildlife Dorset the by developed initially was which (right). tree Hairstreak 10+
term management plan plan management term - long thoughtful a by guided Council, Parish Native trees planted in the Meadows (left), and Mark and Jeni with their their with Jeni and Mark and (left), Meadows the in planted trees Native
time they have been sympathetically managed by Motcombe Motcombe by managed sympathetically been have they time
Bloor Homes as an area for conservation and recreation. Since that that Since recreation. and conservation for area an as Homes Bloor
In 2007, the Meadows were handed over to Motcombe village by by village Motcombe to over handed were Meadows the 2007, In
kingfishers! hungry by visits occasional has hence
Stour, which is inhabited by Water Voles and Sticklebacks, and and Sticklebacks, and Voles Water by inhabited is which Stour,
prominent. The area is bisected by a brook, a tributary of the River River the of tributary a brook, a by bisected is area The prominent.
a range of shrubs and mature trees, with Oak being particularly particularly being Oak with trees, mature and shrubs of range a
divided into four fields by old, broad hedgerows containing containing hedgerows broad old, by fields four into divided - sub are
Motcombe Meadows comprises 10.5ha of wetland meadows which which meadows wetland of 10.5ha comprises Meadows Motcombe
Motcombe Meadows: A wonderful village facility. village wonderful A Meadows: Motcombe
for the village in perpetuity. in village the for
that they would remain as a recreational and conservation facility facility conservation and recreational a as remain would they that Cooper Peter By
scheme, thus ensuring ensuring thus scheme, ’ Trust in Fields ‘ the of part became officially
Purple Hairstreaks are flourishing in Motcombe Meadows! Motcombe in flourishing are Hairstreaks Purple
s Jubilee celebrations, the Meadows Meadows the celebrations, Jubilee s ’ village the of part as 2012, In
shrubs.
wide diversity of herbs, grasses, trees and and trees grasses, herbs, of diversity wide ’ Meadows the underline
article.
by the local U3A group, led by Bill Shreeves. This has served to to served has This Shreeves. Bill by led group, U3A local the by
on the Purple Hairstreak which has been the major source for this this for source major the been has which Hairstreak Purple the on
botanical survey of the hedges and pastures which was undertaken undertaken was which pastures and hedges the of survey botanical
Jeremy Thomas and Richard Lewington with an excellent section section excellent an with Lewington Richard and Thomas Jeremy
Council has also encouraged the completion of a thorough thorough a of completion the encouraged also has Council
: The Butterflies of Britain and Ireland by by Ireland and Britain of Butterflies The : Studying Worth
they have been regularly used since then. More recently, the the recently, More then. since used regularly been have they
boxes were added in 2011 with help from the Dorset Rangers, and and Rangers, Dorset the from help with 2011 in added were boxes
possible. as soon as
has been dug to attract wildfowl. Two Barn Owl Owl Barn Two wildfowl. attract to dug been has ’ scrape ‘ a field
for Champions or recording please get in touch with Bill Shreeves Shreeves Bill with touch in get please recording or Champions for
fencing for 32 keenly tended allotments, and in another another in and allotments, tended keenly 32 for fencing ’ proof - deer ‘
steps have already been taken on Motcombe Meadows. Volunteers Volunteers Meadows. Motcombe on taken been already have steps
been established. In one field an area has been set aside with with aside set been has area an field one In established. been
the article in this newsletter by Peter Cooper to see how some first first some how see to Cooper Peter by newsletter this in article the
planted and an orchard of fifty traditional fruit tree varieties has has varieties tree fruit traditional fifty of orchard an and planted
meetings could be used to find volunteers and map progress. Read Read progress. map and volunteers find to used be could meetings
native woodland trees, provided by the Woodland Trust, have been been have Trust, Woodland the by provided trees, woodland native
Hairstreaks recorded at all! The website and the 4 regional regional 4 the and website The all! at recorded Hairstreaks
hedgerows have been allowed to thicken, more than a thousand thousand a than more thicken, to allowed been have hedgerows M
14 map which have had no Purple Purple no had have which map 14 - 2010 the in squares 10km those
pathways and foot bridges have been added to improve access, access, improve to added been have bridges foot and pathways
