This is from Chris Jackson Christopher.Jackson@nottscc.gov.uk project organiser
Unfortunately as you will all be aware, due to Covid-19, we were unable to get out with our volunteer work parties onto any of the grizzled skipper sites last year. I don’t think that this will have too much of an adverse effect over one year, but this may be more problematic if the same thing happens over the coming autumn-winter. The good news is that we did manage to get some site management undertaken during the winter with scrub management being undertaken along the disused railway embankment at Bingham Linear Park, and also we managed to get a remote controlled mower to cut the vegetation along the recently cleared areas along the Great Central Railway line near East Leake.
I am contacting you all to remind you that the grizzled skipper will be soon on the wing and that once again if you are able to get out and about onto some of the known sites and report sightings of the butterfly that would be very much appreciated. The graph below shows the number of grizzled skipper sightings in recent years and how the project has been beneficial in boosting records in Notts, since it started back in 2012. Having made such a positive impact we are keen to keep momentum going during 2021 and hopefully with your help, we will continue to see an increase in the number of reported sightings of grizzled skipper.
In recent years, the first sightings of grizzled skipper have ranged from 9thApril – 8th May (see table below), with the earliest being back in 2017 (9th April). Due to this year’s cooler April I suspect that the first sighting may be a bit later than in 2017? Staunton Quarry has regularly been the site where the earliest sightings have been recorded, as well as being the best recorded site in Nottinghamshire. It would be great if we could get as many different sites surveyed as possible this year.
The following sites have had sightings in recent years and are publicly accessible:
- Newark to Cotham Sustrans Route
- Newark to Bottesford Disused Railway
- Staunton Quarry
- Bingham Linear Park
- Flawborough Footpath
- Langar Airfield East (bridleway)
- Newstead Old Coal Stocking Yard
If you want more details on any of these sites, such as grid references, please let me know.