Saffron Summerfield, Aldina Franco (both previously co-opted), David Prince- prospective Wider Countryside Officer and Michelle Walkling – prospective Events Organiser.

If no objections are received prior to the 23^rd, all the above will be elected.

If you would like to join the Committee, please get in touch.

The main business of the afternoon will be

• A brief introduction by Andy Brazil highlighting interesting sightings in the last 2 summers,
• An illustrated presentation by Will Fitch, Warden of Wheatfen Nature Reserve, entitled “Butterflies of Wheatfen, Past, Present and Future” with lots of stories about Large Coppers, Swallowtails, Fritillaries etc,
• An illustrated talk by Mike Gasson about Swallowtail butterflies at Catfield.

There will be an opportunity to ask questions via the “Chat” facility on zoom.

The Photographic Competition, which I know many of you look forward to, will be announced nearer Christmas.

Foxley Wood 27^th - 28^th July 2021

After a drizzly night we once again gathered in the car park at NWT’ s excellent  Foxley Wood reserve, this time at least resisting the temptation to check the tree tops for large purple butterflies!  Some 15 people were in attendance while we opened the 2 actinic and single MV Robinson trap which Mike Gasson had put out the night before.  In total we recorded 98 species from the traps and Stewart Wright later added 19 more from checking for leaf mines and larval cases.

Highlights included several Mere Wainscots and Small Dotted Buffs, Plain Golden Y, a couple of Large Emeralds, 18 Poplar, 6 Elephant and a single Pine Hawkmoth as well as impressive numbers of Minor Shoulder Knots and uncountable numbers of Common and Dingy Footmen., mostly from the MV trap which had been strategically placed at the cross junction of 2 rides.  Probably though the most important sighting was the very recently new for Norfolk Elachista adscitella which mines Tufted Hair Grass.

National Moth Night 8/9^th July 2021

With the focus this year on wetlands and reedbeds the Butterfly Conservation reserve at Catfield fen was an easy choice for an event, which unfortunately had to be limited to 30 people because of current restrictions.

The morning dawned quite fine, despite the unwanted “biblical” deluge which swept across the reserve while Mick A’Cort of the RSPB and Mike Gasson were trying to put the traps out.  Happily they succeeded so we had six traps to open that morning.

Catfield is a wonderful site for moths and although affected by the previous night’s conditions numbers and variety from the traps did not disappoint with 91 species in total.  For most the visually attractive Elephant Hawkmoths (24 recorded), the local Lempkes Gold spot (9) and single Eyed and Privet Hawkmoths and Peach Blossom were the highlights but everyone was also able to admire local specialities like Dotted (31) and Small Dotted (40) Footmen and Reed Leopard (28) as well as a number of very special micro moths such as Acleris lorquinana and Epinotia cruciana.

So despite the earlier torrential downpour and the restrictions on numbers it was a successful morning, for which special thanks are due to Mick (and his mate) and Mike for putting out and retrieving the traps and Andy and Andrew for recording everything on the lists, a copy of which is available on the moth page.

Talk on Grayling Butterfly in the Brecks — in decline or under-recorded? By Sharon Hearle

On Wednesday 5th May we had our second zoom talk on the Marsh Carpet Moth given by Sharon Hearle. If you missed the talk you can see it below. Click the play arrow at the bottom left of the picture to play the video.

Talk on March Carpet by Sharon Hearle

On Wed 3rd March we had our first zoom talk on the Marsh Carpet Moth given by Sharon Hearle. If you missed the talk you can see it below. Click the play arrow at the bottom left of the picture to play the video.

We will be announce further events on our event page.

The branch is looking for a Moth Officer

This position and the time it takes are very much what the holder would like to make it but generally as a minimum it might include: -

• Organising several moth trap opening events in the County.  This can include setting traps the night before, collecting them in and opening them for members.  The branch has a few of its own moth traps and can generally call up others where required and are normally able to help with putting traps out etc and identification if needed.
• Submission of records from these events to the Norfolk Moth recorder and to meeting attendees.<
• Attendance at Group committee meetings and the AGM
• Contribute occasional articles for the Branch newsletter, website, Twitter, and Facebook.
• Occasional liaison with Head Office/Conservation staff regarding moths in the county
• Liaison with Norfolk Moth Survey and the County Moth Recorder with whom we have a good working relationship.

If you would like to help, then please, in the first instance, contact Greg Bond at @email or on 01263 579520

Sad News

It is with deep regret that the Branch announces the death of Roland Rogers who passed away, after a short illness, just before Christmas at the age of 93. Roland had been associated with the Norfolk Branch for 30 years serving as Chairman and Treasurer. An obituary will appear in the Spring Newsletter.

Thank you for your continuing support during the difficult times of 2020

2020

Updated guidance for butterfly and moth recorders relating to Coronavirus Covid-19

04^th June 2020

Further significant changes and clarification relating to outdoor activities have been made to the government restrictions that were brought in March to reduce the spread of coronavirus. Across the UK, the key message remains to stay at home as much as possible and to follow social distancing rules. However, the specific details vary from country to country.

In England and Northern Ireland, it is now possible for butterfly and moth recording to resume for people who are not shielding or self-isolating.

In Scotland and Wales, it is also now possible for people who are not shielding or self- isolating to resume butterfly and moth recording. However, guidance in Scotland and Wales remains more restrictive in terms of travelling, so you should only record at sites within your local area (roughly 5 miles from home).

Recorders in all four nations must, at all times, continue to observe the appropriate social distancing guidelines for their country. This includes remaining at least two metres away from anyone outside your household. If you have coronavirus symptoms, or if you or any of your household are self-isolating, you should stay at home. Restrictions on the number of people from other households that you can meet vary across the UK so check the current guidance from the websites below.

