Branch Newsletter

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NEWSLETTER No. 8 - Winter 1982/83

WEST MIDLANDS BRANCH, BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION

Sunday, May 30th. - Haugh Wood

There was a feeling of excitement as the members gathered in anticipation for the first "search for the elusive Fritillary" expedition of 1982. No sweat, as our leader, Ron Hatton, had fixed it. He had not only arranged for sunshine but also a Pearl-bordered Fritillary to give a flying display at our meeting point. A party of 18 ventured into Haugh Wood and the following species were observed: Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Speckled Wood, Wall Brown, Dingy Skipper, Common Blue, Green Hairstreak, Orange Tip, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White and Wood White (the latter in profusion). Quite an interesting variety.

Ornithologically, a number of warblers were heard, but not seen as usual.
Botanically, the Common Spotted Orchid was noted.

After lunch, we moved to the different habitat of a nearby common, where, apart from the Fritillary, we saw the same species plus, after much searching, Small Heath, Small Tortoiseshell, Large and Grizzled Skipper, bringing the day's tally to fifteen. We all enjoyed this opening field trip and hoped that the rest of the season would be as rewarding.

Sunday, June 6th. - Stockton and Harbury

Sunday 6th June turned out to be very hot and sunny all day. The butterflies were numerous and very active which was very frustrating for the photographers in the party.

Beautiful Golden Y, Minor Shoulder Knot, Silver Ground Carpet, Tortrix, Buff Arches, Small Engrailed, Flame, Bordered White, Light Emerald, Ingrailed Clay, Double Square Spot, The Clay, Purple Clay, Dark Arches, and a slightly melanic form of the July Highflyer.

Sunday, July 11th. - Kings Wood and Bernwood

Nearly 20 of us met at the unusually named Crooked Billet pub on the main A41 in Buckinghamshire. Unfortunately, Brian Wildridge, who was due to lead us, could not manage it, and Peter Coleton from Tring ably deputised for him. We were due to visit Kings Wood but whilst we were waiting in the pub car park there was plenty of activity, especially from the Landlord's pet monkey! In the garden of the pub we saw White Admiral, Ringlet, Comma and Meadow Brown.

As soon as we had all assembled, we moved a few hundred yards down the road to the entrance of what is now a B.B.O.N.T reserve. We were fortunate with the weather because after a doubtful start it had cleared up and we were favoured with bright sunshine. As soon as we got into the wood, the Browns made themselves apparent and we saw Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Small Heath, Ringlet and Gatekeeper as well as Large and Small Skipper. Commas were abundant in the form "hutchinsoni". Naturally, we were looking for less common species and, at last, we saw several White Admiral. Heather Bowerman made a lone sortie into the wood and emerged having seen a butterfly, which, judging from her description, was a Purple Hairstreak. Of course no-one believed her until we reached the far end of the Reserve and there on a pair of Ash trees we had very good views of them. On our way out we saw Small White, Brimstone and Speckled Wood.

We then had our lunch before driving in convoy to my favourite spot - Bernwood Forest. In fact it seemed to be everybody's favourite spot as it was as crowded as Blackpool beach! In the forest we saw everything that we had already seen and in addition saw Small Tortoiseshell, Painted Lady and Black Hairstreak. Naturally, we were disappointed at not having seen a Purple Emperor until, there, on our way out, we saw a mass of people on the main ride where a male Emperor had settled and posed for well over three quarters of an hour, occasionally opening his wings for the benefit of the photographers.

For me it was a good day, in good company, and the fine weather enabled us to see 17 different species.

Sunday, July 18th. - Malverns

Our trip to the Malverns was overcast, with some drizzle as we set out. However, we were lucky to have Jack Green with us and he made a damp and "butterflyless" morning most interesting and informative. After lunch in brighter weather we retraced our steps to find a High Brown Fritillary. We thought we saw one on a thistle deep in gorse and bracken, but when Joe tried to get nearer and then shrieked "adder" the High Brown suddenly lost its attraction and we all beat a hasty retreat.

Most of us then travelled on to the railway cutting at Brotheridge Green, which finished our day out on a high note. We saw hundreds of butterflies which made quite an impressive list considering our dull start: Meadow Brown, Purple Hairstreak, Gatekeeper, Marbled White, Small Copper, Grayling, Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshell, Green-veined White, Common Blue, Small Skipper, Speckled Wood, Comma, Ringlet, Peacock, Small White, Large White, High Brown Fritillary. When I reached home the Buddleia was covered in Peacocks and one very gorgeous Red Admiral.

Sunday, September 19th. - Bernwood Forest

After glorious weather during the week, with the temperature soaring into the 80's, Sunday was a dull humid day with the occasional heavy shower.

Although we do not expect to be able to guarantee the weather, we normally get the season right, but this time it looked, from the state of the vegetation, as if Winter had come, even though it was still quite warm. The first butterfly was seen next to a field on a grassy bank. This was a tatty Small Copper and, as the weather brightened up, a few Speckled Wood were seen. As we headed back to the cars for lunch, a Painted Lady landed in front of us, and when we rejoined the main ride several Commas and a Small Tortoiseshell were seen. We did not find any Brown Hairstreaks but we did manage to find an egg which was closely examined with the aid of a magnifying glass. After lunch, we went across to Waterperry Wood where very little was seen on the wing. Only the occasional Speckled Wood was spotted, although the walk was very enjoyable.

The attendance for this trip was 14 and the total species count was 6, and even if somewhat of a failure from the butterfly angle, it was an enjoyable day. At least the rain missed us and the sighting of a couple of deer was a bonus.