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Chairman’s Letter BUTTERFLY AND AsBUTTERFLY you will all be aware, Bobby Knowles, AND our long-standing BUTTERFLY & MOTH Newsletter Editor, has at last retired from the posit ion. Our appeals for someone to take over had not yielded any volunteers, but in August, a notice about the vacancy on the Branch Website was MOTHNEWS & EVENTS EVENTS MOTH EVENTS seen by someone who has offered to take over from Bobby. His name is Guy Freeman and he lives in Lytchett Matravers. He is a in studentin Dorset in his final year at Exeter University studying for a degree in Ecology, based in Falmouth. Guy has previously done some work which Bill Shreeves speaks very highly of, surveying Silver-studded No. 72 Blues,No. consistently72 covering large numbers of squares & finding colonies which had been “lost” for years. Autumn 2012 Autumn 2012 So this somewhat shortened newsletter is Guy’s first “production” for us, largely consisting of the Events List plus this short letter from me. We are delighted that Guy has offered to take over as

Newsletter Editor, and welcome him to the Branch. Obviously producing future editions will need to fit in with the demands of Guy’s studies, but we hope that they will have a wider content than this somewhat truncated issue, to which end, articles for the newsletter are always welcome.

The weather this summer has not been good for butterflies,

particularly in the early summer. The wettest summer for a hundred years, following a cold spring, has resulted in declines in many common species, as we have noticed from their absence in our gardens. Fortunately, the weather improved in the late summer, bringing welcome numbers of butterflies into our gardens at last. Not

all butterflies did badly over the summer, and in meadow areas with long grass and wild flowers, of which we have many in Dorset, grassland species such as Meadow Brown, Ringlet and Marbled White have done very well. As a result of the recent improved

Compiled by the Dorset weather, migrants have beenCompiled doing well, with by many the sightings Dorset of Branch of Butterfly Clouded Yellows, Red Admirals, SilverBranch Ys, and of two ButterflyMonarchs, one in Portland attracting a lot of national publicity as it was around for Conservation several days. Conservation

2 Butterflies indoors As a nation, we are probably fortunate that some of the best weather coincided with the Olympics and Paralympics. Those of you who visited the Olympic Park will surely have been as impressed as As Jane has mentioned, this newsletter will be somewhat shorter than I was with the extensive planting of wild flowers over large areas of our usual publication, although normal service will be resumed in the the park, attracting good numbers of butterflies including Small spring! However, with winter rapidly approaching, the following advice from Lynn Formison seemed particularly appropriate for use in this Tortoiseshells, Red admirals, Peacocks, Small and Large Whites, current edition. and Common Blues. Lynn notes that it is often at Christmas time that butterflies, particularly We have had mixed fortunes with our website this summer. Lyn has Small Tortoiseshells, are discovered hibernating indoors. In this holiday worked hard developing the website, with many new features and season people who have extra guests might start heating the spare improved news pages. However, we have suffered two setbacks: room, thereby awakening a butterfly from its slumbers. the first involves the online sightings facility, which ceased in June following technical changes after a viral attack on our host server. A number of our butterflies spend the winter as adults and hibernation We have developed a stop-gap solution to enable sightings to be is an important part of the lifecycle. To ensure that any butterflies which logged and manually input for display on the website, and have also have been disturbed can resume hibernation as soon as possible, Lynn offers the following advice: been developing a new sightings facility which will automate the If it is a sunny day, release the butterfly outside, where it will be able to process between a sighting being logged on the website, and being seek out a new spot to hibernate. displayed. We are tantalisingly close to this being completed, but If weather conditions are unsuitable for release outside, then, using a sadly Steve Bennett, who provides technical support for the website, container and a piece of card, gently capture the butterfly and place it has been unwell, delaying completion. in the fridge (not the freezer!) for half an hour. This will cool the insect down and render it inactive again. As the summer draws to a close, we start the work of inputting Next, relocate it to a shed, garage, or unheated room in the house – transect and casual sightings data sent in by you all for inclusion in preferably with gaps to allow the butterfly to make its own exit in the the national recording databases. We also begin the hard work on spring. maintaining our reserves and other butterfly sites – see the Events It is common for Peacocks to be disturbed in outside locations. Lynn List for details of work parties over the next few months if you would reports that in the past she has found them in her log shed and in like to help. stacks of hay bales. When they sensed her presence they emitted their I hope you have a good autumn and winter, recharging your characteristic hissing sound! Lynn also heard from a lady who, at the batteries for a good summer next year! onset of cold weather, took down her horse rugs which were hanging in an open fronted barn only to find many Peacocks hibernating there.

