Tuesday 14 July 2015

Possible Chalkhill Blue at Glyncorrwg

I have an opinion on this, but would be very interested to hear what others think? Photo by Gail Cobbold on 9th June.

10 comments:

  1. Is your opinion that it is an odd female common blue, lacking the orange markings? It doesn't look the right colour for chalkhill.

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  2. Its certainly not a Chalkhill Blue I am afraid.

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  3. My reaction was the same as ours Mike, but I was quite surprised to find the odd image of CHB that matched this very well, but to be honest I'm not sure. I can't see the record going anywhere unless other images and more details are provided, but it's Dave's call.

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  4. This is why I was asking for other opinions. If it is a CHB then it was bred and released.I have asked if she has any further images (e.g. underside), but I don't hold out much hope.

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  5. There are several images for CHB online that look very close to this individual shown - although I cannot say one way or another - I like to net and take a close look as photos can be misleading. According to UK Butts map for CHB, there are no records from Wales. However there are 4 historical records from VC41 (GMRG) & 2 from VC35 (Horton). The last of these was c1952 (Hallett in LofG anno. copy). There are records in England as close as Gloucestershire. The only sites in VC41 for its food plant: horseshoe vetch is along the south Gower coast, where the last VC41 record was seen. Could it be that those producing the dist. map for CHB did know of these records and chose not included them because they thought them erroneous or simple didn't know about them or is the map from a certain date onwards - say post 1960? If this is not a CHB and is a type of Common Blue[?], then could our historical records be likewise? We'll have to wait and see!?

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  6. Gail has confirmed that she does not have any further images.

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  7. If you can ask Gail exactly where this was, I could pop up for a look.

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  8. It was reported as SS 863 977

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  9. If it is agreed this is CHB I don't see why it has to be considered as bred and released. It's not that far to the nearest native sites. Perhaps unknown origin would be more suitable?

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  10. For info, Horseshoe Vetch is also present in VC41 at Pant St Bride's, along the side of Ogmore Down.

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