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No. 46 NEWSLETTER Summer 2000
WEST MIDLANDS BRANCH, BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION
Reports on Trips
Visit to Cranham Common
On 28th May Rob Mabbett lead a group of a dozen people around Cranham Common and
the neighbouring woods in Gloucester. The day was variable with some rather
warm, bright sunshine, but also some brief and very heavy showers. Initially we
went to a clearing in the woods where very little was flying about, due to the
weather. One beautiful Brown Argus was seen though, which stayed to show off for
many minutes. A Silver Y and Flame Shoulder moth were flying about too.
The open areas of the common proved more successful with many flowers on show,
including Twayblade, Early Purple Orchid and Yellow Rattle. As the weather
improved, more butterflies were spotted, including many Green Hairstreaks,
several Dingy Skippers, some Small Blues and some Common Blues. A few Small
Heaths and a Large Skipper were also seen. The moths flying about were
interesting too with Common Heath, Silky Wave, Common Forester, Burnet Companion
and an Oak Hook-tip.
In total 12 butterfly species and 7 species of macro moth were noted. Despite
the weather, an enjoyable walk was had by all.
Corinna Gregory
droitwich@btinternet.com
Wyre Forest – 11 June 2000
Fifteen members from as far afield as Gloucester and Birmingham met to explore
the varied habitats in the Wyre Forest. Repeated readings of the thermometer in
the low sixties was not conducive to the flight of butterflies. The day produced
very low numbers of Grizzled Skippers and a single Dingy Skipper.
Early June coincided with diminishing numbers of Pearl-bordered Fritillary – a
count of 18 at one site had decreased substantially over a period of six days –
unknown numbers remained hidden in the vegetation.
Temperature being a principle energy source resulted in the protracted emergence
of a handful of Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary – all in pristine condition
prominently displayed atop of vegetation.
Serious photographers had a field day photographing a pair of Small
Pearl-bordered Fritillaries engaged in “honeymoon” activity oblivious to the
cumulus clouds drifting past on high.
Frank Lancaster
Moth Group Events So Far This Year
So far this year we have had 5 moth events in Worcestershire and Herefordshire,
some of which have proved very fruitful indeed.
On 29th April we led a new initiative to look at some day flying moths on
Castlemorton Common. 10 of us enjoyed the delights of water-logged common land.
Fortunately nobody got stuck! After a brief introduction to the Emperor moth's
habits at this time of year we spent over an hour squelching around to find the
fast flying males. None were seen, but on returning to the cars, a couple of
males flew past us. This included one which was very attracted to our metallic
green car! This site will be worth visiting again for a better view or even to
catch some females at night.
The first Haugh Wood visit on May 12th was an excellent night with 42 macro- and
7 micro-moth species. There were 2 new records for the site including Lesser
Treble-bar and Marbled Brown, with The Tissue having only been recorded once
before. Many delightful moths were seen and some were even attracted to our
scruffy white sheet placed vertically near the traps. The moths of the night in
numbers were Eriocrania haworthii and Small Waved Umber, with 5
trapped. Other beautiful moths were Nut-tree Tussock, Clouded Border, Green
Carpet, Lime Hawkmoth, Lobster Moth, Oak Hook-tip and Peach Blossom.
Posten Plain on 20th May proved very poor in terms of weather and moths. This
only attracted 4 keen mothers to search for the Argent and Sable, which
unfortunately wasn't found. However there were various Brown Silver-lines and
many Speckled Yellows flying about. One Common Carpet was noted and amazingly a
Small Engrailed passed us and landed on a tree trunk and virtually disappeared.
After great deliberation and patience on the part of the moth, it was
identified. This site is well worth another visit next year and our thanks go to
Rosemary Winnall for braving the great British weather with us.
A special and extra night was arranged for 3rd June to Shrawley Wood. This wood
is one of the only areas of small-leaved lime trees in the region and we were
hoping for a speciality of the wood. The Pauper Pug did make an appearance with
2 of its colleagues (causing Tony Simpson great elation). This moth is on the
Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) as a high priority species and is only recorded
in 5 other sites, notably the Wye Valley. The blue segment to our umbrella
seemed to attract the pug, which itself is very unattractive. Fortunately the
pipistrelles that were flying around didn't snatch it away. Thanks go to Tony
for a correct identification. There were 11 micro- and 37 macro-moths in all,
which included Least Black Arches, Broken-barred Carpet and Green Silver-lines.
9th June saw the return to Haugh Wood in search of the Clay Triple Lines. The
temperature on this night was very low for moths at 12C. 15 macro- and 2 micro
moths were noted, but surprisingly about 20 Silver Ground Carpets were still
able to fly. Whilst walking between trap sites, a Green-veined White and a Wood
White were seen resting. The moth of the night was the Buff Ermine, a pretty
macro-moth. Other moths of interest seen were: Clouded Border and a Fern moth.
Wildlife around the wood included rodding Woodcock, Pipistrelle and a few Great
Butterfly Orchids.
Please see the updated diary of moth events in this Newsletter as some details
have changed recently.
P.S. The authors would like to confirm that no moths were harmed in the making
of this report...
Corinna and Neil Gregory
droitwich@btinternet.com
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