--- In cornwall-butterfly-conservation@...,
"jowaninpensans" <jowan@...> wrote:
>
> John Wacher saw Large Tortoiseshell at Gwithian (SW587412) on 19th
> September, 2007. He commented 'I am more than ever convinced that
> they are breeding round here'. With this in mind I thought I would
> upload a file with the map and each of the records that have been
> received since 1998. It also shows the dilemma I have when it comes
> to submitting records for the national database held by Butterfly
> Conservation.
>
> Merry Christmas everybody,
>
> John
> Cornwall Butterfly Conservation Recorder


Hi John,

Complex isn't it, hunting down the elusive 'snark', especially with
only one 'regular' observer in the (potential) locality. I think that
where 'we' may go wrong is in associated the Lg.Tortoiseshell uniquely
with Elms (or the many succors). In N.Devon they appear to breed on
Sallows (salix sp.), where 2 or more were seen in proximity at emerging
time, in July (private letters), then they have to be located 'rapidly',
since they are said to go into hibernation 'almost immediately', but
here in Cornwall, being that much milder, they may stay out and about
longer, as John (Wacher's) sightings would suggest(Sep). There appear to
be only two potential area's for breeding, the hinterland of Gwithian
Green (obviously), and perhaps Pontsmill/St.Blazey Vallies (where I have
seen two, over many years!). Even here there is more Salix than there
are elms, but access is restrictive, and there are no recent records
(see John's map). I think it worth looking particularly in the S.W
(Gwithian area), since Global Warming, or whatever, brought more of this
species to the south coast of Britain in 2006/2007 than ever before
(e.g. Portland records etc.).

Best Wishes, Roger Lane
St.Austell