www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Guy - Sadly, I fear Matthew will be correct. I also suspect there will be more than one bad news story as a result of the 'hot' December.
Goldie - Thanks. I'm lucky to live in a part of the world where Grizzled Skippers are quite widespread. I think they're lovely little butterflies; just look at the cute face on the one I'm about to post!
BWs, Neil

Sussex Dukes Are Out

The Duke of Burgundy is now starting to emerge on Heyshott Escarpment. Yesterday (1 May), Mark Colvin and Mike Edwards (Murray Downland Trust) found a male in the lower pit on the main grassland area, and I discovered another two in pits further uphill, on the eastern edge of the reserve.

For the second year running I found a Duke emerging through the turf, and was able to watch it climb onto low vegetation before inflating its wings. This event confirmed two things; firstly that a large proportion of Dukes seem to emerge during the middle part of the day (many appearing between 11 am and 2 pm); and that they often pupate within thick blankets of moss. I managed to locate the pupal case, but unfortunately it became fragmented during the process of excavation.

Six Grizzled Skippers were also seen, most of which had clearly only just emerged. I'm looking forward to the Fritillaries for the Future http://www.sussex-butterflies.org.uk/Fr ... uture.html walk here on Sunday (8 May). On the way home I stopped off at Rewell Wood and found my first woodland Grizzled Skippers of the year.

Although Pearl-bordered Fritillaries are now flying at Abbot's Wood in East Sussex, they have yet to start at Rewell Wood. However, they will be out in time for the Fritillaries for the Future morning and afternoon walks I'm leading here on Saturday 7 May and Saturday 14 May, starting at 10.30 am and 2.00 pm each day (details here http://www.sussex-butterflies.org.uk/events.html).

Your Bluebell [Rewell] Wood picture makes me realise that despite the hustle and bustle of the south east, you still have beautiful places like that. Bluebells only just coming out here in Scotland where they are often open hillside flowers. But I am sure there are some bluebell woods in sheltered locations. Will search.

That's a lovely photo that brings back memories. Thanks Neil for sharing.

Jack

Looks like you're in for a hectic time down there, Neil, with so many species now starting to emerge.

Given the weather forecast, the timing couldn't be better.

Thanks, Jack. Look forward to catching up with you again soon.
Hi David. It's certainly kicked off now (at long last). Scorchio tomorrow
BWs, Neil

Weekend Walks (Part 1)

A total of 30 people joined me for the morning and afternoon Fritillaries for the Future walks at Rewell Wood today (7 May). I would like to think that everyone enjoyed them as much as I did - which was a lot! The sun shone and a total of 13 Pearl-bordered Fritillaries were seen throughout the course of the day and evening. Beautiful Green Hairstreaks were seen by both parties, together with a few Orange-tips, Red Admirals, Peacocks, Brimstones, Green-veined and Large Whites, Speckled Woods and a Comma.

After the hustle and bustle of the day I eventually had the wood to myself, and sat amongst the Bluebells until the sun had slipped below the horizon. By this time I must have become part of the furniture, as a couple of Roe Deer passed so close to me that I could almost have touched them. What a fantastic day - but tomorrow might be even better.
While on the subject of PBF, here's a notice I posted on the BC Sussex website recently, in response to concerns raised by one or two members. It does have wider relevance at this time of year, and we should all do our best to ensure we don't damage the things we love so much.

Please Tread Carefully and Help Our Precious Pearls

The Pearl-bordered Fritillary season is now here again and I hope that many of you will be out enjoying this fantastic species over the next few weeks, either on guided walks or on your own. This is a good time to remind everyone, particularly keen photographers, to consider their impact on the butterfly’s breeding habitat. The chance of stepping on a chrysalis, an emerging adult, a mating pair, or a roosting butterfly, is relatively small (per visitor), but if too many feet criss-cross a coppice coupe or clearing over the next few weeks it is likely that someone will get unlucky.

