Climate Change

Back blip 
The morning started off foggy but, by lunchtime, this had given way to warm sunshine, so we were very pleased we had arranged  to meet our friends L &P and M & P at Mottisfont Abbey (National Trust property ) in the Test Valley  near Romsey. The house is currently hosting  an interesting exhibition of W Heath Robinson's  cartoons from WW1 and WW2, which are  on loan from the Heath Robinson Museum in Pinner Middlesex. 
After visiting the house we explored the extensive grounds which include a winter garden (first extra ), beautiful specimen trees  (second extra)  such as this fine oak tree surrounded by  daffodil and Leucojum (Snowflake) flowers, and of course the famous walled rose garden, where  the last of the winter pruning was taking place. The main blip is of a rather striking wicker  snowdrop sculpture. Finally, we walked by a canalised arm of the River Test which flows  along one  edge of the estate,  but the ground  was too muddy and  wet to  venture far. 
The font, filled by a series of springs ,after which the  estate is named, was also very full  and very muddy today. Often it is crystal clear.
 
This evening, we attended the monthly meeting of the local RSPB group. Tonight,  however, the talk was about the  state of Hampshire 's butterflies presented by the very  knowledgeable and  excellent speaker, Dr Andy Barker, from Butterfly Conservation.
In balmy  Hampshire we are lucky enough to be  home to most of the  UK butterfly species ( 46 out of 61). Although many species are not nearly as abundant as they once were, due to habitat loss. it is not all bad news for us. With climate change we are more likely  to see new species  migrating  across the English channel, such as Long- tailed Blue, Black Veined White, Large Tortoiseshell, Swallowtail, and Geranium Bronze. Already, Glanville Fritillary from  the IOW are venturing across  the Solent more often, and are beginning  to colonise the Hampshire coast. Meanwhile, species which were only found in the  south of England are beginning to migrate  Northwards ( so Blippers in Scotland  may be in for a treat and new source of blips before too long!).
Andy said  that here, in Hampshire,  if we see blue butterflies  in our gardens, in October, especially around  Everlasting Broad -leafed Pea plants ( Lathryus latifolius )they are  very likely to be Long- tailed Blues,. for whose  caterpillars this is a preferred food plant. 
He also said that  some species  may not be quite as rare as supposed,  such as the White Letter Hairstreak. The butterfly is rather  elusive, as it flies around tree tops especially elms. However, they do fly down lower to feed on the flowers of privet and bramble, and it is worthwhile  looking  for their eggs and caterpillars on  new buds on the lower branches of elms,  especially suckers growing from dead elms.
He also addressed a concern of mine, which was the paucity of Small Tortoiseshell butterflies in the past few years. Indeed, I didn't see any last year. It may be explained by the increasing  presence of a parasitic fly,  Sturmia bella, which lays its eggs on nettles close to  Small Tortoiseshell butterfly eggs and caterpillars. The fly's caterpillars then  enter the butterfly's caterpillars and eat them from the inside out.
All in all, a most  fascinating( if at times revolting !) informative  evening.