Commathe No.101 Autumn 2018 Regional Magazine of West Midlands Butterfly Conservation Day-flying moths: species to be seen in the Malverns BioBlitz: Chris Packham visits Prees Heath Branch News Branch News Holidays and the Forestry Chairman's Address Commission, which is a public Peter Seal body. In response, the Minister The Editor speaks Butterfly of the Year 2018 egg searches. Oh, and those who’ve announced that the deal – which I have some experience of editing a magazine, as Peter has said, but I’m a butterfly novice and a moth non-starter I’ve heard people discussing which posted such evocative photos on did not involve a tendering process Marian Newell species will be Butterfly of the Year in Facebook. The Wood White has – is to be investigated by her so I hope you’ll forgive any early mistakes. I’ve inherited Cover story 2018. Apart from the joys of a successful responded to all this encouragement, Department. The Branch will register an established team and hope we’ll be able to go from strength to strength Cover photograph of Buff-tip moth Wood White season, my favoured providing hard evidence to support the its concern that any proposal must together. I’ll be looking for articles of around 500–750 words, supported caterpillars was taken by Lucy sightings were 13 White Admirals in bid for more money. take fully into account the need to by high-resolution images sent as separate files without editing or resizing. Lewis. You can read more about the Monkwood, and 11 Peacocks in Trench protect this historic and sensitive I’d like to reflect as wide a range of interests as possible, so please send moths to be seen by day in the Wood (after seeing ones and twos for New magazine editor environment. suggestions to [email protected]. Malvern Hills on pages 12–15. over a year). I wish Small Tortoiseshell Perhaps the main Branch news is that An idea from me is for someone to write about identifying butterflies on the were a candidate but, sadly, this species Marian Newell has taken over from Online moth atlas wing. I find this difficult for the Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey. continues to struggle – maybe there are as Magazine Editor. This Another project that’s been Stephen Lewis Marian Newell, Comma Editor Contributions more where you live? Do send your is her first issue but she brings previous bubbling away is an online moth Please send articles and images to nominations to [email protected] experience to the role. Our sincere atlas for the West Midlands. the Editor. Photographs should be – winners (and losers) will be announced thanks to Stephen for his stint, while Progress is slow but sure. We’ve that at the same time if you don’t yet partnership with other conservation as high-resolution as possible and in the next Comma. continuing as warden of Prees Heath, identified someone who can set up have one. bodies, clearance work and sent as separate files (not embed- and a warm welcome to Marian. a database with an atlas for each planting are scheduled within a ded in a document). Wood White update county and a separate file for Management strategies broader management plan. An Our copy deadlines are To expand on the Wood White story, Save Mortimer Forest phenology. County recorders will I recently half-heard a debate about example that I know about is Spring - 28 February, the re-introductions have proved very An issue brought to our attention in then have to undertake the process whether some reserves are recently funded contractor work (and Autumn - 31 August and successful. On the strength of this, the early summer was the setting up of the of checking or entering verified managed for one species only, and supporting volunteer activity) to clear Winter - 30 November Branch is supporting a Head Office bid Save Mortimer Forest campaign group records – a sizeable task. The atlas butterflies were given as an trees, scrub and alien vegetation (early submissions are welcome). to extend the life of the Making a in response to a plan to build up to 68 will eventually be linked to our own example. This is an interesting issue from a series of woodland rides: this Contact the Editor for more Stand for the Wood White project. If luxury chalets in the Forest – well known West Midlands website, with some and one that’s covered in a new only indirectly benefits butterflies – its information. successful, this will enable Butterfly to us as a prime site for Wood Whites. introductory notes. book, The Nature of the Malverns direct effect is to create lighter Editor: Marian Newell, Conservation to further enhance known More than 130,000 people have A future phase might involve a (see page 32). conditions in which plants grow [email protected] sites and bring neighbouring woods objected to the proposals and signed photo gallery and, eventually, It is true that some work, say more freely, thus increasing nectar into suitable condition