The Suffolk Argus
2009 Butterfly Report Rob Parker but there were still 12 days that failed to meet the basic butterfly flight criteria, delaying the emergence of species that had passed the winter as pupae. In June there were 13 days that provided little opportunity for flight, or pairing. The frost and snow of December (the coldest December for 15 years) will be bad news for some species, particularly over wintering Red Admirals. However it could also kill parasitic fly and wasp species, once again bringing benefits for host species next year.
After two poor years, 2009 came as something of a relief. For most species, it has been a decent season, and the major immigration of Painted Lady was very welcome. Only for a few species has it been a poor year, and long-term declines account for some of these. Good recording effort has resulted in meaningful coverage for the whole of the 5-year period. Weather. The winter was colder than recent mild years, and even below average judged by historic averages, with February bringing frosts, cold winds and snow. In all, air frosts occurred 38 times in East Anglia. Thereafter, things improved, and 15th March was warm enough to bring out first butterfly sightings for many observers. Spring was warmer, sunnier and drier than 2008. The summer figures in the table below are averages, and mask the reality that July was very wet (15 rainy days), whereas August and September were unusually dry, creating conditions of drought for some larval host plants.
Monitoring the BAP Species. There are now 5 Suffolk BAP priority species, and 2 in a new category of “for study only”. The annual Silver-studded Blue count missed the peak at several of the major sites, but numbers were generally close to 2006 levels. A professional ecological survey was conducted by Neil Ravenscroft, and provided useful data for conservation at our most threatened sites. The translocated
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colony at Blaxhall Common survived another season, and up to 21 butterflies were recorded on the transect, flying over a five week period. For the fourth year in succession, the Dingy Skipper was not found at RAF Barnham,
The shortage of sunny April days with temperatures of above 16°C (at the SNS weather station in Boxford) again explains why transect walkers had difficulty in getting any walks in within the stipulated weather criteria. May was slightly better,
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