This is particularly true if you are intent on following a fritillary as it twists and turns, rather than keeping your eyes on the ground. It won’t be long before there are other considerations too, such as breeding Nightjars. Please try to resist the urge to walk through breeding habitat, unless you are performing an official, structured survey. In good weather the best photographs are always achieved either early or late in the day, when the butterflies will be feeding on Bugle, Dandelion and other flowers along the edge of rides. Once they are fully active in heat the most likely outcome is unintentional but unnecessary damage. On the best day last year, the total number of adults recorded in Sussex only just exceeded 100. We can’t afford to lose a single one of our Precious Pearls.

Thanks for your co-operation and happy hunting!

Neil Hulme
Fritillaries for the Future Project Officer

HI Neil,

Judging by reports, and my own observation , it would seem that we are now seeing
a migration of Red Admirals to our shores as a number have been reported this weekend.
Up until now few have been seen this year, clearly the hibernators had a bad time.
I must confess, having only seen two, so far this year, to being seriously worried about
their fortunes if the hibernators had not survived to produce a home grown brood.

Superb Pearls & Dukes, Neil

Further to Trevor's point regarding Red Admirals maybe we'll see some sort of influx of Painted Ladies especially if the winds remain in the SE quadrant (or quarter?). From what I've read so far there has been very few reports of them.

ATB

Peter

Hi Both,

We are seeing an influx of Red Admirals from the Continent, supplemented by a few emerging on British soil, having gone through a protracted, over-winter life cycle.

BWs, Neil

Weekend Walks (Part 2)

Ten people attended the Fritillaries for the Future walk at Heyshott Escarpment on Sunday (8 May) and, as always, this wonderful Murray Downland Trust reserve revealed its treasures in abundance. We counted 46 Duke of Burgundy, despite this being just one week into its local flight season; numbers are likely to build rapidly now. Even better, following several false starts, it appears that this species might now be colonising the western flank.

A tally of 13 Green Hairstreak was the highest I've managed here, but they were outnumbered by both the Dingy Skipper and Red Admiral. Grizzled Skipper was seen in single figures and seems to be having a relatively poor season in Sussex. Even the sunken lanes which connect the reserve to the village are outstandingly beautiful, being blanketed in blue, purple, lilac, yellow and white spring flowers, attended by Orange-tips and Green-veined Whites. My thanks to all those who came along and shared in such an enjoyable experience.

For me, the day was far from over. I was keen to look at the Graffham Down Trust reserves, primarily to see how the vegetation is reacting to recent management. Although I've been hoping for it, I was nevertheless surprised (and very, very pleased) to discover a Duke of Burgundy laying eggs on the Scott's Corner reserve. I believe this is the first confirmed sighting of the species here since the early 1990s. It's too early to claim a sustained colonisation, but clearly very encouraging news.

What a lovely photo that is Neil, the Hair Streak on the Blue Bell Goldie

Thanks, Goldie.

The Rise Of Abbot's Wood

My first visit to Abbot's Wood this year (13 May) was well timed. I spent most of the day there, under blue skies and temperatures which climbed so high that they suppressed the activity of Pearl-bordered Fritillaries (PBF) in mid afternoon. My visit was made to the soundtrack of Nightingales and at least one male Cuckoo. The beautifully managed rides and open spaces were a riot of colour, with some areas of Bluebell still sufficiently fresh to look stunning, splashed with patches of greenish yellow Wood Spurge.

I performed standardised Timed Counts over two areas, twice, taking an average of the already similar figures. An hour over the large, open slope produced a count of 81, but there would have been far more individuals flying over this area at various points throughout the day. At times there were more males visible, actively searching out virgin females, and at other times the majority of butterflies were egg-laying females. A vast number of eggs were being laid. My request for restraint in wandering over these areas was clearly well-founded, as I had to relocate a happy couple which were tucked away in the shade of ankle-high Bramble in the middle of a path.

A thirty minute Timed Count over another favoured area produced a tally of 23, and a further 8 over a smaller, adjacent patch which has recently been cut. This colony appeared to be slightly earlier in its own flight period, with probably a significant number of males still to emerge. The remainder of the 121 PBF which I encountered were dispersing along various rides, laying eggs as they went. I met wandering females deep within closed canopy woodland, and watched others climbing high over the tops of trees.