to help this frail petitions against the scheme. The species accounts with details of life clearing scrub to benefit plants and sources for a range of insects. butterfly to spread, either by natural campaign has been broadened to link stages, habitats, food plants and so insects, may not suit birds or Finally, what about urban Publisher colonisation or planned introductions. (I with other campaigns nationally. on. However, we’ll have to decide dormice. However, I’d contend butterflies and moths? If this topic Butterfly Conservation West Midlands say ‘frail’ but it’s quite capable of flying In Parliament on 12 July, Philip whether this website is the best that, in most cases, work done for interests you, I hope to see you at Branch. The opinions expressed in in marginal conditions.) Dunne, local MP and national Species place for it. butterflies benefits other species. As our Branch AGM on 24 November this magazine are not necessarily I’d like to thank all the volunteers Champion for the Wood White, raised Related to this, I read in the an example, the Making a Stand (see page 29). Dr Phil Sterling those of the Branch or of Butterfly who’ve worked through the winter, and the proposal with the Environment Butterfly magazine of a plan to for the Wood White project identifies will talk about his role as Building Conservation. those who’ve participated in transect Minister, asking if she was satisfied with publish next year a Macro Moth secondary target species, not Sites for Butterflies Programme BC West Midlands Butterflies walks, casual record submissions and the arrangements between Forest Atlas for Great Britain and only other butterflies (White-letter Manager, engaging with relevant and Moths Ireland. You can pre-order it from Hairstreak and Dingy Skipper) local planners to enhance the built Butterfly Conservation www.naturebureau.co.uk/bookshop, but also Slow-worms, Grass Snakes environment. Company limited by guarantee, registered in England (2206468) West Midlands saving £10 on the published price. and Lizards. That’s quite different @WestMidlands_BC Registered office: Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset BH20 5QP. As this is also the publisher of from single-species strategies such Peter Seal Branch Chair Branch website address Charity registered in England & Wales (254937) and in Scotland (SCO39268) our own Butterflies of the West as rearing Pheasants. www.westmidlands-butterflies.org.uk Midlands, you can order a copy of Also, as we tend to operate in 2 the Comma Autumn 2018 3 Branch News Branch News West Midlands Branch nears 40th anniversary John Tilt receives Celebrating our successes zine three times a year, which is book) where, as a result of a lot of that some butterfly and moth species Wildlife Trust Award Next year will mark our Branch’s highly valued by our members and effort often working alongside are decreasing in both number and We welcome news that John has been awarded the Worcestershire 40th anniversary. The first regional has just passed its 100th issue. Butterfly Conservation’s regional range, and we clearly need to Wildlife Medal for ‘dedicated services to nature conservation’. The branch of Butterfly Conservation to We’ve run and supported staff and in partnership with other maintain our efforts to arrest these Trust’s statement pays tribute to his longstanding commitment to prac- be established, back in 1979, campaigns to secure better man- organisations, we’ve successfully declines. Nevertheless, we want to tical conservation and to recording. This includes John’s work as But- we’re now one of the charity’s agement of hedgerows, road stemmed the tide of loss and stress the positives and highlight terfly Conservation Transect Coordinator and leading creator of the largest and most active branches. verges and public open spaces, decline. We’ve been able to in- how Butterfly Conservation, through County’s Ancient Tree Recording scheme. It goes without saying that, With partner organisations, and encouraged other groups to crease population and distribution in its regional staff and its volunteers, with his 21 years as Grafton Wood Reserve Manager, time as we’re responsible for managing consider the needs of butterflies and some cases, such as Brown Hair- can really make a difference. Branch Chairman and involvement in our book, John fully deserves five fantastic nature reserves which, other insects through our Places for streak in Worcestershire, Pearl-bor- Nationally, we sometimes sell this award. He’s not bad with a camera either – this photo of a pair largely thanks to our volunteers, are Pollinators initiative. Two years dered Fritillary in the Wyre Forest, ourselves short by giving the false of Wood Whites taken by him reveals his more delicate side! brilliant places to see butterflies and ago, we produced the first ever Silver-studded Blue in Shropshire impression that we’re only monitor- moths.