Welcome to the Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation
Butterfly Conservation is a
registered charity dedicated to the conservation of butterflies and
moths
Join Butterfly Conservation -
click here to
go to the National Butterfly Conservation website to join.
Suffolk
Argus
The Suffolk Argus is
the newsletter of Suffolk Butterfly Conservation and is produced three
times a year.
It contains news and articles about the
butterflies of Suffolk.
Summer 2022 volume 84 has just been
published
You can read
the this edition by clicking here
Archive - You can
view previous editions in the archive. This has every edition
from Spring 2011.
To view the archive click here
All copies of the Suffolk
Argus from Spring 2011 Volume 50 to Spring 2022 Volume 83 are
available to download in pdf format from our archive.
Next Local Events -
Saturday 8th October 2022
at 2.30 pm
Suffolk Butterfly Conservation
A.G.M & Members
Afternoon 2022
at Stowupland Village Hall, IP14 4BG
A short AGM will be followed by talks from:-
James
Corton, County Butterly Recorder.
Patrick
Barker, A conservation award winning farmer from mid-Suffolk
who will be talking about his approach to farm conservation for
butterflies, moths and other wildlife.
Susannah
O'Riordan, BC Chequered Skipper project manager, who has
overseen the introduction of the species in Rockingham Forest.
There will be a raffle and photo competition, and time to talk
over a cup of tea.
Enter our photographic competition 2022 - click here for details
Borrow a Moth Trap
Are you intrigued by moths but haven’t delved into a moth
trap? Moth Traps are relatively expensive items and most people
only want to use one once or twice a year to find out what moths are
flying in their garden.
The Branch has purchased an MV Robinson moth trap and an
Actinic Skinner moth trap for the members of Suffolk
Branch to use during this summer
season. If you have limited experience, or
are a beginners in the moth world, you can borrow a trap for a period of
up to one month for use at your own location.
An identification
guide is included and there will be help in identification if needed.
You can then help the survey of moths in Suffolk by entering the moth records into
the Suffolk Moth Group Online Recorder (see
www.suffolkmoths.co.uk ).
If you would like to borrow a trap and find more about the moths
in your garden please contact Trevor Goodfellow at
Locations with Few Butterfly and
Moth Records
Every year the Suffolk Buttertfly
Recorder produces a map showing where we have few records of
butterflies, we call them Black Holes, but this map does not show
exact locations. There is now a national scheme, called DECIDE,
which maps these onto Ordnance Survey maps so it is easy to see where
to go to fill in the black holes.
Black Holes for 2021
Areas with few records generated by MyDecide
If you would like to take part in the initial trial of MyDecide there
are full details on our Recording page
click here
Pit Stops for Pollinators
We know that our wildlife is in crisis, and 76% of butterflies
have declined in abundance since 1976. But the good news is that
there is something we can all do. By creating a pit stop for
pollinators you can help provide butterflies and moths with the plants
they need for survival. And it doesn’t matter how big that pit
stop is – even a small plant pot on a doorstep or balcony could help
insects get from one area of habitat to the next. And the bonus
is – you can have lots of beautiful butterflies and moths in your
garden, day and night. Whether you live in a city or village we
can all contribute to support our local insects.
Free
Download: Alan Titchmarsh's Pit Stop for Pollinator Guide The free
guide includes:
How to create 'Pit Stops for Pollinators'
What
to plant for an insect-friendly garden
What species to spot once
your pit stop is up and running
How to maintain 'Pit Stops for
Pollinators'
More ways that you can help protect these precious
species
Pit Stops for Pollinators | Butterfly Conservation
(butterfly-conservation.org)
RESULTS
- 2022 PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION FOR
SUFFOLK BRANCH MEMBERS
The standard of entries
was very high, making it a closely run vote. Congratulations to
the top three. Thank you to everyone who took part. We
look forward to your photographs from 2022 when our competition
returns next time.
 First
Entry 1
by Mark Brewster
Heath Fritillaries; Hockley Woods, Essex; 24th Jun 2021 - photo
© |
 Second
Entry 23 by Jane Henderson
Emperor Moth; Westleton Heath; 19th April 2021 - photo
© |
 Third
Entry 14 by Debbie Broom
Wall Brown; Sudbourne Churchyard; 2nd June 2021 - photo
© |
Click here to see the
Competition page where you can see larger images
Click here to see the entries and results of the 2021 competition
The UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UKBMS)
The
UKBMS report for 2020 is now available.
Click here to download from our website or
click here to download from the UKBMS
website where previous years reports can also be downloaded,
Various documents relating to 2020 can be accessed
via the UKBMS website -
click
here to go to their statistics page
Previous years' reports
can also be accessed from here
The Summary of Changes for
2020 can be downloaded from our site -
click here
In the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UKBMS), annual
data on the population status of butterflies is derived from a
wide-scale program of site-based monitoring and sampling in randomly
selected 1km squares.
