July 2009

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The month of July is peak time for butterflies, dragonflies and many other insects and invertebrates. A star species among the butterflies is the white admiral which is currently expanding its range in NE Essex from established strongholds at Stour Wood, Wrabness and Friday Wood and the Roman River valley south of Colchester. It is now well established in High Woods Country Park, Colchester and is being reported from woods at Tiptree and on the Marks Hall Estate, Coggeshall. The elegant white admiral used to be widely distributed in Essex but suffered a decline in the 1960s pulling back to one stronghold at Stour Wood so its current spread is very welcome. Its larvae feed on honeysuckle leaves and overwinter as tiny creatures inside dry curled Leaves called hibernaculums.

Another welcome butterfly revival is that of the small tortoiseshell which has been at worryingly low levels in recent years. One observer at West Bergholt on June 25 counted 22 small tortoiseshells on a walk of some two miles in open country and the margins of woods. It's believed that this butterfly has suffered from the predation of its larvae by a parasitic fly only recently arrived from the Continent. Also climatic and environmental changes may be partly to blame. Fortunately the small tortoiseshell’s larval foodplant, stinging nettle, is plentifull.

Other butterflies flying in good numbers in July are the meadow brown; gatekeeper; ringlet; and large, small and Essex skippers. There’s continuing good news of the spread of the scarce chaser dragonfly which is being reported from new sites in the Colne Valley and along streams in NE Essex. Also there is a welcome spread of the beautiful demoiselle, a damselfly which used to be found only in the Roma River valley south of Colchester but has now been found along streams at West Bergholt and Copford.

Surprise visitors to the Mistley garden of Ian Rose, Vice-President of
Colchester Natural History Society and a leading member of Essex Moth Group, were two broad-bordered bee hawk moths. This is a rare species in Essex and the nearest known site to Ian is Stour Wood RSPB reserve, Wrabness, where adults have been seen nectaring on flowers and larvae have been found feeding on honeysuckle leaves. Ian is now investigating the possibility that the moths may have come to his own woodland and is checking his honeysuckles. There have also been two hummingbird hawk moths in Ian's garden during June.

Before I leave the subject of Lepidoptera, particularly butterflies, I'd like to draw attention that there are still copies available of the much-praised guide to The Butterflies of Colchester and North-East Essex. This 116 page guide, fully illustrated in colour which covers all species found (and which have occurred)in the area is written by myself and Professor Ted Benton and illustrated by Ted's superb definitive photos. Full life histories given for all species and the places where you can see them. Anyone who would like a copy signed by both authors should write to me at 55, Chapel Road, West Bergholt, Colchester C06 3HZ (01206-241389). Price is £12 including P&P and cheques should be made out to Colchester Natural History Society.

Another poor year for spotted flycatcher records in Essex and Suffolk. It is feared that the birds suffer losses during their migratory flights from Africa and are among species persecuted by netters and shooters in the Mediterranean countries. Turtle doves are again down in numbers and they have to run the gauntlet of gunners in southern Europe and North Africa despite some extra efforts to curb illegal shooting and shorten hunting seasons. Linnets which have suffered a decline in recent years with losses of heathland habitats with gorse and changing farming practice with fewer autumn stubbles on which to feed, appear to be having something of a revival. Some family groups with young of the year have been seen in several areas of NE Essex.

A couple of dates for your diaries: I will be leading a butterflies, dragonflies and summer insects walk with Philip Smith at Hillhouse Wood, West Bergholt on Sunday, July 12. Meet at West Bergholt old church next to the hall at 10am. Also on Saturday, August 1st I will lead a butterflies and summer insects walk at Hilly Fields and Bunting Meadow local nature reserve. Meet at the Sussex Road entrance to Hilly Fields at 10am. Hope to see you there.

Look for white admiral butterflies at Stour Wood, Wrabness; Friday Wood, Berechurch and Highwoods Country Park, Colchester during July.

White letter hairstreak which you may see on the Hillhouse Wood butterfly walk, July 12

There's a welcome revival in numbers of the small tortoishelle butterfly after several lean seasons.

Better news of linnets this season with family parties seen.

Another year with disturbingly few reports of spotted flycatchers. They are affected by hazardous migratory journeys, loss of habitats and climatic changes reducing insect prey.

A broad-bordered bee hawk moth. Two of these rare moths have been watched in the garden of Ian Rose at Mistley. There is a small colony of this species at Stour wood RSPB Reserve, Wrabness.

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