www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Hi all,

I was hoping you may be able to enlighten me here...

I was off doing some observations around the Baggy Point National Trust site near Croyde Bay, and stumbled upon a Silver Studded Blue - female. The habitat is perfect for them but I couldn't find any case of them being recorded that far up. Does anyone know of any records around that area or that far up the coast?

Sadly, I didn't manage to get a photo, but did get more than long enough of a look to identify.

Thanks,
Solomon x

Hi Solomon - that would seem to be well outside of the range of this species:

https://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/distrib ... tyle=sites

Unfortunately, without a photo, I suspect that this sighting will be questioned by the county recorder ... such is life!

Cheers,

- Pete

Yes I did suspect that to be the case, and rightfully so - quality of data is everything and I can't imagine how many mis-identifications there are to deal with. It certainly startled me with a "wait... what?", so I can't imagine it would have any different of an effect on a recorder. For those unfamiliar, the location is a beautiful coastal walk crammed to the brim with Heather, Gorse, and openings of dense long grasses. You couldn't find a better habitat if you tried!

Clear as day sighting, so I'd happily testify to it. It was a text-book example with very pronounced silvery blue studs on the hind wing. What's most infuriating is that I had my camera at the ready and just wasn't quick enough. I went back the next day and spent hours searching for another photo opportunity but sadly to no avail, as is often the case with these things. I swear the most unusual species land right beside you just to tease you, never to be seen again once the camera is out.

It's all a National Trust site though, and they have regular surveyers. Perhaps a report with National Trust will encourage someone to keep a look out and hopefully verify the records?

Hi Solomon

This is an interesting observation. What a shame you couldn’t get a confirmatory photo.

I am familiar with the area (having grown up in Barnstaple) and I’ve often wondered if silver-studded blue might be present somewhere on that coastline as I can remember seeing a distribution map quite a few years ago (I can’t remember where I saw it now!) that had a dot for Silver-Studded blue on Saunton Down.

Although there are no accepted records, there are several unconfirmed ‘plausible’ records from the region on the NBN Atlas dating back to the 1940s, 60s and 80s (https://species.nbnatlas.org/species/NBNSYS0000005539). It is possible that there is a small colony that has persisted undetected somewhere off the beaten track, and you spotted a dispersing individual.

Fingers crossed they get seen again

Cheers

Quentin