Over the last few years I've heard misplaced concerns about the habitat management here (which I can assure you is as close to perfect as could ever be achieved in a commercial woodland - and a huge credit to Stuart Sutton and his Forestry Commission colleagues), and worries about genetic diversity (no evidence or reason to suspect a problem). These concerns have arisen because the PBF population has fallen away from the heady peak of a few years ago. This is what PBF populations do, always have done, and always will do, before building up again. The 'hotspots' will also vary and shift from year to year, as they have done since the species evolved alongside the activities of Man in this part of the country.

2016 is clearly a year in which the Abbot's population is heading in the direction we all prefer to see. Do get along to enjoy the spectacle while it lasts, but please watch your feet! Photographers - if you wait until late afternoon on sunny days, large numbers of PBF are emerging from the breeding areas to feed on Bugle along the edge of rides. Congratulations to all involved in the creation and maintenance of this wildlife paradise.

Colonisation Confirmed

Last Wednesday (11 May) I led a group from the Steyning Downland Scheme over Heyshott Escarpment. Despite regular spells of light rain and almost continual coverage with a blanket of grey cloud, we still managed to find 16 Duke of Burgundy, along with Green Hairstreaks, Dingy and Grizzled Skippers.

After the walk I headed over to the Graffham Down Trust reserves, which were bathed in sunshine by the time I arrived. The discovery of a different female Duke of Burgundy (to that seen 8 May), and a worn male, confirm this as an important colonisation. The trust has done a great job of creating some suitable habitat here, so I hope the population will grow.

Hi! Neil, I was interested in what you said about the PBF and how they can fluctuate from year to year, at Gait Barrow last year I went up there on numerous occasions and couldn't locate any , the Ranger said it was a bad year for them. I don't believe there out yet at GB, some have been seen at Warton.

We made a special journey last week to GB but nothing was seen, Dukes or PBF and I saw no Bugle at all although the weather was perfect so I'm hoping may be another week before I try again, any advice would be welcome. Goldie

Great news about the Dukes

Hi Goldie,
Some species, particularly Dukes, can hold out in very low numbers, sometimes giving the impression that they've gone. I remember reading comments a few years back, about a very small site I help manage, suggesting that the Duke could not possibly survive any longer, because nobody saw more than one at a time that year. I saw 15 there yesterday. It's a good idea to get to know your local site ranger or manager - you can't beat local knowledge.

Also, remember that spring is now running about three weeks late (compared to C21st average), so if the plants aren't out yet, the insects won't be out yet.

Hi bugboy,
Yes, it's really good news. Getting Dukes to move and colonise new areas (beyond spitting distance) is tricky. Up late, early to bed, fighting all day, good-for-nothings. They really could do a lot more to help themselves!

BWs, Neil

Last 2016 Rewell Wood Walks

I led the last of my 2016 Fritillaries for the Future walks at Rewell Wood on Saturday 14 May. Over the course of the four walks 50 guests all saw the beautiful Pearl-bordered Fritillary up close. It was particularly satisfying to see the butterflies laying eggs in the areas of habitat cut by volunteers in the winter. I hope that some visitors will come and help us with more management work later this year.

Now that this season's Rewell walks are over, please do observe the following, and remember that this is a privately owned wood. The Norfolk Estate is extremely generous in assisting with conservation work for butterflies, and in allowing privileged access for our annual guided walks. Other than for the attendance of these organised events, please DO NOT drive through the metal gate into the wood, even if it is open, as you may get locked in for the night. Please only use the two parking bays, on the right-hand side of the track, just before the entrance gate. If these are unavailable please access the wood via Fairmile Bottom. Please keep to the public rights of way - we will be creating suitable habitat to ensure that PBF can always be seen from the W - E track (western part) which runs just north of the sawmill. Please do not enter coppice coupes, as Nightjars have now arrived. Thanks for your co-operation.

Your diary has had much uplifting news lately, Neil (along with some beautiful images). Hard work seems to be paying off and long may this continue.

Good advice regarding leaving it till late afternoon to get closer audiences with the PBFs. They do seem to burn themselves out a bit by mid-afternoon.

Thanks, David. Some more uplifting news on the way!
BWs, Neil