It is always interesting to learn more about the hibernation habits of our Jane Smith butterflies, so if you encounter any this winter please do share your discoveries with us via our website: www.dorsetbutterflies.com.

3 4 SUNDAY 7 OCTOBER scrub management work. There will Butterfly Conservation Dorset Branch CONSERVATION ACTION DAY be a bonfire with soup and baked Lankham Bottom Reserve potatoes for lunch. Butterfly Conservation is an organisation dedicated to saving wild We continue the task of gorse and Do join us if you can between butterflies and moths and their habitats. Dorset has a very active branch of thorn scrub clearance on this 10.00 am and 4.00 pm. the Society, which as well as carrying out conservation work, organises important downland reserve with Alners Gorse reserve entrance is guided walks and survey days. Dorset Countryside Volunteers who on the road from Hazelbury Bryan will also be working there on the to Kings Stag beside the Hazelbury • Everybody is welcome to all events , except the few marked ‘members Saturday. Bryan village sign and 30 mph sign. only’ Meet 10.00 am. The reserve Park on the road verge well away entrance is off the minor road from from the bend, map reference ST to the A37, about ½ mile 736100. • Most events are free - if there is a charge it will be mentioned in the from the A37. Park inside the listing, unless it is an event put together by another organisation, metal gate at map reference ST For further information please when we may not have received the relevant information 606004. contact Nigel Spring on 01963 23559 or 07981 776767 or email • Butterflies will not fly unless it is fairly warm and sunny , so if the Contact is Nigel Spring on 01963 [email protected]. weather makes you dubious you are welcome to phone the 23559 or 07981 776767, or email contact listed for each walk [email protected] . SATURDAY 20 OCTOBER CERNE DOWNS ECOLOGY • Some of the walks are on private land which is not open to the PROJECT public at times other than those stated SATURDAY 13 OCTOBER There will be a practical conservation day from 10.00 am to WOODLAND MANAGEMENT DAY 4.00 pm along the downland at Conservation Work Days start at 10.00 am (ending around • Duncliffe Hill (North Dorset) Giant Hill, , to 3.30 pm) and are suitable for all the family except the very young. Children Work parties meet monthly at this continue restoration of the ancient should be accompanied. Please wear stout footwear and protective gloves, Woodland Trust site to carry out a chalk grassland for many important and bring a packed lunch. You are advised to ensure your tetanus variety of conservation tasks, such butterfly species. injections are up to date. as coppicing, tree thinning and We shall be managing scrub and scrub clearance aimed at creating tree clearance, whilst potatoes For further information about the Society, please contact the better and more varied habitats for cooked in the bonfire can be Branch Secretary Sue Rawles on butterflies and the other fauna and enjoyed at lunchtime. Hand tools 01305 268471 or [email protected], or visit the website: flora of the wood. are provided but please bring your Meet 10.00 am in Scotchey Lane, own gloves. www.dorsetbutterflies.com Stour Provost, adjacent to the west The initial meeting point is the picnic area car park opposite the entrance to the wood. Map BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION village hall, map reference ST reference ST 816223. Company limited by guarantee 663015, from where we shall walk to the activity areas. We look Registered in England (2206468) Contact is Ian Hounsell on 01747 forward to meeting with everyone Registered Office: Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset BH20 5QP 841089. who might be interested and Charity registered in England & Wales (254937) and in Scotland (SCO39268) available. Tel: 01929 400209 Fax 01929 400210 email: SUNDAY 14 OCTOBER For further information contact CONSERVATION ACTION DAY Adam Gale on 01935 508842 or [email protected] Alners Gorse 07557 358587 or e-mail www.butterfly-conservation.org We continue the woodland and [email protected].

