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Silver Spotted Skipper News |
| 4th September 2005 Hello Silver-spotters, Well, the SSS season is drawing to a close. Yesterday I did my "control" SSS-transect and numbers were well down. The numbers seen on the transect have been as follows: 31/7/05 1 2/8 3 7/8 5 13/8 17 16/8 34 20/8 22 (cool, overcast) 21/8 30 (v. hot, sunny) 28/8 18 3/9 7 I guess there is about one week to go before there are only odd stragglers around. All the ones identified yesterday were females, and fairly worn (wing-wear = 2 or 3, for those who follow such things). I also saw one female laying eggs. After she'd finished, I found 4 eggs on an unremarkable tuft of Sheep's fescue, and I don't think they were all from the female I observed. This tuft was in the midst of an area of mixed vegetation, several grass types, rockrose, salad burnet, etc, and about 2 metres from the nearest bare earth. So not at all the typical site for egg-laying (traditionally an isolated clump of un-nibbled fescue adjacent to a patch of exposed earth). What was so tempting about the tuft this female (and others) had laid on is a mystery. However, by chance I had an email from one of the former Leeds University SSS research team (now working in Spain), sending me the abstract of a paper they were hoping to publish on the changing patterns of egg-laying by SSS. The females are apparently now choosing cooler laying sites in the UK than they used to, as the climate warms up, hence not such a requirement for the warm bare earth and an ability to use more vegetated sites. This ties in with my own observation, and with a similar observation from Jim Asher a few days earlier where the egg-laying site was about half a metre from the nearest bare earth. My correspondent also told me that in Spain most SSS are found above 1700m! On 21/8/05 (just after the time of peak numbers) I made an extensive survey of Watlington Hill, finding 29 SSS in 100 minutes, fairly uniformly scattered across all areas. The turf is nibbled right down to ground level by rabbits, and there were very few nectar flowers around, so it is probably over-grazed from the SSS perspective. I have been assiduously collecting all your emails and postings on the UTB website, and will collate all the reports together once the season is finished. We have achieved a very thorough coverage of the Chilterns area between us all, so many thanks to everyone who has contributed, including those who have sent in "zeroes". Who knows, given a bit more global warming, today's zeroes could become tomorrow's strong colonies. Please do send me (or the website) any sightings not yet reported, as well as any that you see from now on. And (as always), please do remember to ALSO send them to Jim Asher for formal inclusion in the Levana data-base. Best regards Richard Soulsby UTB SSS Champion |
| 17th August 2005 Hello again Silver Spotters, Here is an update on SSS actitvities - and related matters (Chalkhill, DGF and Small Blue). Yesterday, 16 Aug, I did my SSS-special transect at Swyncombe Downs, in ideal weather, 1230 - 1330. I'm pleased to say that the count had increased from 17 SSS on Saturday morning to 34 yesterday (10 males and 9 females identified). This looks as though it could be the peak. Last year the peak occurred on 8/8/04 with 40 SSS. So it looks as though the flight period is about a week later this year than last, but only slightly reduced numbers. Numbers on the transect this year so far have been: 1 on 31/7, 3 on 2/8, 5 on 7/8, 17 on 13/8, 34 on 16/8. Also seen, 22 Chalkhills and a couple of bonuses: one very tatty DG Frit, and one Clouded Yellow. Today, 17 Aug, I took an afternoon off work to look for SSS further afield, again in perfect weather. First off, Butler's Hangings*, 1400-1455. A total of 18 SSS (3M+6F) seen in 55 mins, with 13 at high level and 5 at mid level of the hill, and 7 south of the wooded band and 11 north of it. It seems a strong colony. The only other report I've received this year from Butler's Hangings was from Ched George, who saw at least 4 SSS on 2/8/05. Also seen: 39 Chalkhills in 55 mins, and one Small Blue. Lots of Brown Argus and Common Blues as well. Then to Yoesden Bank, 1550 - 1620. I walked the length of the site but didn't see a single SSS. On the other hand, I saw 66 Chalkhills. The only Skipper seen was a lone and tatty Small Skipper. Ched reported a single SSS from a brief visit on 5/8/05 and expected more to emerge later - so none seen today is disappointing. Last year the only (non-zero) report was from Dave Ferguson of 2 SSS on 13/8/04. This seems to be an endangered site for SSS - unless anyone knows different. Finally up the footpath in Yoesden Wood to the flowery clearing, 1625 - 1635. A very pleasant spot with plenty of butterflies (inc Small Copper), but no SSS and no Chalkhills. Some tasty clumps of Sheep's Fescue on ants' nests but no eggs found. If the flight period is late this year, with luck it means we might get another week at the end, taking us well into September, so plenty of opportunities still to get out there and scout for SSS. Hope to hear about your sightings! Richard Soulsby UTB Silver-spotted Skipper Champion * Does anyone know the correct spelling for But(t)ler's Hangings?? In my (old) BBONT Wildlife book it is spelled Buttlers, while the sign at the site says Butlers. Doesn't affect the butterflies, but it would be nice to know the authorised version. |
| 11th August 2005 This Sunday (14 Aug) is the ideal time to see Silver-spotted Skippers! MikeWilkins is leading a trip to Aston Rowant NNR - the premier site in our area for SSS, and right at the peak of the SSS flight period. The weather forecast also looks promising. On last year's visit on the same date I counted 170 SSS in about 90 minutes on Beacon Hill (Aston Rowant North), and this year Paul Huckle has already reported 110 on a single pass through the site. Can we beat 170 this year? Meet at the Upper Car Park (SU 732 966) at 10:30 - see Events Programme for details - continuing until 3pm, to include both North (Beacon Hill) and South (Bald Hill) parts of the reserve. Hopefully this event will encourage people to scour other likely SSS sites over the next few weeks. Hope to see you there! Richard Soulsby UTB SSS Champion P.S. Many thanks to all who have sent me reports already - I am collating them, and will send an interim summary shortly. |