VIEWPOINT FOR 17 JULY 2008
FROM DR RICHARD TAYLOR

Butterflies are in the news this week with the report that an endangered species, the Silver Studded Blue has been found surviving in considerable numbers in its former habitat that had been ravaged by fire. It is not sufficiently known that on our doorstep, in the Wyre Forest, we have one of the most valuable sites for butterfly survival and conservation in England. Last week I had the pleasure of visiting Wyre to be taken on a brief butterfly watch by the Forest District Manager, Ian Hickman, with experts in wild life and butterfly conservation. It was a dull day but obligingly the sun appeared just as we were at one of the open areas of forest with brambles and other nectar plants in plenty. There were Ringlets, small dark butterflies that do not mind a little rain, and Gatekeepers, much brighter browns and oranges, and several of one of the most beautiful species in Wyre, Silver Washed Fritillaries, elegant, large, bright yellowy-orange butterflies with black markings on the upper surfaces of the wings and a silver wash on the under surfaces.
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Butterflies are intensely satisfying for their beauty and, for some of them, for their ease of observation and recognition. Unlike moths, of which there are thousands from tiny nondescript brown jobs to the huge Death's Head Hawk Moth, there are only between 40 and 50 butterfly species in England and if you know the months in which they are on the wing and those in your area, recognition of several more becomes easier. Understanding the value of Wyre for butterflies, the management follow the advice of conservation experts to create open rides within the forest, with shelter from strong winds, where food plants thrive and the butterflies then oblige by moving in. The Wyre managers are looking for regular walkers in Wyre, and Hawkbatch particularly, to record butterflies seen, with the date, time and place to supplement observations already recorded. It would be a great help and a fascinating addition to any walk to note sightings of the less common and more spectacular species like the Fritillaries and the White Admiral. Anyone interested should contact Ian Hickman at fe.midlands@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
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The completion of the ambitious restoration of the Stourport Canal Basins was marked last weekend with a Festival of Celebration with exhibitions, guided walks, market stalls, activities for children and culminating in The Devil's Tale, a land and water, musical extravaganza performed by a cast of hundreds with Spanish professionals joining local amateurs. It was a fitting celebration for a splendid multi-award winning project completed on time by British Waterways with generous support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Advantage West Midlands, local Councils and others to the total of £3.2 millions.
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Another competition for schools has just been announced. 
This is the Parliamentary Press Gallery Writing Competition which this year invites those in years 10-11 to propose to the Prime Minister the one thing they think would make Britain a better place and those in years 12-13 to devise an effective media campaign to promote a more positive image of young people. Details available from www.parliamentarypressgallery.org.uk

R.T.

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