Grayling Surveys in the west Highlands of Scotland 2008
The Grayling Hipparchia semele was designated a UK Prioriy Species in 2007 on the basis of a continued decline in England. However, there is no evidence of a decline in Scotland except on some brownfield sites, indeed a number of new sites in the west Highlands have been discovered in recent years.
Habitat
The Grayling has a very coastal distribution in Scotland being found on rocky cliffs, dunes, grassland, heathland or along woodland paths but all these diverse habitats are characterised by having open bare areas of soil or stony ground which receive the full warmth of the sun.
In Argyll in 2006, two new habitat types were noted. One Grayling was seen beside the waterfall on the sunny south-facing lower slopes of Ben Cruachan (a great butterfly site NN081272)- this rocky gorge is part of the Glen Etive SSSI owing to the associated ancient woodland and bryophytes - which evidently provides the warm rocky habitat the Grayling favours. One Grayling was also found near Bridgend, Moine Mhor on a south-facing rocky escarpment created by the building of a forestry track (NR846936).
Methodology
These two examples are unlikely to be unique Grayling habitats so it is hoped that volunteers can be encouraged to look for Grayling along rocky south facing waterfalls on the lower slopes of mountains (below 250m) and along rocky south-facing escarpments on forestry tracks in the west Highlands.
'Rocky' is a very apt adjective for the west highlands of Scotland so it is likely that there are many undiscovered Grayling colonies here. As it occurs in small isolated colonies associated with stony ground, it is easy to miss.
However, both south-facing waterfalls below about 250m and east-west forestry tracks in the west highlands can easily be identified in an area using OS maps and a shortlist of sites visited. If you enjoy cycling along forestry tracks or like hillwalking in the west highlands, this survey is for you.
In addition to discovering new Grayling colonies, any knowledge about its ecology would be valuable. What are the essential components of a Grayling habitat? Its need for habitats with lots of bare stony ground which warm up quickly in the sun are well-known as are its food plants but further insights would be invaluable if Butterfly Conservation is to halt the decline of this species in England. Thyme and Heather have been suggested as important nectaring plants for example so please record the presence of these two plants. Please use the Grayling Habitat Survey Form to record habitat data and numbers of Grayling.
Description
The Grayling is a butterfly whose wings are held closed when not in flight and the pale grey to almost black colouring provides excellent camouflage for the rocky stony habitats in which it is found. If startled, the Grayling will flick its forewing upwards to reveal the orange upper hindwing with an eyespot.
When to Do
The flight period is from late June to late August with the main peak in July when it is recommended surveys are undertaken.
If you think you might like to participate in the Grayling survey during July 2008, it would be appreciated if you could
just to register an interest without any obligation and then an email reminder can be sent to you later in the summer.
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