Late Butterflies I have always been very interested in late sightings of butterflies but get the impression that this aspect of recording tends to get overlooked.Recently, I have been able to look through some of the more recent correspondence and recording sheets relating to the Suffolk Butterfly Survey, courtesy of Steve Piotrowski, and my thoughts were confirmed. Many observers added, with their sightings, a 'first seen this year'date, but hardly any gave a 'last seen' record. In fact, some of the excellent recording sheets finished around the end of September. One exception was at North Warren where Rob Macklin recorded precise flight dates, and in 1992, these included September 16th, (Green-veined White), September 26th (Small White), October 13th (Small Copper) and October 23rd (Large White). Such 'latest' sightings are reasonably straightforward in those species where the adult doesn't hibernate. Two other recordings from North Warren in the same year (Comma on October 10th and Peacock on November 8th) also seem reasonably straightforward but what about the one at Chippenham Fen, witnessed by Malcolm Wright and the Head Warden (Red Admiral on January 22nd1990) ? Early or late? A Red Admiral reported from Falkenham on December 5th, 1990 ('White Admiral' magazine: Summer 1991 p19) is of equal interest. I don't know the answer but,in the hope that it will be of help, here are my own records of late sightings for some Suffolk species ; Brimstone Speckled Wood
Large White Holly Blue Small Copper Small Tortoiseshell Comma Peacock
Red Admiral
September 28th 1992 on Ivy in my garden. October 4th 1993 a faded specimen on literally the last bloom of Buddleia outside the toilets at Minsmere; another, in much better condition, was at the start of the path opposite the toilets, which has a canopy of trees. I am sure that this second one would have been seen on later days. October 13th 1990 on Buddleia in my garden. October 20th 1990 flying near the Ivy in my garden.This is a late date but it was of course.during the 'Holly Blue Year'. October 27th 1984 landed on ·an orange peg bag in my garden. November 8th 1992 on purple erigeron in my garden but not observed feeding. November 11th 1988 on the lawn.windfall apples and willow in my garden. November 12th 1993 seen in the King's Forest.just past Culford, fluttering around trunks of very tall conifers and seen going inside a gap in the bark, then flying out again:disturbed from hibernation - or still seeking a suitable place? Bearing in mind that this is many weeks later than any other Peacock I have ever seen, I would assume the former. November 19th 1988 on my garden lawn.
To show how others can survive late in the year, here finally are two from' across the border': Swallowtail at Strumpshaw Fen on September 15th 1991-feeding on Buddleia and two Wall Browns at Cley on October 24th 1989 with a Small Copper nearby, all on a sunny roadside bank. I hope some even 'later' records will now come out of the files! Richard Stewart 3
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That's the history, what of the future? How can we prevent any further decline and which of our butterflies are in most danger today? The fate of the majority lies in the hands of fanners and landowners, including local authorities (and the Forestry Commission!). However, I feel we should be encouraged by the fact that many of the people who can influence the make up of our cmmtryside are keen to help ifwe can make a case and/or show them how! This we must do. Also, we must not m1derestimate our own individual contributions. From objecting to sensitive site development to making field observations, be it scientifically or casually, people who care can make things happen or stop them. If you don't know anything about it, or are W1surehow to help or where to start, why not come to the AGM on 26 March (see Events List), where the theme this year is Recording. Just in time to begin the new season !
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Make no mistake, the decline has not halted. There are still Suffolk butterflies in danger today. I would suggest that something like 6 species are vulnerable not least because they are already so difficult to find! We should all be aware of the status of the Silver - studded Blue, our adopted emblem, but what about Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Brown Argus, and White - letter Hairstreak- and what is really happening to the White Admiral? It may already be too late for the Grizzled Skipper which was last positively recorded in 1979. The Branch would like to make a special effort in 199410 look for and record these 6 species in particular. Steve Piotrowski (see address on back cover) will be delighted to receive your sightings and we shall look forward to printing an article on them in a future Suffolk Argus. Good news or bad, we need to know. As champions of the reai countryside, we do not want to record the 22nd extinction in Suffolk. Steve Goddard
Acknowledgments: Thanks to Howard Mendel and Steve Piotrowski for their excellent book The Butterflies Of Suffolk (still available from Suffolk Naturalists'Society, c/o The Museum, High Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IPl 3QH at £10 + £1 p&p) which provided a marvellous reference for this article. Many thanks also to Roger Smith, BBCS Conservation Committee Chairman and Habitat Survey Officer, for his interest and for providing other historical material.
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