7 The Suffolk Argus
Summer 2003 been migrants, given the coastal locations. The annual transect index at Center Pares was just seven. There were reports of Buddleias attracting few visitors but conversely Arthur and Janet Watchman counted fourteen species on 17th August in their Monk's Eleigh garden and Rob Macklin's total in his Snape garden was an incredible 26. Several late records are worth noting: Rick Grundy recorded a Brimstone on 28th October at Hollesley-rhere has never been a Suffolk December record-Steve Goddard saw a Peacock at Minsmere on 16th November, a late Painted Lady was noted by Barbara Mathews at Felixstoweon 24th October and Roger and Stella Wolfe recorded both Peacock and Red Admiral at Sutton Hoo on 15th November. The two December records to reach me were a Peacock on 24th December seen by Alan and Beryl Johnson in their Ipswich garden and a Red Admiral on Christmas Day, seen by Mike Dean at Great Barton. The latter is an equal latest record for this species in Suffolk. In addition to those already mentioned, several other species had poor tetrad coverage: Brown Argus just 26, suggesting the years of expansion were short-lived, Purple Hairstreak in 34, Small Heath 43 and Grayling 45. Surprisingly two of these poor performers still produced several new records, with nine for Purple Hairstreak, including new sightings on the Ipswich edge of both Warren and Rushmere Heath, and nine for the Grayling, with the first record in 10km Square TM 07. Another recording problem is in the TL tetrads of West Suffolk-just 74 covered in 2002, compared to 235 in the TM tetrads. The accompanying map highlights the current problem of coverage. Finally, as this is my last year report as County Butterfly Recorder, a brief analysisof 2002 follows, with my thanks to everyone who has in any way contributed to the recording of Suffolk butterflies in the last nine years:
Thieves Lane, while Zoe Maclaughlin recorded one at Dunwich. This now takes the total of tetrads recorded since 1995 to just above the mideighties survey. After careful checking I can also verify a new earliest date for the White-letter Hairstreak, beating the previous one by twelve days, with Ann Henson's sighting of a pristine individual in Easrgate Street, Bury Sr.Edmunds on 22nd June. Just as exciting was Neil Sherman's White Admiral at Ipswich Golf Club on 15th July, prompting questions as to where it had come from, since the nearest colonies would be at Rendlesham or Srour Wood. Another rare event was the Large White attracted to their moth lamp by Alan and Penny Cornish on 27th June, to add to the Red Admiral of the year before. For the second year these two recorders observed the Small Copper var. caerukopunctata, seen for ten days in September until caught by a spider; there were also records of this variation from Rob Parker at Wordwell, 17th May, Neil Sherman at Ipswich Golf Club 24th April and 7th August and at Hen Reed Beds on 21st September. Another unusual sighting was the very pale, half-size Painted Lady seen by Stuart Gough at Trimley on 25th June. For six recorders the year's highlight was almost certainly their Camberwell Beauty: Barbara Lines over the Easter weekend at Swilland, four August records from Roy Milbourne at Ipswich, Michael Lingwood at Barningham, Frances Ringrose at Lowesrofr and Jane Giles at Kelsale and the final one which was on 12th September, seen by Steve Fryett at Stowmarker. The three 'Whites' had good recording yearsLarge White was the best-recorded Suffolk species, with a coverage of 186 2km tetrads, Small White, seemingly absent at Minsmere, with 163 and Green-veined White with 159. There were some indications that the Small Tortoiseshell is recoveringbut it was largely absent from most sites visited by myself, Rob Parker and Neil Sherman, all of whom covered a wide range of habitats. There were two records of higher numbers, with 21 at Boyton Marshes on 14th July from Reg Etheridge and 45 during the meeting led by Jim Foster at Carlton Marshes, but these could have
A NewTetrad Perhaps your own square is already well covered, but another square that you visit regularly - your work place perhaps, can be seen from "The Millennium Atlas of Suffolk Butterflies" to be under recorded. Why not devote this season'seffort to such a neglected square? It can be quite easy to obtain a new record for, say an Orange-tip, on your way to visit a friend - especially if you scour the atlas for voids before travelling.
Transect Walking The ultimate solution for detailed monitoring at your favourite sire is to walk a transect. At present, we have less in Suffolk than our "share" of the National total, and analysis shows that very few of them are on farmland. Starting a transect is a significant commitment in time and effort, yet makes a very worthwhile contribution to Butterfly Conservation's objective analysis of the strength and fluctuations of butterfly populations. Perhaps you have a regular farmland walk that would be suitable. Ring the Transect Co-ordinator (Rob again) to discuss the possibilities.
Discovering Moths With a thousand moths out there, the challenge of moth-ing offers plenty of opportunities to bring in new records. The best way to experience trapping with a mercury vapour light, to search for rare larvae by torchlight, even to pursue day-flying moths - is with the Suffolk Moth Group. Contact Tony for details of the activities planned for 2003.
New to Suffolk or Butterfly Conservation? Welcome to all new arrivals. Don't delay - start today, by making a pledge to observe, record and contribute. Here are the contacts: Butterfly Recording: Rob Parker 01284 705476, robparker@waitrose.com
Number of recorders: 129 Number of records: 7,322
Moth Recording: Tony Prichard 01473 270047, tony.prichard@btinternet.com
Garden Notes by Nigel Smart Looking back I can remember the Buddleia bush in our Dartford garden, with fat furry bumble bees and beautiful Peacock butterflies. A little older I cycled on the heath and there were lots of "blues" and orangey brown ones (Small Heath). Since I came to Suffolk I have taken lots of photographs and made many records of butterflies and for the last few years have a daily list of our garden visitors. Even over this relatively short period there have been many changes. The most noticeable of these has been the pretty little Small Tortoiseshell. I have slides of Michaelmas Daisies covered in dozens of them, and in 1994 besides the early ones in March and April, they were to be seen throughout July, August, September and well into October, and this pattern continued until 1999. Since then they have been rare - I have only seen five in the whole of 2002 and six in the year before. Similarly that great favourite, the Peacock, has diminished: they used to be with us all of August, sometimes ten at a time on the Buddleia, bur in 2002 I had only two sightings. On the other hand in 1994 I had one glimpse of the rare Speckled Wood - now it is a regular in the garden, and the Comma's presence has increased from four to fourteen days. Red Admirals too are much more frequent and while I saw my first ever Painted Lady in 1992 I now see them most seasons; but I haven't seen a Ringlet, Small Heath, or a Wall Brown for a long time. I am puzzled by these changes. We never use insecticides and have grown all the right plants to attract and feed them. Whilst the new varieties are very welcome where have the spectacular Peacocks and Tortoiseshells gone?
Number of 2km tetrads covered: 309
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