investigated as possible. A possible starting point might be with with be might point starting possible A possible. as investigated
undertaken each year by a local farmer free of charge! In addition, addition, In charge! of free farmer local a by year each undertaken
year campaign for the next Dorset Atlas to get as many km squares squares km many as get to Atlas Dorset next the for campaign year
The plan provides for a late summer cut of hay, which is kindly kindly is which hay, of cut summer late a for provides plan The
or Champions to organise a 4 4 a organise to Champions or ’ Champion ‘ Hairstreak Purple a need
Butterfly Conservation Butterfly officer. conservation s ’ Isle of Purbeck. This still remains to be proven. Finally we probably probably we Finally proven. be to remains still This Purbeck. of Isle
subsequently had additional input from Richard Belding, Dorset Dorset Belding, Richard from input additional had subsequently Central Chalk, and perhaps more thinly on the heathlands and the the and heathlands the on thinly more perhaps and Chalk, Central
17 18
t know how to look properly! Armed with his advice advice his with Armed properly! look to how know t ’ didn I because
right in front of you. of front in right
he kindly (and politely) told me that it was probably probably was it that me told politely) (and kindly he 14 July on and
th
a car park which always has plenty of space and the Meadows are are Meadows the and space of plenty has always which park car a
blessed with many splendid Oaks. I asked Bill why this might be be might this why Bill asked I Oaks. splendid many with blessed
9NN will take you to Prideaux Drive. At the end of Prideaux Drive is is Drive Prideaux of end the At Drive. Prideaux to you take will 9NN
had listed them as as them listed had and the Meadows are are Meadows the and ’ present be to likely ‘
your way to Motcombe, SP7 SP7 Motcombe, to way your ’ satnav ‘ to like would you If better! the
been recording, I had never seen a Purple Hairstreak and yet Bill Bill yet and Hairstreak Purple a seen never had I recording, been
The more people who enjoy the Meadows and all they have to offer offer to have they all and Meadows the enjoy who people more The
In July of this year, it crossed my mind that in the four years I had had I years four the in that mind my crossed it year, this of July In
Come and enjoy the Meadows. the enjoy and Come
Hairstreaks? Purple the whither But
tree basis to Bill. Bill. to basis tree - by - tree a on results
autumn! coming this
the appropriate time on the same 11 Oaks and keep reporting the the reporting keep and Oaks 11 same the on time appropriate the
Scabious are present in the Meadows, but we plan to rectify that that rectify to plan we but Meadows, the in present are Scabious
company. From now on we plan to repeat this count once a year at at year a once count this repeat to plan we on now From company.
were a pleasant surprise since neither Kidney Vetch nor Devil nor Vetch Kidney neither since surprise pleasant a were bit bit - s ’
satisfying, and it helped having extra pairs of eyes and good good and eyes of pairs extra having helped it and satisfying,
washed Fritillary, Small Blue and Marsh Fritillary. The latter two two latter The Fritillary. Marsh and Blue Small Fritillary, washed
So there we are: once I knew what to do, it was both easy and very very and easy both was it do, to what knew I once are: we there So
up every now and then and I have had had have I and then and now every up of Silver of ’ sightings single ‘ -
Clouded Yellows, Painted Ladies and Dark Green Fritillaries turn turn Fritillaries Green Dark and Ladies Painted Yellows, Clouded
species have been recorded of which 19 are Meadow Meadow are 19 which of recorded been have species ’. ’. regulars ‘
alone. tree
It has proved to be an absorbing pastime. Over the last 4 years, 25 25 years, 4 last the Over pastime. absorbing an be to proved has It
particular was excellent and Mark and Jeni counted 10+ on that that on 10+ counted Jeni and Mark and excellent was particular
safekeeping. and information which we spotted on 7 out of the 11 Oaks we looked at. looked we Oaks 11 the of out 7 on spotted we which One in in One
walks in Dorset. Each year I send the records to Bill for his his for Bill to records the send I year Each Dorset. in walks summary, between us we saw a total of 29 Purple Hairstreaks Hairstreaks Purple 29 of total a saw we us between summary,
Butterfly Conservation transect transect Conservation Butterfly ’ official ‘ 63 the mimicking thus 30 was warm (my car thermometer read 22.5 on the way down). way the on 22.5 read thermometer car (my warm was In In