5 6 SATURDAY 27 OCTOBER Meet 10.00 am and park in the lay- SATURDAY 17 NOVEMBER SATURDAY 8 DECEMBER CONSERVATION WORK DAY by just outside the village on the NATIONAL ANNUAL GENERAL WOODLAND MANAGEMENT Broadcroft Quarry Butterfly to Sturminster road, MEETING DAY Reserve, Portland map reference ST 736137. This year’s AGM will be held at the Duncliffe Hill Broadcroft is a Dorset Butterfly Nottingham Belfry Hotel. See October 13 for details. Conservation reserve managed Contact is Colin Burningham on Full details in national magazine specifically for butterflies, notably 01935 873219. ‘Butterfly’ 111 and on BC national SUNDAY 9 DECEMBER the Silver-studded Blue. To find the website www.butterfly- BROWN HAIRSTREAK EGG reserve, turn off Easton Road into SUNDAY 4 NOVEMBER conservation.org. SEARCH and CONSERVATION Grove Road and about 100 yards CONSERVATION WORK DAY WORK DAY on, turn right onto a track (opposite Cashmoor Down (North Dorset) SATURDAY 17 NOVEMBER Alners Gorse Portland Football Club) which leads Today’s task is scrub removal from CONSERVATION WORK DAY As well as the regular scrub to the car park, map reference SY banks as well as strimming the Fifehead Wood management work there is the 695723. Meet 10.00 am. cleared areas. See October 27 for details. chance to take part in the annual Meet 10.00 am at the top of the Brown Hairstreak egg search for Contact is Bernard Franklin on bridleway that leaves the A354 at SUNDAY 18 NOVEMBER some or all of the day. 07711 304412 or Nigel Spring on the eastern end of the Cashmoor CONSERVATION ACTION DAY Meet 10.00 am at Alners Gorse, 01963 23559. 50 mph speed restriction, map Lankham Bottom Reserve map reference ST 737100. reference ST 980139. See October 7 for details. Brown Hairstreak eggs are quite easy to see once you know what to SATURDAY 27 OCTOBER Contact is Arthur Bryant on 01202 SUNDAY 25 NOVEMBER look for and are more readily CONSERVATION WORK DAY 892816. CONSERVATION WORK DAY counted than the elusive butterflies, Fifehead Wood (North Dorset) Lydlinch Common (North Dorset) so this is an important exercise. Organised by the Woodland Trust, SATURDAY 10 NOVEMBER See October 28 for details. Training will be given. Wear conservation tasks primarily involve CONSERVATION ACTION DAY waterproof footwear and bring a the continuation of rotational hazel Alners Gorse SUNDAY 2 DECEMBER packed lunch if attending all day. coppicing and general maintenance See October 14 for details. CONSERVATION ACTION DAY The afternoon egg search will be of rides and paths. Meet 10.00 am Broadcroft Butterfly Reserve, carried out on Rooksmoor at the lay-by on the road from the Portland Common and the meeting time for A30 (mid-way between Sherborne SATURDAY 10 NOVEMBER See October 27 for details. this is 1.00pm at the reserve and ) to the village of WOODLAND MANAGEMENT entrance. Alners Gorse reserve Fifehead Magdalen, map reference DAY SATURDAY 8 DECEMBER entrance is on the road from ST 779217. Duncliffe Hill Butterfly and Moth Wing Hazelbury Bryan to Kings Stag See October 13 for details. Patterns: What birds see and we beside the Hazelbury Bryan village Contact is Tony Copper on 01963 don't sign and 30 mph sign. Park on the 250415. A talk by Professor Philip Howse road verge well away from the SUNDAY 11 NOVEMBER 2.30 pm at Natural bend, map reference ST 736100. SUNDAY 28 OCTOBER CERNE DOWNS ECOLOGY Science Society, 39 Christchurch For further information on the work CONSERVATION WORK DAY PROJECT Road, Bournemouth. party please contact Nigel Spring Lydlinch Common (North Dorset) See October 20 for details. on 01963 23559 or 07981 776767 Lydlinch is part of an area that is Contact is Mark Spencer on 01202 or email [email protected] crucial to the Marsh Fritillary, 760621. For further information on the Brown Hairstreak egg search and conservation work is vital to ensure that the habitat is kept please contact Brian Dicker on suitable for its survival at this site. 01963 32453, or call 07817 301203 on the day.

