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NEWSLETTER No. 8 - Winter 1982/83

WEST MIDLANDS BRANCH, BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION

One of the most encouraging developments during the course of the year has been the increasing involvement on the part of the Branch and its members in active conservation work.

Considerably more members have been involved in the Branch's Recording Scheme which has now completed its second year, and, as a result, a much clearer picture is emerging of the distribution of various species. We hope next year to develop further the idea of focussing recording efforts on particular areas and on certain butterflies. Jack Green, I know, has a particular project in mind regarding the Large Tortoiseshell, details of which will be in the next newsletter. Members have also been active in two habitat surveys undertaken by the Branch. The one at Berrow Hill near Feckenham proved disappointing as only the commoner species were recorded and the habitat itself was considerably transformed during the course of the year by more intensive farming methods. It is doubtful whether further work here would be appropriate. The second site surveyed, however, in the Cotswolds, was a different matter. Here we have been given permission to survey a large estate, which includes areas of unimproved limestone grassland and large tracts of broad-leaved woodland. Fritillaries, Duke of Burgundy and Marbled White are amongst the species present, and we hope in the long term to be able to negotiate a management agreement with the landowner. The owner has already agreed to cut back on some of the scrub that, was encroaching into one of the main Duke of Burgundy colonies, and we will need to monitor the effects of this closely.

During the course of the year, the Branch has been involved in two successful objections to development proposals (see Letters page). The first concerned the Ashlawn Cutting in Rugby, which was threatened by a scheme to flood it. This was eventually rejected after a petition organised by local member, Paul Harding, and objections by ourselves and WARNACT. The Branch also backed the campaign undertaken by Birmingham's Urban Wildlife Group to protect two important natural history sites in the Black Country. For the time being at least these threats appear to have been resisted, although an appeal is likely by the developer against refusal of planning permission.

In our last newsletter, we reported on the opportunity provided by the Ministry of Defence to survey their establishments. Unfortunately (or fortunately), there are relatively few Defence establishments in this area, but two members, John Walton and Pete Salmon, were given permission to look at the Kingsbury Rifle Range site and the adjoining woodland in north Warwickshire. If there are further sites that members would be interested in visiting please get in touch.

As has been remarked many times in this newsletter, the value of industrial land to butterflies should not be underestimated. We were, therefore, delighted to hear from Edward Haden of a small piece of land owned by his company in Halesowen. Pete Salmon and myself spent a very enjoyable morning viewing the site, which was a mass of birds foot trefoil and clover with a correspondingly strong colony of Common Blues. Mr. Haden was interested in knowing whether the site could be improved and other species encouraged. Subsequently, we contacted the Urban Wildlife Group, who have promised to send their full-time Ecologist to take a look and pass on his views.

The year has also seen a strengthening of our relationship with other conservation bodies: WARNACT, with the Butterfly Year Day School (see elsewhere in

....who kindly advertised the Branch in their latest newsletter. At the Town & Country Festival, Terry Green was approached by the owner of 12 acres of land in north Shropshire, seeking advice as to how to conserve its wildlife value, and we have asked the county trust if they could make a visit. Also in Shropshire, we have agreed to co-operate with their Biological Records Centre based at Ludlow Museum. Beryl Brazier is in charge of recording and, with the help of local schools, they are making a subtantial effort to improve the recording situation with regard to butterflies. The Branch would particularly welcome any member's records for Shropshire that we can pass on.

Also on the recording front, the Branch has been invited to take part in a Committee charged with co-ordinating site survey work in the new West Midlands county under the auspices of the Urban Wildlife Group. Pete Salmon has agreed to represent the Branch on this Committee and the first meeting, attended by around a dozen different conservation organisations, was held at the end of October. Ron Hatton has been involved in a similar body in Gloucestershire which is concerned with sites of mainly butterfly interest, under the chairmanship of the County Recorder, Guy Meredith.

Rather different is the offer by Madge Payne to set aside part of her garden as a butterfly plant nursery. Such plants could eventually be sold to augment branch funds or to improve particular butterfly habitats. Madge would welcome advice from members of what plants and varieties to grow. All enquiries to 90 Kelsey Lane, Balsall Common, near Coventry, Warks.

Although a lot has been happening on the conservation front, there is still considerable potential for further involvement by members. Elsewhere in this newsletter there are appeals for people to come forward with respect to recording work at Chaddesley Woods and Stockton. Something that many people can get involved in over the Winter is the Branch's work days on nature reserves. Four or five days are planned for different parts of the region (see Winter programme) and we hope to see a few new faces, as well as the regulars. Work need not be arduous, and the day usually proves very enjoyable to those taking part (see Ron Hatton's article in our last newsletter).

Do think seriously about how you might be able to assist butterfly conservation. Butterflies need all the help they can get - and we'd love to hear from you!

Mike Williams