You should also be aware that nature reserves and other sites may not be open to the public or may be maintaining local restrictions that do not permit butterfly and moth recording. Further advice on staying safe outdoors is available.

We will continue to monitor advice from the UK Government and the devolved administrations, and will produce revised guidance when the time is right. Please check for any updates at www.butterfly-conservation.org. If you have any queries regarding this advice, please contact the recording team at @email

Thank you for your continued co-operation.

Please continue to follow the latest guidance from your appropriate administration:

England: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus,
Scotland: https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19
Wales: https://gov.wales/coronavirus
Northern Ireland: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/coronavirus-covid-19

Sunday 14^th June

White-letter hairstreak, Small and Essex skippers and White Admiral reported our country recorder Andy

Saturday 15^th June

Dark Green Fritillary reported from Holkham

14^th May News Round Up

What funny weather we’re having! One day its sweltering and the next we’re back in our winter woollies.

I’ve printed out a list supplied by County Recorder Andy Brazil of butterflies seen in our area up to 7 May. You may not have seen all of them in your neck of the woods, but they are about, so keep spotting and recording. Next to fly should be the Common Blue and the Swallowtail….and I’ve just heard Swallowtails have been seen already!

Dingy Skipper, Grizzled Skipper, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White,

Brimstone,  Clouded Yellow, Orange tip, Green Hairstreak, Small Copper,

Holly Blue,  Brown Argus, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Peacock,

Comma, Speckled Wood, Wall, Small Heath, Meadow Brown,

Small Tortoiseshell, Large Tortoiseshell

I have highlighted the Large Tortoiseshell because there have been eleven sightings of this rare butterfly recently in Norfolk and Suffolk. Some of you may have seen the write up in The Times:

“Not to be confused with the Small Tortoiseshell butterfly, a very common household species which frequents gardens across the UK during the summer months, the Large Tortoiseshell is an immigrant species.”

Kiri Stuart-Clarke, one of the Branch Committee members, says

“We’re asking the public to help us by recording any sightings they make. The weather and wind direction has been favourable for immigration so they could pop up just about anywhere. If you are lucky enough to spot a Large Tortoiseshell either in your own garden or while on your daily exercise you can record your sightings and contribute to our data. Go to Butterfly-conservation.org/mysightings to download the iRecord app. And don’t forget to share a picture of your sighting too.

“It’s important to provide a positive identification when submitting a recording as it could be easy to mis-identify the butterfly as a Small Tortoiseshell or Comma. The native Small Tortoiseshell is obviously much smaller, while the Large Tortoiseshell also has distinguishing features including uneven forewing bars, an extra black forewing spot and is a paler orange in colour.”

And finally, a very early Meadow Brown was spotted in Norwich on 7 May, the earliest ever recorded!

Jen Dawson Membership Secretary, Norfolk Branch

9th April

First Green Hairstreak reported and I've now had several Large White sightings so it seems they were just late.

Here's all sightings of Green Hairstreak since 2011. They have been reported in gardens - but not often

From County Recorder Andy

Due to the current circumstances we are unable to produce our Spring Newsletter. Below are three reports covering Butterflies, Moths and Transect. We plan to produce an Autumn Newsletter Later in the year.

Please click the link below the picture to access the articles.

Butterfly Report 2019 by Andy Brazil Country Butterfly Recorder

Moth Matters Report by David Norgate Norfolk Moth Officer

Transect Report from Alan Dawson Transect Co-Ordinator

Due to Coronavirus Covid-19 all Butterfly Conservation Norfolk events have been cancelled until further notice.

There is such an important link between mental wellness and being outside in nature. Here’s a few activity ideas to consider if you’re isolated at home:

Take a break in nature and spend some time outdoors butterfly spotting.

• You can identify the species you spot the Identify a butterfly page 
• We’d love you to share your sightings on Twitter @BC_Norfolk and Facebook @ButterflyConservationNorfolk. Butterfly Conservation will be sharing interesting facts, updates and images under the hashtag #feelbetterwithbutterflies.
• You can also contribute your sightings online to the Garden Butterfly Survey scheme which is run by Butterfly Conservation.

Speaking of sightings, have you submitted all your butterfly and moth records? Why not get out your old notebooks and check if all those records from previous years are safely lodged with your county recorder? You can submit even your old butterfly records online or using mobile apps. 

Plant some wildflower seeds for our summer pollinators. Seeds are easy to buy online, or perhaps there’s a few left over in your shed from last year.

Build an Insect A&E. We are encouraging people to help build special areas to support butterflies and bumblebees with the help of Channel 5’s Dr Amir Khan. You can find out more on our website and enter a competition to win some garden plants.

Please look after yourselves

2019 

• Roland Rogers receives Outstanding Volunteer award
• Members' Day and AGM 2019
• Annual Chalkhill Blue count at Warham Camp
• Tyrells Wood field trip report
• Holt Country Park field trip report
• Marbled Whites at Cranwich Heath
• Cranwich Heath field trip report
• Moth event at Weeting Heath report
• Moth event at Pigney's Wood
• Kelling Heath field trip report
• Purple Emperor now the 37th species in Norfolk
• World Swallowtail Day at Wheatfen field trip report
• Grimes Graves, Weeting Heath and Cranwich Heath moth events report

 2018 

• Horsey Gap Walk field trip report
• Pigney's Wood field trip report
• Bradfield Woods field trip report
• Foxley Wood field trip report
• Beeston Common field trip report
• Buxton Heath field trip report
• Butterfly Alert number 8

 2017

• Beeston Common field trip report