2007 Magazine Version 05.indd - Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire

Photograph © Steven Cheshire 2007 Photograph © Debbie Hibbitt 2007
Above: The winners and losers... White Admiral did well while the Wood White (male) had a disappointing year.
as the Grizzled Skipper, White Admiral and Small Heath recorded one of their best
years. The only disappointment this year was the performance of the Wood White
which appears to generally have had a bad year. On the day-flying moths the Narrowbordered
Five-spot Burnet also had its best ever year. Migrants also did well this year
probably benefiting from the long hot summer. Notably the Red Admiral, Humming-bird
Hawk Moth and Silver Y had their best ever years, the Clouded Yellow and Painted
Lady also had one of their best years.
The Warwickshire Branch moth equipment has been playing a major role in recording
our reserve over the past two years with over 20 visits being made. During
2006, a further 130+ species were added to the
list, which currently stands at 475. Hopefully, this
Photograph ©
knowledge can assist in the management of the
Keith Warmington 2007
r eserve. If we don’t know a species is there we
cannot help it.
2006 was a good year for migrants with species
like the Vestal, Pearly Underwing and Scarce
Bordered Straw being found. More important,
possibly, was the recording of the first
Lobster Moth in the county for over 30
years. Unfortunately, the idiot observer
(that would be me!) didn’t realise
its significance as David Brown’s
excellent book was two weeks from
publication.
Other good moths to be found
were the micro moths Syncopacma
taeniolella (4th for the county) and
Sitachroa palealis (3rd for the county).
8
Above: The Small Heath has had one of its best years at Ryton.
Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire Branch Magazine 2007