June 2009

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The great wildlife event of May was the huge immigration measured in countless thousands of painted lady butterflies with also a sizeable immigration of clouded yellow butterflies and accompanying migrant hummingbird hawk moths and silver-Y moths. Although many of the painted ladies flew northwards, good numbers were still in gardens and fields in NE Essex in early June. It will be interesting to see how large the summer brood of painted ladies will be resulting from immigrant females laying eggs on thistles. I am sure we can expect some spectacular numbers, as has happened in the past after large-scale immigrations. It will also be good to see the vivid orange-yellow clouded yellow butterflies the females of which will seek clover and lucerne plants on which to lay eggs and produce a late summer brood.

The serious and worrying decline in cuckoos was the subject of national publicity at the end of May. This iconic species has been placed on the Red Data list after a 61% decline over the past decade or so. Research is now in progress to determine the main reasons for this alarming slump. The KSPB considers it is a complex problem. There has been a decrease in some bird species which act as "hosts" to young cuckoos in their nests and this has led to female cuckoos concentrating on reed warblers' nests in fens and marshes. Another factor is the growing scarcity of moth larvae which form an important part of cuckoo diet and also of young cuckoos’ host "parents". Even more significant, probably, are the hazards encountered by cuckoos during their winter stays in Africa. These include the spread of deserts with absence of water and insect-supporting vegetation and the use of pesticides in some African countries which have been banned elsewhere. Whatever the causes it is sad to think that the call of the cuckoo, long a sign of spring's arrival, could soon be lost.

House martins were late in arriving this spring from their African winter quarters and numbers were noticeably down. They don't seem to like the walls and plastic eave fittings of modern houses on which to build their mud nests and like the cuckoo they face many hazards during their stays in Africa and on their long migratory flights.

Although 52 bird species have been placed on the Red Data list in the UK, indicating growing concern over their future, there is continuing good news of some birds which were originally giving rise to serious concern. Skylarks are showing remarkable resilience and the creation of suitable grassy habitats has meant a welcome increase in breeding pairs. A good example of such a new and congenial habitat is at the Woodland Trust's Fordham Hall Estate where hundreds of formerly arable acres have been transformed into new tracts of native woodland and into wild flower meadows and extensive areas of grassland. This important large conservation site resulted from a generous donation by a public-spirited benefactor. Now the area rings to the songs of skylarks as they ascend or perch on tall vegetation. Fordham Hall's flowery acres are also the home of many butterfly and moth species and barn owls and kestrels are nesting in provided boxes.

June is an important month for moth species and one of the most colourful is the cream-spot tiger which has a stronghold along the Essex coast. You can often come across these beauties in a daytime walk along sea walls and coastal paths. Good places to look for them are Copt Hall, Little Wigborough; Tollesbury Wick; Fingringhoe Wick; Old Hall Marshes and Mersea Island. The hairy larvae feed on a wide range of plants including dead nestles, hawkweeds, ragworts, dock and dandelion.

Sadly the cream-spot tiger's closest relatve, the garden tiger, has suffered a marked decline in numbers in recent years. Once it was a very common species and its hairy, "woolly bear" larvae were often seen crossing paths and roads as they moved about in search of foodplants or seeking a place to pupate.

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Sightings of rare damselflies

Among the sightings of dragonflies and damsels at end of May and early June were the rare beautiful demoiselle (damselfly) in the Roman River Valley near Friday Wood and also at Copford and West Bergholt. The small West Bergholt colony is along a stream bordering Hillhouse Wood and was confirmed last year.

Two spoonbills at Old Hall Marshes RSPB reserve

Two spoonbills were in one of the lagoons at Old Hall Marshes RSPB Reserve, Tollesbury during my visit on June 14. Also recently reported were two Mediterranean gulls and a flock of more than 50 black-tailed godwits. Although these are non-breeding birds many were in bright cinnamon plumage. Spoonbill are increasingly present at reservoirs and wetland reserves in the UK and a pair has bred in Scotland. Spoonbills nest as close to Britain as Holland, Belgium and Denmark.

Unusual moths

Ian Rose reports two broad-bordered bee hawk moths in his garden at Mistley on June 17. This is a rare occurrence as the species is an uncommon one in Essex but breeding has been proved at the RSPB's Stour Wood Reserve, Wrabness, with larvae found on foodplant honeysuckle leaves and moths seen nectaring on wild flowers in the wood. This site is not far as the moth flies from Mistley but Ian's moths may be evidence of local residence. Ian has also had up to two hummingbird hawk moths in his large garden throughout June.

The serious decline in cuckoo numbers has led to research into its causes both in UK and in its African winter quarters. Male illustrated.

House martins were arriving late back this year from Africa and numbers were down in some parts of Essex and Suffolk.

Skylarks are showing a welcome increase in areas where there is suitable grassland such as Fordham Hall Estate and in coastal nature reserves.

One of the most colourful moths to appear in June is the cream-spot tiger. It is often seen in the daytime in coastal areas especially along sea walls.

The garden tiger moth, once very common, is now considered a scarce species in Essex although the reasons for this decline are not obvious.

Silver-y moths are appearing in good numbers in meadows and grassy fields. This is an immigrant from Continental Europe.

Male beautiful demoiselle. Males have metallic cobalt wings and females have brownish wings.

hummingbird hawk moths are being reported from a number of places in NE Essex. Two are regularly present in Ian Rose's garden at Mistley.

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