EAST MIDLANDS ButterflyISSUE 66 - SPRING 2020 IN THIS ISSUE Coronavirus update The Fritillary Butterflies of Derbyshire INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION Contents Welcome Branch Organiser’s Notes Welcome 2 o the Spring 2020 issue of the East Midland Branch s I write this we are still unsure to him and Pat. Again information for Cover Picture: Branch Organiser’s Notes 3 of Butterfly Conservation’s Newsletter. Thanks to all how the Coronavirus will affect transect walking is on the web site. Dingy Skipper those who have contributed articles for this issue. Weleda – a natural T our events so please keep Photo: I had started to write these notes early this year, but A I am really pleased to report that Mark Searle partnership 4 checking our web site: little did I know then how events would overtake them. we now have a new BC Regional East Midlands Branch We are experiencing the most unprecedented times www.eastmidlands-butterflies.org.uk Conservation Manager - Midlands, AGM 2019 5-12 for a generation and, sadly, we have had to cancel for up to date information. Rhona Goddard. Rhona has been a part The Fritillary Butterflies of our programme of events. Rest assured if things do A very big welcome to all the new time employee of Butterfly Conservation change we will update our website accordingly. Derbyshire 13-18 members who have recently joined since 2014 for the West Midlands Conkers was to be the venue for our branch AGM and our branch. As our numbers here in Branch. She was mostly involved in Members Day in November, unfortunately it had to be the East Midlands have reached 2000 The Wood White Project, but is very changed at very short notice due to flooding. we are now beginning to see what knowledgeable about all species of Branch Organiser Jane Broomhead was able to find a very good alternative venue at The National Brewery Centre in a difference we can make towards butterflies and moths. Although she Right: Burton-upon-Trent. The day included an interesting talk by recording and habitat loss. Over the will be covering a large area called ‘The Silver-washed Dr. Phil Sterling, about verge-side management. winter the work parties for the Grizzled Midlands’ she will be full time and is Fritillary I’m sure all present will agree it was very Skipper Project, who had around 30 happy to help with a variety of projects Photo: Eliot Taylor well organised event in a brewery! volunteers at each site, are making such here in the East Midlands. We are still The branch welcomes the new Regional Conservation a difference in reversing the decline of hoping that the Mosaic Landscapes Manager - Midlands, Rhona Goddard. the Grizzled Skipper. Bill Bacon, our Project will find funding in 2020 and Since starting her new role in January, Rhona has ex-chairman, is amazing in his support Rhona is anxious that as much recording been getting to know her new and quite large region. In the East Midlands, Rhona will be working closely for this iconic butterfly, walking miles of as possible takes place (subject to with the branch to benefit two priority species for the disused railway and bringing contractors restrictions with the coronavirus) New Members 18 region; Grizzled Skipper and Dingy Skipper, as well in where necessary. A huge thank especially during the Grizzled and as supporting all the excellent partnership working Committee Members 19 you to Bill and also to Chris Jackson Dingy Skipper flight season. the branch has developed over many years. (Notts CC) who arranges and manages Photography Showcase 20 After a very inspirational talk from Phil Take care and stay safe. the work parties on our behalf. Eliot Taylor Sterling, from head office, at the branch Along with Suzanne, our AGM, I think we are now aware that Nottinghamshire Recorder, I recently many of the brownfield sites are getting A message from Butterfly Conservation head office: attended one of Ken & Pat’s Transect too fertile and I worry this will mean Training Days at Attenborough and of the decline of the Dingy Skipper Coronavirus Covid-19 enjoyed meeting some very enthusiastic and Common Blue butterflies. Should All Butterfly Conservation events are cancelled until further notice. members who were all anxious to we be able to obtain the necessary help with recording. Richard Jeffery, funding for this project we hope, We are doing everything we can to provide support and reassurance to our staff, volunteers and supporters in these uncertain and challenging times. We wish to play our part in keeping people our Leicestershire Recorder, also working with other land owners and healthy and safe. held a similar training session and partners, to be able to reverse this. Following government guidance, we have decided all of our events involving staff and volunteers we feel that after these the number I hope you all keep safe and well during must be cancelled. This