th
undertake regular weekly counts between April 1 April between counts weekly regular undertake and September September and evening as the sun was behind the clouds a lot of the time, but it it but time, the of lot a clouds the behind was sun the as evening
st
s continuing guidance, I have been able to to able been have I guidance, continuing s ’ Bill and this with for butterfly spotting. As it turned out, it wasn't such a perfect perfect a such wasn't it out, turned it As spotting. butterfly for
with all the species that I might expect to find being listed. A listed. being find to expect might I that species the all with rmed rmed goes with him on many of his hunting trips and has a special talent talent special a has and trips hunting his of many on him with goes
‘ had he which Conservation Butterfly for the Meadows, Meadows, the for ’ customized (except for the Mountain Ringlet) and his partner, Jeni Green, who who Green, Jeni partner, his and Ringlet) Mountain the for (except
electronic version of the butterfly recording form that is used by by used is that form recording butterfly the of version electronic every species of British butterfly butterfly British of species every ’ bagged ‘ has and photographer
was hugely supportive and helpful. He provided me with an an with me provided He helpful. and supportive hugely was experienced eyes; Mark Pike who is a very keen butterfly butterfly keen very a is who Pike Mark eyes; experienced
Conservation who lives close by in Shaftesbury. As always, Bill Bill always, As Shaftesbury. in by close lives who Conservation
: I enlisted the help of two extra pairs of of pairs extra two of help the enlisted I : 8.00pm - 6.00 16 July
th
might be useful and was put in touch with Bill Shreeves of Butterfly Butterfly of Shreeves Bill with touch in put was and useful be might
them.
spotted. However, by 2011 I felt that a slightly more rigorous effort effort rigorous more slightly a that felt I 2011 by However, spotted.
trees for about 10 minutes each and spotted my quarry on 7 of of 7 on quarry my spotted and each minutes 10 about for trees
their presence and kept a rough note of the different species that I I that species different the of note rough a kept and presence their
: armed with binoculars I watched 10 Oak Oak 10 watched I binoculars with armed : 7.00pm - 5.30 15 July
th with butterflies! Initially I simply enjoyed enjoyed simply I Initially butterflies! with ’ swarming ‘ Meadows were were Meadows M
for walking the dogs and in an equally short time to spot that the the that spot to time short equally an in and dogs the walking for both. on Hairstreaks Purple were
discover, like many others, what a great place the Meadows were were Meadows the place great a what others, many like discover, minutes by two prominent Oaks and spotted what I was pretty sure sure pretty was I what spotted and Oaks prominent two by minutes
July 15 July to long me take t ’ didn It Motcombe. in live to family my with : whilst walking the dog, I lingered for about 5 5 about for lingered I dog, the walking whilst : morning
th
In 2010, after many years of living in Kenya, I retired and returned returned and retired I Kenya, in living of years many after 2010, In
rapidly. unfolded events silver coins tossed against a blue sky blue a against tossed coins silver ’ ’
of the right time of day to look and visions of of visions and look to day of time right the of Meadows the of Butterflies ‘ spiraling flights like like flights spiraling
19 20
Common. Lydlinch on colony Fritillary Marsh the of side east - north the on area the include not did Common
very low numbers. These findings give us hope for the future of the the of future the for hope us give findings These numbers. low very Lydlinch of fencing the However, scrub. invasive the controlling
colonising the main area where there had previously been a drop to to drop a been previously had there where area main the colonising Estate, to fence it and introduce grazing as a more effective way of of way effective more a as grazing introduce and it fence to Estate,
provided funding for the owners of the Common, the Stock Gaylard Gaylard Stock the Common, the of owners the for funding provided improvement in the grazing regime, butterflies are gradually re gradually are butterflies regime, grazing the in improvement -
In more recent times, Natural England has obtained approval and and approval obtained has England Natural times, recent more In interlinked and there is already an indication that with an an with that indication an already is there and interlinked
