The Camberwell Beauty
Invasion of 2006

Here is an update on the interesting migration of late July and August. As well as one unexpected Long-tailed Blue near Great Yarmouth, two Silver-washed Fritillaries and a Pale Clouded Yellow, this year brought a wave of Camberwell Beauties to Suffolk. They came with a northerly wind from Scandinavia, and reached the Netherlands in good numbers in the first week of August, though a couple of the Suffolk arrivals were earlier. They were first seen close to the coast, initially in good condition, if showing some signs of exhaustion. At least 5 were photographed, and fully completed record sheets have been received in respect of 9 sightings, which are listed below, along with other accounts from diverse sources, not all fully authenticated.
Until 1st September, your County Butterfly Recorder had not seen one himself, but an early notification of the Brent Eleigh migrant put that situation to rights. Here is the insect, posing between sessions at the rotting apples in the orchard:

A few are still being recorded, despite the deterioration in the weather, but since the northerly winds have now ceased, it seems likely that the invasion is over. Sightings will continue, of course, so keep your eyes peeled. The Suffolk count is presently 24, several of which could be repeats:

8/7     Nr Theberton (visitor report, details awaited)
21/7   Tattingstone TM137377 (predating most of the Dutch sightings)
4/8     Theberton Woods TM420654
5/8     Ipswich garden near Bixley TM1943 (photographed)
8/8     Minsmere (visitor report) TM4767
14/8   Ipswich, Castle Hill allotments TM153465 (moved by hand/cane)
14/8   (date uncertain),     Nayland "Anchor" TL9734 (Essex/Suffolk border)
15/8     Ipswich, garden near Bixley TM1943 (possibly the same insect as 5/8)
15/8     Kessingland TM5286 (visitor report - no detail)
16/8     Sudbury garden TL8741
17/8     Minsmere/Sizewell TM4765 (captured/photographed/displayed on 18/8)
17/8     Benacre Broad TM5184 (photographed)
17/8     Knoddishall TM4360 basking on conifer
17/8     Covehithe TM5282
17/8     Gt Bradley TL6752 (Nr Newmarket) on apples. Our most westerly.
17/8     Wangford TM448791 settled briefly
19/8     Cowlinge TL7153 (lifted from over-ripe plum)
19/8     Haughley TM0262
20/8     at 1230 Dunwich TM478705 in garden of Ship Inn
20/8     at 1415 Dunwich Heath area TM471688 (possibly the same insect)
24/8 (approx)     Newbourne TM2743 (photo deposited at Museum)
27/8     Gorleston TG5205 (via Birdline)
28/8     Knodishall TM4360 (on fallen plums, possibly same insect as 17/8)
1/9     Brent Eleigh TL948476 (photos)

plus 19/8     Sturmer TL695443 (just into Essex)

Norfolk has received even more than Suffolk, with the count standing at 33 by the end of August.
A small number have found their way westwards into Cambs and Herts.
After the initial sightings, most have been found in gardens, feeding on fallen apples or plums. Some, like the photo above, are now showing signs of wear. Presumably some will endeavour to hibernate, although the expectation must be that very few will succeed, as they seem intolerant of the humidity of British winters.

The previous Camberwell Beauty invasion was in 1995, when 39 records were received from 36 different tetrads in Suffolk. Those records, ran from 3 Aug to the end of September – so there may well be more to come this year. Any future sightings, or extra detail of those mentioned above, should be sent to: butterflies@sns.org.uk