Called over to the Dingy Skipper site last night and managed see at least 8 different individuals there. Unfortunately the area where I first found them is now getting overgrown with shrubs, but fortunately the butterflies have moved further round to suitable habitat with very little shrub growth so hopefully will be safe for a few years yet.
Found a second little colony of Dingy Skippers a few hundred yards away from the original site,counted at least 12 butterflies in this new area. I searched this area two years ago when I originally found them ,but none were seen then,so hopefully the colony is expanding.
Also still at least 8 butterflies in the original area in a quick search.
-- Edited by pete berry on Saturday 14th of May 2022 03:18:14 PM
A quick check after the sun came out this afternoon produced at least 11 Dingy Skipper butterflies from the same private site I saw them 2 years ago. Unfortunately due to ongoing work there,no access to the area would be given.
An hour in the garden after the rain went through and the sun came out Holly Blue, Speckled Wood, Peacock and several white butterflies in the garden. A Southern Hawker dragonfly very obliging perched up for a couple of seconds by the pond so I could get my bins on it,and another largeish dragonfly which was reddy brown unfortunately wasn't so obliging and remained unidentified.
I think they will be dining Pete .... I had them on my lilies last year .... munched their way through all the leaves .... ended up with three "sticks" in a pot !
Roger.
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There may be similar habitat scattered around the site,I'll be checking it out in the next week or so,it's very doubtful that the site will be managed for them,but hopefully it shouldn't change in the next few years.
Not too much flight-time left for them I think. Whatever, if there is more habitat like that on the site, they could disperse in future years. Is that the case, or is the land maintained in a state that is beneficial to them? Anyway, a good-news story is very welcome at the moment.
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Yes,I've reported it to the recorder,he's very pleased with the sightings as they are the 1st one's since 2004 when a single was present at Adswood tip. It's also potentially the first breeding for the county. It's just a shame that the land is private as I'm sure a few people would like to see them, if the lockdown is lifted soon I might be able to get permission to take people on to see them,maybe in one organised visit. Watch this space.
Just found a colony of Dingy Skipper butterflies nearby,unfortunately they are on private land with no public access,I have permission to visit site. I saw several in a relatively small area,don't know if there are any more sites in the county with them??
Pete,
Consider yourself very privileged (I'm certain you do). I would almost kill to see these! I hope that the colony is known to the relevant authorities as I feel it is probably unique in Greater Manchester? If not, it should be reported.
Regards,
Andy
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Ever wondered what the Earth was like before life evolved? Stick around.
Just found a colony of Dingy Skipper butterflies nearby,unfortunately they are on private land with no public access,I have permission to visit site. I saw several in a relatively small area,don't know if there are any more sites in the county with them??
