The Suffolk Argus
Special Edition - Summer 2008
Report on 2007 Translocation of Silver-studded Blue, Plebejus argus, to Blaxhall Common, Suffolk. translocations, one from each of Lower Hollesley and the Sawmills colony near Minsmere, one to be conducted at the peak flight period, and the other two weeks later. The intention was to move as many mating pairs as possible, with the balance made up to 30 adult butterflies from each donor site. See [2] for full detail.
This report covers the translocation of Silver-studded Blue to Blaxhall Common SSSI. The activity was organised jointly by Butterfly Conservation (Suffolk Branch) and the Suffolk Wildlife Trust in pursuance of the objectives of the Suffolk Local Biodiversity Action Plan [1]. The active phase was completed on 8 July 2007.
Codes & Guidance Care has been taken to plan the translocations in accordance with the best advice available, and particular attention has been paid to the following codes and guidance. Organisation
date
Full Title
Joint Committee for the Conservation of British Insects.
1986 m
Insect Re-establishment - a code of conservation practice.
English Nature. m m m
1995 m m m
Guidance Notes for Invertebrate Translocations and Introductions. (from the Species Conservation Handbook)
Butterfly Conservation.
2001
Lepidoptera Restoration, revised.
Timing.
Approvals.
Following an unusually hot April, the 2007season began early, and the first Silver-studded Blues made their appearance in Suffolk on 4th June, two days earlier than ever previously recorded. In view of this, the first translocation was conducted on 18 June.
The necessary consents were obtained in advance from Natural England, Butterfly Conservation Head Office, landowners at the donor sites - (R.H & R. Paul for Sutton and Hollesley Heaths SSSI (Lower Hollesley Common), and RSPB for MinsmereWalberswick Heaths and Marshes SSSI (Sawmills site), and at the receiving site, Blaxhall Parish Council. The detailed proposal was submitted to Natural England [2] on 30 Jan 07. A final check for the presence of Lasius ants was successfully conducted on 9th May, and letters of consent [3] were issued on 13th June.
First Translocation – 18 Jun 07. A SWT/BC volunteer team of 5 entered the Sawmills site at 11:30 with the weather as forecast: 17C and overcast with a light breeze. Initially, the numbers of butterflies were low, particularly females, but by 12:30 the day was warmer, with a few sunny intervals, and we had little difficulty finding roosting Silver-studded Blues and potting them. Shortage of sun
The Plan. The proposal specified two separate
6
The butterflies are released into the care of Terry Peake at Blaxhall Common. 15