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SATURDAY 15 DECEMBER SATURDAY 9 FEBRUARY SATURDAY 23 FEBRUARY There is a charge of £3 to cover CONSERVATIONButterfly WORKConservation DAY runningDorset costs. Branch Enquiries and offers ButterflyCONSERVATION Conservation ACTION DAY Dorset BUTTERFLY Branch TRENDS IN WEST Fifehead Wood of assistance to Brian and Sylvia Broadcroft Butterfly Reserve, DORSET AND PORTLAND ButterflySee October Conservation 27 for details. is an organisationDicker dedicated on 01963 to saving32453. wildAlso ButterflyPortland Conservation is an organisationAll are dedicated welcome to thissaving wild butterflies and moths and their habitats.please Dorset advise has aof very any dietaryactive butterfliesSee October and 27 moths for details. and their habitats.presentation Dorset has of the a very results active from branchSUNDAY of the 16 Society, DECEMBER which as well as requirementscarrying out e.g.conser glutenvation free, and branch of the Society, which as well asbutterfly carrying recording out conser in Westvation Dorset work,CERNE organises DOWNS guided ECOLOGY walks and surveyplease days. get in touch if you would like work, organises guided walks and surveyin 2012. days. Please come along if you PROJECT to car-share or need a lift to the SATURDAY 9 FEBRUARY might be interested in taking part • EverybodySee October is 20 welcome for details. to all events event., except the few marked •WOODLAND Everybody MANAGEMENTis welcome to DAYall events in the, except monitoring the infew 2013. marked Walks Duncliffe Hill covered are Brackett’s Coppice, 'members only' ‘members only’ See October 13 for details. Black Hill, Chard Junction, Cerne SUNDAY 30 DECEMBER SATURDAY 19 JANUARY CONSERVATION WORK DAY Giant, Southfield Hog Cliff, Most events are free - if there is a chargeCONSERVATION it will be mentioned WORK DAY in Most events are free - if there is a charge it will be mentioned in • Lydlinch Common Fifehead Wood • Kingcombe, Lankham, Lorton the Seelisting, October unless 28 it for is andetails. event put togetherSee byOctober another 27 organisation,for details. theSATURDAY listing, unless 9 FEBRUARY it is an event put togetherMeadows, by another , organisation, Portland when we may not have received the relevant information whenWOODLAND we may MANAGEMENTnot have received DAY the relevant(Broadcroft, informat Perryfieldsion and Tout), SATURDAY 12 JANUARY Duncliffe Hill Radipole and Stonebarrow. There • ButterfliesWOODLAND will MANAGEMENT not fly unless it is fairlySUNDAY warm 20 and JANUARY sunny , so if •See Butterflies October 13will for not details. fly unless it iswill fairly also warm be a review and sunny of the special, so if the DAYweather makes you dubious you areCONSERVATION welcome to phone ACTION the DAY the weather makes you dubious you siteare surveyswelcome carried to phone out for the the contactDuncliffe listed Hillfor each walk Alners Gorse contact listed for each walk Regional Action Plan in this part of See October 13 for details. See October 14 for details. SUNDAY 10 FEBRUARY the county and other interesting CONSERVATION WORK DAY general and garden records. Some of the walks are on private land which is not open to the Some of the walks are on private land which is not open to the • •Langford Valley N.B. The venue is Toller publicSATURDAY at times other 12 JANUARY than those stated public at times other than those stated CERNE DOWNS ECOLOGY See Feb 2 for details. Porcorum Village Hall, start time SUNDAY 27 JANUARY PROJECT CONSERVATION WORK DAY 2.00 pm. • ConservationSee October 20 Work for details. Days start at 10.00Lydlinch am (ending Common around • Conservation Work Days start at 10.00The map am reference (ending aroundis SY562980 3.30 pm) and are suitable for all the familySee except October t he28 veryfor details. young. 3.30SATURDAY pm) and 16 are FEBRUARY suitable for all the familyand the except postcode the DT2 very 0DT. young. ChildrenSUNDAY should 13 JANUARY be accompanied. Please wear stout footwear and ChildrenCERNE DOWNSshould be ECOLOGY accompanied. PleaseFrom wearthe A356, stout drive footwe downar intoand protectiveCONSERVATION gloves, and ACTION bring a DAY packed lunch. You are advised to protectivePROJECT gloves, and bring a packedToller lunch. Porcorum, You are over advise a smalld to ensureLankham your tetanus Bottom injections Reserve are up to date.SATURDAY 2 FEBRUARY ensureSee October your tetanus 20 for details. injections are up tobridge date. then second right See October 7 for details. CONSERVATION WORK DAY (School Lane) then left into For further information about the Society,Langford please Valley, contact for the the Duke of For further information about the ChurchSociety, Mead please to Village contact Hall the SATURDAY 19Branch JANUARY Secretary SueBurgundy Rawles on SATURDAY 16 FEBRUARYBranch Secretary SueFrom Rawles on follow sign to Toller CONSERVATION WORK DAY Porcorum, then down into village, 01305MEMBERS 268471 orAFTERNOON [email protected], Meet 10.00 or visit am atthe the website: field gate 01305 268471 or [email protected], or visit the website: This is our annual social event beyond Langford Farm Cottages, Fifehead Wood over old railway bridge, then first where, after somewww.dorsetbutterflies.com formal near Lower Magiston, map See October 27 forwww.dorsetbutterflies.com details. left (School Lane) presentations, members can share reference ST 639958. Take the their experiences, meetBUTTERFLY new CONSERVATIONminor road northwards from BUTTERFLY CONSERVATIONContact is Keith Miller on 01300 SUNDAY 17 FEBRUARY 321007. members and chat. CompanyWe meet limited at by guaranteeStratton to Sydling St. Nicholas Company limited by guarantee the Village Hall, The Recreation along the Sydling Water. At the CONSERVATION ACTION DAY Registered in England (2206468) Registered in England (2206468) Ground , Morden, near Wareham crossroads turn right into the Alners Gorse SUNDAY 24 FEBRUARY BH20Registered 7DL Office: from 2Manor to 5 pmYard, with East tea Lulworth, Langford Wareham, valley Dorset and BH20 to the 5QP farm. SeeRegistered October Office:14 for Manordetails. Yard, East Lulworth,CONSERVATION Wareham, Dorset WORK BH20 5QPDAY Charityand cakes. registered Parking in England is available & Wales at (254937) and in Scotland (SCO39268) Charity registered in England & Wales (254937)Lydlinch and in Common Scotland (SCO39268) the hall. Map referenceTel: 01929 SY 400209 911950. Fax 01929Contact 400210 is Brian Dicker on 01963 Tel: 01929 400209 FaxSee 01929 October 400210 28 for details.