The sampling framework comprises: (1)
Weekly butterfly transects (Pollard walks); (2) Reduced effort surveys
of habitat specialist species (including timed counts of adults,
single species transects, and egg and larval counts); and (3) the
Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey (WCBS).
The resulting UKBMS
dataset is one of the most important resources for understanding
changes in insect populations and answering policy questions relating
to status and trends in biodiversity.
The data is used in the
recently published National Statistics UK Biodiversity
indicators. This release and publication report on UK progress
towards meeting the biodiversity goals and targets ‘the Aichi targets’
agreed in 2010. Key results Since 1976 show that the unsmoothed
habitat specialist butterflies index has fallen by 59%. Over the
same period, the unsmoothed index for species of the wider countryside
has fallen by 20%.
Click here to download a copy.
The UKBMS scheme has
monitored changes in the abundance of butterflies throughout the
United Kingdom since 1976. Forty years later, trends in butterfly
populations were compiled from a network of over 4,000 locations
across all years, with nearly 2,500 sample locations monitored in
2015. The UKBMS is based on a well-established and enjoyable recording
method listed above and has produced important insights into
almost all aspects of
butterfly ecology.
Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey
(WCBS)
The WCBS is a national scheme which complements the
transects of the UK BMS with mini transects walked in squares randomly
selected by the BTO computer. Volunteers from Butterfly
Conservation and the BTO need to walk just twice per year in July and
August (with an optional spring walk if you wish). This means
that the commitment is not heavy.
The Wider Countryside
Butterfly Scheme (WCBS) Summary 2020 has been
published.
Click here to download a copy in pdf format.
Over the past years volunteers have monitored butterflies in a selection of 1
km squares. In July and August 2017, on two walks along fixed routes,
774 squares were surveyed nationally, 39 squares in Suffolk. The
Report is an interesting read showing not only the results of
butterfly species numbers and analysis, but also a guide to some
day-flying moths which recorders are encouraged to include. If
you have not previously been part of the scheme but would like to
become involved in contact Twm Wade at the email address below.
We have 9 squares
in need of a volunteer. For details
of the squares click here for the WCBS page
| OS Grid
Reference |
Town/Parish |
Post Code |
|
TL8381 |
Thetford
(west) |
IP24 3ST |
|
TL8482 |
Thetford (west) |
IP24 3QP |
|
TL9047 |
Acton, Lavenham |
CO10 0BL |
|
TL9462 |
Beyton |
IP30 9AH |
|
TM3180 |
St James,
South Elmham and Metfield |
IP19 0HT |
|
TM3388 |
Bungay |
NR35 1PE |
|
|
|
|
Email our WCBS co-ordinator,
Twm Wade
to volunteer for one of these squares
Download
reports by clicking on the following years
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020 summary
BMS - Butterfly Monitoring Scheme
BTO
- British Trust for Ornithology
The UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UKBMS)
Various documents relating to 2020 can be accessed
via the UKBMS website -
click
here to go to their statistics page
Previous years' reports
can also be accessed from here
The Summary of Changes for
2020 can be downloaded from our site -
click here
The
UKBMS report for 2019 is now available.
Click here to download from our website or
click here to download a higher resoltion version from the UKBMS
website
In the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UKBMS), annual
data on the population status of butterflies is derived from a
wide-scale program of site-based monitoring and sampling in randomly
selected 1km squares.
The sampling framework comprises: (1)
Weekly butterfly transects (Pollard walks); (2) Reduced effort surveys
of habitat specialist species (including timed counts of adults,
single species transects, and egg and larval counts); and (3) the
Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey (WCBS).
The resulting UKBMS
dataset is one of the most important resources for understanding
changes in insect populations and answering policy questions relating
to status and trends in biodiversity.
The data is used in the
recently published National Statistics UK Biodiversity
indicators. This release and publication report on UK progress
towards meeting the biodiversity goals and targets ‘the Aichi targets’
agreed in 2010. Key results Since 1976 show that the unsmoothed
habitat specialist butterflies index has fallen by 59%. Over the
same period, the unsmoothed index for species of the wider countryside
has fallen by 20%.
Click here to download a copy.
The UKBMS scheme has
monitored changes in the abundance of butterflies throughout the
United Kingdom since 1976. Forty years later, trends in butterfly
populations were compiled from a network of over 4,000 locations
across all years, with nearly 2,500 sample locations monitored in
2015. The UKBMS is based on a well-established and enjoyable recording
method listed above and has produced important insights into
almost all aspects of
butterfly ecology.
Theberton Wood
Forest England’s plans for
the extraction of timber at Theberton Wood were explained in an
article by Steve Whall, Forester for Forest England, in an article published in
the Spring 2021 edition of The Suffolk Argus.
