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NEWSLETTER No. 44 -  Autumn 1999

WEST MIDLANDS BRANCH, BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION

 

Reports on Trips

This Newsletter has reports on most of the events in the 1999 summer calendar, in the hope that members who have yet to come on a trip will be tempted. – Ed

 

Coach Trip to Lardon Chase and Aston Rowant, Oxfordshire – 14 August

A group of 28 led by Mark Farmer enjoyed a beautifully sunny, warm day for the coach trip to Lardon Chase and Aston Rowant in Oxfordshire. Fortunately there was a breeze too, which meant that the butterflies (including the two target species: Adonis Blue and Silver-spotted Skipper) tended to stay on the ground. This provided everybody with plenty of opportunities to have a good look at them, and of course, kept the photographers happy.

At Lardon Chase there were 18 species of butterfly spotted in total, including 2 Brown Argus, 3 Essex Skippers, a Comma, a Purple Hairstreak, a Red Admiral, 2 Peacocks and a Painted Lady among the more widely-seen. Once we began to spot the Adonis Blue, it became clear that its striking electric blue colour is quite different from the Common and Chalkhill Blues. There were around 20 flitting around, one even landing on a convenient viewing platform: a cow-pat! One moth made an appearance too: Treble-bar. The notable insect here was the Hornet. It quickly became apparent that Lardon Chase is quite a treasure-trove for flora, with many interesting species. The sweet-smelling Marjoram was abundant, along with Wild Basil, Harebell and Yellow-wort. Other notable species were Wild Carrot, Wild Parsnip, Small Blue Fleabane, Ploughman's-spikenard, Fairyflax, Pale Toadflax and Autumn Gentian.

After a necessary break for lunch at a local pub we drove to Aston Rowant, renowned for Red Kites. The only pair we saw, however, was from the coach on the way there! There were less species seen here (13), but there were plenty chances to study the species of interest: Silver-spotted Skipper. Chalkhill Blues were also seen, along with Essex Skipper, Small Copper, Brimstone and Small Heath. Again the flora was abundant. This chalk grassland site is particularly known for Wild Candytuft and Chiltern Gentian. We saw the former around patches that had been nibbled by rabbits (perhaps their one saving grace). However we didn't find the former - a student studying the site acknowledged they are difficult to find. Other interesting flowers were Squinancywort, Frog Orchid and Rock Rose.

Corinna Philpott and Neil Gregory