colonies around the site are closely closely are site the around colonies - sub various the that felt is It
respectively. Nightingale the and
site. the of and birds, with the target species for each being the Marsh Fritillary Fritillary Marsh the being each for species target the with birds, and
increased to 71, with 51 being seen in sector 15 and 20 on the rest rest the on 20 and 15 sector in seen being 51 with 71, to increased The task was to maintain the site for the conservation of butterflies butterflies of conservation the for site the maintain to was task The
In 2015, the number of Marsh Fritillaries on the transect walk had had walk transect the on Fritillaries Marsh of number the 2015, In
actions. their with agreement general in being
site. the of rest the on 6 only again, and 15 sector in seen being 34 and Natural England keeping a watchful eye on their efforts and and efforts their on eye watchful a keeping England Natural and
In 2014, 40 Marsh Fritillaries were seen on the transect walk, with with walk, transect the on seen were Fritillaries Marsh 40 2014, In with representatives from Butterfly Conservation HQ HQ Conservation Butterfly from representatives with organization,
the Dorset branch of Butterfly Conservation as an umbrella umbrella an as Conservation Butterfly of branch Dorset the
years. two last the in Fritillaries Marsh of numbers
Friends of Lydlinch Common, a group of volunteers working under under working volunteers of group a Common, Lydlinch of Friends
the unfenced site appear to have had a beneficial effect on the the on effect beneficial a had have to appear site unfenced the
The Common has been managed for a number of years by The The by years of number a for managed been has Common The
In the meantime, the efforts of The Friends of Lydlinch Common on on Common Lydlinch of Friends The of efforts the meantime, the In
reducing the number of cattle and changing to a less active breed. breed. active less a to changing and cattle of number the reducing
79 109 149 82 71 40 12
grazing on the main site has hopefully now been readdressed by by readdressed been now hopefully has site main the on grazing
2012 2011 2010 2009 2015 2014 2013
Butterfly Conservation and the volunteer group, the problem of of problem the group, volunteer the and Conservation Butterfly
Walk Following discussions between representatives of Natural England, England, Natural of representatives between discussions Following
Total count of Marsh Fritillary on Lydlinch Common Transect Transect Common Lydlinch on Fritillary Marsh of count Total
being seen in sector 15 and 6 on the rest of the site. site. the of rest the on 6 and 15 sector in seen being
To set the scene, the yearly transect results are shown below. shown are results transect yearly the scene, the set To
2013, only 12 individuals were seen on the transect walk, with 6 6 with walk, transect the on seen were individuals 12 only 2013,
leading to a marked reduction in the number of Marsh Fritillaries. In In Fritillaries. Marsh of number the in reduction marked a to leading
somewhat harrowing period over the past few years. few past the over period harrowing somewhat
number of areas, with the grazing also being quite tight in others, others, in tight quite being also grazing the with areas, of number
At Lydlinch it seems a more encouraging future is evolving after a a after evolving is future encouraging more a seems it Lydlinch At
poached the ground in a a in ground the poached
badly badly grazing for site
Marsh Fritillary © Colin Burningham Colin © Fritillary Marsh
introduced onto the fenced fenced the onto introduced
2013. August in Stroke my
Unfortunately, the cattle cattle the Unfortunately,
management of Lydlinch Common for a number of years, prior to to prior years, of number a for Common Lydlinch of management
from the main part of the site. site. the of part main the from
responsible for the collation of the transect walk results and the the and results walk transect the of collation the for responsible
has evolved quite differently differently quite evolved has
what I know about one particular important site, having been been having site, important particular one about know I what
15) (sector area ungrazed
over the past few years. I feel that I should make a statement of of statement a make should I that feel I years. few past the over
It is quite apparent that the the that apparent quite is It M conservation of the Marsh Fritillary butterfly at various Dorset sites sites Dorset various at butterfly Fritillary Marsh the of conservation
There has been much discussion about the status and and status the about discussion much been has There Fritillary.
