Thought I would try and set up a new topic as I don't want the discussion on the TV programme hijacked because I joined today.And a welcome from me too Liz For those that don't know Liz, she's responsible (with Andrew Middleton) for some ground-breaking work regarding the Purple Emperor:
http://www.hertsmiddx-butterflies.org.u ... hp#reports
and White-letter Hairstreak:
http://www.hertsmiddx-butterflies.org.u ... /index.php
What's your next project Liz?
Cheers,
- Pete
Thank you Pete for your welcome - also appreciated
As to new projects.........
We still have to write up our White-letter Hairstreak project work. Never as fun as looking for the butterfly unfortunately.
With the white-letter work a little less hectic now, we hope to spend a bit more time looking for Purple Emperors in Hertfordshire next year. We had a really exciting season for Emperors with areas 'refound' all within the historic landscape of north Hertfordshire. Never underestimate that butterfly - it has been in the landscape for a hundred years in north Hertfordshire but only made it presence known this year for the first time in close on 30 years. We had had some unconfirmed /second-hand reports which we hadn't dismissed but nothing definite or reported directly to us.
Then we also get quite involved looking for Grizzled Skipper.
But the snag is that I have another interest..............and thats boats and sailing on the Norfolk Broads. I have become a Trustee of the Broads Society. (Not to be confused with the Broads Authority). There is a class of boats called Yare & Bure One Designs. In 2008 they celebrated their 100th Anniversary of the first boat being built and quess what! They are all (or nearly all) named after butterflies and moths! The boat I own is called Chalk hill Blue - that was named by my brother in 1979 because when he was young, our grandparents lived close to Pewley Downs on the edge of Guildford and he used to see them there. A friend of mine has just spent a very large sum of money getting one of the original ones rebuilt and back on the water. That one was no 3 and her original name is still retained Purple Emperor!
Liz