The Suffolk Argus
Observations on the Queen of
Spain Fritillary 1997 by RichardStewart (County Butterfly Recorder)
A minimum of 28 of these rare butterflies is an incredible total for Suffolk but it's not all straight forward, even if as the County Butterfly Recorder you get early information. John Dolman and I spent the best part of five hours near the end of October getting to know a particular field close to the Suffolk coast in great detail-but alas, no Queen of Spain Fritillaries, which had been seen there the day before. It was windy and there was little sunshine until the afternoon and not one butterfly was observed. Alan and Paul Johnson fared slightly better two days later, seeing a few butterflies but again not the rarity they wanted. In addition, even if you find them there may be problems ahead. On 18th
16
March 1998
September I was up very early after a report from Charlotte Anderson, one of the Minsmere wardens, about two Queen of Spain Fritillaries sighted by the two wardens at Wangford, as they passed along a footpath off the main road on their way to explore likely water vole sites-how's that for Biodiversity! The path ran alongside a field recently harvested but now full of 'weeds' i.e. nectar source for butterflies. I eventually found them, spiralling together and later had a much closer examination of one that settled close to me. A later distant glimpse was added before I walked back the short distance to the village hoping for a cup of coffee at the pub, which advertised itself as being open all day. This, on closer study, started at mid-day so instead I bought some biscuits and headed back, sitting down with my camera gear spread out in the hope of a close-up. The next thing I knew was seeing a tractor heading down the far lane beyond the large field, then turning right towards me still the hedge side of the field then suddenly coming through an unseen gap and starting to spray the field! With my chest problems, my gear all over the place, the length of the spraying apparatus and the speed it was heading for me, I regret that I opted for self-preservation and beat a hasty retreat, taking just one quick photo for posterity. Several of those I confided in during the next few days said it was, at that time of year, likely to be herbicide and the later records of the species not too far away gave me some comfort. Even so, two factors still perplex me-how many of these rarities are missed, since it was simply by chance that two wardens well used to the species happened to be passing that way. Second, I was probably the only person in the country, on that day, watching this rare butterfly-and that was the day selected to spray the field!
SteveGoddardtakes a well earnedrest byJamesMann Steve was a founder member of the Suffolk branch of Butterfly Conservation having attended the launch on 20 October 1993. He was elected to the committee at the inaugural meeting in June 1994 and given the job of producing the Suffolk Argus. Volume I was published in January 1994 the latest, volume 12 published in December 1997 a common factor is they both contain articles from Steve. In this time he has developed the Argus into a professional magazine that holds its own very well with the magazines of other, and often much larger branches. On top of all this Steve has held the post of branch organiser when the committee, as now, was short of members. Sadly Steve has had to retire from work on medical grounds and now has reluctantly decided that he cannot continue as the editor of the Suffolk Argus. We must give our thanks to Steve for editing the Argus for all its production to date. Each copy drops through the letterbox and we often give no thought to the work that went in to produce it let alone to realise that the editor is already working on the next issue to ensure that our main contact with the membership continues as a quality magazine. The new editor, when we find one, will still have a time consuming but rewarding task but he/she will have the advantage of an already quality product and also the experience and expertise of Steve for advice from time to time. Thank you again Steve for your hard work over the years when you have often not felt up to it. I know we will not be able to forget you for apart from anything else I am confident we have not seen the last article with the name Steve Goddard on it.
Suffolk Show 1998 27/28thMay by Paul Gilson
Suffolk Showground, Conservation Area near to the Nacton Road entrance We are delighted to inform you that the Branch will be attending the County Show for the fifth succesive year thanks to Thornham Estates who have kindly offered us room in their tent. This will be a wonderful opportunity to promote Butterfly Conservation as well as the activities of our own Branch. The central theme of our display will be 'Gardens and Butterflies' as well as having our normal display boards on show. A range of Butterfly attracting plants will be available on the stand for people thinking of starting or adding to a garden designed for Butterflies. Running a stall at these events needs as many helpers as possible, please let James Mann or Paul Gilson know at the soonest if you feel you can offer assistance. If you are attending the Show anyway don't forget to look in, have a chat and see what we are up to! You will find us in the Conservation area near to the Nacron Road entrance.
5