the habitat for the Marsh Marsh the for habitat the
volunteer group to improve improve to group volunteer
Burningham Colin By area is now managed by our our by managed now is area
(A357) and consequently that that consequently and (A357)
The Marsh Fritillary at Lydlinch Common Lydlinch at Fritillary Marsh The
Sturminster Newton road road Newton Sturminster
21 22
White Admirals. White
tresses. - s ’ Lady Autumn and cricket - Bush Grey Beetle, nosed
our quest, we were compensated with some very good sightings of of sightings good very some with compensated were we quest, our Rock Pipit, Southern and Migrant Hawker dragonflies, Bloody dragonflies, Hawker Migrant and Southern Pipit, Rock -
look for Purple Emperors, but although we were unsuccessful in in unsuccessful were we although but Emperors, Purple for look Other notable sightings on the day included Peregrine Falcon, Falcon, Peregrine included day the on sightings notable Other
we headed south east to to east south headed we ’ circus ‘ the by shade the in lunching After
Large Skippers. Large
leading us on an enjoyable day out. day enjoyable an on us leading
Fritillaries, and a range of grassland species including Small and and Small including species grassland of range a and Fritillaries,
the car park arriving back at 3.15pm. Our thanks go to Bernard for for Bernard to go thanks Our 3.15pm. at back arriving park car the
washed and Dark Green Green Dark and washed - Silver with along seen, were day the
After lunch in Seacombe Quarry, we set off on the climb back to to back climb the on off set we Quarry, Seacombe in lunch After
Bridmore Ride inside Wiltshire and here the first White Admirals of of Admirals White first the here and Wiltshire inside Ride Bridmore
washed Fritillary along the way. We then walked along the the along walked then We way. the along Fritillary washed - Silver
east ride along the county boundary, seeing a Valezina female female Valezina a seeing boundary, county the along ride east
Marbled Whites added to the species list. species the to added Whites Marbled
direction up northwards through the wood to the Shire Rack west Rack Shire the to wood the through northwards up direction -
scorers. A single Wall, Clouded Yellow and a couple of late late of couple a and Yellow Clouded Wall, single A scorers.
to Sixpenny Handley Road) and our walk took us in a clockwise clockwise a in us took walk our and Road) Handley Sixpenny to
Meadow Brown, Small Heath and Common Blue were the top top the were Blue Common and Heath Small Brown, Meadow
southern end of the wood (just inside Dorset, off the Tollard Royal Royal Tollard the off Dorset, inside (just wood the of end southern
plentiful as hoped; 25 were seen in 2013 but only 5 on this trip. trip. this on 5 only but 2013 in seen were 25 hoped; as plentiful
We set off from the parking area near Greatstone Coppice at the the at Coppice Greatstone near area parking the from off set We
who particularly wanted to see the species. Adonis Blue was not as as not was Blue Adonis species. the see to wanted particularly who
participants. coastal path. Thankfully, 3 Lulworth Skippers were seen by those those by seen were Skippers Lulworth 3 Thankfully, path. coastal
of butterfly overall, but more may have been seen by other other by seen been have may more but overall, butterfly of were recorded around the village, Winspit quarry and along the the along and quarry Winspit village, the around recorded were
day for butterflies. Jean and I noted that we saw fourteen species species fourteen saw we that noted I and Jean butterflies. for day bright and there was plenty of butterfly activity. In all, 19 species species 19 all, In activity. butterfly of plenty was there and bright
up to 23˚c so we had a good good a had we so 23˚c to up Although there was not much full sunshine, conditions were mostly mostly were conditions sunshine, full much not was there Although
Valezina Silver Valezina Fritillary washed -
sunny day with temperatures temperatures with day sunny visit to Worth Matravers and Winspit on the Jurassic Coast. Coast. Jurassic the on Winspit and Matravers Worth to visit
night before this was a warm warm a was this before night and Wiltshire branches joined Bernard Franklin for a late season season late a for Franklin Bernard joined branches Wiltshire and
thunder and lightning of the the of lightning and thunder Encouraged by an improving forecast, a group of 13 from Dorset Dorset from 13 of group a forecast, improving an by Encouraged
Fortunately, following the the following Fortunately,
people turned up for this trip. trip. this for up turned people
Bryant Arthur By
Dorset late last year). Nineteen Nineteen year). last late Dorset
July 30 Thursday - Winspit now members since moving to to moving since members now
th
re re ’ we which (of branch Dorset
leading with Arthur Bryant from from Bryant Arthur with leading
Our thanks to the Rushmoor Estate for allowing access. allowing for Estate Rushmoor the to thanks Our
- co were we and trip Dorset
This was a joint Wiltshire and and Wiltshire joint a was This
: Large Yellow Underwing, Scarlet Tiger and Cinnabar. and Tiger Scarlet Underwing, Yellow Large : Moths
Marbled White, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown and Ringlet. and Brown Meadow Gatekeeper, White, Marbled M
Smith Jean and Tom By
veined White, White, veined - Green White, Small White, Large Lady, Painted
Skipper, Small Skipper, Common Blue, Small Tortoiseshell, Tortoiseshell, Small Blue, Common Skipper, Small Skipper,
