Summer2006
The Suffolk Argus Suffolk Butterflies", and this already merits an update. Milder winters and earlier springs have brought many species out earlier, and 10 Suffolk firsts have been bettered in the six and a half seasons since the Millennium Atlas was compiled. One of these, the Small Copper is the only early record for 2006 - up to the time of writing, (May 1st) - unless you know better! The table has been drawn up to highlight the recent changes, and to credit the observers. Another 6 late records were beaten, with extended summers allowing Browns to fly later and the White Admiral managing a second brood in 2004. As climate change continues, we may expect further additions before long.
Early and Late Records Update by Rob Parker Richard Stewart published a table of the earliest and latest Suffolk sightings for each species on pages 36 to 38 of "The Millennium Atlas of
Early/Late Records
previously unknown sites. Over the period since 1995, records have now been made from 84 tetrads, although not all of these represent established colonies, and the steady increase is a measure of recording effort rather than a genuine spread of the species. Separate detailed accounts for each of the BAP species are available as annexes [Not attached].
Spring brought only one earlier than ever record a Brown Argus on April 28th. Autumn was mild, sunny and extended, with the Browns flying later than usual - on October 6th, both Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper were still on the wing. This is later than previous records by just a day for Meadow Brown, but by 10 days for Gatekeeper. Speckled Woods, Large Whites, Commas and Peacocks were all to be seen in sunny spells, but it was Red Admirals that were most noticed, with 33 records in November/December.
Migrants It was a poor year for migrants, with Painted Lady appearing in very low numbers. There were only 16 Clouded Yellow sightings, and no Camberwell Beauties or Queen of Spain Fritillaries.
Geographic Coverage Records were received from 493 tetrads, which is better than 2002 and 2003, but does not match last year's high of 530. In all, some 295 recorders contributed, and "regulars" were joined by new faces, some from SNS, others through BC's Spring Survey, and a good number through participation in the BTO's Garden Bird Watch, which encouraged butterflies to be noted alongside birds. Our distribution maps are improving as an increased number of observers record butterfly numbers, rather than simply presence.
Swallowtails Recorder
Earliest Earliest to 2005/6 to 2000
MarkComish ColinJacobs RobMacklin Merwn Crawford
20/06/03 27/03/06 06/06/03 28/03/05
RichardChamoion
16/06/03
RobParker RichardChamoion MikeTa~lor
28/03/02 19/04/02 21/06/03
DarrenUnderwood 25/05/04 J. Goslina 08/06/04
07/06/95 29/05/83 31/05/97 25/04/90 28/05/97 27/04/97 09/01/98 18/03/95 25/02/00 11/03/00 23/03/90 12/04/95 22/06/99 04/07/99 29/03/98 17/06/00 03/05/97 24/04/92 18/03/90 22/06/99 01/01/00 20/02/90 01/01/00 15/03/97 01/01/00 15/01/95 31/03/90 24/04/90 02/07/00 13/06/92 27/05/95 14/06/97 05/05/83
Species
Latest to2000
SmallSkinru,r EssexSkiooer Lan:ieSkipper DinaySkiooer Swallowtail CloudedYellow Brimstone LarqeWhite SmallWhite Green-veined White OranqeTio GreenHairstreak PurnleHairstreak White-letterH'streak SmallCoooer Silver-studdedBlue BrownAraus CommonBlue Holly Blue WhiteAdmiral RedAdmiral PaintedLady SmallTortoiseshell CamberwellBeautv Peacock Comma SoeckledWood Wall Gravlinq Gatekeeper MeadowBrown Rinalet Small Heath
25/09/95 12/09/84 31/08/84 04/07/83 28/08/91 21/11/32 15/11/95 01/11/59 27/10/94 29/10/95 20/07/95 20/07/96 08/09/00 28/08/00 16/11/84 21/08/83 23/10/99 06/11/94 01/11/84 01/09/51 11/12/94 20/11/95 28/12/97 14/10/96 31/12/97 12/12/00 03/11/95 30/10/95 22/09/95 21/09/95 16/09/84 27/08/84 04/10/99
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Latest to 2005
Recorder
18/09/04
Merwn Crawford
Two adult Swallowtails were seen, one at Trimley and the other on the outskirts of Ipswich. There was no recurrence of the flurry of sightings made in 2004, and no reports oflarvae.
Residents 16/11/03
Merwn Crawford
11/10/04 25/12/02
NiqelCumminq MikeDean
Orange-tips, Holly Blues and Green Hairstreaks all did well in spring, although Holly Blues were not so numerous in the second brood. By summer, the shorrage of Small Tortoiseshells, Peacocks and Commas was a topic of general awa~eness,and it is possible that they are suffering from the spread of the parasitic Tachinid fly Sturmia be/la. Again, there was a very poor showing of the Wall, although the Grayling and Small Heath did not deteriorate below their low 2004 numbers. The White Admiral had a strong year, with sightings in 31 terrads, including 6 in totally new sites, following a year that produced a partial second brood. :rhe Small Tortoiseshell, noted in 66% of tetrads visited, remains our most widely reported butterfly, though it was closely challenged by the Speckled Wood and Green-veined White.
Purple Emperor.
06/10/05 06/10/05
LydiaCalYesbert LydiaCalvesbert
The surprising discovery of Purple Emperors flying in Theberton Woods was found to be the result of clandestine releases dating from 2000. It remains to be seen whether they can establish a sustainable breeding population in the wild.
SpeckledWood by Beryl]ohmon
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