email: [email protected], or call 07817 301203 on the email: [email protected] day. www.butterfly-conservation.org www.butterfly-conservation.org

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FRIDAY 1 MARCH Lulworth Estate, Studland & Ferry FRIDAY 15 MARCH SATURDAY 23 MARCH BUTTERFLY TRENDS IN EAST Road West, Tadnoll, Townsend, NORTH DORSET WALKERS AND BRANCH MEMBERS DAY AND DORSET Wareham Walls, and the REGIONAL SURVEYORS AGM All are welcome to this presentation miniature walks along the Purbeck MEETING Your yearly opportunity to find out on the trends in butterfly numbers Chalk Ridge. All are welcome to hear reports on about the latest news and revealed by the surveys monitoring 7.30 pm at the Methodist Hall, North 2012 recording and plans for the developments within the Branch. east Dorset in 2012. Walks and Street, Wareham. 2013 campaign, as well as a report Regional Action Plan (RAP) on recent moth recording in the The programme will consist of: surveys covered are those at Avon Contact is Jon Bellamy on 01929 area. Please come along if you are * AGM and Chairman’s summary Heath, Badbury Rings, Garston 450182. interested or wish to help on any of of the year Wood, , Iford the Regional Action Plan (RAP) * A talk by Professor Jeremy Landfill, Kinson Common, Moors surveys or butterfly counting walks, Thomas - ‘Butterflies, ants and Valley, Mude Valley, Pamphill SATURDAY 9 MARCH which are: Alners Gorse, Cashmoor parasitoids’ Moor, Sopley Common, Sovell WOODLAND MANAGEMENT DAY Down, Clubmen's Down, Deadmoor * Tea Duncliffe Hill Down, Stanpit, Stour Valley, Upton Common, Duncliffe Wood, Fifehead * Members’ slides and digital Heath and Wimborne St. Giles. See October 13 for details. Wood, Fontmell Down, Hod Hill, photos - show your slides/photos of Jerry's Hole, Lydlinch Common, butterflies, moths, life stages and 7.30 pm at St. Catherine's Church Melbury Down, Milldown, Piddles Branch events. It will be helpful to Hall on the corner of Leigh Road SUNDAY 10 MARCH Wood, Rooksmoor and know in advance if you wish to and Lewens Lane, Wimborne. CERNE DOWNS ECOLOGY Stubhampton Bottom. contribute, so please contact Brian Contact is Bill Shreeves on 01747 PROJECT 7.30 pm at East Stour Village Hall, Dicker on 01963 23559 or by email 852587. See October 20 for details. [email protected]. map reference ST 804234. This is next to the playing field on the left 2.00 - 5.30 at Puddletown Village of the road from East Stour to SUNDAY 3 MARCH TUESDAY 12 MARCH Hall DT2 8RX, map reference SY CONSERVATION ACTION DAY LIFE CYCLES OF DORSET Gillingham. 757942. There is free parking in the Lankham Bottom Reserve BUTTERFLIES and MOTHS adjacent school car park. If you Joint with DWT Group See October 7 for details. Contact is Bill Shreeves on 01747 require any further details or can An illustrated talk by Mark Spencer. 852587. offer help on the day, please 7.30 pm at Carter Community contact Sue Rawles on 01305 THURSDAY 7 MARCH School, Blandford Close, 268471. BUTTERFLY TRENDS IN SOUTH Hamworthy BH15 5BQ. DORSET SATURDAY 16 MARCH All are welcome to attend this Contact is Ken Yeates on 01202 CONSERVATION WORK DAY presentation of the results of the 674998. Fifehead Wood SUNDAY 24 MARCH south Dorset Transect and See October 27 for details. CONSERVATION WORK DAY Regional Action Plan (RAP) Lydlinch Common surveys in 2012 and the resulting See October 28 for details . trends in butterfly numbers. Please come along if you might be interested in joining any of our Look at Butterfly Conservation’s website many butterfly counting walks, www.butterfly-conservation.org including those at , and the Dorset Branch website www.dorsetbutterflies.com to find out , Corfe West Hill, Corfe Common, Durlstons, Hethfelton, more about our reserves

Higher Hyde, Langton Westwood,

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