Click here to read the article on pages 10-12
In brief, after a meeting of
concerned parties, it was arranged that in the late Spring / early
Summer of 2021 the following work would take place.
Removal of intruding vegetation,
including Salix species, from woodland roadway/ stacking
area/turnaround and surrounding ditches. This work is to be
co-ordinated with Butterfly Conservation and volunteers (as previous)
to ensure maintenance of purple emperor population.
Late-Spring/Early-Summer 2021
Subsequent conversations between Rob Parker, Julian Dowding
and Sam Felton resulted in a site meeting with a FE representative. An
agreement was reached by Sam, that, with volunteers’ help, he would
endeavour to rescue any vulnerable Purple Emperor (pupae).
On Tuesday 29th June Forest England worked in the wood, but
those who had assembled to rescue pupae were prevented by FE from
entering the site of operation owing to COVID-19 regulations.
Since then, an assessment of the effect of the work on
butterfly pupae is being made.
Naturally there is concern for
the manner in which future operations in the wood are handled by FE.
The Wildlife Garden at Aldeburgh
This
book is the story of a remarkable and enduring transformation.
When Trudie Willis and her husband David moved to Priors Oak,
alongside the Aldeburgh to Leiston road, they were faced with
unpromising sandy soil. Now the garden has grown to ten acres of
ferility and abundance. It offers a wide range of attractions,
from the more formal areas to productive vegetable beds, with donkeys
and tortoises along the way. At the far end, an extensive
wildlife garden has yielded a long, varied and increasing list of
species. For many years, Trudie has opened her garden to
visitors, suppoting a wide range of charities and raising well over
£50,000.
The text and general photos are by Richard Stewart,
with many extracts from Trudie's own garden notes. Richard was
the former Suffolk Butterfly Recorder.
Liz Cutting has provided
the species photos and she also worked with Richard on his last book
'The Butterflies of Christchurch Park'. Her photographs have
appeared in many publications and she is one of Suffolk's leading
dormouse experts.
The book can be purchased, price £7.50, from
these bookshops
Aldeburgh Bookshop
Dial Lane Books, Ipswich
Browsers Bookshop, Woodbridge
Woodbridge Emporium
Victoria
Nurseries, Ipswich
from
the author at 112 Westerfild Road, Ipswich, IP4 2XW.
Also at one of the garden open days - details at
Priors Oak Butterfly Garden (google.com)
One of these open days
is on Sunday 1st August when Butterfly Conservation will be present.
See
Butterflies at Priors Oak - Priors Oak Butterfly Garden (google.com)
for photographs from previous years.
All profits will go to the work of
Butterfly Conservation in Suffolk.
PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION FOR
SUFFOLK BRANCH MEMBERS
Results
of the 2021 competition. A new competition will
be run in January 2022.
The Suffolk Branch Photographic Competition, held in Feb/Mar this year
was a success with 80 photographs submitted by our members.
Unfortunately, Covid restrictions dictated the cancellation of the
2020 AGM, so our members didn't get to view the entries as usual in
person. We trust that this online alternative was a more than
suitable alternative.
A large number of the entries
received votes and we are pleased to announce that the results are
First -
Entry 66; Hummingbird Hawkmoth, Kessingland, Suffolk; 25 Jun
2020 -
photo by David Borderick
Second (joint)
-
Entry 15; Common Blues, Abberton Reservoir, Essex; 13-Jul-2020 -
photo by Paul Claridge
Second (joint) -
Entry 35;Wall Brown Carlton Marshes, Suffolk; 25th May 2020 -
photo by Robert Quadling
Third -
ENTRY 8; Swallowtail; Wheatfen NR (Ted Ellis Trust),
Norfolk; 29 May 2020 - photo by
David Pitt
The
standard of entries was very high, making it a closely run vote. Thank
you to everyone who took part. We look forward to your photographs
from 2021 when our competition returns next time.
Click
here for the full details
NEW SUFFOLK
COUNTY
BUTTERFLY
RECORDER
The new County Butterfly Recorder
for Suffolk is James Corton. He takes over from Bill Stone.
The post is a Suffolk Naturalists’ Society position but works
closely with Suffolk Butterfly Conservation.
COVID restrictions
mens they have been unable to meet so they are going to start a series
of Zoom calls in order to make progress with getting James familiar
with the various databases and recording schemes. Bill will
support James until he feels confident to assume the role fully and
Bill will also help him with the 2021 report
The Recorder’s role is
to encourage accurate recording of butterflies in Suffolk, to verify
and keep county butterfly records and to produce an annual butterfly
report for publication in the Suffolk Naturalists’ Society
Transactions and the Suffolk
Branch of BC Argus.
