Conservation and recording

Recording the butterflies of Suffolk - beyond the Millenium Survey

The Millenium Survey was the largest and most comprehensive survey ever undertaken of the populations and distribution of butterfly species in Britain and Ireland. The survey covered the period 1995-1999, and culminated in the production of the comprehensive Millennium Atlas of Butterflies in Britain and Ireland. The local version, The Millennium Atlas of Suffolk Butterflies was completed by Richard Stewart in conjunction with the Suffolk Naturalists' Society , and provides distribution maps covering every 2km square (tetrad) of the county.

The branch is heavily involved in continuing butterfly survey work, focussing on those areas which were poorly recorded and also the three species with Biodiversity Action Plan status (Silver-studded Blue, Dingy Skipper and White-letter Hairstreak). Information from the survey will help the branch to direct its efforts to the conservation of those species and habitats that are in most need. Anyone wishing to contribute records or to participate in specific surveys should contact Rob Parker (see Committee page).

Download a copy of the recording form

Conservation Work

The branch drafts species action plans for those moths and butterflies of conservation concern that can be found in Suffolk. These plans are used to direct moth and butterfly conservation work in the county.

There are no Butterfly Conservation reserves in Suffolk but the branch views the whole of the county as its reserve and acts to promote conservation of butterflies wherever it may be needed. Recent work parties have helped improve the habitat at various sites for the Silver-studded Blue butterfly, one of Suffolk's more localised butterflies. Advice is provided on maintaining suitable habitats for butterflies and moths to landowners and agencies within the county.

Silver-studded blue Translocation Project 2007

The Suffolk branch has initiated an exciting project that aims to benefit one of Suffolk’s rarest butterflies, the silver-studded blue.

The purpose of the project is to create a new colony of silver-studded blues on Blaxhall Common by relocating adult butterflies from sites elsewhere on the Sandlings heaths. The adult butterflies will not emerge until the beginning of July, but work is already underway to ensure that the likely release site is suitable for the butterflies.

Silver-studded blues are only found on heathland and have very specialised needs. They prefer low-growing bell heather and their life-cycle depends on the presence of a species of black ant that looks after the butterfly during the early stages of its life. Initial surveys of the release area have found healthy populations of the ants, Lasius alienus (psammophilus type), and excellent heathland habitat for the butterfly.

The scheme is a joint project between the Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation and Suffolk Wildlife Trust, who manage the site at Blaxhall. It was made possible thanks to a grant from the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Connect fund, using money raised by Suffolk Secrets, a local tourism business. Volunteers from the branch and SWT will play an important part in the relocation and future monitoring the new colony.

Rob Parker, Conservation Officer with the Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation and the project leader for the scheme said: “Silver-studded blues seldom fly far from where they emerge, so they sometimes need help to colonise new areas. Our plan is to take small numbers of butterflies from two other sites with thriving populations (Hollesley Common and the RSPB’s Minsmere reserve) to create a new colony on Blaxhall Common. Removing a few adults in carefully controlled conditions will not affect the existing strong colonies and will provide a good genetic mix for the new colony.”

Rob continued: “Before the project can get the final go-ahead from Natural England, we needed to check whether the ants were present. Finding them at a high density has confirmed the suitability of the site for the reintroduction. A similar scheme in Norfolk has been very successful and we are optimistic this scheme will really benefit these beautiful butterflies.”

The silver-studded blue is one of the UK’s rarest butterflies. It has suffered a significant long-term decline in numbers although, in recent years, this has been stabilised, largely due to improvements in heathland management such as that carried out by members of the Sandlings Group in Suffolk. Suffolk has a small but nationally important population of silver-studded blues, a butterfly that features in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and may only be legally introduced with proper authorisation and appropriate ecological safeguards.

More information about the progress of this scheme will be published here in the near future.

Visit the Suffolk Wildlife Trust website