Hello and welcome to alert number 9, hot on the heels of number 8!
Despite my predictions, it turns out that the next species to emerge is Silver-studded Blue with 3 at Buxton Heath on Sunday 4th June.
In other news, there were 2 Lesser Emperor dragonflies at Whitlingham Broad in Norwich today apparently, with others reported at Felbrigg.
Red-veined Darters are at Kelling Water Meadows, which has good numbers of Small Heath at the moment, Beeston Common and Winterton Dunes (north towards Horsey).
I am informed that "Hummingbird Hawk-moth and Broad-bordered Bee Hawk moth are now regular visitors to the Red Valerian flowers opposite the Lynn Arms pub in Syderstone.", with other broad-bordered seen at Holme Dunes and Foxley wood.
Next up should be Gatekeeper, Small Skipper and Ringlet, but I note Dark Green are out in Dorset at the moment.
Elsewhere Black Hairstreak are now flying at Monks Wood in Cambs, Mountain Ringlet at Irton Fell, and Large Blue in Somerset,
If you want to see what's across the channel https://waarneming.nl/index.php?g=4&page=1is live Dutch sightings (Niobe Fritillary is flying in Friesland I see)
National BC is in the process of setting up new data access protocols for
he records we supply to the public and other bodies, and would like to know what local recorders think. The survey is at http://r1.dotmailer-surveys.com/31dgt0d-a42ejn55 and includes some explanatory text. They'd like people to complete the survey by 9th June. (This has been triggered by the changes in what used to be the NBN gateway and is now the National Bio-diversity Atlas - https://nbnatlas.org/)
The next BC Field trip will be Beeston Common 17th June
There's a moth trap opening at Dersingham Bog on 9th June
Wheatfen Open day June 11th, Catfield open day 18th June
Other events of interest
There's a Bioblitz at Rosary Cemetery, Norwich on June 10th
Mousehold Heath butterfly walk June 22nd
Currently reported for Norfolk are: Swallowtail, Large, Dingy and Grizzled Skipper, Large, Small and Green-veined Whites, Brimstone, Clouded Yellow, Orangetip, Holly Blue, Small Copper, Green Hairstreak, Common Blue, Silver-studded Blue, Brown Argus, Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral. Peacock, Comma , Speckled Wood, Wall, Meadow Brown and Small Heath
Large Red, Red-eyed, Variable, Azure, Blue-tailed and Common Blue damselflies are flyingin Norfolk, along with Hairy Dragonfly, Downy Emerald, Emperor, Lesser Emperor, Norfolk Hawker, Scarce, Broad-bodied and Four-spotted Chaser, Keeled and Black-tailed Skimmers, Red-veined Darter and Banded Demoiselle.
Remember you can find us on facebook https://www.facebook.com/ButterflyConservationNorfolk/ and Twitter @BC_Norfolk
As usual all reports gratefully received.
Andy B