In order to promote butterfly recording the Recorder has to be able to
engage with a wide range of stakeholders, wildlife groups,
individuals, and an enthusiastic group of butterfly recorders
(approximately 70 individuals) within the county.
James
can be contacted at
New
website for Suffolk Moths
Butterfly
Conservation is for moths as well as butterflies. There is now a
new website with comprehensive information about the moths of Suffolk
with photographs, distribution maps and latest sighting dates.
You can submit your own moth sightings as well.
Have a look at
the new site here
www.suffolkmoths.co.uk
Distribution Maps for 2014 to 2018
The latest distribution maps for Suffolk
butterflies have now been produced by Bill Stone the Suffolk Butterfly
Recorder. The maps are based on results received during 2014 to
2018 from several sources including those shown on the
Sightings Page of this website. For
anyone who has the maps produced 15 years ago* they show significant
differences for some species. For example the Wall is now almost
entirely restricted to the coast and the Silver-washed Fritillary was
not present in Suffolk.
To
see the maps click here
2019 is the final year of
the Butterflies
for the New Millennium (BNM) recording scheme so every sighting
received will contribute to the new Butterfly Atlas which will be
produced by Butterfly Conservation.
You can see the UK distibution maps for
the most recent five-year survey of the Butterflies for the New
Millennium (BNM) recording scheme (2010-2014).
Click here to download the Atlas of UK
Butterflies 2010-2014 in pdf format (11 MB).
*The Millennium Atlas of Suffolk Butterflies, 2001, by Richard
Stewart. Published by Suffolk Naturalists'Society. £5 from SNS [You
can order from Ipswich Museum by phone, 01473 433547].
40 year slump for UK Butterflies
More than three-quarters of the UK’s butterflies
have declined in the last 40 years with some common species suffering
significant slumps, a major scientific study has revealed. A
number of widespread species such as the
Wall,
Essex Skipper and
Small Heath now rank amongst the most severely declining
butterflies in the UK.
The findings also reveal that
intensive conservation efforts have started to turn around the
fortunes of some of the UK’s most endangered butterflies. During the
last 10 years the numbers of the threatened
Duke of Burgundy have increased by 67% and the
Pearl-bordered Fritillary has experienced a 45% rise in abundance.
Dingy Skipper and
Silver-studded Blue have shown 21% and 19% increases in occurrence
respectively and even the UK’s most endangered butterfly, the High
Brown Fritillary, has been relatively stable in the last decade.
But despite breakthroughs with some threatened butterflies the
report revealed that other species continue to struggle. The long-term
decline of the
Wood White,
White Admiral and
Marsh Fritillary show few signs of stopping.
Download in pdf format the full 'State of UK Butterflies 2015' report here
Do we have your email address?
It will help us to communicate changes to events (as above) if
we have your email address.
Please email your name to
using your normal email address
and email address as the subject. This can then be added to our
membership list.
|
 Follow
us on Twitter.
But still send your sightings to
|
When to See Butterflies.
The
Suffolk
Butterflies page lists the butterflies that can be seen in Suffolk,
shows when you can expect to see them and the foodplants upon which their caterpillars feed.
We can also
help if you would like advice about making your garden more attractive
to butterflies
See the
News page for dates of First Sightings
Like much of the UK, Suffolk's countryside
and wildlife are under increasing pressure. It's a situation that is
unlikely to improve in the forseeable future and there's never been a
more urgent need to understand and conserve our butterfly fauna. The
county has a gently undulating landscape of surprising contrasts,
defying the stereotype of "flat East Anglia and its arable prairies". The unspoilt coast, intimate river valleys and, especially, the
Sandlings heaths and Brecks ensure that Suffolk retains a more varied
butterfly fauna than might be expected.
Some recommended books are listed here
Butterfly
Records.
The Branch is always grateful for butterfly records and a
recording form can be downloaded from the recording
page of this
website.
We would be particularly grateful for records away from the
coast and information on the following species:
Dingy Skipper,
Green Hairstreak, Purple Hairstreak, White Letter Hairstreak,
Silver-studded Blue, Wall Brown, White Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Grayling and Small
Heath.
email your sightings to us at
Recent Sightings can be viewed here
Conservation and Recording
Brimstone
- about the Brimstone and Buckthorn project
Help us to record Brimstone
butterflies in Suffolk
Silver-studded Blue
- links to more
information
Translocation to Blaxhall Common -
2012 Update
Ecological Survey of Selected
Silver-studded Blue Sites in 2009
Silver-Washed Fritillary - link
for more information
Silver-washed
Fritillary returns to Suffolk
Purple Emperor -
link for more information
Ipswich Heaths
Project -
a new project, aimed at restoring lowland heathland habitat of 300
hectares on 14 sites in Ipswich, has been awarded a Wren Biodiversity
Action Fund grant of over £100,000.
More details here
