BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION UPPER THAMES BRANCH
Silver-studded Blue Report 2007
Grahame Hawker
The dire prospects of this species were not helped by the weather in the summer of 2007. There were no sightings at all reported from 2 of the 3 colonies that returned records in 2006 and might still exist in Berkshire, but they were not visited frequently and several visits were made in less than ideal weather.
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The only site to return a positive result
in 2007 was Broadmoor Bottom. 10 adults were seen in late June and early July.
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All the managers of Heathland and various
other key players have been contacted and many attended meetings to discuss
the management required to get the 'heathy' landscape they need returned to a
suitable condition. Obviously a major problem faced by the species is the loss
of Heath. Even where it persists it is frequently covered in secondary woodland,
though this is gradually being cleared back to expose the remnant heather underneath.
Too often the problem is lanky, overgrown heather that simply smothers any chance
of the butterfly finding the warmth and shelter it needs in the turf between
heather plants.
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