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NEWSLETTER No. 4 - Winter 1980/81

WEST MIDLANDS BRANCH, BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION

Trip Reports

Sunday, 6th July - Woodwalton Fen

Again another well attended trip with over 20 members, to see the Large Copper. The Reserve Warden took us over the Fen and we were soon waist deep in reeds. The cool weather kept any early butterflies from flitting about. However, not to disappoint us the Warden released 2 females on the fen. They were much larger than some of us had expected. One fluttered off some 30 yards before settling on fen vegetation. The flight was quite unlike the dashing flight one associates with the Small Copper. Both females stayed put and allowed everyone to see them in their full glory. They were much photographed. Later we went back to the greenhouse to see the breeding stock.

The fenland habitat of the Large Copper was interesting and apart from the Great Water Dock, its food plant, many other flowers, plants and grasses were new to us. A late Brimstone was seen on the edge of the fen, and a few Meadow Browns and Large Skippers.

The fen mosquito bites with a vengence, but it was worth it to see those two gorgeous females.

Peter Colston

Sunday, 13th July - Trip to Wyre Forest

Once again at the outset of a field trip the clouds loomed overhead with menace and the most optimistic of members shared the trepidation of heavy rainfall.

On our arrival, thanks to Bob Sim who had scouted ahead of our group, we were able to make our first sighting of the day, a Silver-washed Fritillary. Unfortunately, we were limited in our observation of this specimen, to field-glasses, as it had chosen private property as its territorial claim. As we approached the fritillary rides fortune smiled, and the sun began to shine, a feature sadly lacking on previous trips this year. With sunshine our journey was promptly rewarded - a Silver-washed Fritillary appeared, this time at close quarters. While some members watched this, others were able to view a Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, thanks to the keen eyes of Mike Williams. Then within moments of this sighting, a High brown Fritillary was seen to alight upon a thistle - this time, however, before cameras could be primed it had flown.

Terry Green, our guide for the day, remarked on the strength of flight of our two larger fritillaries; the gliding flight pattern of the Silver-washed, and the sustained strength of flight that enables both fritillaries to out manoeuvre many a prospective predator. As we sojourned further along these rides, several more Silver-washed Fritillaries were seen and photographed.

After breaking for lunch, a field was discovered in which both Silver-washed Fritillaries and High brown Fritillaries were observed; the latter being in considerable abundance. Whilst stalking through this field, Ron Hatton brought to our attention two mating High brown Fritillaries with a second male in close attendance - all members were able to witness this exciting sight. Both male and female rose into the high reaches (about 8 feet) of a nearby bramble bush, where they were photographed. The process of copulation took 45 minutes before both insects descended towards the ground and flew off in different directions. This formed a most memorable conclusion to what proved a most fruitful day on which, in addition to the three fritillaries named, the following species were sited: Ringlet, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Common Blue, Meadow Brown, Small White, Small Tortoiseshell, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, and also a Burnet moth. Unfortunately, the Purple Hairstreak, which members had been able to observe last year on this trip, was sadly absent. However, despite this, a most successful and pleasant day was shared by all in which thirteen species were seen.