July 4 Saturday - Woods Chase
th
Admiral, Comma, Red Admiral, Peacock, Speckled Wood, Large Large Wood, Speckled Peacock, Admiral, Red Comma, Admiral,
Butterflies washed Fritillary, Dark Green Fritillary, White White Fritillary, Green Dark Fritillary, washed - Silver :
Field Trip reports Trip Field
We finished the day with the following lists of butterflies and moths. and butterflies of lists following the with day the finished We
23 24
death. and illness her to
Rooksmoor. on old if not more, and perhaps the harsh life she had led contributed contributed led had she life harsh the perhaps and more, not if old
quantitative study of the effects of grazing on the land at Alners and and Alners at land the on grazing of effects the of study quantitative that might have given cause for concern. She was at least 18 years years 18 least at was She concern. for cause given have might that
swamp other flowering plants. We are attempting to make a a make to attempting are We plants. flowering other swamp although parasitic worms were present, they were not in numbers numbers in not were they present, were worms parasitic although
which forms dense stands and tends to to tends and stands dense forms which like Calamagrostis epigejos epigejos Calamagrostis mortem did not reveal any particular cause of death and and death of cause particular any reveal not did mortem - post
the best grasses have been eaten they will eat the coarse grasses grasses coarse the eat will they eaten been have grasses best the (and very high vets high very (and bills) she eventually had to be destroyed. The The destroyed. be to had eventually she bills) ’
the Angelica flowers, before tucking into the tender grasses. Once Once grasses. tender the into tucking before flowers, Angelica the and while at Lankham became acutely ill. In spite of much attention attention much of spite In ill. acutely became Lankham at while and
Rooksmoor, they seem to go first for the thistle flower heads and and heads flower thistle the for first go to seem they Rooksmoor, them. Sadly Holly had started to lose condition at the end of 2013 2013 of end the at condition lose to started had Holly Sadly them.
bearing micromoth. When released into the new area on on area new the into released When micromoth. bearing - case drained ground there where there was a good supply of grass for for grass of supply good a was there where there ground drained
s Greenweed which is also important for a very rare rare very a for important also is which Greenweed s ’ Dyer ignore transported the four to Lankham Bottom for a period on the well the on period a for Bottom Lankham to four the transported -
(though they will nip the flowers off occasionally) and seem to to seem and occasionally) off flowers the nip will they (though winter (and many other times too!) and in February 2014 we we 2014 February in and too!) times other many (and winter
bit Scabious, the important foodplant of the Marsh Fritillary Fritillary Marsh the of foodplant important the Scabious, bit - s ’ Devil longer grass. The Blackmore Vale becomes very waterlogged in in waterlogged very becomes Vale Blackmore The grass. longer
they like best. We have found that they do not seem to touch touch to seem not do they that found have We best. like they grazed patches interspersed with areas of rush and and rush of areas with interspersed patches grazed - tightly short
We are keeping a close eye on how they graze and which plants plants which and graze they how on eye close a keeping are We and began to do an excellent job at Alners, creating a mosaic of of mosaic a creating Alners, at job excellent an do to began and
Scarface, Holly, Clara and Blackberry Blackberry and Clara Holly, Scarface, - four Our settled in well well in settled -
water!) under frequently route the of much
lookers (especially dedicated as it is quite a trek to Rooksmoor with with Rooksmoor to trek a quite is it as dedicated (especially lookers
years. early
electric tape and are checked daily by our dedicated team of of team dedicated our by daily checked are and tape electric
the African savanna; fortunately no one fell prey to a lion in those those in lion a to prey fell one no fortunately savanna; African the
Stewardship scheme there. They are enclosed in paddocks of of paddocks in enclosed are They there. scheme Stewardship
ones would disappear in a sea of long grass rather reminiscent of of reminiscent rather grass long of sea a in disappear would ones
land at Rooksmoor as part of the newly established established newly the of part as Rooksmoor at land ’ neighbours
young children from the local schools visited the reserve, the little little the reserve, the visited schools local the from children young
our five have also been doing invaluable work grazing some of our our of some grazing work invaluable doing been also have five our
and the occasional tethered goat belonging to a local family. When When family. local a to belonging goat tethered occasional the and
As well as going off to Lankham Bottom for their winter holidays, holidays, winter their for Bottom Lankham to off going as well As
reserve had been grazed intermittently by a small group of ponies ponies of group small a by intermittently grazed been had reserve
trainer from the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust. Up until then the the then until Up Trust. Heritage Pony Dartmoor the from trainer
feet. They now graze happily with the other three. other the with happily graze now They feet.
