Summer 2018 is monitored very closely and both range and abundance recorded accurately.
and can be found in a variety of grassy habitats including woodland rides but the key requirement is a short sward of fine grass species. The increase in the Suffolk population in 2017 is very pleasing and relates to the favourable weather in the spring and early summer which allowed the butterfly to breed successfully and establish strong subsequent generations. However, we cannot be complacent as the long-term trend for Suffolk is still “weak and vulnerable” and this is mirrored in the UKBMS Summary of Changes Table for 2017. This identifies a series trend (1976-2016) of -58% for the Small Heath population and this fall in abundance is classified as being “very highly significant”. The full 2017 Butterfly Report, including maps and year analysis tables, will be published in the next volume of Suffolk Natural History, the Transactions of the Suffolk Naturalists’ Society.
Annex J- Small Heath The Small Heath was recorded in 154 tetrads this year which represents an astonishing increase when compared to the 104 achieved in 2016. The first record was received on 22nd April at Blackheath. It was last reported on 28th September at the Natural England reserve at Cavenham Heath. The maximum number recorded for the year was 104 at Shingle Street on 4th. Elsewhere, high double-figure counts (50+) were recorded at key sites in both the east and west of the county. The 2017 distribution map clearly shows the strongholds of this butterfly as the heaths of the Sandlings in the east of the county and of the Brecklands to the west. However, the Small Heath is not confined to heath land. It is highly adaptive
2018 Photographic Competition
2018 Photographic Competition 2018 Photographic Competition After what seems like like a very long long winter without butterflies, it’s tit’s ime time to dust down those cameras After what seems a very winter without butterflies, to dust down those After hat seems like photographing a voery long winter wmore. byutterflies, t’s time to o df ust hose cyears ameras and gwet photographing nce more. Who kithout nows, ou knows, could biyou e the star tthe his dstar yown ears C Suffolk cameras and get once Who could be oftB this and gBC et pSuffolk hotographing once m ore. knows, you coould tpart he star of taannual his Bh C eld Sand uffolk This is a traditional of our will Photographic CPhotographic ompetition. TCompetition. his is W a tho raditional p art f our bae nnual AGM nd ywears ill AGM be on Saturday th be held on Saturday 17th November at Earl Stonham Village Hall. Photographic C ompetition. T his i s a t raditional p art o f o ur a nnual A GM a nd w ill b e h eld o n Saturday 17 November at Earl Stonham Village Hall. a revisedat format this year,Village there Hare 17th In November Earl Stonham all. three categories, with a prize for the overall winner In awhose revised format this year, the there are votes. three categories, with a prize for the overall winner whose photograph attracts most In photograph a revised format this year, there are three categories, with a prize for the overall winner whose attracts the most votes. • UK Butterfly Moths species photographed during 2018 in the UK) photograph attracts or the most (any votes. UK Butterfly or M (any species photographed 018 in the UK) • •Overseas Butterfly oroths Moth (any species photographedduring during22018 outside of the UK) •• •Early UK Butterfly or Moths any species photographed during 018 in he this UoK) Overseas utterfly oor r (M oth (any species photographed 2t018 utside of the UK) Stage BButterfly Moth (Ovum, Larva, Pupa) – itd2uring is hoped category will •encourage Bto utterfly ofor r M (any species photographed 2018 ocutside of wthe K) photograph the developmental journey • Overseas Early you Stage Bsearch utterfly oand r oth Moth (Ovum, Larva, Pupa) – it dis uring hoped tto his adulthood. ategory ill eUncourage • Early tage Butterfly or pM oth (Ovum, Pupa) – it ijs hoped tto his category will encourage you tSo search for and hotograph the Larva, developmental ourney adulthood. Have antenjoyable Summer and we look forward to seeingjourney you andto your photographs at our you o search for and photograph the developmental adulthood. Have an enjoyable Summer and we look forward to seeing you and your photographs at our AGM. AGM. Have an enjoyable Summer and we look forward to seeing you and your photographs at our AGM. Full Full details of tof he the competition will appear on on the f oour ur wwebsite. ebsite. details competition will appear theevents eventspage pageoof Full details of the competition will appear on the events page of our website.
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