Comma-WestMidBC-autumn-2014

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Chairman’s Briefing Cover story Our front cover picture of a stunning male Brown Hairstreak was taken by keen photographer Pete Withers, of Bewdley, at Grafton Wood Nature Reserve. You can read about the new Brown Hairstreak "champion" on Page 6, the Grafton Wood butterfly walk on Page 11, the Brown Hairstreak storyline in The Archers on Page 14, and the annual Grafton Wood open day on Page 29. Contributions Please send articles and images to the editor at: thecomma@ btinternet.com. The opinions expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the West Midlands Branch or Butterfly Conservation. Copy deadline The deadline for editorial contributions to the Winter edition of The Comma is 12th January 2015. Batch Number: C015022 An eventful summer is good news for all our members Greetings, I hope you had an enjoyable summer. My highlight was seeing six Small Coppers on Ragwort high on the Malvern Branch Chairman Hills. Whilst not the Peter Seal most unusual sighting it reminded me of seeing them on Mint in my childhood garden, one of the experiences which led to an enduring interest in butterflies. Earlier articles in The Comma have outlined efforts to help the Grayling on the Malvern Hills and we aim to support the Conservators there by making maximum use of a legacy granted to us by the Albright Trust – we hope through matched funding. New Regional Officer First and foremost I would like to extend a very warm welcome to Rhona Goddard. Rhona is now in post three days a week and will be supervised by Jenny Joy who we also welcome back to her Senior Regional Officer post two days per week. Their early priorities are the ..more than 70% of the population covered by our Branch live in an urban environment Wood White project across three counties, the next phase in the Wyre Forest and volunteer based activity on Cannock Chase. I would also like to welcome all those who have joined us this year. Remember, even if you are not in a position to join activities, just renewing your membership helps in the goal of protecting wild butterflies – and you get The Comma three times a year! I would also like to welcome as new Committee members Simon Primrose, Brown Hairstreak Champion (Mike Williams is now our Marketing and Publicity Officer) and Mel Mason, who will join us as Malvern Hills representative. Earlier in the year John Dover left us due to pressure of other commitments, but I hope we can draw on his expertise when needed. Interaction with Head Office The first significant task the Committee charged me with when I took over from John Tilt in March was to follow up our interaction with Head Office. Thankfully we’d reached a better shared understanding of our relationship on the financial front but there were other aspects to explore. Martin Warren, Chief Executive, came up from Dorset in May to see us for a very positive day which was rounded off by a sun-filled walk round Grafton Wood. This led to discussion about priorities, an exercise given extra incentive by renewed Regional Officer input. We took the opportunity to share our views on the Regional Officer role and priorities but we also have adopted a set of broad priorities. These include: • strengthen joint working between paid staff and the Branch; • maintain reserves and other landscape scale conservation projects in line with our Regional Action Plan; 2 the Comma
• raise more funds; and • increase and retain membership, encouraging members to support their local work party – our wardens will welcome you with open arms. See our winter programme on Page 30. I have spent most of my adult life in Birmingham to which I had the good fortune to return in July and assist with a butterfly walk along the River Cole led by Jan Tomlinson, Birmingham Park Ranger. Nothing unusual to report but the family orientated event at Sarehole Mill was well organised and in turn well attended. Birmingham with its wildlife corridors is far from devoid of interest. I remember a Small Heath on my lawn in Kings Norton – admittedly in the hot summer of 1976. And this brings me on to an important point: more than 70% of the population covered by our Branch live in an urban environment. Urban green corridors Whilst it is right that our resources are focused on prime sites such as the ancient woodland and open heathland we seek to protect, there is some scope for work in urban green corridors, including brownfield sites, road verges, parks and waterways. A bequest to BC to be administered by one of our members (an ex-chairman no less) may afford the opportunity for a matchpot funding bid to take this forward. There are many small scale initiatives we could be associated with. As an example the Rea Valley Conservation Group has been running for many years in South Birmingham and undertakes practical work to improve the surroundings and help wildlife – do consider joining them to give urban butterflies a boost. To join contact Roland Kedge on 0121 477 2629 To take a wider view of opportunities for development across the West Midlands region and to help members become more involved, the Committee wants to take forward plans to put in place local or county networks. A couple of options are under discussion and I hope to be able to CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 Chief Executive Dr Martin Warren (right) with members of the branch during his visit to Grafton Wood. From left: Ian Hart, John Tilt, Simon Primrose, Trevor Bucknall, Steve Williams, Robin Hemming, Peter Seal (Mike Williams) Company limited by guarantee, registered in England (2206468) Registered office: Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset BH20 5QP. Charity registered in England & Wales (254937) and in Scotland (SCO39268) Autumn 2014 3
Page 1: Bringing butterflies and moths back
Page 5 and 6: Mating pair of Dingy Skippers (Dave
Page 7 and 8: Grant to help protect Wood White Th
Page 9 and 10: One of the excellent information pa
Page 11 and 12: Summer butterflies at Grafton The G
Page 13 and 14: the hope that more suckers would so
Page 15 and 16: A feast of surprises Organisers and
Page 17 and 18: ers and calendar offer Canary-shoul
Page 19 and 20: delight to watch their quick flight
Page 21 and 22: A Chequered Skipper shares a thirst
Page 23 and 24: Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary Che
Page 25 and 26: Queen Elizabeth National Park So on
Page 27 and 28: Good year for Clouded Yellow Roger
Page 29 and 30: Butterflies and beer a winning comb
Page 31 and 32: Committee Members and Officers Chai

Comma-WestMidBC-autumn-2014

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