ponies daily having done a one day course in in course day one a done having daily ponies with a a with ’ lookering ‘
sufficiently to get head collars on them and allow Anna to trim their their trim to Anna allow and them on collars head get to sufficiently
volunteers who were prepared to take it in turns to check the the check to turns in it take to prepared were who volunteers
farrier specialising in unshod ponies, she managed to train them them train to managed she ponies, unshod in specialising farrier
adjacent to the carpark at Alners Gorse and found a small team of of team small a found and Gorse Alners at carpark the to adjacent
horse whisperer horse ‘ a as USA the in trained one Annas, the other a a other the ’,
and Lankham Bottom. We built a new corral and handling area area handling and corral new a built We Bottom. Lankham and
hours working on these two ponies and with the help of two local local two of help the with and ponies two these on working hours
The aim was to use them to graze our reserves at Alners Gorse Gorse Alners at reserves our graze to them use to was aim The
Alners instead of round or over it. Kathy spent innumerable patient patient innumerable spent Kathy it. over or round of instead Alners
harsher conditions than they were ever likely to meet in Dorset. Dorset. in meet to likely ever were they than conditions harsher
period of training her, she ran through the 12ft wooden gate at at gate wooden 12ft the through ran she her, training of period
spent most of their lives grazing on Dartmoor, and so were used to to used were so and Dartmoor, on grazing lives their of most spent
spooked just by the sight of a stick or rope. At one point in the the in point one At rope. or stick a of sight the by just spooked
bought a herd of four fairly elderly Dartmoor ponies. They had had They ponies. Dartmoor elderly fairly four of herd a bought M
very badly treated and was so traumatised that she was easily easily was she that traumatised so was and treated badly very
In the autumn of 2012, the Dorset branch of Butterfly Conservation Conservation Butterfly of branch Dorset the 2012, of autumn the In
unpredictable temperaments. Blaze in particular had clearly been been clearly had particular in Blaze temperaments. unpredictable
when they arrived they were in a terrible state, and with extremely extremely with and state, terrible a in were they arrived they when
been abandoned on the moor (as many ponies and sheep are) and and are) sheep and ponies many (as moor the on abandoned been Henderson Kathy and Spring Nigel By
parentage from Bodmin Moor. These two, Star and Blaze, had had Blaze, and Star two, These Moor. Bodmin from parentage
Update on our Dorset Branch Ponies Branch Dorset our on Update
In the summer of 2014, we took on two young ponies of mixed mixed of ponies young two on took we 2014, of summer the In If you would like to be involved in our pony grazing scheme, as a looker or even just occasionally when the fence needs moving, Electronic Newsletter please contact us. Quite apart from other considerations, Alners and Rooksmoor are among the loveliest parts of the Blackmore If you would like to receive your next magazine by email please will you Vale at all times of year – during my visit to the ponies today, it was let Robin George know? Her details are on the back of this Newsletter. one of those perfect, warm autumn days with a very special light: You can of course receive it both electronically and by post if you wish.
