THE BUTTERFLIES of MOCKBEGGAR

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Erik Butler
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1 THE BUTTERFLIES of MOCKBEGGAR REPORT OF BUTTERFLY TRANSECTS 6

2 Part - Introduction, Acknowledgements & Contents A) Introduction The following report summarises the findings of the weekly butterfly transects undertaken by the New Forest Transect Group at Mockbeggar during 6. This is the first year of recording along this route which was designed by John Levell, General Manager of Somerley Estate. The Transect Team comprises members of the associated Fishing Syndicate. Recording protocols are in accordance with United Kingdom Butterfly Monitoring Scheme Guidelines. By adopting Butterfly Conservation terminology, the term index is used throughout though, for most purposes, this is synonymous with count. B) Acknowledgements Somerley Estate General Manager: Hampshire Flight Chart: Report prepared by: Narratives: Overall Summary: UK Weather: Report Checking: UKBMS database entry: John Levell Alan Thornbury Bob Annell Derek Hankinson John Levell Trevor Bumfrey Jacky Adams John Levell Team Leader: John Levell Transect Team: Terry Cheesman Mark Tutton Andy Jackson C) Contents Part Title Page Introduction, Acknowledgements & Contents Overall Summary Flight Periods Weekly Indices Overview 6 per Section 6 Annual Comparison Indices 8 Annual Variation 8 Appendix Weather 9 Appendix Photographs Appendix Transect Location/Route A more detailed analysis, together with the raw data is available to Group Members and Landowners on request. of

Part - Overall Summary The first year of the Mockbeggar transect proved extremely interesting despite the wet and windy early part of the season.

3 Part - Overall Summary The first year of the Mockbeggar transect proved extremely interesting despite the wet and windy early part of the season. Finding a day when the rain held off and the wind dropped sufficiently to walk the route proved at times very trying. Andy, Terry and Mark all live at some distance from the lakes making impromptu visits difficult. Fortunately as I live and work close to the lakes this enabled me to record the route at very short notice. It was at this point the decision to have joined the New Forest Transect Group paid dividends in that the weekly newsletter, so ably produced by Bob and Jean, showed we were not alone in experiencing such problems. The complex is managed under a winter grazing regime in an effort to produce the maximum of standing grassland and wild flowers throughout the summer. There is a slight conflict in that the high numbers of Canada and Greylag Goose plus in the region of forty Fallow deer impact on approximately % of the grassland. Stock are grazed from st October to March with the emphasis on mixed grazing of cattle, ponies and donkeys. The donkeys are particularly beneficial in controlling nettles and brambles. The resulting flora provides a varied and rich nectar source throughout much of the season. The drier than long term average July and August brought a rapid and early end to the nectar flow originating from shallow rooted flowers such as White Clover and Birds-foot-trefoil. The deeper rooted marginal plants, Hemp Agrimony, thistle, ragwort, mint, Purple-loosestrife and brambles sustained the flow with even these suffering a reduced period of nectar flow. It wasn't until the last week in June that the weather became more seasonally typical, which was duly reflected in the butterfly numbers. Meadow Brown, Marbled White and Small/Essex Skipper brought the meadow sections to life. With only anecdotal sightings in previous years accurate comparisons were not possible but numbers appeared similar. The early broods of Brown Argus and Small Copper were absent with reduced numbers of Common Blue. Whether this was due to the wet and windy early conditions remains to be seen. Subsequent years of the transect will help provide evidence for any underlying changes. The numbers of Silver-washed Fritillary were definitely down and we did not see any Valezina form within the complex this summer. White-letter Hairstreak, whilst again present on site was unfortunately not recorded on the transect. The season was seen out by the large areas of mint providing late nectar, enjoyed by the later broods of Small Copper and the decaying blackberry crop providing sugar for Comma and Red Admiral. I must finish by thanking Andy, Terry and Mark for their efforts and advice, also the New Forest Transect Group team who have put this report together. Special thanks must go to Bob and Jean Annell for their time, expertise and advice so readily forthcoming throughout the year. Small Copper ab caeruleopunctata Photographed by John Levell in Week 6 of

Part - 6 Flight Periods Large, Small and Green-veined White, Common Blue and Holly Blue appeared in both first and second broods. Green-veined White had unusually late presences in their first broods.

