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Adonis Blue is doing well in the Chilterns. |
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A team of UTB members have been busy this week
surveying in the Chilterns for the elusive Adonis Blue. This followed
concerns expressed at the UTB Champions meeting held in March 2004 that
this butterfly had suffered a serious decline in recent years. Its
status on a number of public access sites was of particular concern.
We are very pleased to report that 3 adults were
seen at Hartslock near Goring on 2.06.2004 after an absence of 5 years
(based on reported sightings to UTB). However it does not seem to be
present on the nearby Lardon Chase where it was a regular accurance
until 2002.
The really good news is that the Adonis is present
on at least three further sites in the Goring area. They are privately
owned. One of these sites contains a very strong colony. 40 individuals
were seen here on 6.06.2004.
Perhaps the area contains a meta-colony with
movement between sites. Indeed there may be further colonies in suitable
adjacent habitats.
A further colony was located at Yoesden Bank,
Radnage on 04.06.2004 when 2 males were seen flying in poor weather
conditions. The butterfly has appeared sporadically at this site in past
years, the last sighting being in 2000. The status of this colony is
unknown, the suspicion being that it may be an introduction.
However there have been other singular sightings
in the Chilterns in recent years, notably at Aston Rowant in 2003.
The Adonis Blue has been expanding its range in
Sussex and Dorset in recent years which may explain our relative success
in finding colonies in the Chilterns.
It is imperative that any further sightings of
Adonis Blue are reported to the UTB Adonis Blue Champion Maureen Cross
at maa.cross@btinternet.com
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