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No. 38 NEWSLETTER Winter 1997

WEST MIDLANDS BRANCH, BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION

 

Reports on Trips

The weather was cool and overcast and the forecast less than encouraging when eight members (Mike, Terry, Jancis, Bob, Cherry, Jonathan, Trevor and Geoff) clambered into the minibus and headed south-west in a quest for six species of Fritillary. As we had time to spare, we decided to target a seventh species by visiting Sand Point for a possible late Glanville. A brief sunny spell raised our hopes and we were soon listing Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Large and Small Skippers and Common Blue. Sadly no Glanvilles but as they had been seen three weeks previously, it was likely that their flight period was over.

After lunch the sunshine had deserted us and our visit to the new Butterfly Conservation reserve at Haddon Moor failed to produce the hoped for Marsh Fritillaries. Flowers abounded however with masses of Common Spotted and Heath Spotted orchids and meadow thistles (Circium dissectum ). Nearby Haddon Hill looked very promising with plenty of Common Cow-wheat but the cool conditions denied us any Heath Fritillaries.

Saturday morning was dry with sunny periods and, whilst most of the party slumbered, a pre-breakfast walk by the more energetic along the coast path from Lynton produced some good birds including gannets, razorbills, guillemots and ravens.

After breakfast, we travelled to Hunters Inn where we were met by Amanda, the local National Trust warden who showed us the conservation work which was being undertaken on the bracken covered hillsides in the beautiful Heddon and Parracombe valleys. The scenery was breath-taking and even Terry was rumoured to have exclaimed “lsn't it romantic”. At long last we began to see some Fritillaries, firstly Dark Green and later High Brown and the cool conditions allowed the photographers to get some good shots of fresh specimens. In addition we also saw Meadow Browns, Ringlets and Small Tortoiseshells. Other species seen were Peacock larvae, a Golden-ringed dragonfly and Brown Silver Lines, Large Yellow Underwing and Heart and Dart moths. Good views were enjoyed of red deer and a small pale coloured cow which, on closer inspection, proved to be a llama.

After lunch at Hunters Inn amid displaying peacocks ( the birds this time ) and a peahen with her young chick, we explored some of the local meadows where we were able to compare the wing patterns of Dark Green and High Brown Fritillaries.

From here, we travelled to the extensive dunes at Braunton Burrows where we saw further Dark Green Fritillaries as well as Small Skippers, Marbled Whites, Small Heaths and Common Blues. The moth enthusiasts found Yellow Shell and Cinnabar moths and the larvae of Drinker and Cinnabar. It was the botanists however who had the greatest field day. In addition to commoner plants such as Common Broomrape and some spectacularly large Pyramidal Orchids, we discovered Yellow Bartsia, Sand Pansy (Viola tricolor ssp. Curtisil) and Sand Toadflax (Linaria arenaria).
Sunday morning's pre-breakfast walk for the energetic took us to the Valley of the Rocks where we saw a family of stonechats as well as fulmars and wheatears.

The fine weather had finally deserted us when we headed for Dunkery Beacon in appalling conditions of rain and low cloud. Near Horner Wood, we walked through known Heath Fritillary habitat without much hope of a sighting and all we found was a Heath Rustic moth larva. A Buff Ermine moth in Porlock did little to raise our spirits. After lunch, the weather lifted slightly and we undertook a long and very strenuous walk in Bin Combe but again, no Heath Fritillary. For most of us this had been the prime target species of the weekend but time was fast running out.

