2 minute read
Black hole survey
estimate probably a hundred different people saw them. He also perpetuates another myth about this species, by stating it definitely bred at Minsmere in the mid nineties, for two years. In reality the word ‘probably ’ needs to be added: I should know, I was the Suffolk Butterfly Recorder at the time and was desperate to include it as a new breeding species.
My main concern was Patrick Barkham’s comments about our largest butterfly, the Swallowtail. Admittedly he does state that there is ‘something wrong about my relationship with this stunning butterfly ’ , but to see just one at Hickling Broad, in the company of friends ‘for whom butterfly watching was definitely a novelty ’ was unfortunate, as were comments describing it as ‘ weedier’ and ‘enfeebled’ , adding the final criticism by asking ‘Are Swallowtails showy but shallow?’ I wish he had gone instead, by himself, to the meadows at How Hill, where Swallowtails nectar on marsh thistles, or watched them feeding high up on buddleia at Strumpshaw Fen, their sunlit wings like panels in a stained glass window. I also found the book’s sub-title peculiar: A Summer in Search of Our Emperors and Admirals. The search in reality took at least three seasons to complete, with 60 species seen, not three. That sixtieth one was a Queen of Spain Fritillary, then a mating pair. The author certainly picked a good year, with millions of Painted Ladies and thousands of Heath Fritillaries at Blean Woods.
Despite my criticisms, the book is highly recommended. I liked the fine but successful balance between his frustrations, disappointments, hard-earned sightings and sudden unexpected discoveries. As a final, more mercenary, incentive to buy this book, it is currently available at Amazon and other outlets for less than half price.
Details: ISBN 9781 847081278 pub. Granta, 2010, £20 hardback.
Black hole survey for tetrads TL9034 & TL9036 planned for April 22nd, but postponed till May 1st
Stella Wolfe
A weather forecast favoured an afternoon visit to this site north of Bures. The chosen tree-lined track was flower-rich with plenty of nectar sources, but any insects had been inhibited by the damp. After avoiding a path through sodden oil seed rape and finding our way barred by lying water we retreated after an hour of fruitless searching and decided to cut our losses and enjoy the bluebells at nearby Arger Fen.
There we had an interesting flora trip finding moschatel, opposite leaved golden saxifrage, ransoms, as well as the bluebells in flower. As we spotted some cuckoo flowers we noticed the temperature had risen. In no time we had seen a couple of male orange tip butterflies and looking close beneath the cuckoo flower heads we saw that females had been about as well depositing their orange coloured eggs. There was also a comma spreading its wings to absorb the warmth at the gate as we left.
Despite a quick return to our target tetrad area it was still not sheltered enough for any butterflies and all we found was a pair of waterproof overtrousers dropped on our earlier visit!
