The Suffolk Argus
Belstead’s Nature Reserves Kev Ling
It is always nice to have a nature reserve on one’s doorstep. So, I am blessed to have a large area to explore in the Belstead area of Ipswich.
On 2nd April I also observed my earliest recorded Holly Blue, along with a further six species (Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Speckled Wood, Comma, Brimstone and Small White). This was certainly a good omen for the year to come.
Belstead Meadows, Kiln Meadow, Spring Wood and Bobbits Lane nature reserves are nestled side by side, providing acres of fantastic wildlife habitat that includes Insects, Birds, Mammals, Amphibians and Flora. It is the Butterflies that I will focus on in this article.
Saved from development, Kiln Meadow, which is owned by Ipswich Borough Council, was officially opened in 2013. It comprises a mixture of grassland, hedgerows and young woodland and supports a vast range of butterflies. On the 30th April I recorded my first Green Hairstreak of the year there, on the same Hawthorn as previous years. Normally seen in quick bursts, I had the pleasure of observing and photographing this particular example for a full thirty minutes. The following day was the annual Spring Wood Celebration event where the Suffolk Branch of BC attends and provides guided walks. Unfortunately, the weather was not kind to us this year, but we hope to see you there in 2018, as it is a great day out. Spring Wood provides one of the finest displays of Bluebells in the area and is well worth a visit.
My new year kicked off with a walk along Bobbits Lane, examining the hedgerows for Brown Hairstreak eggs. The larval foodplant is Blackthorn and the eggs are laid singly on the bark of the foodplant, generally at a fork in a branch that is on first or second year growth. It pays to look early in the year before new growth makes it more challenging. A good number were found along this stretch, but later in the year, the adults would prove elusive to me, despite numerous hours on the lookout. As would be expected, the Orange-tip is one of the first species to appear. My personal favourite, the Orange-tip provides a welcome splash of colour after a long winter and helps kick start spring. Given the mild temperatures in 2017 my first sighting this year was at Belstead Meadows on 2nd April, my earliest on record. My favoured spot by the tunnel under the A14 never disappoints and I would return there regularly to observe the early stages of the next generation of Orange-tips.
The next event at Kiln Meadow was the BioBiltz on 11th June. Blessed with good weather the variety of species started to increase with the emergence of the grassland species such as Meadow Brown, Ringlet and skippers. Other notable sightings included Brown Hairstreak and Comma larvae as well as adult Brimstone, Small Copper, Red Admiral, Peacock, 10