includes both indoor and outdoor activities. of members recording or setting up the current situation. Lets hope with We will review arrangements for future months in due course in light of any updates to transects throughout the branch is less pollution maybe our butterflies government guidance and share updates on our website and social media channels and by email very heartening. We have in the past and moths will enjoy a resurgence. to those registered with us. felt that areas, other than Derbyshire Jane Broomhead These are exceptional times and we will work to support each other and keep you updated. where Ken has a comprehensive network, were not being monitored as Branch Organiser Please keep checking our web site for updates as guidance may alter: we would like. Ken delivered yet another www.eastmidlands-butterflies.org.uk impressive morning and my thanks go 2 www.eastmidlands-butterflies.org.uk butterfly-conservation.org/in-your-area/east-midlands-branch 3 CONSERVATION BRANCH AGM & MEMBERS DAY 2019 East Midlands Branch Butterfly Conservation Members’ Day and AGM 2019 Held on 17 November 2019 at Our butterflies and moths are demising at The National Brewery Centre, Burton-on-Trent such an alarming rate and as we are the only PRESENT (56): Adrian Russell (Chairman), Jane charity to wholly support butterflies and moths Broomhead (Branch Organiser), Richard Jeffery, I want to say a big thank you to everyone for Jim Steele, Ken Orpe, Pat Orpe, Christine all their recording help during the past year. Maughan, Max Maughan, Mick Ball, Eliot Taylor, Richard Penson, Suzanne Halfacre, Gary Atkins, BRANCH OFFICER’S REPORTS Weleda - a natural partnership Bill Bacon, Phil Sterling, Dennis Dell, Al & John Treasurer - Jane Broomhead Roberts, Margaret Hobby, Brian Hobby, John I present to the AGM the final audited accounts utterfly Conservation East Midlands is one or two more species might be tempted Green, Sylvia Green, Willy Lane, Anita Aked, for the year ending 31st March 2019. A copy of pleased to be involved in a partnership onto the site in the next few seasons. Sheila Ragg, Chris Ragg, Andy Smith, Jeremy the Statement of Account for the financial year has Bapproach to conservation with Weleda, A moth survey was also undertaken last Emerson, Margaret Gibbons, David Gibbons, been handed out with the agenda for the meeting. at Shipley near Heanor, Derbyshire. year by local expert Steve Thorpe, with no Jean Gibson, John Clarke, Michael Fletcher, The income for the year up to the end of March Weleda (UK) Ltd manufactures holistic, less than seventy species being recorded, Colin New, Min Bell, Tim Bell, Andrew Brown- 2019 was £10,706.78. This was mostly composed natural and organic medicines and cosmetics, including Elephant Hawk Moth, Dotted Clay Jackson, Nigel Davidson, Colin Blower, Geof of £7,202.00 from East Midland membership, many of the ingredients for which are grown and Chocolate-tip – moths have such wonderful Adams, Margaret Adams, Brenda Shore, Pat & Barry Marsan, Jean & Brian Hallam, Ray £4004.78 from sales events which included at their Shipley site utilising Biodynamic common names! Steve intends to continue the principles. We first approached Weleda a (Badger) Walker, John Schoffield, Ann Brown, raffles, plant sales, sale of elms and book sales monitoring this year and hopefully beyond. such as FSC Guides which are none VAT items. few years ago, and following something of a Andrew Brown, Rosie Hamilton, Steve & Lin ‘meeting of minds’, I spent most of a summer One habitat creation project includes growing Orridge, Felicity Jackson, Pete Clark, Jay Beeston The expenditure consists of £287.75. This is for season liaising with the friendly staff and Bird’s Foot Trefoil in the polytunnel on the Apologies for Absence: Robin Perry, Peter mileage claimed by various committee members visiting the site, logging every butterfly and site, and planting the plants out along the Benson. Lynn & Martin Hill, Win Walsh, especially for such events as working numerous days at the Bird Fair, meetings in different getting to know the various habitats, including side of a field ditch in patches, together with Malcolm Broomhead, David Foulds. parts of the country and the collection of elms. meadow, woodland and gardens. A report flat stones for sunning, in an effort to attract Minutes of the 2018 AGM: This represents a small amount individually, was produced at the end of the season and to the site the Dingy Skipper, a high priority These were taken as read. species which occurs not too far away; this and considering we are all volunteers it was following discussions with the staff, a series of Matters arising from these minutes: should also help the Common Blue which felt that those who wished to claim for various recommendations provided opportunities for A question was asked at the 2018 AGM events the option should be available.