It was another mediocre year for the butterfly locally. Though it is stable at approximately 10 UTB sites in southern Berkshire, several sites with recent records (of vagrancy?) show no sign of colonisation and historic downland sites appear unlikely to be re-colonised.

Grayling
Photo © Jim Asher

Good news comes in the form of reports of improving heathland condition at many sites now receiving stewardship funding and of other sites that will soon be in receipt of similar funds. Removal of scrub and larger trees is essential to the butterfly's continued existence but can be controversial.

Areas of bare ground and soil with low fertility are essential and increasingly scarce in our well managed farmlands.

The 2007 distribution of Grayling (Hipparchia semele). Records via Levana.

Contact has been maintained at key sites, including some where the butterfly is (temporarily?) lost.