4 Part - 6 Flight Periods Large, Small and Green-veined White, Common Blue and Holly Blue appeared in both first and second broods. Green-veined White had unusually late presences in their first broods. This species also appeared very early in its second brood. The broods of Small White merged and, together with Common Blue, there was an unusually late appearance in the second brood. Brown Argus was only recorded during its second brood. The hibernating species, Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock and Comma, appeared in spring and more so in Summer. The two broods of Small Tortoiseshell merged. The migrant species, Red Admiral and Painted Lady, appeared late in Spring with marked presences during Summer, especially Red Admiral which appeared unusually early in Summer. Clouded Yellow was present toward the end of the recording season. Orange-tip was the sole representative of single-brooded species during spring. In the summer, the single broods of Small/Essex and Large Skipper, Silver-washed Fritillary, Marbled White, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown and Ringlet were present during most of their usual flight periods. The Meadow Brown fight period extended into Weeks and 6. Small Copper was abundantly present during its second and third broods which merged. Speckled Wood was present throughout the year, particularly the later part, and, together with Small Copper, Red Admiral and Comma, a strong presence bolstered weekly abundances in September. The annual index in 6 was 8 and species were seen. The peak weekly index was during Week which coincided with the maximum number of weekly species seen (8). All of the above observations regarding flight periods are based on Alan Thornbury's Hampshire Flight Chart, of

5 Weekly Index Part - Weekly Indices 8 Route not walked in Week due to unsuitable weather conditions Week Number The above chart illustrates the pattern of weekly indices during the recording season. In comparison to the rest of the season, indices during spring are much lower. This may reflect the variable weather during spring. The peak period begins in Week with weekly indices increasing steadily until Week and then falling until the end of the period in Week. The start and finish of the period coincide, respectively, with markedly raised and lowered weekly indices for Meadow Brown. The charts in Parts & 6 show that Meadow Brown (86) is, by far, the most prominent species throughout the transect and in all sections and accounts for % of the overall transect index. Small/Essex Skipper (), Gatekeeper (), Small White () and Marbled White () are also prominent and, together with Meadow Brown account for % of the transect index. They are also prominent in most sections. of

6 Number of Index Part - Overview Diversity Section Diversity Section DIFFERENT SPECIES MAX WEEKLY SPECIES Sections & were the most species-rich sections () and Section had the maximum number of recorded weekly species (). Report Part 6 and the graph in Part show that Section () had the highest index though Section (9) and Section 9 (9) followed closely behind. of

7 Part 6 - per Section Section Section 9 9 Index Index Index Index Section 6 Index 8 8 Section Section 8 Index Section 9 Section 9 9 Index 8 Section Index Section 8 Index Section Index of

8 Part - Annual Comparison Indices Section The above graph & table will evolve as the years progress to form an indication of the variation in section abundance & species diversity. of

9 Part 8 - Annual Variation Highest species counts/annum highlighted by red shaded box indicates decrease indicates increase = indicates no change The above is a sample (from a different route) of how annual changes will be reported in future years 8 of

10 Appendix - Weather A warm dry autumn in followed by a warm and wet period. June was very wet followed by a relatively dry July and August. October December October was warmer than average with a typical level of sunshine but significantly drier. November saw storms Abigail, Barney and Clodagh arrive, but with a limited effect on the south, with warmer than average temperatures and fewer rain days than normal. December saw us in a warm and tropical air mass for most of the month with the average temperature ºC above normal but in the south near normal rainfall. January March 6 January was dominated by low pressure with % more rainfall than usual and.ºc higher temperature. February was again warmer than normal (+.8ºC) but close to typical rainfall in the south. Low pressure again dominated March with 9% higher rainfall and a slightly higher average temperature (+.ºC). April June 6 This period was also unsettled but April saw close to average temperature and rainfall. May was.ºc warmer than average and 9% wetter. June was cooler (-.ºC) with almost double the average rainfall (+88%). July September 6 July was a relatively dry month with only % of the average rainfall with a near average temperature. August was warmer (+.ºC) and drier (-%) than average. September was ºC warmer with near average rainfall. Local Rainfall (mm) Southampton Transect Weather 9 of

11 Appendix - Photographs Orange-tip Marbled White Small Copper Silver-washed Fritillary (m & f) Common Blue Brown Argus Small tortoiseshell Peacock Comma Green-veined White A small selection from the many images provided by John Levell of

12 Appendix Transect Location & Route of

Church Hill and Wain s Hill Butterfly Transect 2017

Church Hill and Wain s Hill Butterfly Transect 2017 1. Introduction Many thanks to all who contributed again this year and helped to create a 100% record for the transect on Poets Walk. Angela Slotte,