Our homeward journey gradually became sunnier so we decided to make a final re-visit to Haddon Hill. It was 4 pm when the cry of "I've found one" brought us all running to gaze admiringly at the elusive Heath Fritillary at long last. During the next few minutes, this butterfly must have come close to becoming the most photographed individual in Britain. Others followed, both male and female and, in the late afternoon sunshine, we also saw Meadow Browns, Ringlets, Small Heaths and Large Skippers as well as Treble Bar and July Belle moths. We were on a definite high now so why not try again at Haddon Moor for the Marsh Fntillary. The two of us with wellies were dispatched into this marshy meadow with instructions not to return until we had found one. After a few minutes, an ear-splitting yell from the smallest member of our party announced to the rest of us (and to most of Bristol) that she had found one. Not only found but also potted. A few others were seen and once everyone had admired and photographed the original specimen, it was released and we headed for home feeling very smug. Pity about the Glanville but you can't have everything - next year perhaps.

Bob Bishop.

 

A record turnout of members gathered under rather overcast skies for this year’s annual coach trip to north Wales. Talk was of the wretched June and the fact that butterflies seemed very thin on the ground. The weather as we journeyed north did little to lift the mood with skies remaining grey and rain threatening at times. Someone out there, however, was obviously on our side and as we approached the Menai Bridge the sun at last made an appearance and a day that had started so cold and miserable suddenly turned into a real scorcher.

Our destination was South Stacks Cliffs on the far north-western side of the island. This RSPB reserve boasts some magnificent seabird colonies and a notable population of Silver-studded Blue butterflies. Our first port of call was the Information Centre right on the cliff edge, where we were able to seek guidance from one of the wardens as to the latest news on butterfly sightings. We were directed over the headland to a gully just above the road, where a number of Blues had been recently reported, and set off in this direction. Just outside the Centre proved a excellent vantage point to view the seabirds and a number of members took advantage of Cherry Greenway’s telescope to admire the many nesting Guillemots, Razorbills and Puffins. The latter were very numerous, both on the cliffs and down on the water, and there were several family parties. Further out to sea, there were several Gannets diving after fish into the water and, as we took in the spectacle, around six Choughs flew overhead.

 Arriving at the gully as directed, we were met by a Chough wandering around at the side of the road within a few feet of scores of holidaymakers, who were generally as oblivious to the presence of the Chough as the Chough was to them. For what is generally thought of as a shy, secretive bird, greatly prized by bird watchers who tramp miles of cliff in the hopes of a glimpse of this still rare bird, this seemed almost surreal. It was not long, however, before such thoughts were pushed to the back of the mind with the first sighting of a male Silver-studded Blue. Several butterflies were present, mainly males and looking very fresh as their wings gleamed in the strong sunshine. The photographers in the party were pleased to find a very co-operative pair in cop on top of a heather plant and many photos were taken.

People spread out a bit at this point and amongst other butterflies reported were Painted Lady (a real rarity in 1997), Dark Green Fritillary, Meadow Brown, Common Blue, Small Heath and Ringlet, together with July Belle moths. Some members made their way back to the coach via the cliff path and a few more Silver-studded Blues were seen but only very locally where the heather was less dense and there were areas of bare ground.

Rejoining the coach we moved on further down the coast to Newborough Warren but were frustrated by not being allowed to drive down to the bottom car park as planned. However, after some nifty reversing manoeuvres by the coach driver, we managed to park near the reserve entrance and set off for the sand dunes. Almost as soon as we climbed out of the coach, we were buzzed by a Silver-washed Fritillary and again there were several Meadow Browns and Ringlets. The butterfly we had really come to see, however, was the Dark Green Fritillary and they were present in really good numbers on the dunes, although generally dashing around in true Fritillary style to the annoyance of photographers. When they did stop, it was usually to visit Sheep’s bit Scabious which was growing in abundance on the dunes, together with many other impressive plants like Sand Pansy and several species of orchid, including Twayblade, Pyramidal, Common Spotted and Marsh Helleborine. Our other target butterflies - Grayling and Small Pearl-bordered - were more elusive but were eventually located by the more determined amongst the party. Anyway, an excellent day with unexpectedly good weather and, despite horrendous delays on the motorway coming home, I think enjoyed by all. Where shall we go next year?

Mike Williams