M Chiffchaffs making their plaintive autumn calls from the hedges, Receiving it electronically will help us to save money and is more Small Tortoiseshells on the haze of Devil’s-bit Scabious flowers, environmentally friendly. hoverflies on the blackberries and a Roe Deer loping away in the distance - perfect! Greetings! The Branch is delighted to welcome the following new Notes members. We hope to meet you all soon at our events and work parties. Please introduce yourselves to any of the committee mem- Your lasting legacy bers and find out how you can get the most out of your membership and what you can do to help. Have you ever considered leaving a gift to Butterfly Conservation in your Will? J Bascombe - Poole Miss R Miners - Dorchester An increasing number of members and friends are choosing to Mrs W & Mr B Bowers - Christ- support Butterfly Conservation in this way. All gifts, whether large Mr D & Mrs J S A Newnham - church and small, make a crucial and lasting difference to the conservation Southampton of butterflies and moths. Together they account for over one third of Mr S Brown - Dorchester Mrs K Price - Bournemouth our voluntary income, contributing significantly to the success of Mrs C Cutmore - Poole our conservation work. Mr A L Reek & Mrs J Stewart - Sherborne So as well as leaving gifts to loved ones in your Will, please Mr P Dexter - Yeovil consider leaving a gift to Butterfly Conservation; it will help to Ms C & Miss L Richardson - Port- Mr D Duke - Gillingham land ensure butterflies and moths thrive in the years to come. Mrs S & Mr J Dutton - Ringwood For more information about leaving a gift to Butterfly Conservation Mr J Rose - Blandford and sharing your love of butterflies and moths with future Miss R Edwards & Mr Z Taylor - Mrs G & Dr C Stanley & Family - generations please contact Helen Corrigan on 01273 453313 or Bournemouth Sherborne [email protected] alternatively please write to Ms D Gilbert - Swanage Helen at Butterfly Conservation, Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Mr P Swann - Wimborne Wareham, BH20 5QP Mr J & Mrs G Gould - Dorchester Miss S Thomas - Poole
Dr M & Mrs J Halsall - Wareham Mr C Williams - Sturminster Newton Thank you for your support. Mrs R Johnson - Bournemouth Mr D & Mrs M Yeomans - Gillingham
25 26 NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE Dorset Branch Who’s Who DEADLINES MEETINGS www.dorsetbutterflies.com
st 31 August PRESIDENT: WEBSITE CO-ORDINATOR: For mid-September publication All members are welcome to Brian Dicker * Lyn Pullen * attend committee meetings. Wincanton Winfrith Newburgh 01963 32453 01305 853946 [email protected] [email protected] th 28 February For late-March publication HEALTH & SAFETY: CHAIR & RESERVES MANAGER: Keith Howland * To find out further details about Nigel Spring * Pimperne If you would like to submit Sherborne [email protected] something for the next when and where the next 01963 23559 or 07981 776767 [email protected] newsletter please send your committee meeting is taking COMMITTEE MEMBER: articles in by these dates at the place, and how you can attend, Richard Norman * latest. Many thanks to the SECRETARY, GARDEN RECORDS & Sturminster Newton please get in touch with Adrian WIDER COUNTRYSIDE SURVEY: people that have contributed 01258 472887 Neil (01305 832937 or Adrian Neil * richard@bagber.co.uk articles to this current edition. Preston, Weymouth [email protected]) 01305 832937 [email protected] MEETINGS: We are always in need of for details. Arthur Bryant articles and line drawings, so West Moors TREASURER: 01202 892816 please put pen to paper, or Georgie Laing * [email protected] your finger to keyboard, and Weymouth 01395 766712 send in your contributions. [email protected] CONSERVATION OFFICER: Richard Belding Dorchester BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION MEMBERSHIP & BRANCH LIAISON: 01305 264868 Company limited by guarantee, Mrs Robin George * [email protected] registered in England (2206468) Gillingham Registered Office: Manor Yard, East Lulworth, 01747 824215 Wareham, Dorset BH20 5QP [email protected] DISPLAY CO-ORDINATION: TREASURER’S NOTE Charity registered in England & Wales Bridget de Whalley (254937) Winterborne Stickland and in Scotland (SCO39268) RECORDS: 01258 880524 Tel: 01929 400209 Fax 01929 400210 Bill Shreeves * [email protected] st email: [email protected] Shaftesbury Bank balance at 31 www.butterfly-conservation.org 01747 852587 August 2015: [email protected] NEWSLETTER: PLEASE NOTE THE OPINIONS Guy Freeman EXPRESSED IN THIS NEWSLETTER ARE [email protected] NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF MOTH CO-ORDINATOR: THE SOCIETY OR THE BRANCH Bob Steedman * £18,630 Wimborne SALES STALL: All material in this magazine 01202 884671 Kathie & Richard Clarke © 2014 Butterfly Conservation Dorset Branch [email protected] Shaftesbury 01747 853236
* Branch Committee Member 27